Northern Luzon - The Rough Guide to the Philippines - page 136

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
There's only one recommendable hotel and no good restaurants in Bolinao proper; it's better to stay, and eat, at one of
the nearby beach resorts.

Rock View Beach Brgy Patar T 0999 303 4133. The
perfect choice for budget travellers, with seven sturdy
rustic cabañas, as well as two simple a/c rooms (P2000) in
a concrete block, on a spectacular stretch of wild coastline
overlooking rock formations. There isn't a r estauran t, but
guests can cook in the open-fronted kitchen. P1500
Villa Carolina y Juan Brgy Ilog Malino T 0921
698 3340, E [e-mail]. Just
across the street from Punta Riviera Resort , the simple
rooms at this Belgian/Filipina-owned resort are all in
brown, mock-wood concrete buildings, which makes it
feel rather dark. Th ere's a p ool, kayaks for rent and cooked
food upon request. P3500
Villa Soledad Brgy Ilog Malino T 075 734 5314,
W villasoledadbeachresort.com. Recently renovated,
good-value rooms, although some of the family rooms
can be a bit of a squeeze. Accommodation is set around a
leafy tropical garden with basketball court and tw o palm-
shaded pools. There's table tennis and billiards, too. P1500

BOLINAO
El Pescador Germinal T 075 554 2559, E elpescador
[e-mail]. This large well-kept resort has
more than fifty warm and welcoming rooms set in the
“new” building, all with a/c and private bath; choose one
of these over the “old” ones. There are also seven clean and
cosy a/c native huts, all with shared bath, decorated with
pretty local materials, as well as a la rge inv iting pool for
adults, and a smaller one for children. P1500

THE ROAD FROM BOLINAO TO PATAR
BEACH
Puerto del Sol Brgy Ilog Malino T 075 710 7371,
W puertodelsol.com.ph. Bolinao's most upmarket resort
offers spacious, tastefully decorated a/c rooms in well-
tended grounds, with dark wooden furniture, fridges,
cable TV, private verandas and tea and coffee amenities.
There's a pool, spa, open-air jacuzzi and a restaurant
overlooking a pr etty str etch of beach with shallow clear
water. Free wi-fi. P8600
★

3

Punta Riviera Resort Brgy Ilog Malino T 075 696
1350, W puntarivieraresort.com. The best resort in the
area, with well-tended grounds dotted with palm trees,
an infinity pool and a colourful dragon-fruit orchard. The
tiled a/c rooms (P5000) are clean and spacious, and there's
a handful of fan-cooled cabañas. The sauna and open-air
jacuzzi are perfect spots to unwind after a kaya king trip
through the resort's mangroves. Free wi-fi. P2000

PATAR BEACH
Treasures of Bolinao Patar Beach T 075 696 3266,
W treasuresofbolinao.com. Overloooking Patar Beach,
this resort has a variety of a/c rooms, most with DVD
players and private terraces; the New Villa rooms (P4500)
may not have sea views, but are much better value than
the Maharlika ones (P8000). There's a pleas ant poo l area
and a deck overlooking the beach. Free wi-fi. P4000

San Fernando and around
The capital of La Union province and site of a former US air base, SAN FERNANDO has
little of interest to tourists. It is, however, the access point for the popular San Juan
surfing beach, 8km north.

Chinese-Filipino Friendship Pagoda
Take Zigzag Rd or use the steps up Hero's Hill from Quezon Ave
If you have a few hours to spare in San Fernando then take a walk uphill to Freedom
Park and the Chinese-Filipino Friendship Pagoda . The pagoda boasts great views across
the rooftops and out to the South China Sea. There is more evidence of the Chinese
influence in the area at the impressive Ma-Cho temple , along Quezon Avenue on the
northern outskirts of the city.

San Juan
A dramatic crescent with big breakers that roll in from the South China Sea, the coast
just north of SAN JUAN in the barangay of Urbiztondo is a prime surfing beach . Most
of its resorts have surfboards to rent (P200/hr) and offer tuition (another P200). For
experienced surfers there are two breaks in Urbiztondo , one a beach break in front of
the main huddle of resorts and the other the Monaliza point break at the northern end