Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Pangasinan: Tondol Beach in Anda, Pangasinan

Tondol Beach is definitely the best beach in Pangasinan and perfect when the tide is low. The last time I visited the beach, the tide was a bit high. So it wasn't a really great view. So I made sure to come back again when the tide was lower.

It's a five to six hour drive from Manila to Anda, Pangasinan. You'll go through Camiling and pass by Lingayen and through Alaminos (stopover at the Hundred Islands anyone?). It's on the way to Bolinao, right after the town of Bani.

The bad part about today was that low tide was at 1 a.m. And we were scheduled to arrive in Tondol at 10:30 a.m. Make sure you check what time low tide is. We decided to take the risk and we were not disappointed. The sun was perfect (the best time to visit is in the morning to early afternoon). By the time we arrived, the sand was already underwater. But thanks to the clear blue sky, Tondol did not fail to impress.

What I like about Tondol is the powder ivory white sand. In fact, there is an island one kilometer from the shore which you could walk or wade to. And it's powder white sand all the way. When the tide is low, you can pick a spot in the middle of the water and just sit down there the whole day. So if there is any beach that can claim to be the Boracay of the North, it's Tondol! But why even claim such a thing? Why are we always content with being a copy of the original when each beach is unique.

Tondol is actually a public beach and entrance fee is only PHP5. You can rent large huts for PHP200. For now, there aren't any good resorts to stay in so the best option when visiting Tondol is to stay overnight in neighboring Bolinao which is about 45 minutes away.

Travel advisory
As of this writing, the bridge in Bani is under construction and they let cars pass through a detour which is really long and rough. So if you're bringing a car, one option is to pass by Mabini. That's a longer detour but roads are paved all the way. The other option is a short-cut detour near the bridge for light vehicles that was built by some enterprising locals. They charge a PHP20 toll fee for you to pass through a dirt road built through private properties. It saves you a lot of time.

52 comments:

  1. Sama ako to one of your future trips!

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  2. cool. am going there next week! we're staying in bolinao and will visit tondol and even tambobong on the way home!

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  3. any suggestion sa accomodation? thanks :)

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  4. Yes please recommendations on Tondol accommodations! This place looks like a great road trip destination :)

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  5. Stay in Bolinao. Tondol is best only when the tide is low. When it's high tide, it's not worth visiting. So always check the time of low-tide.

    It really depends on your budget and your comfort levels. It ranges from an ordinary bahay kubo to pricey resorts. But let me warn you that price does not necessarily equate to really good facilities. Walang competition kasi especially in Patar Beach, and the rest of Bolinao. So some resorts feel they could afford to charge high.

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  6. been here 1998! you're right this beach is worth visiting! :)

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  7. what a great summer get away. our family use to go to Labrador Pangasinan. we check in to the villa jira resort, which is along the way when you going to alaminus i think.
    I hope we could visit Anda in the future

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  8. Great beach. Mr Ivan I just want to ask if you ever been in Samar? There are great beaches here too. I have some sample landscape photos in my friendster and facebook. http://www.friendster.com/ajanb or you can just search alvin balanon in facebook. Tnx :))

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  9. Krist Mark24.4.09

    just watch you yesterday in QTV11,and got interested in your travels... i am also a kapampangan. nice travels,,,keep me updated with your travels. sana makasmame minsan mahilig din me magtravel

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  10. Anonymous27.4.09

    wow!! nice pix from our place..
    taga tondol po ako and i wud like to say thank you 4 visiting our place..
    did u reli enjoi ur visiting there?
    gusto ko din po sabihin d lang sau kundi sa lahat nang makakabasa nito na maganda po talaga ang lugar na yan.
    marami po lageng mga bisita ang dumadayo lalo na kapag summer.
    un lang po....

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  11. Hi Ivan! Do you think Tondol Beach will still be good to visit during the rainy season, or best to go somewhere else? It seems like a really nice, quiet beach though from your pictures :)

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  12. If the sun is out, and it's low tide, yes. During the rainy season, maybe but also during low tide.

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  13. Anonymous29.4.09

    for more pictures and a telephone number of the resort at Tondol beach also have a look at http://travel.webshots.com/album/571482458YjCxvC

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  14. marvin3.5.09

    my mom's from Anda. every year we went there for vacation. tondol is the best beach i've ever been to!

