Main Springs Bath in Cebu’s Forest

© CEBU navi SAKURA ｜ vol.2 Mar.-Apr.2016

The singing birds, The murmuring brook, Mainit Hot Spring

The slight smell of sulfur gives a sense of relief. Young people have fun with their clothes on. It’s indeed a hot spring. This elderly family, comes from Davao City in Mindanao. They said that the spring was truly hot with joy on their faces.
It was approaching noon when the people started getting here. A jolly group of tourists asked us, “Is it very hot?” and they were immensely pleased when we told them about the foot bath. They laughed asking us to take more photos of them.
Listen to the murmuring brook and the birds chirping. The small dark gray birds are called Gorions, while the yellow ones are the Tamsi. Some monkeys may even show up at evening.
There are no boilers or air conditioners here. Let’s unwind and enjoy our time in the forest.

Don’t miss the entrance from the main road

Pass through the depths of the coconut forest

Walk with balance on the tree trunk bridge used by the local people

A reminder sign for environmental protection

The hut with a palm leaf roof as the reception area

No boiler! The source of the natural hot springs

Entrance Fees / 20php for locals or tourists. 200php with rappelling

A handmade signboard

This cheerful group of elders came from Davao City on Mindanao Island. At lunch time, they all enjoyed camote, a steamed sweet potato dish. They were like one big happy family.

They were a little camera shy at first but, soon they were smiling and laughing. After this, they waited for their delicious lunch.

A kind local tour guide.

A standard, this-or-that BBQ

The friendly cooking staff.

There are relaxing spaces, too.

The fragrance of sulfur that lasts. A natural hot spring with temperature up to 42.6 ºC.

1st Pool
This hot water is the nearest to its source. So you can enjoy the piping hot water. It can easily turns your skin red. There’s also one more pool beside it. The locals like the seemingly low temperature. You might enjoy a long, leisurely soak here.

As the hot spring reacts with the stones, it gives the water its pastel green shade.

2nd Pool
This is a small-sized bath. It’s good for chatting while bathing. There was a man who broke a stone and tried to put a small piece on his face believing it enhance youthfulness, but we have no idea if it works.

It's the center of the brook. You can feel the magnificence of nature.

3rd Pool
This bath is as warm as the normal body temperature, so you can stay as long as you like in the warm water. You can chat with others in your foot bath. If you get there early in the morning, you can have the hot spring and the nature all to yourself.

After learning the Japanese style foot bath, ‘ashi-yu’, they tried it altogether once in the first and third pools. They were very pleased.

Feel the ruggedness of the Mainit Falls

When you see the west coast after crossing the mountains, you feel a ruggedness different from that of any coastline you have seen before. The combination of the beautiful sea with its gradation of blues and the rough surface of the rocks looks truly fresh.
Besides the famous Mainit Falls, there are many activities to be enjoyed in the southern area of Cebu Island, such as stream climbing, rappelling, and canyoning. As the entrance to activities at the falls is located on the main road from Mainit Spring to Moalboal, there are many tourists, as well as tricycles offering rides. Not only the coastline and the falls, but also the mountain ridge of Osmeña Peak looks rugged.
The water of the Mainit Falls, in the innermost part of Mainit Spring, keeps flowing so steadily that it makes you wonder whether all that water is from a big lake above. You can go behind the waterfall and feel its force from up close. Of course, you will get wet. Perhaps, there are still some unknown, beautiful waterfalls left in the southern area of Cebu Island. If you are young and fearless, you will want to go exploring deeper into the area.

The waterfall in the innermost part, with a height of about 15m. It takes a little less than 20 minutes to climb here from the Mainit hot spring, although an excited child might get there faster! Listen to the sounds and watch the water pour down.

The trail by the hot spring has steps, making it easy to walk on.

The rocks that look like they can collapse at any moment will test your courage. The opening is so narrow that you can just barely pass through one at a time.

A large number of small, naturally formed pools and small waterfalls.

Along this deep, large stream, you can enjoy not only the hot spring and the waterfalls, but also activities such as 'rappelling' :
descending from a cliff using two ropes.

A Smooth and Relaxing Trip with Minivan Service

5:30 a.m. Departure from Cebu City

Loaded bus passing
Naga City around
6:30 in the morning

The View of the Cebu West Coast Sea

Soon after, the bright blue sea came into view.The rules protecting the sea are so strict that you’ll never even see a fisherman’s boat from the hotels or resorts - you’ll only see the rocky mountains and healthy mangroves. There are reminders for environmental protection at the guard house on the way to the shore. There are fines or penalties for those who will break the rules. Nevertheless, there are some small resorts along the natural white sand beaches. Spend some time in the mountains, stress free. See the unique ridges that some people jokingly call the “Chocolate Hills”.

Going West to the Mountains through Carcar City

See the magnificent scenery of the mountains. See banana, mango, and coconut farms on the hillsides. The smoke from the burning field drifts. See children and young families passing by. Some locals lend the porches of their small houses so, visitors can take pictures of the mountain scenery. See jackfruit trees with its large borne for fruits - these wild trees growing in the mountains are considered valuable.

A flower similar to the Japanese
morning glory blooms at day break.

The morning sun begins to hit the
huge and old trees planted by the
local government

The milk station is located beyond the mountain pass.
Coffee and milk are sold in this pretty shop

We recommend a cup of slightly
sweet and creamy ice cream.

On your way back, have a short stopover in Moalboal

There are plenty of fruits and dive shops in Moalboal. You may meet into many Westerns along the way. See Pescador Island from a distance - it’s popular among divers.

Estimate of Travel Expenses (One-Way 4-5 hours)

A: Traveling Alone (need basic English skills)
Inform the dispatcher of your destination at the South Bus Terminal.
Ride a tricycle to the mountain. A do-it-yourself trip.
Pay the entrance and other fees.
Prepare a round-trip budget of at least 1, 000php.
B: With a Local Tour Guide (two persons & basic English skills)
Meet the tourist guide at the South Bus Terminal. Buy bus tickets for two.
Let the tour guide do the negotiations along the way. Ride a tricycle to the mountains.
Pay the entrance and other fees for two persons.
Prepare a round-trip budget of at least 5, 000php.
C: With a Service Driver (two persons & basic English skills)
Hire a car with a driver. Be picked up at your place.
Pay the entrance, car rental, gasoline, and other fees.
Prepare a round-trip budget of at least 6, 000php.
D: With a Service Car Driver and Japanese Tour Guide,
(three persons & no English skills necessary)
Hire a car with a driver and a Japanese tour guide. Be picked up at your place.
Pay the entrance, car rental, gasoline, local guide and other fees.
Prepare a round-trip budget of at least 10, 000php.

For Plans C & D, you can make your own schedule. Unlike taking a bus,
your time is flexible. You can decide when you leave for and from the place.
Please note the following:
※Meal expenses are not included in the estimate.
※For a one-day trip, prepare a budget of at least 2, 000php
For Plan A, prepare a budget of at least 2, 000php. For Plan B & C, prepare a budget of at least 4, 000php.
For Plan D, prepare a budget of at least 6, 000php.
Please note the following:
※The expenses and conditions vary among the different travel & tour agencies.
※The rates and details are updated as of February 2016.

Mongo tree