Mainit Hot Spring in Cebu got a renovation. The once small, rustic stone pools have been replaced with four large concrete pools. It’s a bit less charming but way more functional. And still just as scalding hot.
In this guide, I’ll share exactly what you need to know before visiting Mainit Hot Spring in Cebu, including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive.
Mainit Hot Spring Complete Guide
Mainit Hot Spring consists of four concrete hot spring pools set within a river, surrounded by tropical foliage and a towering limestone cliff.
The pools vary slightly in temperature, with the upper ones being the hottest as they receive water directly from the spring. As the water flows downstream into the lower pools, it cools slightly before eventually emptying into the adjacent river.
To fully enjoy the experience, I found that alternating between the hot pools and the cool river was the best approach. The contrast between the steaming hot spring pools and the cool river makes for an intense experience.
Facilities at the hot spring are minimal. There are no formal changing rooms, so it’s best to come prepared by bringing your swimwear and a towel. Late afternoon or early morning is the best time to visit to avoid the harsh midday sun.
- Mainit Hot Spring Entrance Fee: 50 pesos per person
How to get to Mainit Hot Spring in Cebu
Mainit Hot Spring is located in the Malabuyoc area of Cebu. It’s about a 1-hour motorbike ride from Moalboal. The route there follows the coastal highway before veering inland onto a forested road.
When you turn off the main coastal road, pay close attention for the turn for Mainit Hot Spring. It’s easy to miss. We actually drove right past it and had to double back.
The turn looks more like a narrow driveway than an actual road, with a couple of sari-saris nearby. You can use the location for Mainit Hot Spring below to navigate there. It is accurate, but keep your eyes peeled for that turnoff.
Once you make the turn, the road dead-ends at the entrance to Mainit Hot Spring. From there, it’s just a short walk to the hot spring pools.
Mainit Hot Spring: Our experience
Mainit Hot Spring is, without a doubt, the hottest hot spring I’ve ever visited. Just dipping my leg into the hot spring water was a challenge. And it didn’t help that we were already under Cebu’s sweltering spring heat.
When we arrived, we parked our motorbike off to the side and paid the entrance fee to the person at the table before heading in.
As we made our way down the path, a group of local boys who were leaving the springs stopped to take a photo with Chloe. They were excited to see us visiting and told us to have fun, which immediately put us in a great mood. The welcoming attitude of Filipinos never fails to enamor me.
As we approached the river, we got our first view of the springs. There were no signs, but the large concrete pools on the opposite riverbank made it pretty obvious where we needed to go.
We stepped into the river to cross it and noticed what looked like the remains of one of the old stone pools, partially submerged in the riverbed. Not only was the old pool completely busted, but its surroundings were much different than the photos I’ve seen online. I’m always surprised at how much nature reshapes the landscape over time.
The hot spring now consists of four concrete pools total, arranged in two sets of two each. The upstream pools were shallow and a bit stagnant, while the downstream ones were full and inviting. Naturally, we went for the full ones.
I dipped my leg into one of the pools and immediately pulled it back. It was scorching. How was I supposed to submerge my whole body in this? Chloe had the intuition to check the adjacent pool, which was a little cooler. That one we could handle.
As we settled into the hot spring, I looked up at the towering limestone cliffs upstream. The afternoon light was just beginning to hit the cliffside, bringing out the white streaks in the rock. It was hard to imagine this calm river carving out such a deep gorge. Maybe during rainy season the water flows more strongly.
Suddenly, a little boy came by to join us in the hot spring. His mother was nearby washing clothes, so he decided to take a dip as well. Except his “dip” was more of a plunge. He got in, immediately jumped out, and then ran down to the river to splash around. That’s when I got an idea.
I climbed out of the hot spring and laid down in the cool, shallow river. The contrast between the hot and cold water was perfection. It reminded me of a Japanese onsen, where you switch between steaming baths and cold pools. Luckily for us, this hot spring was nestled in a river, making it all the more convenient.
Wanting to take it even further, I laid down in the river near the pipe where the hot spring water was flowing out, right at the point where the hot spring water met the cold river water. The water temperature fluctuated between hot and cold on different parts of my body. It was a strange feeling.
The sun started setting behind the trees, and darkness crept in fast. We took that as our cue to leave before the roads got too dark to navigate on our motorbike.
After drying off and changing clothes, we packed up and hit the road back to Moalboal, feeling refreshed but also slightly cooked from our Mainit Hot Spring experience.
Where to Stay in Cebu
For most travelers, Moalboal is the best place to stay. It’s close to the Sardine Run, White Beach, and within range of Kawasan Falls Canyoneering.
Moalboal has a good mix of resorts, hostels, and food spots, making it a solid base for exploring Cebu.
If you’re planning to stay longer than 5 days, I recommend doing what we did by splitting your time between Moalboal and Oslob.
Oslob gives you easier access to whale shark watching, Sumilon Island, and nearby waterfalls like Tumalog and Binalayan. This way, you cut down on travel time and get to see more.
Here’s where we stayed at and recommend in Cebu:
- Moalboal: 3 Sisters Guest House 2 is just off the main strip in Moalboal, but still within walking distance of everything. We appreciated the security and cleanliness of the accommodation and ate breakfast there every morning of our stay.
- Oslob: Melronz Inn is situated a bit outside the town center, making it quieter and more relaxed. And the best part is that it’s located right on the water, with its own private ocean access.
What to Pack for Cebu
- Water Shoes: If you plan to go canyoneering, a solid pair of water shoes like these are needed. If not, you can always wear crocs or even your sneakers if you don’t mind them getting wet!
- Snorkel: With sardine run in Moalboal and whale shark watching in Oslob, it helps to have your own snorkel set like this one for the best experience! 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 Cebu.
- 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 Cebu! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Free Cebu Google Maps Locations
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Need more Cebu travel ideas?
During our 7-day adventure in Cebu, we found some of the island’s most stunning natural wonders—milky blue waterfalls, limestone hikes, 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 your planning here: Cebu Travel Guide
- Our Ultimate Guide to Cebu: 15 Incredible Things to Do in Cebu
- Our Moalboal accommodation guide: Where to Stay in Moalboal
- Our favorite waterfall (+ secret adventure) in Cebu: Inambakan Falls
- Hike to the highest point in Cebu: Osmeña Peak
- Our favorite hike in Cebu: Casino Peak
- Our favorite day tour in Cebu: Kawasan Falls Canyoneering
- The hottest hot spring we’ve ever visited: Mainit Hot Spring
- How to see the Moalboal Sardine Run without a tour
- Oslob Whale Shark Watching Complete Guide
- How to get from Cebu City to Moalboal
- How to get from Moalboal to Oslob
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Mainit Hot Spring in Cebu. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
