Bolinao is a picturesque municipality in Pangasinan’s far northernmost region. With Alaminos City and its famed Hundred Islands attraction only a short bus ride away, Bolinao has more than a few of things for you to explore, making it another another recommended destination when traveling through Pangasinan. Patar Beach is perhaps the most recognized attraction in Bolinao, featuring a long stretch of coast with rocky rugged terrain as well as white sand beaches connected with beach resorts. In this post, we’ll go through the most fascinating places Bolinao has to offer.

Top Attractions in Bolinao, Pangasinan

Bolinao Falls

Because the Bolinao area is mainly flat farmland, several people are confused as to why there are waterfalls within those fields. Still, in the midst of these vast plains, there are three magnificent falls open to the public, which, in turn, provide a leg up for the Balingasay River, allowing water to flow through into West-Philippine Sea.

A 30-minute tricycle ride will take you to three Bolinao Falls that are close to each other. Bolinao Fall no. 1 is a waterfall where you may leap from into its massive basin, which also serves as a stunningly beautiful swimming pool.

Bolinao Falls 2 and 3 are ideal for those who are terrified of heights and also provide great socializing and resting spots. With an abundance of wooden cottages at each waterfall, one could happily spend a whole day relaxing with friends in and around the popular Bolinao Falls. Both are are only a few minutes distant from the first waterfalls.

ALSO READ: Travel Guide: Bolinao Falls In Bolinao, Pangasinan

Patar Rock Formations

The length of massive coral cliffs where ocean waves crash is the highlight of the Patar rock formation. The view was breathtaking, but the entrance cost of 75 PHP per person is a expensive for the activities there. It’s not the ideal spot to go swimming, and it’s certainly not the best place to do cliff jumping.

Patar Beach

The best beach in Patar is the Patar White Beach, which stretches all the way to the end of the shoreline. It has a magnificent golden sand, prestine water, and a spectacular view of the West Philippine Sea. Your tricycle will know where to take you, and when you arrive, you’ll be in the middle of a typical Filipino village, with children playing basketball.

There are no entrance fees because it is a public beach, however you must pay for parking. Along the beach, there are various nipa huts for rent. There are several shops at the back of the beach where the public toilets and baths are at. Patar White Beach may be reached in 30 – 40 minutes from the town center of Bolinao.

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse was constructed in 1905 by a collaboration of Filipino, British, and American engineers to prevent sea accidents in the West Philippine Sea by guiding cruising vessels en route to Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States of America for several decades.

It is one of the Philippines’ oldest lighthouses, located atop a large rock mountain called Punta Piedra Point, a tall hill of solid granite that is the sharp point of Cape Bolinao itself. It is the second tallest of the country’s five lighthouses, at 351 feet (107 meters) above sea level, including the elevation of the hill where it was built.

Tourists are currently not allowed to climb the 140-step spiral staircase, enter the tower and illumination room. Tourists are encouraged, however, to admire the lighthouse from the outside. The remains of Cape Bolinao, which used to be the lighthouse’s administrative building, are located nearby. It quickly became a popular photo spot.

Enchanted Cave

Are you more of an indoor swimmer? The Enchanted Cave is another fantastic natural attraction around 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from Patar Beach. Crystal clear waters that, although being in contact with the sea, are completely fresh and pristine. There are ropes installed within the cave to hang on to when swimming, thus we believe that anyone should take a dip in the cave’s water. We guarantee it will be one of the most refreshing swims you’ve ever taken.

You may purchase a full pass through the resort for for 150 PHP. If you do not wish to swim, you may do so for a fee of merely 100 PHP. Because the resort only accepts a limited number of tourists, you should arrive as early as possible.

Business hours is 08:00 to 17:00, Monday – Sunday.

For more information, check out their FB Page.

Camp Puor

Camp Puor is a perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and unwind after a long day at work. When you visit the site, you will be captivated by the tall coconut trees and bamboo structures. The camp, which opened in March 2021, is located at Pansur, Tupa in Bolinao, Pangasinan. It grew in popularity because to its unique and instagrammable structures, as well as trending hugot signs great for picture taking.

To go to the campsite on the other side of the river, you must use a boat, which costs 20 PHP each trip. A boat may carry up to three people depending on its size. The management provides life jackets for safety.

Sungayan Grill

Sungayan Grill, a floating restaurant on the Balingasay River, is one of the most recommended restaurants in Bolinao. The restaurant serves grilled seafood as well as a selection of Filipino-style home-cooked meals. Aside from tasting the best local cuisine, you can also take in the breathtaking scenery along one of the Philippines’ cleanest rivers.

