La Paz Sand Dunes

The La Paz Sand Dunes or Bantay Bimmaboy consists of an area of approximately 85 square kilometers

(52 square miles) of protected sandy coastal desert and beach close to Laoag City, the capital of the province

of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. The area is known locally by the name Bantay Bimmaboy, a name which

refers to the common perception that the dunes resemble pigs in shape. The area is also popularly known as

the Desert of the North and is a popular location for shooting films.

The height of the dunes ranges from 10 to 30 meters. The dunes themselves are scenic but a panoramic view

of the South China Sea can also be seen from them.
With its dramatic landscape, the La Paz Sand Dunes is a popular site for shooting local and foreign films. It was used as a location for the Philippine movies Himala and Panday and for segments of the Hollywood films Mad

Max and Born on the Fourth of July. A few people inhabit the area, as can be seen from the nipa huts that dot the dunes.