Mambukal Hot Spring Resort: Top Ten Things You Can Do (Murcia Negros Occidental)

Mambukal Hot Spring Resort is one of the top destinations to visit near Bacolod, Negros Occidental.  We, Travel Tripsters, know that there's no need to convince anyone in including in your Bacolod itinerary.  

Upon entry, you will be charges for entrance fee and parking fee.

Gate entrance per head is:

a. Adult: 50 php

b. Children: 20 php

Parking fee per vehicle is:

a. Light Vehicle: 15 php

b. Trucks and/or Buses: 30 php

  

There are so many things you can do at this 23.6 hectares government-run mountain resort.  Some decide to have an overnight stay here while some decide a day tour or even just a half day is enough. 

Top Ten Things You Can Do at Mambukal Resort

To help you decide your length of stay, we Travel Tripsters shall orient you with the top 10 things you can do during your visit at Mambukal Hot Spring Resort.

1. Bat Watching and Bird Watching

Bat Watching and Bird Watching are free activities you can enjoy at Mambukal Resort.  

Mambukal has several species that are protected by the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 9147).  

Among the bats (also called "flying fox") species in Mambukal bat sanctuary are:
a. Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (Acerodon Jubatus) - this is the world's largest bat specie and is only found in Mambukal resort!
b. Large Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus)
c. Common Island Flying Fox (Pteropus hypomelanus)

Among the birds in the area are:
a. Spotted Wood-Kingfishers(Actenoides lindsayi)
b. Dimorphic Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx margarethae)
c. Black-belted Flowerpecker or Visayan Flowerpecker (Dicaeum haematostictum) 

2. Kayak in the Boat Lagoon

The boat lagoon is serene and scenic.  You can rent a kayak for 50 php/15 minutes.

Although it is a lagoon, the water here isn't really encapsulated.

The excess goes back to the spring.

3. Explore the Butterfly Garden

Just opposite the boat lagoon is the butterfly garden which opens at 9 am.  The entrance fee is only 50 php so why not spend your 20 minutes or so for an education and photography session there? 

4. Take Amazing Photos

Bench by the Boat Lagoon

There are lots of photograph sites around Mambukal Resort. 

Picket Fences By the LGU Cottages

You just have to explore and you'll be amazed at what you can find.

5. Pamper at Blade Spa

For as low as 450 php, you can get a body massage at the Blade Spa.  It offers cottage services until 10 pm.  If you intend to go there to avail its services, it is open from 10 am to 10 pm. 


6. Eat Your Hearts Out

With so many activities in a spacious 23.6 hectare area, we're sure that you will need to eat to replenish your energy.  There are many options when it comes to food in Mambukal Resort. 

Spring Crossing Short Cut to the Food Court

a. Food Court
Hear the beautiful sound f the spring while you dine at the food court.  From the parking area, you could take the short cut stone steps and cross the spring towards the Food Court.  But, if the spring flow is too strong, we suggest you take the official route.

There are many establsihments offering local dishes and fruit shakes at the Food Court. 

 We heard the best there is Enting's but unfortunately, only Tita Ed's was available during our time of visit.

The Food Court looks hygenic.

You can even wash your hands here.

Chicken Inasal

The food doesn't stand out but if since we're hungry, we try not to be choosy.

Avocado Shake

Shakes are just okay too.


b. Grill


You can also just bring your raw ingredients and some charcoal and grill you own food.  Mambukal Resort does not charge any additional  corkage when you bring food or drinks.

c. Picnic
You can rent a picnic hut (300 php for a small hut and 600 php for a big hut) where you can enjoy your packed meals.

7. Reach the 7 Waterfalls

Because the the 7 waterfalls of Mambukal Resort, it's best to visit this place on summer time because they don't allow you to trek up during hard rains since it it is prone to landslide.  

