Ardent Hot Spring is a popular spot for evening relaxation when the cooler weather makes its warm waters comfortable.
The spring has multiple levels of pools, providing plenty of space to relax.
We visited Ardent Hot Spring and put this guide together to explain everything you need to know about visiting, including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive.
Ardent Hot Spring Complete Guide
Ardent Hot Spring is a swimming area in Mambajao, Camiguin. It’s a popular spot among locals in the evening, as it is nice to relax in its warm waters as the sun goes down.
The pools of the hot spring spread across different levels, so there is plenty of space to sit and swim. The uppermost pool is the warmest, with the water cooling slightly as it flows down to the lower levels.
Ardent Hot Spring is most crowded in the evening when the cooler weather makes its warm waters more enjoyable.
Ardent Hot Spring Water Temperature
The water at Ardent Hot Spring used to be much hotter. However, a few years ago an earthquake altered its flow. Now the water is lukewarm, but I would not call it hot.
Ardent Hot Spring Fees
- Ardent Hot Spring Entrance Fee: 75 pesos per person
- Ardent Hot Spring Table Rental: 150 pesos for 3 hours
How to Get to Ardent Hot Spring
Ardent Hot Spring is conveniently located near the town of Mambajao, just a short drive up a mountain road.
On our way there, we passed through a quaint village and lush forests. The road, still damp from earlier rain, added a sense of adventure to the journey, with droplets glistening on the trees.
The map below provides an accurate location to help you navigate. Once you arrive, there’s plenty of free motorbike parking right outside the gate.
Ardent Hot Spring is located near the town of Mambajao. It is just a short drive up a road towards the mountains.
As we rode our motorbike to Ardent Hot Spring, we passed through a village and a forest. The road was still damp from rain earlier in the day, making the ride feel like an adventure. Moisture was dripping off the trees, and a light fog hovered over the sky.
The map below provides an accurate location to help you navigate to Ardent Hot Spring. Once you arrive, there’s plenty of free motorbike parking right outside the gate.
Ardent Hot Spring: Our Experience
We pulled up to the gate of Ardent Hot Spring and the first thing we noticed was that it was much busier than we expected.
We assumed visiting in the evening would mean fewer people, but it turned out to be the busiest time of day. We asked the lady at the gate, and she said that since the water is a bit too warm to enjoy during the daytime heat, most people prefer to come in the evening when the cooler air makes swimming in the hot spring much more comfortable.
After paying the entry fee and stepping inside, we found a lively scene. Kids were splashing around in the water, while adults relaxed in the pools, chatting and enjoying the atmosphere.
The hot spring is located in a lush, damp environment, surrounded by trees and moss-covered rocks. As we walked around the area we saw four levels of pools, with water flowing from the upper level down to the next. A massive net stretches overhead to catch falling leaves and branches from the surrounding forest. The net is a simple yet effective way of keeping the pools clean and free of dirt and leaves.
So, what does the hot spring feel like? As I stepped in, the first thing I noticed was that it wasn’t as hot as I expected—it was warm, but not exactly “hot.”
While hanging out in the water, I struck up a conversation with a local man who shared an interesting fact: the spring used to be much hotter. However, an earthquake changed the water’s flow, and now it’s more of a subtle warmth.
But honestly, the temperature felt just right for us. It was warm enough to relax in for as long as we wanted without feeling overheated or needing to take a break. It’s probably why the spring is so popular in the evening—you stay cozy in the water without ever getting cold. It was a good balance for swimming and hanging out after a day of exploring Camiguin.
Where to Stay in Camiguin
Most accommodations in Camiguin are located on the north side of the island near Mambajao. This is convenient because Mambajao is the biggest town in Camiguin and has the island’s only airport, making getting to and from Camiguin much easier.
Here’s where we would stay if we visited Camiguin again. It’s a place called Nypa Style Resort. We actually found this place because we had dinner at their restaurant one night, and their staff was kind enough to give us a tour of some of their vacant rooms. This place is set near Mambajao with beautifully kept grounds and immaculately clean rooms.
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Camiguin.
What to Pack for Camiguin
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Camiguin.
- Crocs: During our time in Camiguin, I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when exploring rocky terrain and chasing waterfalls. They are the ultimate shoe in the Philippines for a reason – many Filipinos wear them too!
- Snorkel: With all the amazing snorkeling spots in Camiguin, it helps to have your own snorkel set like this one if you plan to do some underwater activities! Plus, you won’t need to worry about renting a snorkel, which may be of… questionable quality.
- Sunscreen: For some reason, sunscreen is expensive in the Philippines and I’ve even encountered places selling fake sunscreen that doesn’t work! So I recommend bringing your own sunscreen to Camiguin.
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures, I was so glad to have a dry bag to keep all my things safe from the elements!
- Travel Towel: In my opinion, a travel towel like this one is super necessary for a trip to Camiguin! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Camiguin Google Maps Locations
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Are You Following Our Camiguin Blog Series?
We spent 8 days in Camiguin and found so many things to do there—from waterfalls to beaches, cold springs, and coral reefs. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Start planning your trip here: Camiguin Travel Guide
- Our Ultimate Guide to Camiguin: 16 Awesome Things to Do in Camiguin
- How to plan your Camiguin trip: 3 Days in Camiguin: The Perfect Camiguin Itinerary
- Our favorite place to snorkel in Camiguin is The Sunken Cemetery
- Our favorite day trip in Camiguin is Mantigue Island which is just a short boat ride away
- Camiguin’s best beach is at White Island
- Our favorite waterfall in Camiguin is Tuasan Falls
- If you want to walk through the mangroves on a web of boardwalks check out Katunggan Park
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Ardent Hot Spring in Camiguin. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions! 🐸
I just returned from Arden Hot Spring. There is nothing hot about it. There is nothing even warm about it. The name and your review are very misleading. It is a pleasant swimming spot, although lots of construction going on around it. This August 9th and the water is much cooler than the air. A more accurate name would be Ardent natural swimming pool.