Cold springs and cave pools to beat the heat on scorching Bohol days

With skyrocketing temperatures, high humidity and a scorching sun, it can feel like you want to cool down immediately.  

But whether you’re in search of ice, water or simply super-strong air-conditioning to escape the heat, VRS can find you dozens of cascades, natural springs and parks around town to discover the places for us to beat the heat.

Fall in love with these natural springs just a few hours away from the city.

Note: The photos on this page that you’re marvelling at are the natural cold springs in Bohol I have had visited this summer.

Duwangon Spring in Bilar 

Bilar- Often bypassed in favor of neighboring Carmen town, Bilar is blessed with springs and waterfalls. The Logarita Cold Spring is found inside the protected Rajah Sikatuna National Park. In Barangay Zamora, you can have a relaxing cold dip at the Duwangon Spring. It is known for its fresh, clean and cool water....the iciest cold spring in Bohol!   Entrance Fee: P10 (Logarita Cold Spring); P5 (Duwangon Spring)

Candijay- The Canawa Spring is mysterious yet another natural wonder. The water is crystal blue. Locals said that divers attempted to measure the depth of the water but they failed to reach the bottom of the spring. You can make a sidetrip to Can-umantad Falls, the tallest waterfalls in the province, and the Candabong rice terraces.  In barangay Cogtong, the Anahaw Spring offers a total health experience for the physical well-being of the old, not-so-old and the very young. The people of Cogtong wash their clothes and fetch water from this spring for drink.  It was lately discovered the spring has remarkable healing properties because of its high alkalinity and polarity. Entrance Fee: P10 (Canawa Spring); No entrance fee for Anahaw Spring

Logarita Spring, Bilar

Jagna- This town shimmers with beaches made of smooth white pebbles or smooth slate. It also offers cascades and natural springs.   The Lonoy Spring, about 5 kms from the town proper, offers a clear and cool spring. It’s the second iciest cold spring in Bohol!  According to residents, there were five natural springs which were sources for drinking water. Due to its abundant supply of water, residents called it “galanay” or “galonoy” (abundant). Barangay Lonoy is where the Battle of Lonoy took place in 1901. Entrance Fee: P10

Valencia- The town’s Badiang Spring continues to attract visitors with its underground freshwater spring.  The spring water is diverted to fill the two swimming pools. Entrance Fee: P20

Garcia-Hernandez- The Ughuban Spring, located in Barangay Cambuyo is totally an amazing place because of its natural view. It has a cauldron (kawa)-shaped body of cold water. The mahogany trees surrounding Ughuban gives it a more relaxing feel. Since there is no entrance fee, you will enjoy swimming to sawa. You can also visit Roxas Park in Barangay Calma, about 4.2 kms from the highway.  The resort has two standard sized swimming pools whose cool and fresh water continuously flows from a rock spring.  Entrance Fee: P30  (Roxas Pork)

Dimiao-  Take a dip in the small pool of Kuremo Spring  which is actually a catch basin for the very cold water that comes from the mountains. There is no entrance fee. Enjoyment guaranteed!

Baliaut Spring, Baclayon

Baclayon- A natural swimming pool along the highway on the shoreline where fresh cold water from its natural outlet blends with seawater making it a favorite spot for locals during a hot and sunny day to cool off. No entrance fee.

Lila-  You can also quench the summer heat at Tinugdan (Tinubdan) Spring. Soak in the refreshing cool waters of this cold spring, the third iciest cold spring in the province! There is no entrance fee so you can swim here to sawa. Tibubdan comes from the native word “tubod,” which means “spring” or “source of water.”  Since there is no entrance fee, there’s an overload of happiness for swimmers!

Clarin-  The Caluwasan Spring, about 4 kms from the highway, here is refreshing and cold.  The place is relaxing and full of life, however, plastics and other wastes are left at the sides of the spring. No entrance fee.

Loboc- This town is not only known for its majestic Loboc River, the river of life. It has also Loktub Spring in Barangay Gotozon. It is a natural swimming pool where fresh cold water from its natural outlet blends with the river during high tide. No entrance fee for unlimited happiness!

Lonoy Spring, Jagna

Antequera- This town is blessed with waterfalls and karst caves. The Inambacan Cave and Spring, about 2 kms from the town proper, is a haven for nature lovers. No entrance fee.

Loon- The Danicop Ticugan Spring is one of the least-visited springs in Bohol. You can indulge in the soothing coolness of the spring. The trees growing on cliffs and mountain slopes give the place a cool ambience to beat the summer heat. No entrance fee.

Cave pools are also getting popular for summer escapade.

Dauis- Visit the Hinagdanan Cave Pool. It is known for its natural underground swimming pool of very cool spring water. The stalagmites and stalactites added attraction to the chilly water. Entrance Fee: P50

Anda- The beach is just the beginning in Anda. It feels like a hidden oasis where people ca n enjoy and relax with its white sandy beaches and bright turquoise sea. Besides the seas, the town has many cave pools.  These natural freshwater springs that flows from caves into the sea are favorite swimming destinations for locals and visitors of this town. Try Cabugnaw cave pool, Kalorenzo, Banilad cave pool and Tigdao cave pool. Free entrance.  

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Are you ready for your summer getaway?

At the South Palms in Panglao, the highlight here is the fantastic beach.
The rooms are stylish and well-appointed. – Contributed Photo.

Summer has started.

 

This was the official announcement last Wednesday from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa). The agency reiterates that Philippines does not have a "summer" as we only have two seasons: dry and wet.

 

And there’s no better way to build memories and beat the heat than an epic summer escapade!

 

Not decided where to go for a summer getaway?

 

Take a cue from our Boholano friends.

 

Benjie Oliva—  Anda, Bohol. To patronize our own and to support our local tourism industry.

