How to Travel to Bolinao, Pangasinan – Backpacker Style
Photography by Iza Sanchez
Patar Beach, Bolinao
Bolinao is a quiet, coastal town in Central Luzon well known for its mocha-sand beaches, historical landmarks, and ecological attractions. Patar is Bolinao’s premier beach destination. The locals proudly call it the “Boracay of the north,” and is the main draw for tourists.
Getting There
- BUS LINES – Several bus lines ply the Manila-Bolinao route including Victory Liner (Cubao terminal only). However, the terminal in Cubao gets congested on weekends and holidays so, on such days you could opt for Victory Liner’s terminal in Caloocan City which is a less busy option . It’s a few kilometers farther but there are more trips.
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Photography by Iza Sanchez
- TRAVEL TIME – The travel time is around 7 hours in moderate traffic and 7.5 to 8 hours in heavy traffic. The best time to travel is between 9 p.m. and 12 midnight to avoid traffic and frequent stopovers.
Photography by Iza Sanchez
- STOPOVERS – There are two main stopovers where passengers can buy snacks or go to the washroom. The first is Mabalacat Terminal in Dau which is roughly 84 kilometers or 2 hours from Manila. The second is Tarlac terminal which is about 119 kilometers from Manila. Travel time between Mabalacat and Tarlac terminal is one hour.
Photography by Iza Sanchez
- WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN BOLINAO – Tricycles are plentiful in Bolinao and they are a cheap and convenient way to get around. However, some drivers may be a little pushy so a doze of patience comes in handy when you arrive, just note that tourists arrive in trickles so competition among drivers could get quite intense particularly in the off season.
Kayaking at Ilog Malino
- GOING TO THE BEACH – The tricycle ride from Bolinao town proper to the resorts along the narrow stretch of Patar Road takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on the location of the hotel. There are unpaved sections of the road toward the beach, (a result of the road project awarded to multiple contractors), so it could get bumpy along the way to your hotel.
Photography by Iza Sanchez
- EXPLORING THE REGION – Tricycle drivers offer whole day tours and the cost will depend on the itinerary. A whole day tour typically includes a visit to secluded caves, waterfalls, and historical sights in town, plus a visit to the best section of Patar Beach which is by Treasures of Bolinao Resort.
Infinity Pool at Treasures of Bolinao Beach Resort
Distance and Travel Time From Other Cities:
Dagupan City – 86 kms 1.5 hour
San Fernando, La Union – 157 kms 3 hours
Baguio City – 156 kms 3.5 hours
Check out these Pangasinan travel guides for more info on the coolest attractions and things to do in the province
If you found this article useful, please pass it on.
Sunset along Patar Beach, Photography by Iza Sanchez
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Hi. Thank u for the very comprehensive blog. i want to ask, how much is the estimate per person to spend there. I see it a very helpful for backpakers who wish to be there
Wish to travel in that place….
Nice post. Thanks!
Thanks Edwin! 🙂
Hi Iza, i hope you will not mind if we publish this article in the FB Page of PinoyTravel (online booking for buses). Pls let me know if OK.
Hello, yes please feel free to share this on your facebook page. Thanks a lot!
Do you the list of the budget hotel/Inn in Bolinao?
nice post planning to go there this sept. help me lot and very excited to see later beach☺
as of january 2017
tricycle fare: 1 way from town proper going to patar beach P 200.00
tour for 2 pax: P 1,000.00
inclusion: bolinao falls 1.2 and 3
enchanted cave
lighthouse
patar beach
eto yung contact namin na tricycle driver
Bryan Garate cel.no. 09126053563
Hi sir. Is your post updated? we’re planning to be there this coming friday and sat. we’re actually 4 pax is it still good for 1000?
Updated po ‘to? We’re planning to go to Bolinao next Month.
Hello po.. ung contact nyo na tour guide, sya na den po ba kumukuha ng pictures senyo?thanks
Hi Iza, just wanna ask if its worth to travel. i mean maganda ba talagaang Patar Beach? thanks! 🙂
Hi Carla, yes it’s a beautiful beach. To make the most of your trip I suggest spend a day or two at 100 Islands, Alaminos and then do a side trip to Patar Beach in Bolinao or vice versa, since traveling from one town to the other only takes an hour. Have a great trip.
