Located on the tip of a peninsula, Bolinao offers travelers a great opportunity to soak in the sun and sea and enjoy more of the tropical pleasures Pangasinan has to offer.

Bolinao is located in a region littered with secluded caves, waterfalls, and idyllic coves, but just like any other travel destination there are things about Bolinao that could either delight or disappoint you. Below are some tips and insights to help you make the most of your Pangasinan adventure.

Patar Beach, Bolinao Ⓒ Iza Sanchez

Getting There

PROS

Commuting to Bolinao by public transpo is quite easy. Several bus lines ply the Manila-Bolinao route from terminals in Cubao and Pasay. There are hourly trips from 6a.m. through 11p.m. Once you arrive in Bolinao just hop on a tricycle to the beach resorts. It takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes depending on the location of your hotel.

CONS

The travel time – From Manila it’s a long and tedious, 6-7 hour journey to Bolinao. If you’re not into long road trips Bolinao is probably not your go-to destination.

In addition, buses pick up passengers along the way which adds up to the travel time. Tip – Take an evening trip so that you can sleep through most of the journey.

Photography by Iza Sanchez

Infrastructure

Photography by Iza Sanchez

PROS

Bolinao is has long received visitors from far and wide, and there are many low-cost, mid-range, as well as luxury hotels to choose from for your stay. In addition, transportation to and from the town is plentiful. Network signal is quite poor in certain areas.

CONS

Patar road is the only path to the resorts. Unfortunately, the road has intermittent gaps between paved and unpaved sections. According to a local, this is a result of the road project being awarded to multiple contractors on a per-kilometer basis. Apparently, the road ends wherever government funds ran out. With that in mind, it’s best to hold off on taking a trip to Bolinao in the rainy season since passage through Patar road could be difficult.

Ⓒ Iza Sanchez

About the Beach

Ⓒ Iza Sanchez

PROS

Patar Beach has very attractive, mocha-colored sands  and spectacular rock formations. It’s also not as touristy as commercial beaches close to big cities like Manila, so you can easily find a quiet spot to bask in the sun. A perfect vantage point to take in panoramic views of the beach is at the rock bridge of Treasures of Bolinao. You would have to pay a fee though to use the hotel’s facilities including the bridge.

There is a river called Ilog Malino which runs alongside the beach. You may rent a kayak and go kayaking for an hour or two at Punta Riviera Resort. You can also go to Puerto Del Sol Resort.

Ilog Malino, Bolinao

Sea grass and weeds cover most of the shore of Patar Beach

CONS

The locals have labeled Patar Beach the Boracay of Pangasinan. However, if you’ve seen the likes of Puka Shell Beach in Boracay or Port Barton in Palawan, you might be in for a major disappointment. The sand here is not as fine, and the water not as clear. Sea grass covers most of Patar’s shores which makes the beach look slightly unattractive (although this is a sign of a healthy marine ecosystem). Quick tip – make sure you pack beach footwear wear as you may step on something sharp, slimy, or alive.

It’s safe to say, beaches in Luzon are really no match to the white-sand beaches of Central Philippines. Nonetheles, Patar like other beaches here in the north still have some unique delights to offer.

Ⓒ Iza Sanchez 

No Snorkeling Sites

There aren’t any snorkeling sites in Patar Beach.  If you’d like to go snorkeling, take a side trip to Alaminos and  visit 100 Islands National Park. It’s just one hour away, so you might as well go.

Check out these Pangasinan travel guides for more info on the coolest attractions and things to do in the province

About Accommodation

PROS

A Wide Variety of Hotels

There are many hostels along the beach so you wouldn’t have to worry about booking in advance even during  the peak season. For budget travelers you can find places that offer fan rooms for as low as P800 per night.

CONS

No Websites

Many low-cost and mid-range hotels in the area do not have websites. It’s a far stretch from one end of Patar Beach to the other and if you don’t have a private vehicle, hopping from one hotel to another on a tricycle to check out each one could be very time consuming. It’s best to book your accommodations in advance with a hotel that has a website to save time and energy.

SCL Paradise Beach Resort 

Treasures of Bolinao Beach Resort

There are at least three high-end resorts in the area. I got to see the room rates of two and found them quite pricey for a tourist spot like Bolinao. Treasures of Bolinao Beach Resort has the best location of all. Do note that the beaches in front of any of these hotels are not exclusive so you can swim and sunbathe in any part of beach regardless of where you stay. At Treasures of Bolinao and Punta Riviera visitors are welcome to rent kayaks and to use some facilities like the infinity pool, for a fee.

Halo-halo after kayaking at Punta Riviera Resort, superb!

My home away from home at Bolinao was SCL Paradise Beach Resort. It was a mid-range hotel. Not the best location but had a nice, garden ambiance and the WIFI was good.

Beachfront at SCL Paradise Beach Resort 

Where to Eat

A huge chunk of your travel budget will likely be spent on food, unfortunately, there aren’t any cheap restaurants along the beach, I bought some snacks in town before coming to my hotel which helped me save a bit. I also ordered food from the hotel restaurant a few times, quite expensive though. Some hotels have an open kitchen where guests can cook. Having a barbeque by the beach could be nice, best to inquire at your hotel.

If Karaoke Bothers You

I spent an afternoon swimming and kayaking at Punta Riviera resort. Kayaking was fun, but, the neighboring hotel called Villa Soledad had an open karaoke facility and some guests sang Karaoke all afternoon, to their hearts delight. So if karaoke bothers you, pack some advil as you might get a migraine from loud, impassioned singing, or better yet, make sure you ask your hotel about this before you confirm your reservation.

Finally, if you go to Bolinao during summer, swim in the morning because by noon the water recedes and there won’t much of a beach left to swim in.

Check out these Pangasinan travel guides for more info on the coolest attractions and things to do in the province

Boats available for rent

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Bolinao Lighthouse Ⓒ Iza Sanchez