After a few days of adventuring all over Siargao, we decided to take it easy and spend a laid-back day exploring spots near General Luna. We kicked things off with a swim at Secret Beach. Afterward, we wanted to rinse off the salty water, so we hopped on our motorbike and headed to Bugak Cold Spring for a refreshing swim.
Bugak Cold Spring Complete Guide
Bugak Cold Spring is a tiny off-the-beaten-path cold spring tucked away in a river near General Luna. The cold spring flows up from the ground in a small rocky cove right along the shoreline. I recommend you wear footwear when swimming at Bugak Cold Spring because the rocks in the cold spring are a little sharp.
When we visited during high tide, the spring was fully submerged, but I learned that during low tide, the water recedes to reveal the rocky cove where the spring originates. So it may be worth timing your visit for low tide.
Facilities at Bugak Cold Spring are quite basic. It has a small bench and a shaded hut to sit under. During our visit, workers were repairing the stairs, so there’s a chance the site may be more built up by the time you visit. The entry fee for Bugak Cold Spring is 20 pesos per person. You can also rent a canoe for 200 pesos to explore the surrounding river.
How to get to Bugak Cold Spring
Bugak Cold Spring is tucked away on a quiet back road in Siargao, about 20 minutes from General Luna. It’s not well-marked, and the entrance signs are easy to miss, so make sure to use the map location below for navigation. It’ll save you from having to backtrack like we did!
Bugak Cold Spring: Our Experience
Our adventure to Bugak Cold Spring took us on a scenic drive through the palm tree-lined backroads just outside General Luna in Siargao. The peaceful surroundings were a nice change from the crowds of General Luna and set the tone for a low-key day.
As we approached the cold spring, we almost missed it! We rode past it, had to turn around, and finally found the entrance marked by a sign and a gate along the roadside.
Unlike other tourist spots, there wasn’t a designated parking area full of motorbikes; instead, we parked along the side of the road and entered through a small gate where a friendly woman collected our 20-peso entry fee.
As we descended the stairs to the river, we weren’t sure where the cold spring was at first. We spotted a local family swimming in the river and they kindly pointed us toward a small, rocky cove tucked along the shoreline.
I jumped into the water and immediately felt a rush of cold water from the spring! As the water settled from my splashes, I could see it flowing steadily out of the rocks and mixing with the river. The cold spring water stratified on the surface and warm river water stayed below.
We spent some time in the spring cooling down and relaxing until we rode down the road for lunch at ShakaBrah.
Where to Stay in Siargao
Choosing where to stay in Siargao is pretty straightforward. General Luna is the island’s main tourism hub. Most of the accommodations, restaurants, and shops are located in General Luna, and it’s also where all the tours and activities depart from. If you want to be close to everything, General Luna is the place to be.
Here are our recommendations on where to stay in Siargao:
- Luxury: If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Siargao, Las Palmas Villas is hard to beat. It has everything you would expect from a resort, including a swimming pool, a garden, and a full-service restaurant and bar.
- Mid-range: Big Waves Boutique Hotel is located right in the heart of General Luna, in a local neighborhood. The rooms are clean and all have their own private bathrooms and AC.
- Budget: We enjoyed our stay at Hostel Bajala so much that we ended up extending it a few times. The place is clean, cozy, and comfortable. We couldn’t ask for more.
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Siargao.
What to Pack for Siargao
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Siargao.
- Crocs: During our time in Siargao, I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when exploring caves and islands. They are the ultimate shoe in the Philippines for a reason – many Filipinos wear them too!
- Earplugs: If you’re planning to do any island hopping while in Siargao, I recommend bringing a set of earplugs for the boat rides. Most boats in Siargao have super loud diesel engines that will make your ears ring!
- 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 Siargao.
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures out to Siargao’s islands, 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 Siargao! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Siargao Google Maps Locations
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Are You Following Our Siargao Blog Series?
We spent 16 days in Siargao and found so many things to do there—from caves to beaches, mangroves, and lagoons. 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: Siargao Travel Guide
- Our ultimate guide to Siargao: 26 Awesome Things to Do in Siargao
- How to plan your Siargao vacation: Siargao 3 Day Itinerary
- Our Siargao Beach Guide: 15 Best Beaches in Siargao
- Our favorite place to swim in Siargao: Beto Cold Spring
- Our most intense adventure in Siargao: Exploring the Marvelous Somyot Cave
- Our favorite day tour in Siargao: Sohoton Cove
- Our favorite beach in Siargao: Pacifico Beach
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Bugak Cold Spring in Siargao! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions! 🐸