Hi Ms.Iza, Thanks so much for this blog. dont have much idea about going on a beach kasi di ako mahilig before. Recently na lang. We are planning to go somewhere in Bolinao together with my inlaws to celebrate my kids’ graduation day at birthday. May mga sasakyan naman na dadalhin, so ano pa kaya ang need na iprepare sa gastusin? Like do we need to rent a room or kahit hindi na?…swimming kasi at pasyal na din…Anu ano kaya ang need to consider na pagkakagustusan bukod sa food na babaunin naman namin. God bless and more blogs to post…
Hi po. After island tour san po maganda at affordable to stay po. At gus2 po nmin mg side trip to bolinao. Tnx po
Been here and it was great.
Patar white beach is as crowded as Boracay but there are areas in which is quiet, you just need to select the right area that suits your need.
You may get in touch with
BRYAN GARATE
0912-6053563
He knows the area very well.
Bolinao Falls 1, 2, 3
Enchanted Cave
Rock Formation
Bolinao Light House
Patar White Beach
And even where to eat like:
Adora’s Restaurant
Mangungunahan Grill and so much more.
hi! accessible din po ba yung place using private car?
Hi Cha, yes accessible naman medyo lubak, lubak yung ibang sections ng kalsada pero kaya naman ng private vehicle. Have fun!! 🙂
Yes very accessible, just a bumpy ride going to Bolinao Falls 1, 2, 3.
A friendly advise, make sure to bring your aqua shoes to enjoy walking in the beach during low or high tide, some rock formation are pointy.
Hi,
May I require if anyone here who knows a transient or inn near Patar beach? The cheapest, the better. We consist of 6 pax. And planning to stay for 3d 2n. Thanks in advance! 🙂
Hi Iza, nice webspace you have here with pretty insightful contents. I am planning to look for a place (maybe 5 to 6 hrs drive) to get away from the light pollution of manila and do some astro-photography. I am considering Bolinao Panasinan, the sunset and the picturesque lighthouse makes the trip worth it. But as you mentioned on your Pro’s and Con’s article, and also repeated here — hostels in Bolinao doesn’t have website I can book with. They aren’t even registered in AirBnb or Agoda.
Do you have suggestions on how to get some cheap accomodation? I am planning to do this trip alone for maybe 3 to 4 days, even 5 if schedule willing, getting a solo hotel room isn’t practical. I am good with less than average room/dormitory as long as I can charge my camera gears. And I don’t have problem with transpo, so distance of the hostel isn’t a concern.
hi. yung sasakyan po pauwi ng Manila paano? and may mga nasasakyan na po ba dun papuntang 100 islands? magkano po accomodation sa bolinao and madami po ba makikita don or mas okay na magpareserve in advance? sorry dami kong tanong. thanks
Hi, ask ko lang how much yung entrance fee sa Patar beach? Thank you!
Hi Carla, wala naman po entrance fee unless gagamitin nyo ang facilities ng isang resort. Cheers 🙂
Hi. Ask ko lang po sana kung magkano lahat ng expenses? Good for 2pax po. Thank you and God bless. 🙂
To everyone whose wanting to visit Bolinao, Pangasinan or solely Patar White Beach and has no enough budget don’t focus on the resorts sa internet. Mostly ng affordable accomodation can be found near Patar White beach and dun talaga maganda ang beach, kasi ung kabilang beach near sa mga resorts is very shallow lang then malayo pa talaga syako sa Patar if dun niyo gusto pumunta like us. Mas ma enjoy niyo talaga ang waves, sand, and makapag swim kayo sa Patar White beach. Galing kami dun last weekend and napamahal kami wala na standard room na 2k/night so ung next dun ang nakuha namin which is superior room na 3k/night, kasi we focus on the blogs and suggestions na resorts sa internet, though helpful din sya kasi from Cubao-Bolinao 459php each nga ang fare sa bus then from there trike na 150php arap ihatid ka sa resort then if gusto niyo mag tour pwede din arkilahin ng trike, kami 1000php good for 2pax. But FYI iba pa ang entrance fee sa bawat sites, sa Bolinao falls 1-50php, Bolinao falls2-50php, enchanted cave-150, rock formation-75php. Also I found a contact number there na mapag stayan niyo sa Patar beach 1500/night lang good for 2pax with ac na din yata yun, confirm niyo nalang din. I’m sharing our experience para sa mga gusto pmunta dun and d kayo mapamahal.
