Lake Balanan
Lake Balanan
4
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4.0
38 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
17
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Joseph Bernard A
Marawi, Philippines287 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
I was intrigued by the picture shown to me when i searched for the nearest lake at home. Luckily, I have found one. So I planned everything about reaching the lake after my Leyte Trip! I was alone going to the lake when my Habal-habal driver offered his services as a tour guide and that's free of charge, yet of course i have to pay my fare back and forth. I was mesmerized by the scene, the lake is an expansive mountain resort developed around Balanan Lake, a humerus-shaped body of water, 25 hectares in surface area, 285 ms above sea level, oriented along a northwest-southeast direction (right). The lake encases a kilometer-long waterway ideal for water sports. Among the prominent features of the resort is a 4-kilometer circumferential pathway for trekking, pools for swimming, bancas for boating, waterfalls for great photo-ops. Balanan has an old forest of almost a hundred balete trees, atop one of which is a treehouse. An 8-room hillside hotel,The lodge provides air-conditioned comforts with a view of the lake but sanitary wise was mediocre though the staff are very helpful and very courteous. Other amenities include a dining pavilion and a staff house for large number of bookings. Entrance is free every Tuesday. Thanks to Nonong my driver my guide!
Written 29 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
baban_new
Bayawan City, Philippines31 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
I've been here many times in the past. It was always the first choice of ours when we the family is free at the weekend. But when the accidents happen, rumors spread about something deep in the lake. Very spooky stuff.
Written 17 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tochi Pat
Cebu City, Philippines109 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Lake Balanan is a quaint, well-preserved nature park as compared to many parks in the Philippines where tourism facilities often spoil the Earth's wonder. It is also a convenient side trip when you are visiting Dumaguete.
Customer service need to be upgraded though. The staff seems to presume that those visiting Balanan already knows everything that is to be seen and to be done in the park. No orientation was given when we got there. Life jackets looked worn out.
If you don't have your own vehicle, make sure to have good haggling skills with motorcycles-for-hire (locally known as habal-habal). To bargain, start probably at P50 to as high as a little more than a P100 one-way.
Customer service need to be upgraded though. The staff seems to presume that those visiting Balanan already knows everything that is to be seen and to be done in the park. No orientation was given when we got there. Life jackets looked worn out.
If you don't have your own vehicle, make sure to have good haggling skills with motorcycles-for-hire (locally known as habal-habal). To bargain, start probably at P50 to as high as a little more than a P100 one-way.
Written 21 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emmapay
Adelaide, Australia2 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
The lake is tucked up in the mountains which is a beautiful, albeit bumpy ride. We had a fantastic ride across the lake and walked up to waterfalls - we finished off the tour with a yummy lunch. Really enjoyable afternoon.
Written 6 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Khrystal Felici... E
5 contributions
Every visit to Dumaguete means dropping by Lake Balanan. One of my favorite spots is the spillway. It's very peaceful to wade in the water. A dip in their clean pool will cool you off from the hot summer sun. Kudos to the entertaining and accomodating staff especially Jokjok.
Written 23 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jimdiscovers
Cebu City, Philippines29 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
I and my friends stayed in Lake Balanan for two days last December 2013. We had a fun time and the overall experience was great.
Good points:
-offers a lot of activities: trekking, kayaking, zipline, waterbikes
-very friendly and accommodating staff. You can feel their sincerity in ensuring that you'll have a fun stay.
-very relaxing atmosphere
-several accommodation choices: the hotel is more convenient while the staff house is more budget-friendly
Not-so-good points:
-staff takes almost an hour to prepare the food; worth the wait though since the food they serve are fresh and delicious
-the lake is far from the city and the road to the lake is not yet developed
-phone service/signal is present only in selected areas (which is good if you want to be temporarily away from every possible distraction)
Visit www.discoverphilippines.org for more info about top destinations in the Philippines.
Good points:
-offers a lot of activities: trekking, kayaking, zipline, waterbikes
-very friendly and accommodating staff. You can feel their sincerity in ensuring that you'll have a fun stay.
-very relaxing atmosphere
-several accommodation choices: the hotel is more convenient while the staff house is more budget-friendly
Not-so-good points:
-staff takes almost an hour to prepare the food; worth the wait though since the food they serve are fresh and delicious
-the lake is far from the city and the road to the lake is not yet developed
-phone service/signal is present only in selected areas (which is good if you want to be temporarily away from every possible distraction)
Visit www.discoverphilippines.org for more info about top destinations in the Philippines.