There are two ways to go up and down the 7 waterwalls:
a. Trekking
b. Take the habal-habal or riding on the back of a motorcycle (50 php/person one-way)

You can choose to mix them up depending on your preference.  Either way, you are advised to hire a guide (guide fee is around 200 php).  The trek to the 1st waterfall is one hour.

Waterfall Tariffs as Follows:
1st - 100 php
2nd - 150 php
3rd - 200 php
6th - 250 php
7th  - 300 php

The first six waterfalls are less than 15 minutes apart.  While, the 6th to the7th waterfall takes around around an hour apart.

The 4th waterfall is technically the real waterfall.  While the 6th waterfall, is the best for experience because you can dive into a 14-feet deep pool.  The 7th waterfall is a natural 4-5 feet pool where you can swim.  You can easily reach this by habal-habal.

8. Detoxify with a Sulfur Bath

Warm Sulfur Dipping Pool

If you prefer warm pools, you have two choices:
a. Warm Sulfur Dipping Pool - which is the most crowded warm pool because it charges a lower rate:
i. Adult: 50 php
ii. Kids: 20 php

You can avail of the lockers for free upon paying for your entrance fee.   The sign says that this closes every Tuesday for maintenance but we were there on Tuesday but it was open.

Japanese Ofuro

b. Japanese Ofuro - we preferred the Japanese Ofuro which is still public but has less people because of the hotter temperature, no kids provision and higher rates:
i. Adults - 100 php

If you're lucky like us, you can even enjoy it by yourselves.  The hot spring water is flowing: in from the higher point and out on the other end.

But, if you prefer privacy, there is the Ishiwata Bath House which was developed by a Japanese architect named Kokichi Paul Ishiwata in 1927.  Unfortunately, because of the heavy rain, we weren't able to check that place out.  The rate here is at 150 php/30 minutes.

Swimming Pool

If you can't stand the heat but want to enjoy the same sulfur minerals  from the spring water (with a mix of chlorine), Mambukal Resort also has a swimming pool with kids provision.  The rate is the same as the Warm Dipping Pool:

i. Adult: 50 php
ii. Kids: 20 php
 
9. Be Adventurous with Outdoor Activities
For those who prefer some adrenaline rush or a sight from great heights, you can avail of these outdoor activities:
i.  Wall climbing - 25 php
ii. Canopy Walk - 50 php
iii. Slide for Life (200-meter long zip line) - 100 php/2 Trips

10. Relax and Stay for the Night
There are many accommodation options at Mambukal Resort but we don't highly recommend this since almost every review we encumbered were dissatisfied with the maintenance of the place.  Check in time is standard 2 pm and check out time is standard at 12 pm.  Choices as follows:

a. Camping - For as low as 30 php/person, you can camp and enjoy the natural sounds of nature while you sleep.

b.  Dormitory - For a big group of 20, you can rent the dormitory for 2,000 php/person

c.  Villas
i. Matrimonial  - 1,700 php
ii. 1 Single & 1 Matrimonial - 2,000 php
iii. 4 Single Beds    P2,400.00
iv. Extra Bed    P200.00

d. Family Cottage - 4,000 php


e. LGU Cottage - good for:
i. 2 - 900 php
ii. 4 - 1,200 php
iii. 6 - 1,500.00 php

f. Tourist Lodge Rooms:
i. Ordinary - 600 php
ii. Deluxe - 750 php
iii. Family - 1,000 php

Accommodations require reservations and 50% down payment so make sure you contact any of their offices at

Mambukal Reservation Office
Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City
Tel. No. (634) 709-0990 | Telefax (634) 433-8516
Mobile No. 09082712174
Email: mambukal@negros-occ.gov.ph
Mambukal Resort
Tel. No. (634) 7100-800 | Telefax (634) 7100-80

Overall, we Travel Tripsters, hope you can now plan ahead for your visit at Mambukal Hot Spring Resort.  We find this a must and affordable stop for your Negros Occidental trip especially if you're coming from Bacolod because it is only a 45-minute jeepney ride away.