“Lory’s Walk-Inn”
Contact no: 09483042009/09064910147
Enjoy!
very informative… thank you for sharing ur experience… i plan to go to Patar end of month
Puwede po bang makuha ang exact address ng Lory’s Walk – Inn at kung may ibang contact sya like e-mail or FB?
Hi Ms Iza. Thank you for this info.
Excited na akong pumunta jan. Kaya lang worry ko:
(1) Walang online reservation ung Treasures of Bolinao Resort
(2) Magkano po ung range ng food sa hotel for lunch and dinner
(3) May available busses po ba going back to Manila kpg nagcheck out po kami ng 12noon – 2pm?
Thank you!
hi we would like to visit patar white beach resort and we are from baguio. May I ask what is the fastest way going to Patar.?
Hi Thalin, try inquiring at the Victory Liner, Baguio terminal. I believe their Manila bound buses pass-by Pangasinan.
Been there Last Aug. 19 side trip namin after Hundred Islands… Ngsearch kmi thru internet for a place to stay but when we got there ang daming resorts inns hotels and transient house na hindi mo mkikita browsing the i ternet, blogs and reviews… But the one we chose is ok na for a homey and tropical feel di nmn kmi nagsisisi kc npka accomodating ng may ari at very affordable yung kubo nila check Polly’s Place…if gusto nyo talagang maenjoy ang beach kasama naman ang Patar white beach s tour kc yung iba nga medyo may seaweeds yung ilalim and di pantay pantay level ng sand magugulat k n lng me malalim pl na part… yung Tour namin P1200 inclusive na yung pick up at hatid sa Terminal …tour inclusions bahala kau if gusto nyo icover lahat n pwedeng puntahan we opted For Bolinao falls 1 P50, Enchanted cave P150, Bolinao lighthouse free, Rock formation P75… one day tour lang but if you want magstay ng matagal bawat spot 2 days pede na kc yung byahe from one place to another lalo na sa falls malayo…
Hi iza. My friend who lives in Bolinao just made this list too. It’s fairly comprehensive for this year. http://Www.bolinaohotels.wordpress.com
Wonderful, thanks for sharing this James. 🙂
Hi yung 150 na tricycle, good for how many?
Hi Alyzza, pwede naman yata hanggang 3 kung kasha naman kayo lahat. Cheers.
Hi want sana namen magtent dun possible ba sya ??
Hi, my classmates and I were planning to go there in Patar. Is it okay to bring tents? Less gastos kasi yon, hindi po ba? Para kahit mag stay kami overnight, di kami mag babayad ng fees for hotel or resorts inns.
Hello Sir. Were planning on coming June 22, 2018, this will be a family outing with 20 persons. Kindly advise where we could stay. And what are the options para makatipid sa accomodations kase medyo marami kami. And also magkano po ba per night for a group? Thank you and await your reply.
Nag pplano po kami ng relatives outing this coming May 19 . First time po namin. We’re planning for a day tour only. mga magkno po ang dapat ibudget for a pax of more than 15 persons? sana po magreply kayo salamat.
If somebody needs to hire a pawis boat good for 10 passengers in picocubwan Bolinao Island hoopimg 09639101874386
Never visited that island, a lot to explore here and a fun is waiting. i have visited PALWAN island, will next time go to this beautiful town of balinao in Luzon Island.
Planning to visit Bolinao/Alaminos in April. Can we have an update on the prices please? Salamat…
Hi Ms. Iza, ‘just a minor correction, Bolinao or Pangasinan is not in Central Luzon (Region 3), it’s in Region 1 or Ilocos Region. Thank you.
If we’ll use jeep to go to Patar Beach? Is it way much chepaer?
HOW MUCH PO ANG RATE PAG DALAWA