Feel your fatigue melt away by the tender breeze from the cold air and the chirps of crickets.

Trace the camping-like hideouts made up with thatched roof, bamboo poles, and woven bamboo in the mountainside where a view deck is situated.

The picturesque Amigo’s Café View Deck in Casiaman village is one of the most prized destinations of our hometown Bacnotan here in the first district of La Union. 

It is a cliffside site offering an unobstructed view of the whole municipality and mountain range at the backdrop.

According to Mr. Israel De Padua, the café view deck owner, the Bali-inspired and Instagram-worthy photo-op spot is personally designed by his wife who is an architect.

“My wife has arranged the ornaments within the place. We did not come up with a theme, but we have adopted the vibe of nature. So, we also used dried woods of narra, mahogany, and others,” De Padua told the Philippine Information Agency.

In addition, De Padua said that the tourist spot aims to promote agri-tourism.

“Dahil sa Amigo, nakapag-hire kami ng mga tao to work for us because we also want to offer job opportunities,” De Padua said.

Moreover, the site is completely accessible since the roads are paved but since it is a verdant mountainside, travelers should brace themselves for an adventurous rollercoaster path.

If wanderers happen to have a sudden craving for coffee and pastries, there is an enticing and refreshing hub nearby the hideouts which is imbued with aromatic brewed coffee, hot chocolate, and the never-gets-old milk tea.

“We also serve pancakes, pasta, sandwiches, chips, and desserts. To refresh the tourists while roaming around, we have smoothies and fruit tea,” said De Padua.

The recommended time to visit the place while having a sip of coffee is during the wee hours of the morning or before sunset for one could witness better color hues or be welcomed by a sea of clouds, if lucky enough.

When it comes to safety from COVID 19 virus, it’s an outdoor open space where air freely scatters. 

Nevertheless, observe health protocols.

How to get there?

Ride on a jeepney with a “Sapilang” in the signage. 

Their garage is located at the Tanqui terminal, in the lone city. 

Travel is around 40-45 minutes and the fare is around P35.00 per person (one way). 

One can use a preferred navigation app to get to the place.

Entrance fee is P25.

For development, the Amigo Café’s view deck proposes to construct cabins for overstay and plant cherry blossoms within the site. (JCR/AMB/KJCR, PIA La Union)