Mambukal Hot Spring Resort
Address	Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental Philippines
Budget Per Person	Swimming Pool *Adult - 50 php         Kids 11 years & below - Php20.00         Light Vehicles - Php15.00         Trucks/Buses - Php30.00     Ofuro - P100.00 per person/day     Ishiwata Bath House - P150.00 per person/30mins	Mambukal Hot Spring Resort Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (Maintenance on Tuesdays) 8:30 am-11:30am 1:30 pm-4:30 pm
Reservation Required	No (only for accomodation)
Contact	(634) 7100-800

Read More

Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant: Korean Private Hot Spring Bath Tub Experience (Sta. Lourdes Puerto Princesa Palawan)

Tired from our Honda Bay Island Hopping, we were excited to arrive at Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant.  It is easy to find since it is just along the road.

It doesn't look much from the outside so we were surprised see how enormous the place is from the inside.

We had to pass their huge cottage-like restaurant.  It was so large that it can hold banquets and events.

I actually regret not having dinner there.  I bet they serve delicious authentic Korean dishes.

From the restaurant, we followed the pathway towards a villa.

You can rent a cottage and make use of the common hot spring pool.

There also showed us the private tub rooms which we rented out for 500 php for 4 hour.  It was very spacious with a shower area, tables and chairs so you can order food and have it brought there.  (Again, we should've had dinner that way and saved some time.) 

The pool was very large for the two of us.  Upon dipping in, we were asked if the temperature of the water was okay for us.  We said yes.  After quite sometime, we felt it was too hot (since we also.had fresh sunburns) so we called the staff to have it adjusted.  And, eventually we felt the water being a bit cooler which is what we wanted it.  

They don't seem strict with the time but we timed ourselves to avoid extra charges.  The time was actually more than adequate as we couldn't.dip longer without feeling light-headed.  We then settled our dues and the staff asked if we wanted to view their rooms.  We were curious so we agreed.

1st Floor of the Native Type of Room

The term room is misleading because you're actually renting a huge two-story air-conditioned (1,500 per night) or fanned (750 php per night) place.  There are two types of room showed to us.  Both are offered for the same rate a night.  But, the interiors vary.  For the native type of room, the first floor has a cold and hot spring private stone tub which you can use during your entire stay.  We thought that alone is a great bargaining factor. There's a table and chair too. 

2nd Floor of the Native Type of Room

There's a stair leading to the second floor to the bedroom with queen-sized bed.

The Modern Room

The Modern Room doesn't is only a single floor area with the queen-sized bedroom.

And, then a modern-tiled bathroom with cold and hot spring tub.  Yes, the water source of your tub is spring water and you have two faucets: 1 cold and 1 hot so you can control the temperature of your bath.

Overall, we Travel Tripsters loved our private tub session as Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant.  We'll definitely consider staying here if ever we'll be back at Puerto Princesa.

Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant
Address	(main road between Puerto Princesa and Sabang) Brgy. Sta. Lourdes Puerto Princesa Palawan, Philippines
Budget Per Person	250-1,500	Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday (even holidays)
Reservation Required	No (Encouraged)
Contact	(6348) 723-1608 |   (0921) 580-1997

Read More

Marcos' Hot Spring: Public Hot Spring in Sta. Lourdes Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines

Although we've had hot spring baths before, we Travel Tripsters, have never seen an actual hot spring source before so we after our failed trek to Boton Irawan Falls (not to mention the difficulty of going all the way up there which our trike surrendered to and turned out to be closed to public due to drought), we triked all the way from Irawan to Sta. Lourdes to see Marcos' Hot Spring.

From there's a sign to go to the back part to see it.

So this is the natural hot spring.  I wonder how they managed to place a tube and wall around it.  It was really hot and bubbling.  We've been told that locals have been cooking their eggs here since its discovery.  This is the main source of the hot spring water and it is pumped to the pools.

