Pangasinan is a province in the Philippines situated in Ilocos Region in the Northern Luzon decorated with alluring tourist spots. Some of them have already been featured in many textbooks, magazines, local and international media but there are still plenty of beautiful places to visit in the province including stunning islands, pristine beaches, enchanting caves, exciting waterfalls and more.
The province of Pangasinan is the major producer of salt in the country, hence its name means “a place where salt is made.” It is also being dubbed as “the gateway to Northern Luzon” where Lingayen is its provincial capital.
It encloses the Lingayen Gulf and bordered by La Union (north), Benguet & Nueva Vizcaya (northeast), Nueva Ecija (southeast), Zambales & Tarlac (south) and South China Sea (west). The province is a home for around 3 million people and they speak in Pangasinan, Ilocano, Bolinao, Tagalog and English languages.
If you are interested in exploring its beautiful places soon, below are the most visited tourist spots in Pangasinan you may want to include in your bucket list.
10 Best Tourist Spots in Pangasinan
1. Hundred Islands
Hundred Islands by Raph Cocson on Flickr
Hundred Islands is one of the most popular tourist spots in Pangasinan, a group of around 123 small islands and islets scattered in the Lingayen Gulf. These mushroom-like islets are composed of limestone rocks at its base with thick vegetation above it. Though not every islet has beautiful beaches, there are some that has its own white sand coves. The most popular islands are the Governor’s Island, Quezon Island, Marcos Island and Children’s Island for day tours and overnight camping activities. The best things to do here are island hopping, swimming, snorkeling, helmet diving, zip-lining, wall climbing, rappelling and banana boat riding.
Hundred Islands is located in Alaminos, Pangasinan. Contact the Tourism Office of Alaminos to arrange your visit.
2. Patar Beach
Patar Beach is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Pangasinan. It is a very long stretch of fine and creamy golden sand beach with crystal clear waters. Fascinating rock formations can be sighted on the far end of the beach. They say the beautiful golden sunset here will leave you in awe. Nipa huts and variety of budget to luxury accommodations are abundant in the area. This is actually a public beach and a favorite weekend getaway destination among the locals and tourists. If you want to stay overnight and have a quality time, it’s better to book in advance a beach front resort in Patar Beach.
Patar Beach is located in Bolinao, Pangasinan. There are plenty of beach front resorts in Patar Beach and there are two popular ones. For mid-range accommodation, stay at Casa Almarenzo Bed and Breakfast Resort and for luxury type, stay at Puerto Del Sol Resort.
3. Bolinao Falls
Bolinao Falls 1 by Christian Vincent Agacite
Bolinao Falls 2 by Patricia Anne Laxina
Bolinao Falls are famous tourist spots in Pangasinan, the Bolinao Falls 1 and Bolinao Falls 2. They got pretty simple names but if you are looking for adventure and relaxation aside from the beach, these are your perfect destinations. Bolinao Falls 1 has around 20 feet drop of cascading waters and it has cool blue-green basin identifying that it really deep. Swimming, cliff jumping and bamboo rafting are best things to do here.
On the other hand, Bolinao Falls 2 is more enchanting according to the locals and visitors that’s why it is more popular and touristy. It is a short falls but the basin is wide and plenty of spots to dip aside from its basin. Life vests and nipa huts are available for rent. Visitors also love to swim and do cliff diving here. Putting aside the bias, both falls are picture perfect and great places to relax.
Bolinao Falls are located in Bolinao, Pangasinan.
4. Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse by Uly Uly Estomo
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is one of the most-visited sightseeing destinations in Pangasinan, the second tallest lighthouse in the country. It is a century-old lighthouse built in 1903 by the Americans that guides ships passing though the shores of Pangasinan. Situated on top of a hill called Punta Piedra Point, it gives a panoramic view of the Patar Beach and the West Philippine Sea. Tourists exploring beautiful places in Pangasinan or even locals love to drop by here for few minutes especially in the early morning or afternoon to watch the mesmerizing views and take some photos.
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is located in Bolinao, Pangasinan.
