So what can you do while in Baluarte Zoo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur? What
makes it worth stopping by on a tour of Northern Philippines? Here are ten things
you can do!
1. Kalesa Ride. You’d be greeted by kalesa drivers right before the
entrance to the zoo. You can make it your first activity or the last while in
Baluarte. Aboard the horse-driven kalesa, you’d have a tour of the town.
2. Souvenir Shops. Also outside the entrance are several souvenir
shops where you can find items you can bring home including shirts, caps,
keychains, display items, and more. You’ll also find wood work like flute, bird
whistle, and bow or arrow at the entrance.
If I may suggest, check out the air-conditioned booth inside (left
from the entrance) for a photobooth opportunity and customized t-shirt printing
with a design of your choice.
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| take a photo behind this tiger :) |
3. Picture with a Tiger. In relation to the photobooth shop above, you
can request to have a back draft of a friendly Bengal tiger at the mock stage
platform inside the zoo. The tiger is held secure by chains so don’t worry, it
won’t bite! Besides, its friendly or so the photographer and the handler say.
;)
4. Special Shows. These are held on the mock stage mentioned above.
The host simply talks about what you can expect within the zoo including information
above several animals thriving in the area.
5. Photo Op with a Bird. You can take pictures with colorful cockatoos
resting on your shoulders. It’s free but you can always give a tip to the bird’s
handler. The birds are right beside the photobooth I mentioned earlier.
6. Sugarcane Drink. Check out the sugarcane drink maker before walking
around the zoo. It’s close to where cockatoos are. You’ll definitely enjoy the
refreshingly sweet yet kalamansi sour flavor of the cold drink.
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| you'll love this sugar cane and calamansi concotion |
7. Refreshments. Merienda and drinks are also offered through various
stalls inside and outside the zoo.
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| ostrich on the oval |
8. Pony Ride. Apart from the kalesa outside, you can also tour around
the zoo’s oval on board a kalesita or small kalesas driven by ponies or little
horses. Around the oval you’ll find horses, sheeps, and ostriches. The pony
ride is also free like the rest of the services inside the zoo yet you can
offer a tip to your carriage driver if you’d like to. I didn’t like the ride
though. Poor animals are too small yet heavy laden with a burdensome human
load. :(
9. Picture Taking. Obviously, cameras are a must for picture taking
opportunities. You can take photos of animals such as those I’ve already listed
above as well other animals found throughout the zoo (deer, buck, butterflies,
python, and more). There’s also a submarine and several old cannons. Take
pictures on the Baluarte sign surrounded by gigantic dinosaur statues and koi
fishes by the pond too.
10. Nature Walk. I suggest walking around to feel the breezy wind from
the hilltop. Climb up to the left for a glimpse of the upcoming gold colored
casino. On the far right when passing by the deer sanctuary on the other hand, and
you’ll find a golf course, more deer including a unique one with amazing looking
antlers, homes down the hill, and a view from the highest point of the entire
zoo premises.
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| view from the highest public point of the zoo |
Getting There
Commuting will take 8-10 hours by bus from Manila depending on road
condition and traffic. But you’d enjoy the scenery with hills on your right and
waters on your left in La Union and Ilocos Sur itself. You know you’re almost
there once you pass by Quirino Bridge and it’s old version on the opposite side.
To get to Baluarte, you won’t have to reach Vigan. Stop at Bantay
and hire a tricycle for about Php70 to bring you to the zoo. After the zoo, you
can hire a tricycle again and make sure to visit old Vigan houses in Calle Crisologo.
Baluarte Zoo is open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM and you’ll find more
information through the website www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte.
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