But…first things first, someone must know how to go to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse of Bolinao, Pangasinan from Manila so anyone can visit see her white glory. Here are the directions.

How to go from Manila to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse of Bolinao, Pangasinan?

1. Ride a train from LRT-1 Gil Puyat Station and get off at LRT-1 EDSA Station.
2. After getting of at LRT-1 EDSA Station, walk to a footbridge that leads to the opposite side of the Metro Point Mall in Taft Avenue, Pasay City, reaching a building of SOGO Hotel in Pasay Rotonda.
3. From building of SOGO Hotel in Pasay Rotonda, walk along the Taft Avenue road toward a big intersection of Taft Avenue and Aurora Boulevard and turn right.
4. After you have turned right to follow the length of Aurora Boulevard of Pasay City, find the Five Star Bus Terminal on the opposite side of the road and cross it.
5. When you reached Five Star Bus Terminal, ride a Five Star bus with the signboard “BOLINAO”.
6. The trip will take approximately 5 to 6 hours and the endpoint of the trip is the Five Star Bus Terminal in Bolinao, Pangasinan.
7. Get off at Five Star Bus Terminal in Bolinao, Pangasinan and look for a tricycle on its premises that will lead you to Patar Beach.
8. The cost of hiring a tricycle (as of January 25, 2026) that goes to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is P 400.00 per trip (not per head), depending on negotiations with the driver and passengers.

Going from Patar Beach to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Getting back to the tricycle we’ve ridden to the Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan in search for a new destination called Cape Bolinao Lighthouse which the driver told me is not far off, we whisked away at almost 12:40 PM. But before exiting the Patar Beach, I already noticed a tall structure of what appears to be a lighthouse standing on elevated plain that looked like a small mountain, giving me an idea on how far it is. As we excitedly rode to the parked tricycle and slowly exiting the famed Patar Beach to reach the next destination, the anticipation of what would it looked like becomes strong. Researching beforehand of the place by looking at its picture and what would be the environment a few days before going to the real place, the placed I imagined would be good. The road toward the place was similar to the kind of roads the tricycle was taken toward Patar Beach, with her solid, slightly – smooth roads with yellow lines in the middle, the cows mooing as our tricycle wheezes past by them, the coconut trees dotting the provincial landscape of Bolinao, Pangasinan, the tall grasses and weeds that only a real province could possess, different kinds of trees scattered along the roads, the awfully sunny weather that could give you a sunburn in under 15 minutes, and very few motor vehicles passing in the opposite direction. But what is more surprising is that, the road started to become an uphill one, and becoming more uphill as we went by. Looking at the back of the tricycle of what is happening, I was stunned by the magnificence of Bolinao, Pangasinan. I could see the deep blue horizon of the sea from afar, the green lands become a mere haze, the blue – white sky meeting the deep blue water in the horizon, the engine of the tricycle becomes more aggressive and labored due to an uphill road, and the best of all, we’re still traveling.

Looking intently at everywhere while the tricycle driver is focusing his eyes on one direction, I couldn’t help but to think about how brilliant Bolinao, Pangasinan at elevated distance. As we travelled uphill as if there was no tomorrow, the bougainvillea plants scattered along the landscapes just makes it more attractive and a sign that the place were going after is near. As the time deepens into 1:00 PM and the sun is burning brightly, the greenness of the place becomes more pronounced. Staring into one direction and letting the mind free to wander, wondering what would happen if we got to that tall lighthouse on the edge of an elevated plain, I wondered what could we see there. It has been demonstrated that we could see Bolinao, Pangasinan at its top vantage point, but what could be the surprises if we actually got there and take a look? That would be pleasantly surprising. Looking at whole Bolinao Pangasinan at nice elevations would be a treat.

