About Mambukal Resort
Mambukal Mountain Resort located in the town of Murcia, Negros Occidental, Philippines is a picturesque mountain resort owned and managed by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
Rising 1,200 feet above sea level, Mambukal covers an area of 23.6 hectares including part of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park. Mambukal is also the gateway to Mt. Kanlaon via the Wasay Trail. A big mountain stream, fed by several tributaries, descends in a series of seven falls feeding the swimming pools and boating lagoon.
The resort was originally developed by a Japanese architect named Kokichi Paul Ishiwata in 1927. The resort started as a bath house and picnic garden and has served as a cool haven for Negrenses and their guests. The bath house designed by Ishiwata is still in use today.
Mambukal is administered as a resort township by the provincial government, independent of the Municipality of Murcia, as the Mambukal Townsite. Republic Act No. 1964, signed by President Carlos P. Garcia on June 22, 1957 formally tasked the provincial government of Negros Occidental with the administration and management of the townsite and resort facilities
20 Attractions and Things to Do in Mambukal
Go Camping
Commune with nature and camp out at the camping grounds. Ideal during the summer since the ground can get a little muddy during the rainy season.
Try the Canopy Walk
Walk along the hanging bridges that connect decades old trees. It will be like walking along the canopy of the forest.
Do Wall Climbing
For a little physical challenge, you can try wall climbing. Mambukal’s wall climbing is just for beginners so it will be easy for experienced climbers. However, this may be mostly available on weekends because there may not be a lot of visitors during weekdays.
Experience Slide for Life (Zip Line)
The Mambukal Slide for Life, the resort’s 200-meter long zip line. The starting point is at the wall climbing area and the end point is at the camping ground passing over the boating lagoon.
Boating at the Lagoon
The boating lagoon is very picturesque since it is surrounded by trees. This activity is best enjoyed with friends or family. There are canoes and kayaks available for rent.
Visit and Buy Souvenirs at the Butterfly Garden
You can bring the kids to the butterfly garden where they’ll see butterflies in various life stages. There is also a souvenir and a coffee shop at the Butterfly Garden.
Take a Swim at the Pool
Most locals go to Mambukal to take a swim at the pool where the water comes from a natural spring. The water is just allowed to flow freely so the swimming pools always have fresh water.
Take a Dip at the Warm Sulfur Pool
Relieve your stress after at the Mambukal warm sulfur dipping pool. Due Mt. Kanlaon, which is an active volcano, the hot springs in Mambukal naturally comes with minerals and sulfur which has therapeutic effects to the body. The water from the hot spring is mixed with the cold spring water to get the right temperature for dipping.
Experience Japanese-style Bathing at Ishiwata Bath House
If you want more privacy while relaxing, take a dip at the Ishiwata Bath House originally built by Kokichi Paul Ishiwata in 1927.
Get a Relaxing Massage
A body massage at the Blade Spa will surely remove your stress. It is also overlooking the river and the forest to give you a more relaxing experience.
Buy Ornamental Plants
There’s an area in Mambukal where there are stalls selling orchids and other ornamental plants which are often at a lower price compared to the ones in Bacolod. However, it is important to note that when you buy plants, especially orchids, which do not have flowers yet, moderate your expectations. There are sellers who would say anything so that you’ll buy from them.
Enjoy Local Cuisine at Kaon ta sa Suba
Feast on Filipino food while enjoying the scenery and the cool breeze under the trees. Kaon ta sa Suba is a special day tour package which includes entrance to the resort, swimming pools, dipping pool, and Filipino lunch at the river for only P499.
Bat Watching
Mambukal is the first officially declared Bat Sanctuary in the Philippines and it is home to around 8,000 batswhich live freely inside the resort. There are two endangered species of bats in Mambukal, the Golden Crowned Flying Fox and the Philippine Tubenose Fruit Bat, which can be found only in Negros and Cebu. Other bat in Mambukal are the Large Flying Fox, Little Golden Mantled Flying Fox and Island Flying Fox.. You can see them hanging at the tall trees near the pool area.
