Northwest Luzon
BOLINAO & VICINITY
Bolinao is a quiet little town on the northwest tip of Pangasinan, 6 hours by bus from Manila. It is beautifully surrounded by tropical nature and has fine white sand beaches and some interesting small islands off its shore. The tourism infrastructure is not as well developed as e.g. in Lucap but the locals are very helpful to tourists. As many of its inhabitants are fishermen, Bolinao is also a paradise for seafood gourmets.
Boat trips to Hundred Islands cost P 200. Boat trips to other small islands, such as Silake and Santiago Islands, cost P 100 per day; the regular ferry boat to Santiago Island (P 2.50) departs at Breakwater (15).
Silake Island has a small golden sand beach on one side and a barrio on the other. A kilometer or two from shore, snorkeling is good. The water is about 2m (6ft) deep but one must mind the currents. There is some coral for viewing. Just off Dewey Island is a 1km strip of white sand called White Sand Island. Cangaluyan Island is reportedly owned by a former Pangasinan congressman.
Parola Beach, some 15km (9mi) to the southwest of Bolinao, is the longest white sand beach in the region; it's beautiful but lonely. To go there, tricycles can be hired for the whole day (P 80).
Also to the southwest is Pietra point with a lighthouse and a great view but it's difficult to get there.
Accommodation
A & E Garden Inn (10) beside Pantranco North Terminal; located in a beautiful garden with a big Tamarind tree 50m (160ft) off the road. A house was built in the tree which can be rented.
sgl 50; dbl 60, 80 (tb), 200 (ac,tb)
tree house sgl/dbl 60/80 (tb)
simple but very clean, nice food, friendly management
Celeste Beach Resort (12) on the beach
dbl rm 100; cot 150 (tb); rest
Cascante Beach Resort (13) on the beach
cot 100 (tb); fam cot (5 pers) 250350 (tb)
rest, clean, nice place
Cascante Hotel (16) on the top of a cliff, can be reached either by outrigger or by tricycle; dbl 200 (tb), 250 (ac,tb)
good value, complete kitchen facilities available, dining room, sun terrace with beautiful view on the sea; reservations can be made through Cascante Beach Resort
Long Beach Resort (1) on the beach accept parties of at least 6 lodgers only
rm for 46 pers 350 (ac,tb)
cot for 2 pers 175 (tb)
cot for 6 pers (3 bed rms) 350 (tb)
wind surf and sailing equipment for rent; reservations through Mrs Noemi de Perio at Bolinao Central School
Miscellaneous
Treasure Hunter Club (14) bar and disco
Post Office (4) Rizal Ave
PT&T (9) Ponce St
Police Station (3)
Public Market (7) Cacho St
Church (6) Rizal Ave
Town Plaza (11) Ponce St
Bolinao Museum (5) at the village boundary towards Alaminos
MonFri 8:0012:00, 13:0017:00
Interesting section on Philippine plants and animals, a collection of items from the Spanish era and an illustration of the Maguey (string) industry.
Bus Terminals
Dagupan Bus (2); Pantranco North (8)
More on Northwest Luzon:
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/philippines/philippines_islands_northwest_luzon3.htm
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