Natural Hot Springs in the Philippines

During the months of December to February, the "habagat" or the northwest monsoon is being replaced by "amihan" or the northeast trade winds. The amihan is a line of cold winds from the northern extra-tropical countries of Asia that goes down to the Philippines as the northern hemisphere cools down by December and as ice melts by February. And where is the best place to hang out during this time? Well, it would be in a cozy dip on a natural hot spring.

The Philippines is located right at the edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area to where active volcanoes are prevalent. And when there are volcanoes, there is definitely a hot spring.

Hot springs are a result of natural water systems springing out at the base of a mountain or volcano that are heated as they pass by above a lava bed under a volcano. And the most soothing hot springs are those that are just right above the normal human temperature of 37 degrees celsius. We have been to two hot springs in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao which exactly meet the criteria.

Maquinit Hot Springs

Coordinates N11.9917 E120.2283

Maquinit Hot Springs is located about 9 kilometers west from Coron Town and can be accessed through a 45-minute rough tricycle ride as it passes through unpaved roads near the shores of Busuanga island. The hot springs is caused by an inactive volcano called Mt. Tundalara of Busuanga of the Calamianes Group of Islands in northern Palawan. A tricycle can be rented for P300 to get to this soothing hot spring maintained by the volcano at 42 degrees celsius by day time and 40 degrees by night time. P80 entrance fee is required.

Enjoying Maquinit Hot Springs with friends

Ardent Hot Springs

Coordinates N9.2260 E124.6878

Ardent Hot springs is located at the main town of Mambajao of the island province of Camiguin at northern Mindanao. It is located at the foot of Hibok-Hibok volcano and is within the compound of Esperanza Mountain Side Resort. It is only about 15 minutes or 5 kilometers off the main Mambajao town or 7 kilometers from Yumbing town (the town jump-off to the famous White Island, the solitary sandbar of Camiguin).

For mountaineers eager to conquer the massive 1332 meters above sea level active volcano, the hot spring is a heaven after a hike from this volcano.

The water is naturally maintained by the volcano's lava bed at 38 degrees celsius and may be accessed via a habal-habal (motorcycle ride) or a motorella (motorcycle turned miniature jeepney) which can be rented along Benoni Port of Camiguin. The road to this spring is well paved. Entrance fee is P25.

Ardent Hot Spring of Camiguin

Related Links:

Coron Island Hopping Day 1

Ardent Hot Springs - Relaxing Dip after an H2 Traverse