Bird Watching
Mambukal is one of the favorite sites of local birders because it’s very accessible and it is home to a lot of bird species including the endemic Negros Bleeding Heart Pigeon.
Trek up to the 7th Falls of Mambukal
You can trek to the seventh falls where your endurance can be tested. The challenging part is from the third to the fifth falls where the trail can be a little slippery and steeper. Trekking during rainy season is sometimes not allowed when the path becomes dangerous. Even if you don’t reach the 7th falls, you will still be rewarded with the relaxing view of the lush green surroundings and the relaxing sounds in the forest.
Take a Swim at the Falls
While trekking, be prepared to get wet because sometimes you can’t resist to take a plunge at the falls. Swimming is prohibited in some falls for safety purposes but it’s allowed at the third falls.
Tree Hugging
It has been proven by science that hugging a tree is good for your health. There are a lot of trees in Mambukal and some are so huge you can group hug around it.
Forest Bathing
Shinrin-yoku, sometimes translated as nature bathing originated in Japan but is now getting popular worldwide. Forest bathing is a simple method of being calm and quiet among the trees while breathing deeply. This is known to destress and boost health and well-being of both adults and children. At Mambukal, you can truly experience connecting and being one with nature.
Have a DIY Volcanic Clay Face Mask
Mambukal Resort sits at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon, an active volcano, so its multi-colored clay is rich in minerals which when used as face mask can absorb toxins from the skin. Ask your local trekking guide where you can get some clay.
Experience Mudpack Festival
Mudpack Festival is held every third week of June as a celebration of nature and to raise awareness on environmental conservation. Festival participants coat their bodies with volcanic clay/mud from the resort. There are years when the festival were cancelled due to budgetary concerns so keep updated through the Office of the Provincial Tourism.
Mambukal Entrance Fees and Room Rates
Mambukal is ideal for family outings, picnics and business conferences. You can choose your type of accommodation depending on your preference and budget. For overnight stay, there’s the Villa which offers standard rooms and suites. There are air-conditioned cottages that can accommodate from 2 to 4 persons. If you prefer to cook, there are family cottages with its own kitchen but you just bring your own cooking utensils. For those who prefer to be closer to nature, there’s a campsite adjacent to the Ishiwata Bath House. For a day tour, there are picnic sheds with a grilling area around the pools.
Below are the Mambukal rates:
Entrance Fees
Adult – P 50.00
11 years & below – P 20.00
Light Vehicles – P 15.00
Trucks/Buses – P 30.00
Room Rates
Villa
There are 28 furnished rooms in the Villa which has verandas so you can enjoy the picturesque view of Mambukal resort
1 Matrimonial Bed – P1,700
1 Matrimonial and 1 Single Bed – P2,000
4 Single Beds – P2,400
Extra Pull-out Bed – P200
Family Cottage
There are three family cottages at Mambukal resort which can accommodate 6 – 10 persons each. It has two air-conditioned bedrooms with two toilets and baths with hot and cold shower, living room, dining room, kitchen, and veranda. It has its own barbecue pit and a picturesque view of the boating lagoon.
Family Cottage – P4,000
LGU Cottage
LGU Cottages has floor area per room of 20 square meters. There are 11 double-occupancy rooms, 22 quadruple-occupancy rooms, and 11 family rooms with 6 beds. All rooms are air-conditioned with hot and cold shower, kitchenette, and veranda
Room good for 6 pax – P1,500 (2 Single Beds, 2 Double Decks)
Room good for 4 pax – P1,200 (4 Single Beds)
Room good for 2 pax – P900 (2 Single Beds or 1 Matrimonial Bed)
Other Facilities
Picnic Huts – P300/P600
Trellis and Pagoda – P300
Pavilion – P600
Swimming/Dipping Pool – P50
Japanese Ofuro – P100
Slide for Life – P50
Wall Climbing – P25
Boating – P30
Canopy Walk – P50
Butterfly Garden – P20
Camping (per person, per day) – P50
Ishiwata Bath House – P100/30 minutes
Check In – 2:00PM
Check Out – 12:00 Noon
Where to Eat in Mambukal
You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks to Mambukal without additional corkage. However, if you prefer convenience, there are also food stalls at the resort serving local dishes at reasonable prices so don’t worry about going hungry. Additionally, you can also arrange with them to have your food delivered to your cottage.