Written 2 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle F
22 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
Let me start this review with a warning that old people may not be able to take the transportation from the foot of the mountain to the lake. Since we didn't have a car, the only way to travel was habal-habal, a single motorcycle (php50/pax). The road is very rocky, up and down and not yet developed. Of course we asked why it was like that and the obvious reply is, "The government corrupted the funds."
Once we get there, we immediately knew that the tiring transportation from Dauin to Siaton was all worth it, It's good for friends and families. They offer amenities with cheap prices. We also stayed overnight in their 'small room' that we found too big for the three of us (Php1 500). The food is a bit more expensive compared to other places in Dumaguete. I suggest you bring snacks and drinks specially if you are going to stay overnight since they have a fridge and electric kettle inside the room.
Go here and you will definitely learn more about the beauty of Dumaguete. The lake, the waterfalls and the overall view are such wonders. The people were very nice too to us!
Once we get there, we immediately knew that the tiring transportation from Dauin to Siaton was all worth it, It's good for friends and families. They offer amenities with cheap prices. We also stayed overnight in their 'small room' that we found too big for the three of us (Php1 500). The food is a bit more expensive compared to other places in Dumaguete. I suggest you bring snacks and drinks specially if you are going to stay overnight since they have a fridge and electric kettle inside the room.
Go here and you will definitely learn more about the beauty of Dumaguete. The lake, the waterfalls and the overall view are such wonders. The people were very nice too to us!
Written 8 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harry Fozzard
Dumaguete City, Philippines126 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
Took a side trip here when first visiting Dumaguete. Well worth the drive — the lake is beautiful with a walking trail as well as a restaurant and hotel (we didn't try either of these). About an hour from Dumaguete along some pretty rough roads.
Written 4 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christan123
Dumaguete City, Philippines5 contributions
May 2014
While i am a resident of dumaguete city, neg. Or. Philippines which is just about an hour drive away from lake balanan in siaton, i was able to visit it this year when friends of my sister wanted to visit dumaguete city. We arrived at about 4pm and like what my brother said, the place is beautiful. Although its a little bit eerie coz there are big trees but with its raw natural beauty, its worth the trip.
Written 31 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Douglas B
Ornex, France288 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
It takes a bit of a drive along the national highway and then some country road to get to, but it's worth it in the end. Along the way you'll get some nice views of hills and valleys. After paying the nominal P50 / $1 each to get in, you park at the restaurant area. Another P100 / $2 and you get a banca boat ride to one end of the lake. After a short walk you reach a small waterfall where you can cool off if needed. The banca can take you back - but we elected for a walk along the lake edge. At one point we needed a ferry/barge that required a bit of pulling a rope to get across an inlet. We could also have used a zip line to fly across to the other side (for another small fee).
We didn't try the restaurant food since we had brought our own. There are also some rooms for rent - from smaller, apartment-style to a large 'tree-house' built amongst a fig-tree.
A short walk from the restaurant are the pools. Recently constructed these get fed by the fresh water from the rivers/lake and we had them all to ourselves (they are probably busy on weekends but we went there on Christmas Day). They have a great setting among the trees and the water was refreshing. Be sure to bring your swimming costume.
Although we were hoping for a bit of a longer nature walk, we enjoyed this outing and some of the old trees were just magnificent.
We didn't try the restaurant food since we had brought our own. There are also some rooms for rent - from smaller, apartment-style to a large 'tree-house' built amongst a fig-tree.
A short walk from the restaurant are the pools. Recently constructed these get fed by the fresh water from the rivers/lake and we had them all to ourselves (they are probably busy on weekends but we went there on Christmas Day). They have a great setting among the trees and the water was refreshing. Be sure to bring your swimming costume.
Although we were hoping for a bit of a longer nature walk, we enjoyed this outing and some of the old trees were just magnificent.
Written 28 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi is this open for walk-in guest or it needs a reservation before going there?. Thank you
Written 29 April 2019
RITCHE MEISCHEL P
Chambery, France
Hi, pwede bang maligo sa lake and swimming pool here?
Written 2 February 2019
Its bumpy and rocky not advisable , youre bumper might be scratched
Written 6 October 2017
jiyonthesoloist
Pasay, Philippines
Is the road to Lake Balanan safe? I will be arriving a little late (like around 1pm) in Dumaguete and would like to pay a visit to the lake in the afternoon. Is it still safe to travel back to Dumaguete by 6PM perhaps even it is already a little dark?
Written 9 July 2017
Will you be bringing a car? If yes then yes it is safe. Otherwise you would have to make sure that the motorcyle you hire will wait for you. Travel time from Duma to lake balanan would take you an hour or 1hr and a half and from te main road to the entrance of lake balanan will me aprox 6-9km
Written 14 July 2017
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