Still riding on a tricycle, the slightly uphill road becomes more uphill. Few minutes later, we noticed that there were some people along the roads walking towards a place. Looking at the skies, I could now see a tall, white structure that looked like a lighthouse. The tall structure becomes closer to us every minute, inviting us to come and look. The structure was indeed big…and fat! The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is now withing our reach and the tricycle driver is excitedly wanted to go there. The tricycle’s speed now becomes slower due to the destination’s uphill roads, but more importantly, we are now near at the lighthouse. Few minutes later, we noticed a bunch of stores littered around a place, selling nicely – decorated T – shirts, stores selling different kinds of foods, cars parked near the roads, a stream of tourists going up the famed Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. This is it! After an almost half an hour drive from Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan, we have arrived at our desired destination, the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, situated on the uphills of Bolinao, Pangasinan, overlooking almost the town from above. A historic landmark built hundreds of years ago to guide ships at night made by Filipinos, British and American engineers and became the symbol of the town for years to come. As a coastal town boasting numerous attractions like the Enchanted Caves, which actually offered by the tricycle driver after we have toured Cape Bolinao Lighthouse but I declined because I no longer have the energy to go on, Bolinao Church which is the center of faith that helped the town in the hours of need, the Patar Beach which is a beautiful public beach maintained and cared by her people, and many places that will be discovered for years to come.

I get off from the tricycle and the tricycle driver offered to stay outside to wait for me. Slowly walking upwards to the destination a few meters away from the entrance, a big gate with a small door is greeting us, with staffs of the lighthouse waiting on the front. We were lining up and groups of people, young and old, couples in love, group of tourists excited to smell the fresh air, and some people travelling alone with too much time on their hands. The people at the front were writing their names on a log book on the shed and one of the staffs was collecting P40.00 environmental fee for the maintenance of the famed Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. When it’s my turn, I wrote my name on the log book to register. Then the staff asked me if I was travelling with a companion or I’m alone. I told her I’m just alone. When I handed the P40.00 environmental fee to her, she graciously didn’t accept it, telling me that the P40.00 environmental fee was waived and I can go inside the lighthouse premises without payment. I gleefully thanked the staffs there and now looked at the towering structure just…probably fifty meters away from me and required strong legs and guts because the road leading to the lighthouse itself is uphill. Now we’re cleared to tour the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse.

Reaching Bolinao Pangasinan: Walking in Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Slowly walking toward the inclined cemented, grayish – white, short road ascending to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse tower while resisting the power of gravity pulling on all of us, it was a windy day. Together with many tourists and couples happily taking pictures of themselves and their loved ones while wind is blowing all over the place, we slowly observed the scenery surrounding the place. Green bougainvillas, trees with their branches flowing the course of winds, a historical marker telling the history of the place hundres of years ago, and just a general atmosphere of calm and awe. The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is simply an amazing place to visit. I wonder how it would look like if we’ve travelled it at night. That would be exciting. Strolling through the ascending road leading to the entrance of the lighthouse, I sensed a bit of history while looking at the lighthouse itself, remembering that the structure that I’m seeing now probably is the same structure being looked at by our forefathers hundreds of years ago. The brightly shining sun of 2026 hitting the tower is the same sun that shone the lighthouse in the year 1901. If the date today to be suddenly changed to 1901, the environment would probably look the same. The sea around it would look the same. The color of the skins of our forebearers would look the same. Proudly brown. The places below the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse would probably look like a jungle and but would sport few Spanish – looking houses and couple of bahay – kubos. But in our imagination, the place would almost look the same as before as it is now…probably. I wonder what it would look like 100 years from now.