How to Get to Mambukal Resort
Mambukal is a favorite vacation destination of local and foreign tourists since it is very accessible from Bacolod City. In fact, the resort is around 30 minutes by private vehicle and 45 minutes by public utility vehicle. From downtown Bacolod, take the “double tire” mini-buses going to Murcia from the Libertad terminal with fare of less than P50. Double Tires are almost always available from Mambukal going to Bacolod City.
Mambukal Resort Reservation
Provincial Capitol Building
Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City
Tel. No. (034) 709-0990 | Telefax (034) 433-8516
Cellphone No. 09082712174
Email: mambukal@negros-occ.gov.ph
Mambukal Resort
Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia
Province of Negros Occidental, Philippines
Tel. No. (034) 473-0610 or 709-0990.
I disagree. The prices at the food stalls in Mambucal are not reasonable at all, they are exorbitant.
hi miss good day makad2 kmi tani this coming 0ct 16 or 17 gsto ko tani mapa reserve family room but indi ko makontak ila mga telephone numbers….
please help me you can email me here skleene@yahoo.com your help will be so much appreciate thank you…
*appreciated
THANK YOU gd Miss Glady cmu site about the mountain resort!! nkabulig gd much sa project ku sa school 🙂 GOOD LUCK cmu site Miss Glady! i hope more people will view your site! 😀 you’re a great blogger!. thanks again. 🙂
You’re welcome Antonia! You may share this site to others. 😀
do u have pictures of the big cottage and tourist lodge. panu mgpa reserve? i’m here in manila. tnx.
Hi! I’ve uploaded pictures above.
Planning to go home to Iloilo and visit Mambukal with my nephews and neices from Canada on Feb 2013. Would like to experience Negros (never been there).Could you suggest places to go and visit? Taking the boat from Iloilo.
Hi Bernie! If you can time your visit during the Bacolaodiat Festival, then it would be nice. If you’re going to Mambukal, you might be interested also to visit La Vista Highlands in San Carlos City. It’s less than an hour from Mambukal. It’s a mountain resort where the climate is like that of Baguio, with a good view of the mountains and a zipline.
To miss Glady do you have a cellphone number cuz we cannot contact your phone number, we are planning to have a tour at mambukal but hindi kami makakapasok sa landline nyo
Hello Malyn! I’m sorry but I’m not connected with Mambukal management. Kindly contact cellphone number of Melody of Mambukal Office at 09082712174.
me and my friend is planing to visit mambukal this coming holy week….i just want to ask if there are still cottages available…
hello amy! kindly contact the numbers above for inquiries.
Hi. Ang hirap kontakin ng Mambukal. I’ve been trying since last week, laging busy or network failure. Wala bang ibang number? I don’t want to go through a travel agency here in Manila coz I know may patong na ang rates nila. I also sent an email pero dedma.
Help! Jan 23 na kami pupunta dun with the rest of the family (8) and we plan to go straight to Mambukal upon arrival at 7PM on Monday… haaaay
Hi Bong! Have you tried calling the cellphone number? Yes, laging busy ang landline nila especially now na holiday ang Jan 23 medyo marami ang nag iinquire.
mangkot dugay naku la kabalik sa mambucal, pamangkot sng pagdevelop nila natamnan naman sng mga kahoy o napalaran na nila ang forested area kay sadto saka ka lang sa bungyod paglapaw mo sa babaw la na kalbo na??
