Blending with Bolinao

RATING: 3/5

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION:

About 276 kms from Manila, the town of  Bolinao in Pangasinan is reachable by land that would take about six hours of travel time.

Five Star and Victory Liner are common provincial bus lines that offer day and night trips to Bolinao. With Five Star, ordinary bus fare would cost around Php300 while Php400 for air-con. As a tourist, it is better to get to Bolinao with your own transportation so you can easily move around the town and tourist spots or perhaps, even go on a side-trip to the nearby provinces of  Subic, Clark, Tarlac, La Union and Baguio. There's not much traffic en route to Bolinao as you can take the SCTEX (Subic, Clark, Tarlac Expressway) route. As you pass by Alaminos, the road to Bolinao starts to ascend through a zigzag road which will give you a scenic view of the mountains.

SCTEX

zigzag road of Alaminos-Bani

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO?

rough road terrain to Brgy. Patar

Considered as a 3rd class town in Pangasinan, Bolinao's town is relatively small and not so commercialized. The road along the coastline from Brgy. Arenda and Patar has a few parts with dirt roads that can be reached through a tricycle ride which costs Php150+. It is hard to commute or travel on foot if you plan to move from one tourist spot to another.






The beach, caves, falls and lighthouse are just among the patronized tourist spots in Bolinao:

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

• Connecting to an underground river, you can take a dip at the natural spring inside the Enchanted Cave. Somewhat commercialized, many frequent the place as an alternative swimming site.
• Cindy's Cave also houses a fresh water pool but relatively shallower than Enchanted Cave.

• Newly discovered, the Wonderful Cave is considered among the cleanest of the three caves maintaining its natural state.
• Experience nature by trekking and swimming in Tara Falls. Quitely remote, Tara Falls and its nearby falls (Bolinao Falls 1 and 2) can be reached by land in about three hours.
• There are many resorts in Bolinao but Brgy. Patar boasts of its swimmable white beach.

The sands of Patar looks like sesame seeds both in size and color. Crushed corals, the sands are very loose which makes it hard to walk on it. It would be best to wear aqua shoes when walking along the shore or while swimming to avoid unwanted scratches or wounds from sharp corals and stones.

The water is relatively clear and shallow (though a bit wavy) which is ideal for both swimming and snorkeling. Rich in marine life, the waters of Patar is teeming with varieties of fish species and among other sea creatures.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND FACILITIES:

Treasures of Bolinao Resort - pool area

The top three high-end beach resorts in Bolinao are Treasures of Bolinao (Brgy. Patar), Puerto Del Sol and Punta Riviera Resort (Brgy. Ilog Molino). It is best to reserve earlier especially during the holidays, although there are other worthy resorts that will suit your budget.

Solomon’s Paradise and Bing’s Beach Resort are just two of the budget-friendly resorts in the area. For the outdoorsy ones, you can either rent a nipa hut or put up your own tent at the public beaches of Patar White Beach or Cabrera's Beach Resort (Php2,000 per night).

Patar White Beach and Cabrera's Beach Resort side

It is best to pack or cook your own food as there are no nearby restaurants in the area except for the ones in the resorts. Nevertheless, there are a few convenience stores where you can buy basic commodities.


PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY:
The people of Bolinao are reasonably friendly and accommodating. Its people and its community appear to be untouched by commercialism and attuned to its cultural heritage while living a simple life.

 

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