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  15. Hi brod. We go to Tondol almost twice a year. It's a really good place. My dad's mom came from Anda and my dad has good connections in Anda. Glad you visited! :)

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  16. Anonymous8.5.09

    ivan,

    I'm from Anda though not a Tondol native. Thanks for the very good publicity of Tondol beach.

    Hi daene,
    Getting to Tondol beach during rainy season is not recommended. U may try December to May.

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  17. Hi, Sir Ivan, thanks for posting about Tondol beach, brings back happy memories! You have a very nice blog, I'm also Capampangan, been to Tondol beach and it's a great place to visit. When we went there in 2005, they charged 2 pesos for beach maintenance, which was very amusing, just 2 pesos for a beautiful white sand beach and nice warm people...

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  18. See and read more about Tondol Beach on http://community.webshots.com/album/571482458YjCxvC?start=12

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  19. we went to tondol white sand beach last monday (08-18-09) the place is really magnificent :] am so inlove with the place we were just in time, it was low tide and blue skies.. too bad it rained.. but we still enjoyed bathing. we attempted to walk going to the island but it was dark so we decided to just wade. locals were very friendly and nice. we stayed at tropical beach house. they have a villa good for 20 people for Php. 3,000, nipa hut for 5 person Php. 1,500 and a bayside cottage good for 10 person Php. 500 good for an overnight. high tide is from midnight to morning and lowtide is from after lunch to evening. my only comment about the place is that there were so many seaweeds.. but for me it's really worth vising [ 2 thumbs up]

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  20. wow.. hehehe.. mukhang gusto ko na jan pumunta.. hehehe.. salamat sa pag post..

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  21. Anonymous31.12.09

    Ivan you forgot one great detail on Tondol Beach. There are lots of seaweeds along the beach during the Amihan season. According to the locals I've talked with last Dec 29 when I went here, this is due to the wind and water current that is prevailing during this time of the year. And so, for those of you who do not like the seaweeds touching your skin while swimming, go only here during summer and also during the Habagat season.

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  22. I think this is true for many of our beaches, especially those facing the South China Sea. Thanks for the info :)

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  23. hi ivan! we're going on a trip to bolinao this friday. we'd really like to visit tondol beach. may i know how far it is from bolinao? can you give us directions from puerto del sol, bolinao to tondol beach please? how do i find out what time is low tide or high tide? thanks in advance for the info. love your blog by the way!

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  24. It's about 45 minutes to an hour from Bolinao. It's the town before Bolinao. You can't miss it with the directional signs. Then from the town proper, just ask around. Also make sure it's low tide and that the sun is out. Thanks!

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  25. hi, paano po magpunta dito> i saw the post and the place is really nice. may marerecommend po ba kayong resort or matutuluyan dito for only 2 people. Overnight stay lang.. ang ganda kasi eh. di masyado crowded... thanks po sa mga posts niyo. it really helped me. =)

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  26. I am from Anda and nice to hear from you that you thought it's one of the best beach in Pangasinan.. never thought of that. hehe. maybe I need to explore the other beaches in town----never been to Patar for example. thanks for this....

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  27. Been there since 1995. We ride mountain bike from Dagupan. Wala pang pumupuntang local tourist noon. Now, the place is getting popular. Crowded na rin pag summer.

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  28. kahit hindi maging popular as long as okay parin ang beach namin...natin...wag sana ito ededevelop ng bongga para hindi na maging madumi...dont wreck it!!!hehe!!!im from tondol aswell...good day!!!kunran taga anda!!"say anda nan ANDA, nu pabistawen tamo ya" inado mi a TOndOL®


    - cute4demo@gamil.com -

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  29. Anonymous9.3.10

    kahit hindi maging popular bastat maaus parin anf tondol..kawanan me a TONDOL@im from tondol aswell!!!pround to be andanian!!!don't wreck it!!®

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  30. kung meron man ako babalik-balikan n beach.. ito un! =)
    taga dito tita ko..

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  31. Anonymous18.8.10

    i really love Tondol beach! i'm from Manila and discovered this beautiful island thru a friend in 2005. Binalikan ko ang Tondol a year after and commute lang ako, alone! hehehe! search nio lang sa net , may mga transient rooms available for P500 per room, very cheap.