Admiring the beauty the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse like a child with wide eyes struck in awe, I keep caressing the tower with my fingers while slowly walking around it. Her white, new paint that witnessed by countless sailors over the years that always heed her guidance in an hour of need, always glistens in the day even for many kilometers from the shore. Her tall stature that was designed for maximum attention is always a head – turner…vertically and loves to reach for the skies even if it was always dwarfed by the sheer distance of the clouds to her white light. But sometimes, I do wonder if the place there experienced fog in her entire existence. Probably yes. I wish it was so that she can be happy in a different way. There could be some versions of happiness when something comes to that place…or to us. There is a special place in our hearts when a fog slowly comes in our vicinity. Another special place in our hearts when someone actually tried to expend their precious energy for us. Another special place in our hearts for the life that has been given to us and nurtured by everyone close to our hearts. Our hearts might be only one, but is symbol of its capacity for empathy, adversity, tolerance to people we aren’t close with, and seeing the maximum potential of our hearts and minds when facing the glorious and lows of everyday lives gives us the hope to love one another, even if it is painful and difficult. Sometimes, something that couldn’t be explained easily feels hurtful. In this case of the lighthouse that has been standing proudly on the uphills of Bolinao, Pangasinan for over a hundred years, the lighthouse served as the symbol for resiliency amidst the uncertainty just as your loved ones sometimes suddenly become flaky, moody and silent for unknown reasons. Just as our Good Lord tells us in Matthew chapter 5 verse 14 to 16;

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Be steadfast and perservere until the end. And you can always start small.

After many minutes of admiring the cylindrical walls of the lighthouse, I then go to the cliff facing the town of Bolinao, Pangasinan while the West Philippine Sea was far off. A cemented platform designed for the tourists who like to take pictures with the sea as a backdrop, the place was swarmed by tourists excited to take turns taking pictures, including me. After several minutes of waiting for the tourists ahead of us, I didn’t hesitate to ask some tourists to take a picture of me in the vastness of the blue skies when it was my turn. The pictures went pretty good and I offered some tourists to take a picture of them after they took some pictures of me, which they graciously declined. Wandering throughout the place, I found myself positioned on the edge of the cliff, looking at afar and mesmerized by the silentness of the blue sea with their ocean waves dancing from afar. I couldn’t help but ask ourselves why are we hurting each other and easily fell to our emotions. If we could just adore somebody the way how we adore the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse and her history, her winds blowing to her, the view overlooking all over the Bolinao town and her secrets, the pale blue sky, her deep, blue sea that invites us to look at her and adore her discreetness, old buildings that was presumably built decades ago and now out of the commission but still a part of her, modern facilities that powers her blinding lights, our worlds would probably be lift up.

After walking around the edge of the cliff, I now walked towards the abandoned building near the lighthouse. I don’t have an idea what it might be or its purpose, but the walled remains of once a bustling building filled with memories reminds us of ourselves in the far future, so we shall try to take care of each other, be effortful, try something, and trust the learning process. After slowly walking around the abandoned building, I just sit at the back of the lighthouse, doing nothing much while staring at the soil, and thinking about nothing. I just wait there silently for a few minutes while thinking about the things we have seen so far, they were all beautiful. Even the idleness of the place seems wonderful but we are still always ready for new adventures, but sometimes smelling the roses along the journey is all we need from all the chaos in our own little worlds where everything matters.

Going Home

As we went nearer to the town proper, the more people is now present. Children playing slippers on the road sides, mothers tending their sari – sari stores ready to wait for her customers, and fathers bringing along with them their fishing equipments for today’s daily bread. But as we whizzed back to the town proper, the glimpse of the sea before vanishing from our sight is now inviting us to come see it, but it won’t be the last time to visit Bolinao, Pangasinan in the near future. We could always go back there and enjoy her sights because there are may places deep within the town that would loved to be seen. What about the tricycle driver’s mentioned place called “Enchanted Caves” which he offered me to tour for free but I refused. Or what about the Bolinao Falls that came up in my research before going to the town? There are many places in Bolinao, Pangasinan that could be visited that it would be an exciting thought to visit this place again and aim for her other wonders. As our journey is almost wrapping up and the last journey before completing it is returning to Pasay City, the memories of enjoying the beautiful sights of Bolinao, Pangasinan is a very good sight to behold because few weeks after our trip, the cold, sunny waters of Patar Beach is still clinging on the skin. The sands of the same beach is still stuck our the pockets of the shorts we wore on the trip dunking ourselves in the water. The breeze of the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is now always imagined after few minutes of thinking of nothing. The noise of the tricycle driver that lead us our success under the hands of the tricycle driver that accompanied me to our journey, the greenery of the classic “probinsyano” life.