5. Enchanted Cave
Enchanted Cave by Raph Cocson
Enchanted Cave is among the most visited tourist spots in Pangasinan. It is a well-maintained cave and the center of attraction is the cool and calm turquoise spring pool inside the cave. Getting inside is easy since a man-made staircase was built leading to the cave’s mouth for convenience of visitors. The natural spring pool is deep but life vests are available for non-swimmers. Ropes are also installed on the edges for visitors to grasp while dipping into the pool. Outside the cave, plenty of coral rocks and gardens can be found where hammocks are installed that visitors can use to relax.
Due to the presence of coral rocks and the discovery of giant clams around the cave, it was believed that the cave was once submerged under the sea millions of years ago. Aside from the charming environment, this is one of the main reasons why it is called Enchanted Cave.
Enchanted Cave is located in Bolinao, Pangasinan.
6. Tondol Beach
Tondol Beach by Eena Nuevas
Tondol Beach is another beautiful beach in Pangasinan. It features a long and wide expanse of white sand with very shallow crystal clear waters and its shores are dotted with coconut trees. If you visit here during low tide, you might wonder where did all the sea water go since low tide in Tondol Beach literally means almost all waters were sucked up far from the shoreline. It is even possible to reach the nearby island on foot during low tide. Starfish and crabs are abundant in the beach. With the ankle deep waters, this is an ideal place for families with kids and group of friends who wants to enjoy beach sports. Cottages and resorts are also available near the beach.
Tondol Beach is located in Anda, Pangasinan.
7. Tambobong Beach
Tambobong Beach by Bryan Manzano Quinto
Tambobong Beach is one of the famous tourist spots in Pangasinan. It has a long stretch of creamy light brown sand and blue waters. The beach has calm and alluring sea waters but the docking boats in the shore and some part with sea grasses are disappointment to many tourists. Well, you can’t please everybody. But if you are with your group of friends or family with open-mind who just want to relax and enjoy the beach while staying at a beach resort, this place is for you. There are beach resorts around the area the offers good accommodation and friendly people. Aside from swimming, the best thing to do here is to go island hopping.
Tambobong Beach is located in Dasol, Pangasinan.
8. Colibra Island
Colibra Island by Kevin Manzano
Colibra Island is one of your island hopping destinations in Pangasinan. If you stayed on a resort in Tambobong Beach, they can help you arrange your island hopping tour. Colibra Island, also called as Snake Island, should be number one on your list. It is called Snake Island because when it’s not yet open for public, snakes are visible roaming around the island. Some parts of the island has powdery white sand beach with alluring turquoise waters good for swimming while some parts are rocky. Aside from Colibra Island, other island hopping destinations are Crocodile Island, Cabacungan Cave, Shipwreck, and Simimbahan.
Colibra Island is located in Dasol, Pangasinan.
9. Lingayen Beach
Lingayen Beach by mpadama1
Lingayen Beach is one of the known tourist spots in Pangasinan, a well-maintained public beach in the capital of the province. Lingayen Beach is a very wide and long stretch of fine grey sand beach that even visitors say it’s finer than Boracay. Picnic cottages and bath houses were 20 meters away from the shoreline which were installed by the government. This is a favorite place among the locals and tourists to go swimming, skim boarding or simply hanging out and relax. There are also resorts and restaurants near the beach.
Lingayen Beach is located in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
10. Cabongaoan Beach
Cabongaoan Beach is a hidden beach paradise in Pangasinan. Situated in the remote and off the beaten track of the province, it’s no wonder why it is quiet and less crowded unlike other beaches in Pangasinan. It has huge deposit and long stretch of creamy brownish sand with a combination of alluring green and blue clear waters and decorated with coconut trees. On the near end of the beach lies a so-called “Death Pool.” It is actually a rock hole along the rock formations in the shore. The waves that fills the hole creates a disturbance that comes with considerable water pressure and if you are caught in the middle and tossed on rough edges, maybe that’s what they called Death Pool. Decent accommodations are available in the beach but the beach is more of a camping site.
Cabongaoan Beach is located in Burgos, Pangasinan.
