By Anna Valmero
CORON, PALAWAN – There is no substitute for a warm bath after a tiring day of being on the road, especially if you can do that at the Maquinit Hot Springs here.
The hot spring has overflowing crystal waters with temperatures ranging from 38 to 41 degrees—perfect to soothe one’s aching muscles and joints plus the added rejuvenating spa for the skin.
The crystal-clear bluish jade water is heated using natural geothermal power, thanks to an underground dormant volcano at Sitio Maquinit. The area actually derived its name from mainit (hot), describing the water in the hot spring.
The Maquinit Hot Spring has been a popular destination for locals of Coron and nearby Palawan towns since the 1990s but the construction of a private resort pools in mid-2000 by Lia Ramos made it more convenient for tourists to add the place on their list of destinations.
At the entrance of the resort is a environmental compliance certificate dated in 2007 that proves the construction of the resort did little or no harm to the natural mangrove forests in the area. The cemented pool has several water spills so the water continously flows from the pools into the lush mangroves and finally into the sea.
In fact, the narrow but sturdy wooden footbridge grooves and mixes well with the mangrove patch. Even at the bottom of the bridge, you can see mangrove propagules or seedlings sprouting and ready for replanting in other areas.
The thick mangroves offer natural fence to the resort but you can still see the blue sea nearby from the wooden gazebo at the end of the wooden foot bridge.
As you walk near the pools, you will see one main pool with three smaller pools on its side. A statue of Mary carrying Child Jesus is a centerpiece in one of the three pools and is said to have been influenced by the deep religious belief of the resort’s owner.
The family owner is said to be a descendant of one of the earliest clans to have settled in Palawan. Locals believe the religious image is meant to protect visitors from harm and heal body and soul, said local tour operator Milagros Gamboa.
Families and group of friends usually visit the resort in the evening so you cannot expect to dip in your birthday suit as practiced in sauna baths. A decent pair of swimwear is ideal so your skin gets fully exposed to the rejuvenating hot water.
During our visit, there was a large group of German tourists, Filipino-Chinese businessmen and a handful of vacationing families. The resort closes at 10p.m. but visitors are advised to come in no later than 8p.m.
If you are a first timer to hot springs, the 40-degree water may shock your skin and body so try dipping first your legs then splash some water on you arms and body before finally taking a dip into the pool.
A maximum dip of 15 minutes is all you need to feel rejuvenated. Longer periods of dipping your body in the pool could cause sudden temperature changes in the body, resulting in dizziness and fainting.
If you are with someone who is hypertensive, diabetic or anemic, make sure to accompany them when bathing in the hot pool for safety purposes. Make sure not to bring them there at noon because the water would be extra hot and it could lead to heat stroke.
Best to go there for a quiet time with friends or just by yourself just before the afternoon to see the sunset and enjoy the twilight followed by the waxing moon. The warm waters and the cold atmosphere plus the stars and moon above is both relaxing and mystic.
As a private resort, there is an entrance fee of P150 per head. You can also order drinks from a nearby bar.
The Maquinit hot springs is accessible by a 25-minute tricycle ride from town in case you are not part of the guided tours. Local tricycle drivers charge P150 for a one-way trip from the town proper.
Each tricycle accepts a maximum of four tourists for a one-way trip so splitting the P150 fare would be a welcome option.Best to go there early in the morning or in the afternoon just before sunset.
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