Bolinao, Pangasinan

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse in Pangasinan

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Our tricycle increased its speed when we were approaching the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse but the road to the lighthouse was too steep that we stopped halfway and the tricycle scarily skid a little before we stopped fully. We quickly went out to lessen the weight of the tricycle. Our driver then advised us to walk to the lighthouse, even if he does not advise us we would happily walk than to risk getting into an accident.

Steep uphill to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Unfortunately, we were not able to go inside the lighthouse because it was locked. According to our tricycle driver if the one guarding the lighthouse was there we could have gotten permission to climb. O well, it was still great to see a lonely sentinel again.

3 Caves of Bolinao, Pangasinan

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One of the things I love about Bolinao are its caves. It’s not as adventurous as the one you will find in Sagada, but after a day on the salty waters of the beach a dip on the fresh cool waters of some of the caves of Bolinao, Pangasinan would be a must before you go back to the city.

Enchanted Cave

Enchanted Cave

Our first stop after our late breakfast at Adora’s Restaurant is Enchanted Cave. On my first time in Bolinao this is where swam before we headed back home for Manila. I love how clear the water is inside and how it wash the salty and sticky feeling of sea water.

A little bit of caution though because the rocks on the pool are sharp. Best if you could bring a sandal with straps so you could avoid being cut.

Inside Enchanted Cave

Contact Number: 0939-570-9901
Operating Hours: 8AM to 5PM
Entrance Fee: 50 Pesos/pax if not swimming; 70 Pesos/pax if swimming

UP Marine Science Institute at Bolinao, Pangasinan

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It was 7AM after our short stay at Dos Flores Hotel & Resort, we decided that before we get breakfast we should at least go first to UP Marine Science Institute (MSI).

We got a tricycle in front of the resort and asked to take us to UP Marine Science Institute and wait for us so we could have a ride back. According to the people I talked earlier in the bus stations, there were only a few tricycles going to the UP Marine Science Institute that’s why it is best for the tricycle to wait for us. The fare is P50/tricycle/one-way and we had to pay P100 for a round trip.

I did not know what to expect from the UP Marine Science Institute. It was my first time there and I only heard stories about it from my friends. We paid 10 Pesos each and the guard explained that it was for the entrance to the Outdoor hatchery. It was still too early for visitors, 7:30AM but they still accommodated us. The guard then called someone who can tour us around the hatchery. At first site of the hatchery, my eager-interested-geek mode turned on!

2 Restaurants that you should know when in Bolinao, Pangasinan

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It was my second time to go to Bolinao and I remember the problems regarding food due to time of arrival and the lack of food establishments in Abrac Beach in Patar. That’s why I would like to present to you 2 Restaurants you should know when in Bolinao, Pangasinan.

1. Adora’s Restaurant

When I noticed that we were arriving in Bolinao around 2 AM, I quickly asked the driver where we could stay or eat while we wait for daylight. He quickly answered a 24 hours opened restaurant named Adora’s that is located near the public market and Bolinao Church.

Arriving at Bolinao I noticed that there were a few karinderyas opened but since we were not hungry we first tried to talk to a few tricycle drivers around the station of Victory Liner and Five Star. After a while they suggested for a lodging where I could stay for a short-time to sleep, but I said no. They then said that if I do not want to sleep I should try Adora’s too.

There must be something about Adora’s that two different people would recommend it. Actually, the people at the Department of Tourism in Bolinao also recommended Adora’s. That’s why we ended up trying it.

It was a karinderya type of food establishment where you will just pick a readily available food for you to eat. It was good and their ingredients were fresh. Their also specialty are kambing cooking.

Inside Adora's Restaurant

Inside Adora’s Restaurant

Prices

P35.00 – Vegetables
P45.00 – Sinigang
P60,00 – Kilawin
P10.00 – 1 cup Rice
P24.00 – 12oz Softdrink

Bolinao – Alaminos, Pangasinan Budget & Itinerary

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View from Bolinao Lighthouse

View from Bolinao Lighthouse

Summary

No. of Pax: 4 pax
Budget: P2,700 – including transportation, lodging, entrance fees & tours
Duration: 2 days – 1 night
Estimated Start: Day 0 – 11:00 PM Assembly at Five Star Pasay
Estimated End: Day 2 – 12:00 MN at Victory Liner Cubao
Lodging: Kubo at Abrac Beach, Patar, Bolinao
Activities:

  • Tricycle Tour and Beach Walk at Patar, Bolinao
  • Island Hopping in Hundred Islands National Park

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Suggested Itinerary

Day 0
1100 PM Assembly at Five Star Pasay; Buy tickets
1200 MN ETD to Bolinao, Pangasinan; P442/pax
Day 1
0600 AM Arrival at Bolinao, Pangasinan; Walk to Adora’s Restaurant; Ask directions from locals
0610 AM Breakfast at Adora’s Restaurant
0700 AM Walk to Market to buy packed lunch and ingredients for breakfast the next day
0730 AM Hire a tricycle to tour you around Bolinao and for you to be picked up at Patar Beach tomorrow in the morning. P800/tryc; 4pax/tricycle
0745 AM Start of tricycle tour; ETD to UP Marine Institute
0800 AM ETA UP Marine Institute; Entrance Fee P10/pax
0945 AM ETD to Enchanted Cave
1025 AM ETA Enchanted Cave; Entrance Fee w/ swimming P70/pax; Parking Fee P15/tricycle
1100 AM ETD to Wondeful Cave
1110 AM ETA Wonderful Cave; Entrance Fee P40/pax
1150 AM Early Lunch at Wonderful Cave; Packed Lunch
1230 PM ETD to Cindy’s Cave
1240 PM ETA Cindy’s Cave; Entrance Fee P50/pax
0110 PM ETD to Bolinao Lighthouse
0125 PM ETA Bolinao Lighthouse
0200 PM ETD to Abrac Beach or your desired Kubo Lodging in Patar
0210 PM ETA to Abrac Beach or lodging; Check-in – P1,000/kubo during off-peak; can fit up to 4 pax; Settle down and rest! Don’t forget to remind your tricycle driver to pick you up the next day around 8AM
0330 PM Walk by the beach up to the end of Abrac Beach; Don’t forget to bring snacks, water and something to cover you from the heat of the sun; You can rest in between
0420 PM Arrival at the end of Abrac Beach
0430 PM Walk back to your lodging
0530 PM Arrival back at lodging; Don’t go in yet; Time for sunset watching!
0600 PM Freshen up; P10/pax shower
0630 PM Walk to La Parola Restaurant; Bring flashlight as the road in front of the restaurant is quite dark.
0640 PM Dinner at La Parola Restaurant
0740 PM Walk back to lodging; Don’t forget to bring a stick for the dogs.
0750 PM Back at lodging;
Day 2