 

Donglee Camacho— In the municipality of Anda because it is complete. They have a church and a beach.

 

EJ Relampagos—  Japan because it’s the most picturesque country according to a friend who has been travelling the world...and I love to take pictures of details.

 

Edik Dolotina—  My hometown. To relax with family. A family staycation during holidays is joy like no other.

 

The glorious, powdered-sugar sand in Anda town in Bohol. –Photo by Leo Udtohan

May Hope “Dice” Arcenal—  It would be Palawan and Batanes. Why Palawan because would like to experience the beauty that it offers being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. About Batanes would love to be part of their unique culture and enjoy the vast greeneries and unharmed environment with the touch and display of true  honesty.

 

Queenie Melody Fullante—  Wish I was still a student so I could spend wisely my summer vacation. Anyway, I’ll be spending my Holy Week in Davao. Once back in Bohol on Easter pohon, back  to normal routine: work, JVI projects, and Queenie Duties. And I think will start to bustle for  Miss Bohol 2015. Nothing really biggie for me this summer but thank God for my inborn suntan, everyday feels like summer.

 

Merly Diez Bantugan—  Part will be spent with the family at the white beaches in Panglao, trip to Cebu for a change and part with friends in Palawan this mid-May... for  unwinding and purely leisure, may God bless these  plans!

 

Ryan Sines— I want to spend my summer at Alexis Cliff Dive Resort in Panglao. I haven’t been there. If I am not busy, I will try to set a sked with my friends after the Saulog and Mutya sa Tagbilaran. I’ve heard Alexis is a hidden paradise fronting the sea. I would like to try cliff diving for a super summer adventure!  

 

DinDin Calope— Bantayan Island. I wanna experience the best beach and shoreline and the serenity... as what I’ve heard from people.

 

The cold and clear running water from the
Ughuban Spring in barangay Cambuyo
 in Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol is
perfect for your summer relaxation. –Photo by Leo Udtohan

Reigh Monreal—  Have you heard of the three Bohol Surprise tour packages? Each package takes you to a circuit of stopovers beyond the usual nature and heritage tours. The tours have been developed through a project called Ecotourism Bohol which is assisted by the Japan International  Cooperation Agency. For details, please inquire at the Bohol  Tourism Office. It is, therefore, still Bohol for me this summer. Why go to other places when there are a lot more to discover in your own?

 

Dr. April Lumuthang-Froilan— Summer getaway? Just in our very own Bohol where white, pristine beaches are also found. Why? I will be hitting two birds  with one stone. If I stay, private practice continues-beautifying Boholanos especially the balikbayans...on call all the time! He!He!He!

 

Karen Batuhinay—  No vacation leave for us this summer. We will be on duty at the airport serving incoming and outgoing tourists/passengers of Bohol.

 

Tess Labunog-Sumampong—  I love to go to Tagaytay! I’ve never been there. I want to experience Tagaytay’s cool weather, refreshing scenery and great food. My friends said that it is a food haven with its many restaurants, cafes and farms offering a wide array of food options.

 

Ariel Fullido—  My dream summer escapade is an inter-island mini cruise, counter clockwise just around Bohol, in a yacht from Panglao, to Anda, hopping from Balicasag and  Pamilacan isles. Then off to Pitogo and the underwater grotto in Danajon reef in Bien Unido, before speeding around the islets of Taibon. In tubigon, try to anchor at Dumog and sample the white sand dunes, before taking  a dive in Cabilao, and berth at the end of the day at the harbor view of Bohol Tropics. Now is the time to view from a distance the coastlines around the paradise island of Bohol!

 

The golden leaves become more transparent
during the summer in Loboc-Bilar forests. - Photo by Leo Udtohan

Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado—  I will be in Sagada. It is both cultural and personal. Cultural because it will be my first time to visit the place, interact with locals, see the hanging coffins.  Personal because being in  a pristine mountain range will give me that much needed breather for  me to reflect and think things over. #WhereDoBrokenHeartsGo

 

Mayette Gasatan —  My summer getaway will be here at South Palms Resort in Panglao. As an officer of this resort, I have to see to it that we will give our best Boholano services and products to our tourists. I am doing this not because this is my job but I’m also happy and proud offering our tourists assets (our beaches and our being hospitable- a unique trait of a Boholano) to the tourists.

 

JP Maslog—  Exploring my home province of Bohol would be my best option this year specifically the least known yet equally awe-inspiring as the world renowned  sites like the chocolates of Carmen or the surrealistic beaches  of Panglao.

 

PSSupt Dennis Agustin—  Bohol. Because we have to comply with the security requirements in our Oplan to keep the Lenten season safe and protect vacationers and tourists.

 

Van Delima— There are a couple of my favorite spots for lounging around Bohol or just so to on any beach to kick back and relax, perfect for the hazy days of summer 2015. Well, most families or rather individuals might spend their vacay on a cozy resort with infinity pools; or a trip to Venice beaches in Italy for the lucrative high tax payers. Me? I am the opposite of both worlds, a summer getaway could mean an aura and an atmosphere of totally spontaneous relaxing and partying, good food and art. While I plan to stay in Anda de Boracay for a night or two, then paddle on a boat rental to Lamanok Island where I wish to spend hours on shore semi-NUDE. I can set up camp for the night bonfire , beer etc then back en route head amongst the greenery of the island where I would probably meet backpacking locals or tourists. Being thrown into something where I don't really know what to expect is exciting, I want to blissfully spend the summer holidays with relatively affordable and fun experience!

 

Pat Ruiz— I am going to the towns of Placer and Corpus in Masbate. Natural and pristine beaches; simple organic food and simple people.  Most of all, no congestion. I was there last year for two days. Now, a week. Will share  you some photos.

 

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.