In the hills above Candijay in Bohol, Philippines is the Canawa Cold Spring. This natural cold spring creates a refreshing pool of water that’s awesome for cooling off after a long day of exploring.
We visited Canawa Cold Spring during our adventures around Bohol. In our guide below, we’ll share everything you need to know about it.
Complete Guide to Canawa Cold Spring
Canawa Cold Spring is located in the hills above Candijay on the island of Bohol in the Philippines.
The cold spring is divided into two parts – a natural cold spring in the forest, and a concrete swimming pool attached to it.
The natural cold spring is secluded in the back, in a forested area with steep cliffs.
The swimming pool is an extension of the cold spring. It is fed by water from the cold spring that overflows into the pool. It makes the swimming area much bigger and safer, so families can sit around and watch their children play in the water.
Canawa Cold Spring was once a place of quiet refuge but nowadays it’s a lot more popular. You used to be able to swim freely through the cold spring but a few years ago there was an accident, so now life jackets are required to swim in the natural cold spring.
How to Get to Canawa Cold Spring
Location: Canawa Cold Spring – Google Maps
The adventure to Canawa Cold Spring takes you through the hills of Candijay on the island of Bohol. It’s about a 1-hour ride from Anda or a 2-hour 30-minute ride from Panglao.
We visited Canawa Cold Spring when we were based in Anda. We rode through the hills on our motorbike, admiring the rice terraces in the area.
As of 2024, the roads to Canawa Cold Spring are in good shape. They are all paved now so you won’t need to worry about navigating rough dirt roads.
The map location linked above is accurate. When you reach the Cold Spring’s location, you’ll find a small parking area and an entrance booth.
Canawa Cold Spring – Our Experience
When we pulled up to the Canawa Cold Spring entrance, we saw a lot of motorbikes. At first, we thought there might be an event nearby, but as we got closer we saw tons of people and realized that everyone was at the cold spring itself.
With the help of some locals, we navigated our way through a crowded parking area and made our way to the entrance booth. We paid 20 pesos per person for entrance and 5 pesos for motorbike parking which is standard for similar attractions in Bohol.
Once we entered the cold spring area, we found tons of children and families enjoying the swimming pool. We visited during May – the hottest month of the year in Bohol, so we expected it to be a little busy. But we found what seemed to be the entire village cooling off in the cold spring. It felt like the community pool club.
We ventured behind the swimming pool and found the natural cold spring. The cold spring looked like a giant sinkhole in the forest and reminded us of the cenotes in Mexico. Most people swimming in the natural spring were wearing a life jacket as it’s now required to swim in that area.
We saw many families bring food and drinks for an all-day outing at Canawa Cold Spring. It seems like most cold springs in Bohol function more like community areas rather than secluded getaways.
We took a dip in the main swimming pool area to cool off and had an awesome time. The water wasn’t too cold, it was just the right temperature to lounge around in.
While swimming, we had a chat with a few locals and they asked us where we were from. They were extremely welcoming and wished us a good time in their village.
Is Canawa Cold Spring Worth it?
Canawa Cold Spring is worth the trip if you’re looking for a place to cool off in the Candijay area of Bohol. It’s a great place to meet some friendly locals and hang out.
However, the cold spring can get crowded when school is out, so don’t visit during the hot summer months like we did if you’re looking for a more secluded experience.
If you’re wondering whether visiting Canawa Cold Spring is worth it, we only recommend going there if you’re already in the Candijay area or after visiting nearby Can-umantad Falls.
Read our full blog post: Can-umantad Falls in Bohol: Our Complete Guide
Where to Stay in Bohol
Depending on how long you stay in Bohol we recommend splitting your stays between Panglao and Anda. If you are in Bohol for less than 4 days we recommend basing yourself out of Panglao, but if you are staying longer I recommend staying at least 2 nights in Anda. Here are recommendations on places to stay:
- Luxury: Amorita Resort (Panglao)
- Mid-range: Casa Amihan (Anda)
- Budget: Bluewaves Apartment (Panglao)
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Bohol.
What to Pack for Bohol
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Bohol.
- Crocs: During our time in Bohol, 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 Bohol, 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 Bohol.
- 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 Bohol! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Ready to explore Bohol like we did?
During our 11-day adventure in Bohol, we found some of the island’s most stunning natural wonders—epic waterfalls, caves, and incredible snorkeling spots. 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: Bohol Travel Guide
- Our Bohol accomodation/area guide: Where to Stay in Bohol
- Our Ultimate Guide to Bohol: 24 Awesome Things to Do in Bohol
- How to plan your Bohol vacation: Bohol 3 Day Itinerary
- Interested in chasing waterfalls?: 5 Best Waterfalls in Bohol During Dry Season
- Our favorite hike in Bohol: Alicia Panoramic Park Hike
- Our favorite day tour in Bohol: Balicasag Island Snorkeling
- Our favorite waterfall in Bohol: Dimiao Twin Falls (Pahangog Falls)
- Our favorite place to swim in Bohol: Cabagnow Cave Pool
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Canawa Cold Spring in Bohol!
