This travelogue tells my experience when I visited Bolinao. It may also include travel tips and guide for those who are planning to visit this place in Pangasinan.
My friends and I (TB Boys) planned to go for a Pangasinan trip in summer of 2015. It was my first time to visit the province (although I usually pass by there when I go to Northern Luzon).
2015 SUMMER
DAY 0
The plan was to leave at midnight (11pm) and catch a trip to Alaminos from Cubao (Quezon City). Both Victory Liner and 5 Star Bus offer trips to Alaminos and Bolinao.
Visit there website for details:
DAY 1
We arrived and spent the first half of our day in the Hundred Islands National Park. CLICK HERE to see my TRAVEL GUIDE to the Hundred Islands.
After having our lunch in Alaminos, we went straight to a terminal near public market via tricycle. There are UVs routing to Bolinao with fare approx P80. Travel time is about 2 hours. No stopovers.
At around 3-ish, we arrived in Bolinao town proper. Here, you can visit the historical Saint James the Great Parish Church AKA Bolinao Church. So we drop by and took some pics.
If you are going on a DIY trip, you might wanted to buy food and some stuff at Bolinao Wet and Dry Market. In our case, we bought some meat and hotdogs to grill, and drinking water.
Before we go to Bolinao, we made sure to reserve an accommodation for smooth transfer. We chose Cocos Beach Resort for our overnight stay in Bolinao. RESORT REVIEW HERE
Cocos Beach Resort can be reached via there Facebook page:
It's almost sundown when we arrived at the resort. So it's chill time for us. :)
Cocos beach is part of Brgy. Ilog Malino. The shore here is usually at low tide. But you can capture a perfect sunset here. :)
At night, a bonfire is perfect by the beach. Just ask the caretaker for options when you get there. The rest of the evening was story telling, soundtrip and sleep. :D
DAY 2
The very good thing about this resort is that their rooms are facing beach front which is a perfect view in the morning. We woke up at 7-ish in the morning and had our not-so-heavy breakfast before touring Bolinao.
- View from the doorstep of our room.
The night before we already booked a tricycle tour with kuya manong (forgot his name). Just ask the caretaker to book a day tour to Bolinao's tourist spots.
Before the clock hits 8am, we started our trip to Brgy. Patar (just next to Brgy. Ilog Malino). Just a few minutes away, we drop off our first destination:
Rock View Beach is part of Patar. Here, you can also stay and pitch your tent. Tourists visit this place not to swim or to stay for the beach but to witness the rough beauty of the rock formation. But for us, it's a good place for photo-ops! :D
There's one lagoon where you can swim in. A few people do a cliff dive/jump on the other side of the beach. The rest... it's just all rock.
FEES: P50.00
2nd Destination - CAPE BOLINAO LIGHTHOUSE
Still in Patar, we arrived at our next spot. Like what we did at Rock View Beach, we just drop here to do photo-ops. LOL
Oh wait, it was hot back then. Good thing there was a vendor of ice drop (ice cream on stick). :)
Getting inside the lighthouse was not possible that time. But getting there is free.
Souvenirs are available here.
*3rd destination - PATAR BEACH
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE ABOUT PATAR BEACH
One thing that Patar boasts is its long white sand beach. Bolinao is blessed for it's natural wonders. Patar is just one of the evidence. This beach has pristine, clear waters.
Another good thing in this beach is that there's no entrance fee required. However, parking of vehicles may cost you P20 and up (depending on the type of your vehicle).
As expected, it is crowded when we went there. There are tents for rent along the beach. Grill is also allowed. Accommodation-wise, there are resorts nearby. Parking is available. There are restrooms. There are souvenir shops.
In our case, we just hit the shore and soaked to the sea. :)
Don't forget the photo-ops! :D
4th Destination - THE ENCHANTED CAVE
Unlike the other tourist spots in Bolinao, the Enchanted Cave is privately maintained. That's why it cost a lot more visiting here. Entrance fee is P150. You will have one guide to tour you all over the place and bring you down to the cave. That guide will also be the caretaker of your belongings in case you would like to dip in to the waters of the cave.
STORIES ABOUT THE ENCHANTED CAVE HERE
We got inside and sank in to the cold waters of the cave. It is said to be enchanted since the water is coming beneath the rocky area of Patar and serves as an underground natural spring pool inside a cave.
We spent almost an hour in the whole place - we lay down their hammocks and plunge their man-made pools.
CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ENCHANTED CAVE
After here, we went back straight to our resort.
We spent our morning visiting all these places.
Other tourist spots in Bolinao that we missed:
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| Cruise at Balingasay River |
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| Bolinao Falls |
Just right at noontime, we packed up and ride a tricycle back to Bolinao town proper. Good thing, buses to Manila are picking up passengers there. Fare is about P450 one way back to Manila. Travel time is about 6 to 7 hours.
So that was my Bolinao experience. Share yours on the comment section. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you are planning to visit the province. :)
And oh! We made a music video for Roselle Nava's "Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita" on this trip. LOL
- The Hundred Islands (ALAMINOS)
- Saint James the Great Parish Church (BOLINAO)
- Cocos Beach Resort (ILOG MALINO)
- Rock View Beach (PATAR)
- Cape Bolinao Lighthouse (PATAR)
- Patar Beach (PATAR)
- The Enchanted Cave (PATAR)