Bolinao, Pangasinan Overnight Itinerary

at Balingasay bridge

Our Bolinao Trip last January 24-25, 2015 was the most DIY amazing trip that I ever organized so far. All of us in a group were first timers in Bolinao. Sure Iv'e been in Hundred Islands in Alaminos twice but both were day tour only. Bolinao is a name of a fish in our province in Bicol but in Pangasinan, Bolinao is a 3rd class municipality that is facing West Philippine Sea.

We left Pasay City at 2AM, we arrived in Alaminos Pangasinan around 7am and we had quick breakfast then headed to Bolinao that is 1 hour travel time away from Alaminos.

On the way to Puerto del Sol Resort for our overnight accommodation we looked for Tara Falls. One thing I noticed in Bolinao is the lack of signages on the highway. Meters by meters as we drove we kept on asking the locals for direction where we can find the falls. But according to locals Tara Falls is closed already because there's no water in it, but they said we are in the right direction to Samang Norte Bolinao Falls.

unpaved road on the way to Samang Norte Bolinao Falls

Because of faded signage we almost missed the way going to Samang Norte Bolinao Falls. Just after the Sampaloc Elementary School, we turned left to an unpaved road going to Brgy. Samang Norte in Bolinao, where the falls got it's name. Undeniably the falls is located in remote area in Bolinao. We were joking that it looks like we were in 'Wrong Turn' movie. 

passing a private property on the way to falls

At last after long journey we finally reached the parking area near the falls. Parking fee is 40 pesos.

Samang Norte Bolinao Falls

The falls itself looks enchanting. The long journey is all worth it. The emerald water is so clean and cool. Etrance fee is 20 pesos. There are cottages for rent but in our case we were allowed not to rent anymore because we will be staying there for couple of hours only. The catch basin is deep and the water is almost no current, very good for swimming. There are also life saver ring for rent for 40 pesos if you are not a good swimmer.

snowman

Some of my companions were blaiming me for not telling them that swimming is possible, they were claiming they were not ready for morning plunge after long hours of travel.

My sis, Arlene, Biboy & Euness

But for others and me, we could not missed it.

Archie and Me

Lawrence and me

Abie, Me & Gen

A place like this, close to nature, peace and quite is hard to leave but we have to. We left at around 11AM. We didn't manage to change our wet clothes anymore.

the gang

After an hour, we arrived at Puerto del Sol Resort. The guard on duty asked us if we have reservation so I gave him our confirmed reservation for 15 persons.

outside the reception office of Puerto del Sol

Unlimited self service welcome drinks at the corner of reception office.

Each of us had a welcome shell necklace

Since our check-in time is 2 PM we decided to have lunch first. We were escorted at the resorts restaurant, the La Playa.

La Playa Restaurant

lunch over looking West Philippine Sea

My sis, me and Archie

my lunch - tender grilled spare ribs in Singaporean sauce

After lunch we were escorted to our designated rooms. Hmmm I think I will write a separate review of our overnight accommodation in Puerto del Sol so that this post won't be lengthy.

our room - good for 5 persons

We just left our things inside our rooms and and we went back at the reception where we meet our guide for our Patar Land Tour.

Our first stop is the Wonderful Cave that is located inside a private property area.

outside Wonderful Cave

The water inside the cave is a fresh water from spring. It is cool and clean that no matter how much you move inside the cave, the water is still clear. Entrance fee is 50 pesos/head. We spent 45 minutes swimming inside the cave.

stairs going down the cave

pool inside the cave

Second stop -Bolinao/Patar rock formations and sea cave. The "view deck" is a private property of Puerto del Sol. It's just sad that it's not allowed go inside the sea cave so we opt for pictorials instead.

left side of Patar/Bolinao rock formations and sea cave

left side of Patar/Bolinao rock formations

Third stop - Cape Bolinao lighthouse, a century old lighthouse that was built by Americans. It is also the 2nd tallest lighthouse in the Philippines.

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Our last stop for the day - Patar Beach. Locals call Patar beach as 'little Boracay of the North'. But unlike Boracay, this public beach has no high-end resorts and restaurants near the shoreline which is I like most.

some souvenir shops near Patar Beach

We rented a kubo cottage for our group for 200 pesos.

Kubo Cottage

Patar Beach

 The sand may not seem white and fine as Boracay but it's golden sand with a touch of the sun will surely charm everyone who understands that beautiful beach doesn't need to have white and fine sand to be called beautiful.

Some of the the members of our group had fun playing volleyball too.

I enjoyed sleeping at the beach for more than an hour until sunset without someone bothering me selling their products while the others had fun taking their pictures underwater.

I woke up when one of my companions told me that it's almost sunset.

sunset at Patar Beach

with some of the local kids that I've met while sunset viewing

We pre-ordered dinner when we arrived at Patar beach at nearby restaurant because it is much cheaper that the restaurant inside Puerto del Sol. So before we left Patar we had our dinner.

wishing u were here watching the sunset with me ;)

We went back in the resort at 8 pm and we go straightly in Jacuzzi when we arrived.

relaxing in Jacuzzi

The warm water and pressure was so perfect for the cold night and sore body after day of travelling, swimming and exploring. We spent at least 1 hour in Jacuzzi chatting and relaxing until the management shut it off.

Some of the members of my group decided to have some drinks but I've choose to sleep to recharge for the next day's activity.

On the next day, it was our chance to explore the Puerto del Sol Resort. I will write more about the resort on a separate review. For the meantime Im sharing some photos of the resort.

fake yoga at infinity pool

I love this spot near infinity pool

Zen inspired pool

massage area

prayer garden

The buffet breakfast will be opened at 7 am to 9 am so after some exploration and taking pictures we went to La Playa Restaurant.

The only word I can describe for our buffet breakfast is 'superb'.

buffet breakfast station

After breakfast we went swimming to burn all the calories we consumed in breakfast :)

Our check-out time is 11 AM so we make 'sulit' all the time we left in the resort

waiting for our van service after checking-out

Instead of straightly heading back to Manila we decided to have a side trip in Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos, Pangasinan which is just 1 hour and 30 minutes away.

On the way back to Alaminos we had quick pictorials on the Balingasay bridge under the bridge is the Balingay river and the sea meet

When we arrived in Alaminos, we had a quick lunch at Chowking and proceed to Lucap Wharft. We rented a boat for our group and got discounted package for life vests and snorkeling gears.

at Hundred Island viewing deck in Governor's Island

While the other's are having fun cliff jumping and swimming inside Imelda's cave at Marcos Island, I decided to wait for them under the shade near the shore. I don't mind if I missed the fun, it's my third time in Hundred Islands anyway :)

Our last stop was in Cuenco Island where we had snacks.

store in Cuenco Island

jumping site at Cuenco Island

If you are planning to visit Bolinao, Pangasinan for an overnight I would recommend you to follow our itinerary so you won't missed anything. If you have spare time you may squeeze in to your itinerary the Balingasay river cruise. I've missed the river cruise because I only learn about it after I get back in Manila. If ever I could return in Bolinao I will make sure that I would not missed it anymore.

How about you? Do you have other places to recommend to visit in Bolinao or in Pangasinan? Don't be shy to share and spread about the beautiful province of Pangasinan. Let's help the local tourism of the province.