Fellow Travel Tripster Kurt was thrilled over this and spent around 30 minutes taking this photo.  I never got why but I'm sharing it with you cause maybe you can see the art in it or something.  I looked gross to me and I was impatient so I went on to see where we can bathe.

This was unoccupied when I arrived but soon a family of locals came and rented it out.  The locals though we were Chinese or Korean tourists so they were very friendly with us and spoke to us in English.  They told us that we could rent this for 500 php an hour.  We found the rate to be reasonably priced but the apparent stains and greenish color of the water made us repulsive. 

We Travel Tripsters learned a lot from this visit.  But, no we're not dipping ourselves in the Marcos' Hot Spring.

Marcos' Hot Spring
Address	Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
Budget Per Person	50-500	Marcos' Hot Spring Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (even holidays) 8am-5pm
Reservation Required	No
Contact

Read More

Palm Grove Hot Springs and Mountain Resort at Asin Nagalisan Tuba Benguet

Travel Tripsters Kurt and Stacy decided to take an hour ride of Jeepney from Baguio City to enjoy the Hot Spring at Asin Nagalisan Tuba Benguet.  

We were quite unsettled on which resort to go to.  Luckily, the locals we were with during our jeepney ride suggested that we go for Palm Grove Hot Springs and Mountain Resort which is the newest resort in the area.  

The jeepney dropped us off at a place where we could here a spring rushing in beneath.  We entered the gate until we again saw the structure with the sign Palm Grove Hot Springs and Mountain Resort.  We bought our tickets for 100 php.

Adult Pools

Kids Pool

We passed by the refreshment station and proceeded to the pool area with a small gate.  We only saw two big Adult Pools and one Kids Pool.  We couldn't the hot springs so we asked the life guard.  We were told that the hot spring required an additional payment so we had to go back to the ticketing area to pay an extra 250 php for a hot tub.  

We tried to discern the signs but could not find their outdoor hot spa so we had to ask again at the ticketing area.  We were led uphill.  We passed by the outdoor pool which was closed since it was October and they were not on their peak season.

Just beside the outdoor pool is the hot spa area.  We expected some kind of natural hot spring but instead we saw these empty tubs. 

While they cleaned and filled it up with water, we placed our belongings at the locker.  We also took the time to read the schedule of hot bath which was apparently not being followed because we came in around 3:00 p.m.  We also read their bath house rules.

The staff told us that the water is pump in from the natural hot spring so they do not control the temperature.  We could tell that the water is really hot as we could see some smoke from it.  As soon as our pool got filled up, a group of Koreans came and occupied the bigger tub with a jacuzzi.  

Although it was really soothing, I felt a bit dehydrated so Travel Tripster Kurt had to run down to the refreshment station and buy me a cold bottle water.  Travel Tripster Kurt is used to taking hot showers so he really enjoyed the hot tub.  On the other hand, I felt it was too hot so I took a break by dipping in the three different cold pools and trying out the slides.  I noticed the kiddie pool was warmer compare to the adult pools. After 15 minutes, I came back to the hot tub and enjoyed our remaining time.  

They had a large shower area and changing room for both male and female.   It was clean and hygienic.   

Overall, Travel Tripsters see the hot spring tubs of Palm Grove Hot Springs and Mountain Resort as a relaxing activity any adult would enjoy.  For kids, we suggest that they stay in the Kiddie Pool instead. 

Palm Grove Hot Springs and Mountain Resort		Palm Grove Hot Springs and Mountain Resort Map
Entrance Per Person	Adult: 200 php Kids: below 4ft. 50 php above 4 ft. 100 php
Payment Options	Cash
Reservation Required	No
Phone	(0918)800-0888 ;  (074) 446-5758
Email	palmgroveresort@yahoo.com
Palm Grove Hot Springs  and Mountain Resort Address
Asin Nagalisan Tuba Benguet (16 kilometers away from Baguio City
Transportation to Attraction
Taxi, Jeepney

Read More