PATAR BEACH RESORTS

Location: Barangay Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines

Note: This is a part of my June 5 – 6, 2016 Alaminos City-Bolinao-Camiling Tour which includes: Hundred Islands, Saint Joseph Cathedral Parish Church, Alaminos City Hall and Colegio San Jose de Alaminos, Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, Giant Taklobo Resto Grill and Accommodation and Camiling Quick Tour.

The long beach stretch of Patar white beach

Patar is just one of the barangays of Bolinao which is located in the northwestern part of Lingayen Gulf of Pangasinan. There might be some other beach resorts here also having off-white fine sand but what is good in there is, it is not that crowded. And yes!!! It is so close to Punta Piedra Point where the historical and cultural heritage edifice of Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is located.

Open nipa and wooden cottages along Patar beach front

Our tour operator brought us to a beach resort managed by Patar White Beach Bolinao Community Association, Inc. Cottages and resort houses are not that expensive as they are made of simple bamboo and wooden materials. While roaming around, I spotted a name of White Beach of Patar and another is the Ocean Side Beach Resort. Noticeably, shower rooms have more than enough water when you rinse but you just have to pay P10.

Enjoying a friendly weather in the beach

Since ours was just a day trip just enjoying the crystal clear waters and blue skies and endless snorkel, we ended up renting an open cottage which costs P500 with a capacity of at least 15 people equipped with a table where we can put our personal stuff. This part of Patar Beach is flocked with commoners and so bigger crowds of people are expected mostly those who are staying for a day.

A place where the sand, sea and skies blend to give a relaxing mood

For those who wanted to stay overnight where stargazing is an exciting activity, closed nipa hut ranging from P700 to P1,500 with capacity of 3 to 5 persons. However, for those who really wanted to stay in luxurious hotels in the area, this LINK can be useful.

Where souvenir shops abounds (Model: Allan R. De la Trinidad)

There are some souvenir shops around and stores where one can buy basic necessities like food stuff, drinks or even hard drinks. And I’ve read a certain post about the parking rental which varies as to vehicular type, namely: Bus/Truck – P80; Van/Jeep/Pick-up/Car – P50; Tricycle – P20; and Single Motor – P15.

The typical open nipa cottage size

Looking around, I have noticed that the other end of the beach stretch has luxurious beach resorts while the other end has rock formations. The clear waters was really that inviting. And the waves after noon time were so playful that if you just let yourself afloat on the water, you will be washed ashore. There is also a net for the volleyball enthusiasts.

One of the convenient stores in the area

We initially had a trip coming from Alaminos City because we stayed overnight in the Island Tropics Hotel after our Hundred Islands day tour and so heading to Bolinao is closer for a total of one and a half hours drive.

Playing with the rushing waves

However, if one intends to just enjoy Patar beaches, he can take Five Star bus liner (Cubao and Pasay terminals); Victory and Dagupan bus liners (Cubao terminals) where your destination ends in Bolinao town. Tricycle services can be chartered from Bolinao town to Barangay Patar which will range from P150 to P200 depending on your haggling skills.

HOW TO GO THERE

Since I had a different route when I visited this place and I want to provide you the best information to reach it, I copied this portion from a blog of a public school teacher, "Blissfulguro" with details as follows:

From Manila, there are three Bus stops and it normally takes 5-6 hours to reach Bolinao Pangasinan. Buses stops in Dau terminal, Tarlac terminal and Alaminos City terminal. For trip schedules, reservations and ticket prices, you may contact the bus company at the following contact numbers:

Victory Liner – Cubao Quezon City Terminal
Phone #: (632) 727-4534, (632) 727-4688, (632) 410-8986
Twitter Account: @VictoryLinerInc
Email: info@victoryliner.com
Website: http://www.victoryliner.com

FiveStar Bus Line – Pasay City Terminal
Phone #: TEL.# (632) 853-4772/ (632) 851-6659/ (632) 851-6614
Hotline: 0927-7124349
Website: http://www.5starbus.co/

Dagupan Bus Line – Cubao Quezon City Terminal
Phone#: +63(2)8252927 and +63(2)8252930

VENICE GRAND CANAL MALL

Updated as of September 3, 2026

Location: McKinley Hill, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines

The Grand Canal inside the Venice Grand Canal Mall
Venice Grand Canal, also known as Venice Grand Canal Mall, is a lifestyle mall development under Megaworld Lifestyle Malls located inside the 50-hectare McKinley Hill township of Megaworld Corporation in Taguig City.   The mall architecture is inspired by the Grand Canal in Venice Italy.  It was opened for operation on September 18, 2015 with an address of McKinley Hill Drive, Taguig, 1630 Metro Manila.

The Gondola ride at the grand canal
The standard ticket price for a boat ride at the Venice Grand Canal Mall is P500 or US$8 per person for a shared gondola ride.
Ride Options and Group Pricing

1. Shared Gondola:  P500 or US$8.  Each boat can typically accommodate 2 to 6 passengers meaning you may share the cruise with other visitors if your party is small.
2. Private Gondola: P2,000 or US$32.  If you want a private boat all to yourself or for your specific group without strangers, you can rent the entire boat.
3. Swan Pedal Boat:  P250 or US$4.  A budget-friendly, active alternative to the traditional gondola cruise.

