There’s no shortage of cold springs in the Philippines, but few can claim to be a soda water spring. That’s the case of the Bura Soda Water Pool in Camiguin.
In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to the Bura Soda Water Pool—from tips on getting there to what to expect along the way.
Bura Soda Water Pool: Complete Guide
The Bura Soda Water Pool is a natural cold spring fed by soda water and has two large swimming pools, where many people go to have fun and cool off.
While you’re not allowed to drink directly from the pool, the facility has designated faucets where you can fill up your bottle and drink the soda water.
Surrounding the pool are huts and seating areas where you can set down your things while you go for a swim.
How to Get to Bura Soda Water Pool
The Bura Soda Water Pool is in the Catarman area of Camiguin. It is about a 35-minute motorbike ride from Mambajao, and the entrance fee is 150 pesos per person.
Bura Soda Water Pool is located in the same area as Tuasan Falls and Sto Nino Cold Spring, so you can visit all these places on the same day if you have the time!
The map below is accurate and leads you directly to the Bura Soda Water Pool. There is free motorbike parking outside of the entrance to the facility. If you are hungry and need a snack, there are a few sari-saris just outside of the entrance.
Bura Soda Water Pool: Our Experience
While staying in Mambajao, we took a motorbike ride to the Bura Soda Water Pool. The trip started along the scenic Camiguin Circumferential Road before leading us into the village of Mainit. Once we turned off the main road, the ride became even more enjoyable as we navigated the small winding roads through the village.
When we arrived at Bura Soda Water Pool, we parked our motorbike outside and noticed a lot of cars already there. It turned out the kids were on summer break, so the place was pretty busy!
After paying the entrance fee at the gate, we walked in, found a spot to set our things down, and jumped straight into the water! It was the perfect temperature—not too hot and not too cold.
After some time swimming and splashing around, we decided to try the soda water. Next to the pool, there are spigots where you can drink it straight or fill up your water bottle.
I tasted the soda water straight from the spigot, and it was not what I expected! It had a slightly sweet flavor but without the fizz. It reminded me of a can of soda water left open overnight. It makes me wonder what gives the water its unique taste—maybe it’s some mineral in the area?
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
