ComVal Untold: Mainit Sulfuric Hot Spring in Maco
Mainit Sulfuric Hot Spring in Compostela Valley is a one of a kind steaming waterfall to visit #WhenInMindanao.
Coming all the way from Maragusan town center where we had late lunch, we then went further north going to the town of Maco in Compostela Valley.
Originally our plan was to head out to Monkayo to visit Awao Falls but we ran out of time due to that exciting visit at Pyalitan Falls. (Read Part 1: ComVal Untold: Chasing Waterfalls in Maragusan)
Leonard Kniazeff Volcano
Around an hour and a half of bumpy ride, 20 kilometers from Maragusan, we arrived at a view deck somewhere in Brgy. New Leyte in Maco. The Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) describes Mt. Leonard Kniazeff as one of the 22 active volcanoes in the Philippines.
From the verdant mountainside view deck, we saw the large 200 hectare crater lake. We wondered how massive the volcano was before its eruption last 120AD. Inside the 4 x 5 kilometer wide caldera lies Lake Leonard that is now turned into an ecotourism site and where locals put fish cages for aquaculture.
Mainit Sulfuric Hot Spring
No wonder there lies several unique geological features surrounding the volcano, one of them is the Mainit Sulfuric Hot Spring. The spring is located in Brgy. Mainit in Maco, Compostela Valley.
Upon arrival at the jump off, I couldn’t believe how awesome the spring was. When one says of hot spring, we always think of a thermal swimming pool, man made or natural where we can have a relaxing dip. But in this case it is a steaming waterfall – unique rock formations with cascading hot spring waters down into shallow pools!
Sad to say it was closed during our visit due the peculiar rock with a cave underneath that got eroded. To our dismay, we contented ourselves to look at it from afar.
The unique geological formations of rocks and stalactites are yellowish in color, result of the reaction of rocks with the sulfur. The lush valley filled with trees and thick foliage adds a beautiful contrast to the yellow tinge of the rocks and the billowing steams.
The water surely is hot, we had our feet dipped first before trying it out for the whole body. Hot springs are believed to provide health benefits such as improving blood circulation, calming sore muscles and relieving stress.
Everything is cheap in here, entrance fee is only at 10php. For an instance, we even had a relaxing back massage at the river for only 150php!
Dusk was about to come, so we packed up around 05:30pm and headed down to Mawab for our last hurrah.
How To Get There
- Mainit Sulfuric Hotspring, 94 kilometers from Davao City, is located in Brgy. Mainit, Maco, Compostela Valley (now Davao De Oro)
- There are no direct flights going to Compostela Valley, however, the nearest airport hub is in Davao City. Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and AirAsia flies several times daily to Davao from Manila, Clark, Iloilo, Cebu to name a few
- From Francisco Bangoy International Airport, take a taxi or bus going to Davao City Overland Bus Terminal (Ecoland)
- Take a bus bound for Tagum City in Davao Del Norte
- Then there are two options to reach Mainit Sulfuric Springs in Compostela Valley from Tagum City:
- From Tagum City, take another bus bound for Nabunturan. Tell the driver to drop you off at Mawab Junction, from here hire a habal-habal to take you directly to Brgy. Mainit
- Cheaper alternative is, from Tagum Overland Bus Terminal, ride a jeep plying the Tagum-Masara route. Then tell the driver to drop you off at the junction going to Mainit Sulfuric Spring. From the junction it is just a short walk going up to the spring.
- Expect that from the national highway, the roads going up to Brgy. Mainit in Maco is unpaved 70-80% of the way
- Lake Leonard Kniazeff Ecotourism Park is located in Brgy. New Leyte, Maco, Compostela Valley. This is 20 kilometers away from Maragusan Town Center and 34 kilometers from the provincial road in Mawab
- We did the ComVal/ Davao de Oro tour through the help of our guide on a 2-day Mati-ComVal Tour. You can contact Junjie Salibay at 0997 794 8783 or Earl Salibay at 0997 762 5491
Itinerary and Expenses
This is part of our Mati, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley 2D1N Adventure
Day 01
0030 Arrival at Davao, Cebu Pacific (1,300php RT Promo Fare)
0045 Take Taxi to Ecoland Terminal (275php)
0300 Davao Ecoland Terminal, wait for van to fill up
0345 Depart for Mati City (250php/pax)
0730 Arrival at Mati, Breakfast, Meet Guide
0800 Start tour
0815 Sleeping Dinosaur view deck
0900 Subangan Museum (50php)
1010 Provincial Capitol
1020 Mati Baywalk, snacks
1100 Pangyan Falls (20php)
1300 Lunch at Mati City
1430 Dahican Beach
1730 Supply run at Market, check in at Tom’s Hometel
1930 Dinner
2200 Lights Off
Day 02
0500 Wake up, prepare for Ultralight Flying
0600 Ultralight Flying at Mindanao Saga Flying Club (2700php)
0730 Depart for Compostela Valley
0830 Capalagan Man Made Forest
1015 Tagbibinta Falls, Coronabe (20php)
1115 Pyalit Falls, Mapawa
1430 Late Lunch at Maragusan Bus Terminal
1630 Lake Leonard Kniaseff View Deck
1715 Mainit Sulfuric Spring, Maco (Back Massage 30mins – 150php)
1930 Mawab, Compostela Valley National Highway (Tour fee for 2 pax, 2,550php/pax)
1940 Bus Back to Davao City (225php/pax)
2200 Arrival Fracisco Bangoy International Airport
2345 Depart for Manila
Total Expenses: 3,220.00php for 2pax excluding food and Ultralight Plane Ride
