Experience Bolinao: Where to go, What to do, and What to eat!

Bolinao is one if not the most beautiful towns in the province of Pangasinan. This humble town almost has it all, Instagram-worthy destinations, fresh foods, cultural heritage, and more!

The town of Bolinao is located in the western part of the province facing the West Philippine Sea. It is 1 hour away from Alaminos City, where Hundred Islands is located, and 8 hours away from Metro Manila.

What to Visit in Bolinao Pangasinan

PATAR BEACH

Enjoy the beautiful golden sand beach of Patar. Walk on the grainy sand, catch the waves and swim on the clear blue waters of the sea.

Activities: swimming, sight-seeing, picture taking, picnic, and camping

BOLINAO LIGHTHOUSE

Near Patar Beach, you can find a 16th century 100-ft lighthouse. The area is best for taking photos as it offers a bird’s eye view of the West Philippine Sea. There's also a ruin which to be part of the light that is the best background for an Instagram-worthy photo.

Activities: sight-seeing and picture taking,

ENCHANTED CAVE

There are three caves that you can visit – the Cindy’s Cave, Wonderful cave, and Enchanted cave but true to its name, Enchanted cave is the most ‘enchanting’ and mystical. It is an underground cave that features limestones, fossils, and crystal clear cold waters.

Activities: swimming, sight-seeing, and picture taking

ROCK FORMATION

Located at Patar Rock Beach Resort, this natural rock formation gives panoramic and scenic shots for your photos. But the rock formation is not just a normal rock they’re massive collections of corals that are more than a thousand years old. If you are looking for a nice place to chase the sunset, this is where to go.

Activities: sight-seeing, sunset chasing, and picture taking

BOLINAO FALLS

You can find two falls in Bolinao, the Bolinao Falls 1 and 2. Both are equally beautiful offering a nice view and crystal clear turquoise water. The only difference is that Bolinao falls 1 is higher compared to Bolinao falls 2.

Activities: sight-seeing, swimming, picnic, and picture taking

SAINT JAMES THE GREAT PARISH CHURCH

The Saint James the Great Parish Church is a Spanish colonial church and one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The church was erected in 1609 and made out of black coral stones.

The Church tower of Bolinao measuring seventy-five (75) feet was then the tallest in whole Pangasinan if not in the entire Northern Luzon. However, an earthquake in 1788 toppled about half of it. Then in 1819, the Church Convent was also accidentally burned.

Activities: pray, hear mass, and picture taking

CAMP PUOR

Camp Puor is the newest travel destination in Bolinao, it is a campsite located at the Balingasay River. The camp is best for your IG goals as it has a lot of Instagram-worthy areas. For overnight, you can bring your tent or you can also rent. There is also a kubo you can rent in case you don’t want to sleep in a tent.

Activities: camping, sight-seeing, and picture taking

SUNGAYAN GRILL

Bolinao has some of the best seafood restaurants in the region, one of them is the Sungayan Grill Restaurant.

Sungayan Grill Restaurant is located at the Balingasay River and is famous for its river cruise. You can rent a floating hut and a boatman will drag you up to the river and back while you eat that delicious seafood. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that you should try!

Aside from the fresh seafood, you can also enjoy the stunning view of the Balingasay River which is considered one of the cleanest rivers in the country.

Activities: eat boodle fight, river cruise, picture taking, and bird watching

BINUNGEY

One of the unique things you can experience in Bolinao is eating Binungey. Binungey is sticky rice with coconut milk cooked on bamboo. To eat this, you will be given a spoon creatively made from bamboo with some sugary syrup.