Tricycle Tour Around Bolinao, Pangasinan

Posted by Josiah on February 4, 2012 Leave a comment (0) Go to comments

Here’s a list of places and the time we got there when we had our tricycle tour in Bolinao, Pangasinan

January 12, 2012 – Thursday

07:15 AM – Start of Tricycle Tour

07:23 AM – Bolinao Marine Laboratory – UP Marine Institute

Baby Giant Clams at the Outdoor Hatchery of Bolinao Marine Laboratory

I was refreshed on one of my subjects during college, Marine Science 1. Learned that this place is an essential part of the livelihood of the people in Bolinao, mostly for the people in the islands

We paid an entrance fee of 10 Pesos/person to see their outdoor hatchery.
0908-527-0677 – Bolinao Marine Laboratory Contact Number

08:04 AM – Left for the Tourism Office of Bolinao

Talked to Ma’am Myrna Aguila, the tourism officer of Bolinao, and her staff, and learned about the different tourist spots Bolinao.

We also learned that Bolinao has a different language than other areas in Pangasinan. Their language is Bolinao. You could buy a dictionary in the Tourism office for 100 Pesos.

To know more about Bolinao, Pangasinan you can contact their Tourism Office at (075) 554-4284, bolinaotourismoffice@yahoo.com or visit their website at Bolinao.gov.ph

8:28 AM – National Museum, Bolinao Branch

This is where we learned the history of Bolinao and the Philipppines. We also got to different doves that they are conserving.

We paid an entrance fee of 20 Pesos/person. They are open from Mondays to Fridays, 8AM to 5PM. You cannot take pictures inside.

10:13 AM – Late Breakfast at Adoras Restaurant

This restaurant is open 24 hours everyday. That’s why it is popular among locals and also travellers who arrive at a very early time in the morning.

0928-239-8414 – Adoras Restaurant

10:46 AM – Bought supplies at the Bolinao People’s Market

Dried Fishes that can be found in Bolinao People's Market

Here we saw many pasalubongs inside their Public Market. Best time to go here is during their market day, Tuesdays and Saturdays, where everyone would gather here, even the residents on the islands. Farmers and fish producers can also sell their goods directly to the consumer and because of that almost everything goes cheaper.

11:23 AM – Arrived at the bridge of Balingasay River

According to Ma’am Myrna Aguila, you could rent a pumpboat here and cruise through one of the cleanest river in the country. At the end of the River you would get to visit Bolinao Falls.

Boat rental for the pumpboat cruise is around 500 pesos/boat. A boat can fit 4-5 person, excluding the pumpboat driver. Contact the Tourism Office if you want to do this.

11:46 AM – Enchanted Cave

We just entered the cave and did not swim.

Entrance Fee is 50 Pesos/person if you’re not swimming and 70 Pesos if you are swimming in the fresh water in the cave. They are open from 8AM to 5PM.
0939-570-9901 – Enchanted Cave

12:21 PM – Cindy’s Cave

Unfortunately, it was closed when we visited.

Entrance Fee is 50 Pesos/person
0928-411-1102 – Cindy’s Cave Contact Number

12:28 PM - Wonderful Cave

Inside Wonderful Cave

Also, we just entered the cave and did not swim.

Entrance Fee is 40 Pesos/person. They are open around 6AM to around 6:30PM.
0908-714-2210 – Wonderful Cave Contact Number

12:58 PM – Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Offers a view of the town of Patar and South China Sea from it’s view deck.

01:32 PM – Late lunch at La Parola el Restaurante

Ate lunch at the only restaurant near Abrac Beach in Patar, Bolinao.

0908-312-0580, 0949-603-3152 – La Parola el Restaurante Contact Number

02:38 PM – Arrival at Abrac Beach in Patar, Bolinao

One of my favorite beaches in the Philippines. Whenever I go here I do long beach walks, star gazing, sunset watching and camping.

Sunset at Abrac Beach in Brgy. Patar

Our tricycle driver left us for the night and will be picking us up the next day.

This is a public beach so there are No Entrance Fee. I highly advise to do overnight here. You can stay at the Nipa Huts that are offered on the beach.

January 13, 2012 – Friday

07:57 AM – Fetched at Abrac Beach by our Tricycle Driver and we were headed back to town.

07:59 AM – Unfortunately, the tricycle got a flat tire.

We did not get far. Fortunately, there was a vulcanizing shop nearby. Unfortunately, there were no people in the vulcanizing shop. Luckily, there was a tricycle that was transporting students to school, so our tricycle driver asked if we could ride the tricycle with the students so we would not be late with our schedule. Laiza got inside, while I had fun standing outside the tricycle.

09:05 AM – Arrival at Saint James the Great Parish Church.

Laiza said to me that she was not allowed because she was wearing shorts. Fortunately, the candle seller told us that it was only during the mass that those type of clothes are not allowed. But it would be better if we respect their tradition here, so wear proper attire when going to Saint James the Great Parish Church in the town proper of Bolinao.

Our tricycle driver left us at the church as the mini buses to Dagupan via Alaminos are walking distance from there.

The total expense of our tricycle tour around Bolinao is 800 Pesos.

All in all, I really had fun going around Bolinao, Pangasinan with the use of their tricycle land tour.

Other Tourist Spots that we have not visited in Bolinao, Pangasinan

Bolinao Falls
Tara Falls
Balingasay River Cruise
Santiago Island

Bolinao Tricycle Tour Details

Tricycle Tour Rate

According to tricycle drivers that I talked to the rate is around 800 to 1,000 Pesos per tricycle. That includes the whole day land tour, be left at Abrac Beach and fetched the next day.

If you’re just going around town the tricycle is 10 Pesos/person.

The standard one-way rate for a tricycle to go directly to Abrac Beach is 200 to 250 Pesos/tricycle.

Tricycle Availability

Tricycles are available 24 hours in the Town Proper. During the night and early morning the number of tricycles available significantly drops.

Tricycle Drivers Contact Numbers

Here are some of the number of the tricycle drivers that I met in Bolinao. Rates may change through time, call/SMS them if you want to get the updated rates. But you can just go Bolinao and call any tricycle drivers you see to tour you around.

0930-683-5774 – Rowell: The tricycle driver who toured us around
0932-479-7398 – Bernard: The tricycle driver who we got into when our tricycle got a flat tire
0909-583-9404 – Vic
0999-800-8366 – Ramon
0999-303-3080 – Ashong
0912-607-0416 – Albert

This post is a part of my 12 for 2012 Travel Project that aims to document 12 local destination in the Philippines in 2012 to help travellers plan their trips faster.

Follow my Bolinao and Alaminos, Pangasinan Series