St. James church

St. James the Great Parish Church in Bolinao, Pangasinan, one of the oldest churches in Pangasinan, was built in 1609 from native materials such as wood, ground coral stones, rocks, and eggs (probably as binding agent). The church is still the heart of Catholic faith in Bolinao, and it has acted as a refuge against pirate raids as well as during WWII.
Despite numerous renovations and reconstructions, the facade still resembles an old stone church in the Philippines with super-positioned columns alternating with window openings and towering blind arches dominating the corners of the walls

Activities

Rock formations viewing
Cave Swimming
Trekking
Beach bumming
Snorkeling
Falls
River Cruising (Lunch)

How To Get To Bolinao, Pangasinan

VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (Bus from Pasay or Cubao)

There are 3 main bus companies that travel to Bolinao, Pangasinan. They offer day and night trips, and you may book on an ordinary (non-air-conditioned) or air-conditioned bus, which operates on an hourly basis.

• Victory Liner from the Cubao Q.C. terminal
• FiveStar Bus Inc. form the Pasay City terminal
• Dagupan Bus Line from the Cubao Q.C. terminal.

Travel time is 5 to 6 hours, with three stops before arriving in Bolinao: Dau, Tarlac, and Alaminos. Bring food, gadgets, or anything else that will not bore you, especially if you do not enjoy long distance travel.

You can contact the bus company at the following numbers for bus schedules, ticket reservations, and other inquiries:

VICTORY LINER, CUBAO Q.C
Contact No.: (02) 8842 8679, 09985915102 (Smart), 09178425463 (Viber)
Email: info@victoryliner.com

FIVESTAR BUS LINE PASAY CITY
Contact No.: (02) 29117359 (Tel No.), 09277124349 (Globe), 09437065083 (Sun)

DAGUPAN BUS LINE, CUBAO Q.C
Contact No.: (02) 87272330 (Tel No.), 09178866784 (Globe)

Take a tricycle to your accommodation after you arrive at Bolinao Station. Due to unpaved roads, travel time takes another 20 to 35 minutes by tricycle or car to go from the bus terminal to the resort or hotel. The tricycle driver can also serve as your tour guide.

COVID-19 Update: Pangasinan Tourism Guidelines 2022

Pangasinan has reopened its doors to domestic travelers from MGCQ zones as of March 2021. There is no requirement for a travel authorization or medical certifications. However, the local government unit advised travelers to verify with the destinations first before traveling because some local governments might have different requirements, such as providing a negative RT-PCR test result while visiting a town or city in the province.

Upon arrival, leisure travelers must register at the Bolinao Tourism Office or authorized Bolinao Tourism Satellite Stations for screening and contact tracking. It should be noted that only tourists aged 15 to 65 are permitted to visit Bolinao.

What To Bring:

1. Register an S-PaSS account through S-Pass.PH, a week prior to your arrival date.
2. Register at Tara Na! Website, a week prior to your arrival date.
3. Booking confirmation from a Department of Tourism-accredited accommodation.
4. A valid ID
5. Government-issued COVID-19 vaccination card

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1
04:30 – ETA Pangasinan
05:30 – ETA Bolinao
06:00 – Rest/Explore Patar White Beach & Patar Rock Formation
08:30 – 10:00 – FALLS 1, 2 and 3
11:00 – Back to Accommodation/Wash Up
12:00 – Lunch
14:00 – Enchanted Cave
16:00 – Wonderful Cave & Cindy’s Cave
17:00 – Back to Accommodation
18:00 – Sunset Viewing
19:00: Dinner
19:30 – Free time
11:00 – Lights off

DAY 2
05:30 – Wake up, Prepare
07:00 – Breakfast at Adora’s Restaurant/Swim
09:00 – Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, Photo Ops
11:00 – Check out
11:30 – Sungayan Grill, Lunch
12:00 – Camp Pour, Photo Ops
13:00 – Bolinao Church
14:00 – ETD Pangasinan
20:00 – ETA Manila

Where To Stay in Bolinao, Pangasinan

Budget to Mid Range Accommodation

Casa Estrella Beach Resort #1(rm 3,4&5)
Birdland Beach Club
Casa Almarenzo Bed and Breakfast Resort
ABODE21 Guest House, Bolinao, Philippines
Puerto Del Sol Resort
Villa Soledad Beach Resort
Bolinao Entire House B +Netflix+Wifi+Can Cook
Bolinao Transient House B
Traditional Filipino Resthouse In PATAR – Beachfront
Patar Bolinao – Casa de Borja

Overall

I have to admit that Bolinao isn’t on my bucket list, however I enjoy exploring places that very few people visit, and this trip to Bolinao was well worth it. One of many beaches where I will undoubtedly return.