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  32. sa mga nanggaling na ng tondol beach in anda, pano papunta dun pag commute lang? and may room sila for overnight stay?if meron magkano? pwede rin ba magdala ng sariling food? please give me some info. balak kc namin dalhin yung baby namin dis coming august 29, thanks:)

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  33. hellow! tanong ko lang kung meron bang available rooms dun sa tondol beach in anda?and magko per night?balak kc namin pumunta dis coming aug 29, thanks:)

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  34. Anonymous24.8.10

    Check out Carolet Inn, located in the Anda town proper (Luna St). Rates are reasonable and rooms fully airconditioned. Bathroom in each room.

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  35. did anyone here also tried "Dinadiawan beach" in Brgy. Dinadiawan, Dipaculao Aurora? its a paradise worth visiting also

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  36. Anonymous31.10.11

    Hello Ivan, pwedeng paki-post ang site na kung saan pwedeng malaman kung low tide or high tide at certain day/time sa Tondol? Salamat.

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  37. Anonymous17.1.12

    hi may alam po ba kaung hotel to stay sa tondol kahit simple lang po. thanks

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  38. Anonymous27.1.12

    SAN PO BA BEST NA MAGSTAY SA TONDOL OVERLLOKING THE BEACH?

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  39. Anonymous1.2.12

    pno po magpa resrve d2? blak po kc nmin mag overnyt...

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  40. Anonymous2.3.12

    gudam..ivan marami b mura mga cottages s tondol?were went to dinadiawan casuguran.ok sya khit mahirap daan adventure kya lng the beach was not so nice kc malalim ang tubig.but the resort were stayin in under develop.but the people there are vry friendly from us.but then d nga kmi nkapag swimng.so we decide to look 4 another place and s1 of our pals suggest the place anda.were inquiring the place that are medyo mura and we can stay overnyt..so can u suggest us?lei frm nueva ecija.

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  41. Anonymous8.3.12

    gud am, ask ko lang how far ang Anda sa Lingayen? What place pwedeng mag stay sa Anda ng overnight? How much is the rate? Usually what
    time nag high tide.

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  42. Anonymous17.3.12

    JCT BEACH RESORT 09214949248
    jctbeachresort

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  43. Anonymous21.3.12

    Para po sa gustong magpunta sa Tondol like us sa vacation madami na ngayong beach resort sa tondol... pwede din sa bayan mismo ng Anda may mga Hotel na din. =) Pero masarap mag-camping along the seashore.

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  44. Anonymous2.4.12

    tondol beach - a very nice place... imagine before you can go to the beach there's a free "massage" ... how i wish government people would fix the road

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  45. Anonymous5.5.12

    sna mkarating kmi jan. nkaka excite ang mga publish nyo.

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  46. Anonymous5.5.12

    we are planning to visit this week end. mura lang ba talaga accoomodation fee dito. mgaganda ba rooms at msarap ba mga food sa canteen. sana mag enjoy kami... see you there

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  47. neptune9.5.12

    we've been to tondol beach at jct resort in particular last May 2-3...it was a great vacation...white sand beach...you have to visit tanduyong isalnd and cory's island...the locals are nice...the prices of food abd basic needs are comparable with the prices found in groceries...ndi kataasan ang mga presyo...try bargaining with the boat ride hopping from island to island.. there is also a raft...if you have the energy you can jst walk from island to island cuz the water is shallow and crystal clear...its child friendly the danger of getting drown is far from u can imagine...may batang maliit na kasama ung parent sabi nung parent mas ng enjoy daw anak nia sa tondol compared in batangas...uL enjoy the place if ur also looking for beautiful background for picture taking...

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  48. Anonymous22.6.12

    we are planning to go to tondol this coming july ,we dont have any idea how much will cost us bec we are planning to stay overnyt,pls. inlighten us

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  49. ...tondol is very nice place...and it is so expensive when you want to stay there..

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  50. ...tondol is very nice place...and it is so expensive when you want to stay there..

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  51. .its so nice to there..try it..

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  52. Anonymous14.3.13

    i'm interested to see Tondol Beach in Anda Pangasinan. hope it will be satisfying cause it takes a long drive for me with my family...keep me update pls! tnx...you may know by my surname y i am that fascinated to see the Anda, Pangasinan...hope we could get off just for the name itself...ha ha ha!

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