One of the most common things to do in Pangasinan is to go straight to Alaminos to see the beautiful Hundred Islands. Most people just explore the place and go back to Manila the next day. Your travel, on the other hand, shouldn’t stop there. Pangasinan has another must-see destination known as Bolinao, where travelers can enjoy more of nature’s treasures and also learn about how rich the waters are in the municipality.
What’s there to do in Bolinao? Read on to find out.
1. Get educated about Bolinao's rich marine life in Bolinao Marine Laboratory
Bolinao Marine Laboratory is the main research station of the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines. The laboratory is surrounded by a variety of tropical marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangrove forests. The laboratory exhibits the beauty of its local marine life all over the building to educate its visitors. It opens from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
UPMSI - Bolinao Marine Laboratory
Address: Guiguiwanen, Luciente, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Facebook: Bolinao Marine Laboratory
2. Eat fresh seafood in a floating restaurant
When in the Philippines, never miss out on their local food, especially seafood. One of the most recommended restaurants here is Sungayan Grill, a floating restaurant on Balingasay River. The restaurant serves grilled seafood and a variety of Filipino homemade meals. Besides tasting the finest local foods, you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery along one of the cleanest rivers in the Philippines.
Sungayan Grill
Address: Balingasay, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Facebook: Bolinao Sungayan Grill
3. Take scenic shots around Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is both a tourist destination and a historical place. The lighthouse at Patar rises 351 feet (about 107 m) above sea level atop Punta Piedra Point. Punta Piedra Point is a towering hill of solid rock, which is the sharp point you’ll see in Cape Bolinao. The lighthouse is free of charge and also offers souvenirs you can take home. Not far from it is Patar Beach where you can relax after spending time at the lighthouse.
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Address: Bolinao, Pangasinan, Region I, Luzon, Philippines
Website: Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Tip from Trip101 local expert
From this vantage point, we were greeted with a stunning panorama of the azure ocean, pristine white beaches, and the picturesque hills that enveloped the area. To truly immerse yourself in the beauty of Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, I'd recommend planning your visit either in the early morning to witness the sunrise or in the late afternoon for a breathtaking sunset view. Unfortunately, when we visited around noon, it was scorching hot and incredibly sunny!
4. Explore the caves of Bolinao
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Make your Bolinao visit all worth it by visiting some of its caves: the Enchanted Cave, the Wonderful Cave, and Cindy’s Cave.
Enchanted Cave is a private resort roughly about 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) away from Patar Beach. For only 3 USD, you can get a full pass through the resort and sightsee. If you decide not to swim, you may pay only 2 USD. The resort only allows a limited number of visitors so you better come as early as possible. The water is cool and clean and you wouldn’t regret taking an hour to swim in this natural cave swimming spot. You can pitch a tent for 5 USD or rent a cottage for 6 USD.
Wonderful Cave is a residential area not far from Patar Beach. The entrance fee is less than a dollar. If you want a memorable treasure hunting experience, this site is great for you. The cave opens from 6:00am to 6:30pm.
Cindy’s Cave is a resort with a farm where you can freely stroll around and try out its homegrown fruits. The small cave is kid-friendly as it’s well lit and not too deep for smaller visitors. The entrance fee is a dollar for the first 2 hours and 2 USD for every exceeding hour. The cave opens from 6:30am to 5:30pm.
Enchanted Cave
Address: Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Facebook: Enchanted Cave
Wonderful Cave
Address: Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Facebook: Wonderful Cave
Cindy's Cave
Address: Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Facebook: Cindy’s Bay View
5. Clear your mind and watch the beautiful sunset of Patar Beach
Patar Beach is a white sand beach located in the North Western part of Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan. It is a nice place to visit if you want to set a tent and just relax on the white sand while watching the sunset. You can’t miss swimming in its clear blue waters!
Tip from Trip101 local expert
I enjoyed watching the sunset with my college friends; it was undeniably one of the most awe-inspiring sunsets I've ever had the privilege to witness. We also took pleasure in taking a dip and playfully enjoyed the velvety, cream-colored sand. We went to Pangasinan for a sem-ender trip and Patar Beach was indeed a perfect spot to take a break from the fast-paced city life.
6. Jump in the clear waters of Bolinao Falls
One of the must-visit places in Bolinao is Bolinao Falls. The short falls is connected to a part of a stream where the Balingasay River flows and proceeds to the West Philippine Sea. The entrance fee only costs a dollar for each person. If your group is more than 10, you can get a cottage for about 2.6 USD and you’ll get the entrance free of charge. The parking costs less than a dollar as well.
Tip from Trip101 local expert
While my friends fearlessly took the plunge from the towering two-storey cliff into the refreshing water below, I hesitated, mindful of my non-swimmer status. Luckily, providence smiled upon me in the form of a bamboo raft, offering a thrilling alternative that allowed me to get up close and personal with the majestic waterfalls, all while ensuring my safety.
Make sure to bring a quality waterproof phone case, so you can still capture beautiful photos without worrying about your phone being wet!
7. Beat the summer heat by dipping in Tara Falls
If one waterfalls isn’t enough, why not go for two? For the second one, go to Tara Falls located in Samang Norte, Bolinao. It has mini falls by the rocks which make a perfect background for photos. Since the water is clean and clear, tourists are free to dive in and swim. The falls are open from Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Although the property has been claimed to have been owned privately, entrance to the falls is free.
8. Kayak around Balingasay River
One of the cleanest rivers in the Philippines is Balingasay River. Some of the things you can do here include kayaking along the river. Kayak here in the afternoons to enjoy the activity in a not-so-hot weather while waiting for the perfect time to see the sunset.
9. Eat "binungey", rice cakes cooked in bamboo
One of the specialties in the Philippines is their so-called “kakanin", better known as rice cakes in English. During your stay in Bolinao, have a taste of its famous delicacy called “binungey”. Binungey is a type of rice cake cooked inside a bamboo trunk, sweetened using melted raw sugar and coconut milk. For small servings, 3 pieces cost 2 USD and for bigger servings, each piece costs only 1 USD.
10. See the thousand-year-old corals at Rock View Beach Resort
The Rock View Beach Resort shows a variety of natural rock formations. The resort is located along Patar Road where you can also see the famous Cape Bolinao Lighthouse and Patar White Beach. The resort may have less sand, but the rock formations make it worth seeing.
Rock View Beach Resort
Address: Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Luzon, Philippines
Website: Rock View Beach Resort
The best time is now for Bolinao
Bolinao, Pangasinan is a beautiful place you must definitely not miss. With these 10 must dos, you will definitely have a delightful stay!
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