Before 2015 ends, my friends and I decided to have our year-end trip at the town of Bolinao in Pangasinan. Bolinao is known for its white beach in Patar and its towering lighthouse but the town has a lot more to offer than these two sights.
It is an 8 hour ride going to town of Bolinao. There are buses that are bound for Bolinao, one is at Victory Liner that leaves at 6:30 a.m. and Dagupan Bus Line at 6:00 a.m. all located along EDSA Cubao. But if you want to head on early, you can ride a bus going to Alaminos and at Alaminos ride a van or bus going to Bolinao.
Things to do in Bolinao
Visit the Falls
There are two falls that we visited in Bolinao, Falls 1 and Falls 2. Both falls has an entrance fee of Php 50.00 and parking fee depending on the type of vehicle. Both falls have tables and cabanas that tourists can use. Both falls are swimmable, though there are parts that are deep.
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| Falls 1 |
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| Falls 2 |
For our lunch, our tricycle driver/tour guide recommended the Sungayan Restaurant, where we can try the town’s famous fish called sungayan. The menus are budget friendly and there are group meals for less than php 1,000 that you and your friends can share. To take the river cruise we pay an additional php1,000.00
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| the floating restaurant |
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| taking the river cruise |
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| our food at Sungayan Restaurant |
Visit the Caves
There are two caves that you can visit at Bolinao – the Wonderful Cave and Enchanted Cave. Entrance fee for the Wonderful Cave is Php 100.00 and Enchanted Cave is Php 150.00. Entrance fee for the caves are like toll fees because you will be entering private properties of the locals. At the bottom of the cave you will see crystal clear water where you can take a swim.
We did not go anymore to the Enchanted Cave because according to our tricycle driver, there are already lots of people in the area.
Be a photoholic at the Patar Rock Formations
With strong winds, waves, sharp rocks and white sand beach, the Patar Rock Formation is very good for photo opportunities. We tried climbing some of the rock formations and even the cliff where an open cottage is built. From the cliff we can already see the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. You can take a dip at the water in Patar Rock Formation in a cave at the middle of the rock formations. The water from the sea enters in this cave-like structure and you can seat at the rocks while enjoying the waves coming in. Entrance fee for the Patar Rock Formation is Php 70.00
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| the waves at Patar Rock Formation |
Enjoy the sea and waves at Patar Beach
After an exhausting and long trips from the various destinations in Bolinao, we all long to take a good swim at its beach. There is a public beach in Patar where there is no entrance fee; you just need to pay for the use of the showers and toilets.
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| Patar Beach |
Go to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
One of the popular tourist attractions in Bolinao is their lighthouse. At the lighthouse is a bird eye view of the Patar Beach. Beside the lighthouse is an old abandoned structure and solar panels. There are no guards or caretakers at the area and the entrance to the lighthouse is also locked so were not able to explore much the place.
One of the popular tourist attractions in Bolinao is their lighthouse. At the lighthouse is a bird eye view of the Patar Beach. Beside the lighthouse is an old abandoned structure and solar panels. There are no guards or caretakers at the area and the entrance to the lighthouse is also locked so were not able to explore much the place.
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| Cape Bolinao Lighthouse |
Watching the sunrise and sunset
One of the many perks of going to the beach is watching the sunrise and sunset. Sure, the sunset and sunrise in the city is also beautiful, but the amazing thing about the sunrise and sunset at the beach is its reflection on the water.
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| the sunrise |
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| the sunset |
Take time to pray at Bolinao Church
Before going back to Manila, my friends and I decided to drop by at Bolinao Church. Just like the old churches in the Philippines, it has stone walls and statues of their patron saints at the outside of the church. Outside the church stood a big cross commemorating the arrival of the missionary nuns in Bolinao. Inside the church is all signs its being timeworn – chipped wall paintings, thus showing the stone wall and tarnished wooden posts. At the ceiling just after the entrance you can see a painting of the patron saint of Bolinao.
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| Bolinao Church |
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| inside the church |
Basic Expenses going to Bolinao:
Bus ride – Manila to Bolinao Php 496.00
Tricycle Rent for the tour Php 1,000.00 (tricycle can accommodate up to 5 people.)
Entrance Fees – Php 50 up to 150.00
Parking fees for the tricycle – Php 20.00