Capturing a better view from the bridge (Model: Allan de la Trinidad)
I was with my colleague, Allan Revilla De la Trinidad (shown on the above picture) and my eldest sister when I visited the place and we really find it difficult to capture a nice angle shot as people are crowding everywhere.  However, during lunchtime, people had chosen to stay inside the dining fastfood and restaurants.

Inside the mall are stores with a variety of famous global brands

Inside the mall, hosts a wide variety of fashion, retail, tech, and dining brands where visitors can choose from.  Indeed, the mall is world-class in itself.  

• Fashion and Apparel:  Bench, Regatta, For Me, Levi's, Straighforward, BLK Lifestyle & Fashion Boutique
• Shoes and Accessories:  Adidas, Sketchers, Converse, Dr. Kong, NCAT
• Tech, Beauty, and Lifestyle: Beyond the Box, BLK Cosmetics, Vision Express, Azta Urban, Salon, Barenaked Body Sugaring Salon
• Dining and Cafes:  Botejyu, Toni and Sergio, Ponte Amore, Mitsuyado Sei-Man, Tim Hortons, Buffalo's Wings N' Things, Auntie Anne's Chatime, Caramia Cakes & Gelato

You can view the complete directory and plan your visit through Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.

Accommodations and staycation options near the mall

There are options to stay for accommodation and staycation located right next to or within walking distance of the Venice Grand Canal Mall withing McKinley Hill or a distance of 0.1 to 0.4 kilometers. 

1. The Venice Luxury Residences:  Condominiums directly connected or adjacent to the mall offer individual rental apartments and condotels with kitchenettes, pools, and balconies facing McKinley Hill.  Popular choices include LUXE in Venice - The Venice Residences and MaxStays (Max Home and Max Pavilion.
2. Viceroy and Morgan Suites:  Nearby residential towers in McKinley Hill host managed Condotel in Venice Grand Canal Mall Taguig units and Airbnb-style staycations featuring outdoor pools and apartment-style amenities.

Taken from the second level of the mall

An inset park in the mall
There are other dining options in the mall like a couple or three are fastfood with standard prices same in other locations like KFC Venetian Mall.  Also at the second floor is the Jollibee fastfood that most Filipinos love the most.  It typically opens daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. In the same floor is also the McDonald's that serves dine-in, take-out, and delivery via Foodpanda or GrabFood.

Venice Piazza - the Mall's Facade

Gondola rides operates  only  during Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 11:00 PM.  A gondola ride in the evening is even better as lights can help the camera capture best results. It can be more romantic and serene as background music will also be aired all along the place.

A wide angle picture of Venice Grandcanal Mall
To know which restaurant will you dine while in the mall, click this link and see what restaurant will you prefer to dine in case you became hungry after an exhausting stroll in the mall.

Taking a rest after being worn out from my stroll

Play Areas for Kids

1. Kidzooona - an indoor playground which features a ball pit, giant slides, and pretend-play village stations (like mini markets and kitchens) for younger children.
2. Superpark Philippines -an amusement park of massive activity offering sports-themed activities, trampolines, digital climbing walls, and game arenas.
3. Arcadia Barcade / Play Area - located at the Piazza entrance on the ground floor, it offers interactive arcade games and a soft play area suitable for families and little ones.
4. Wii Jump Trampoline Park

Venice Grandcanal Mall at Night (Photo Credit: Kostas Images)

HOW TO GET THERE 

Step-by-Step Guide (If you are in Makati City)

To go to the Venice Grand Canal Mall from the Ayala MRT Station, take a BGC Bus to Market! Market!, then ride a jeepney or taxi to McKinley Hill.

• Step 1: Go to One Ayala Terminal

                       a. Exit the MRT Ayala Station and head to the One Ayala transport hub, which

                           connects directly to the station.

                       b. Go to the BGC Bus terminal area.

                       c.  Buy a ticket or use a beep card for the West Route or direct route going to

                            Market! Market!

• Step 2: Ride the Bus to Market! Market

                       a.  Board the BGC Bus and get off at the Market! Market! terminal in Bonifacio

                             Global City.

• Step 3: Transfer to McKinley Hill

                       a.  From Market! Market!, walk toward the local jeepney bay or transport terminal.

                       b.  Ride a jeepney with the Gate 3 route and tell the driver to drop you off at

                             McKinley Hill (near the Venice Piazza/Grand Canal area).

                       c.   Alternatively, you can take a taxi or ride-hailing app (Grab) straight from 

                             Market! Market! to the mall for a fast trip.

Alternative (Fastest) Option

• By Taxi / Grab: From the Ayala MRT area or One Ayala, you can hail a direct taxi or Grab car straight to Venice Grand Canal Mall in McKinley Hill.  The ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic.

THANKS FOR READING!