Do you mean ang sa 7th falls ayon? Sorry kay wala pa gid ko nakasaka didto. Pero ang diri sa resort lang ayon daw kadamol man sg mga kahoy.
sa resort dapit inang sa right side nga bunyod pagsulod mo sa gate sng resort.sakaon mo lang galing pag-abot sa pinakababaw la na na kahoy….kag huo ang trek pakadto sa 7 falls siling daw kadabung kay ara ka b sa dalum sakaon mo na kalbo na na sa pihak…..tani napalaparan na nila ang mga kakahuyan d ba….
hi..ano sakyan from bacolod to mambukal? thank you gid
Mambukal nga double-tire (mini bus) near Libertad market.
Hi, I would like to ask if the rooms and other facilities have the same rates up to this time? I need to know if there are still available deluxe room this Oct 10-11, 2011. Two adults and 1 child (2 y.o). Hope you can help me with this. Thanks!!
Hi Pam! Yes, the rates are still the same. I suggest you take the LGU Cottage. The Tourist Lodge is far from the pool and the price difference is not that big. Call them up now to reserve since it’s MassKara month they might be fully booked.
Thank you so much Gladys for the information!God Bless You!
hi, this is phil from iloilo,i just want to ask about the rates of the cottages that can accomodate approximately 25persons.overnight!
pls. txt me na lang @09097386953 for the response.thank you so much and we are excited to get there!pls…
Phil, the LGU cottages can accommodate up to 6 persons. However, you just add extra mattresses for the following cottages, P900 (4 extra mattresses), P1,200 (2 extra mattresses). Each mattress only costs P100. You just do the math. However, I suggest you contact the Mambukal booking office at (034) 433-8516. It’s often busy but it is the best way to book at the resort.
we need reservation for 15-20 persons on April 21-22, 2011., we are from Iloilo City Adminstrator’s Office, Can you contact us instead? (033) 337-0079 0r (033) 337-5268 look for marian or romar or randy or judy or dexie,..thank you.
great job… this is very helpful….
…. ps
pls check the spelling of billiards…thanks
Glad bongga,kn la pa ko nag search about mambukal la ko balo ikaw author gli……planning to explore ds summer to experience wall climbing he he
Hi Jo! Hehehe.. Kabalo ka naman nga frustrated writer ako sg high school. Let me know when ka makadto kay para makakitanay ta kag pwede ta man ka ma tour around Bacolod and Silay.
Try mo pa gid ang Slide for Life sa Mambukal. Ari akon post hu https://www.experiencenegros.com/mambukal-resort-slide-for-life-video/
mam,
we are planning to go there tomorrow but i cant connect on your contact number. we stay there for 1 day. we would like to reserve for the LGU rooms with 2 single beds and 2 double deck. is there any vacant room?
I remember gamay pako katama, mga 1990’s nag upod ko sa akon amay kay camping, jutayan lang ko malumos da wala bi nagamit salbadida. Swimming pool green pa ang tubig then gagwa lang sa tuburan. Boating lagoon wala pa sang una. And dumduman koman galakat2x kami sa dalum ka tay2x. Dalan before wala pa nasemento going there. Pagbalik ko sang higschool… Tsk tsk tsk, isa nalang ka swimming pool. Thanks to the late Gov. Marañon, pagbalik ko sang college.. wow nalang masiling ko. Sang nakita ka mga upod ko sa office diri Cebu mga pics ka Mambukal, gusto nila magkadto. I wish I could bring them there and show them the beauty of Negros.
Yes Von, thanks to the late Governor who turned Mambukal into a source of pride for the Negrenses. He is also responsible for renovating the Provincial Capitol. Look how beautiful it is now!
Okay…. I’ll check it when I get there. The last time I went there was during the meeting for the Word Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims. That’s the last time I saw the late Governor. That was also my first time to see the office of the Governor, as well as the other offices. Before, it was a museum during my elementary days then nabunggo pako sa crystal da sa sulod (LOL). Thanks for the updates and for promoting Negros Occidental.
we are planning to take our 3 days vacation at Mambukal resort this coming december 2010. You mentioned earlier that we need to pay for atleAst 50% 3 days before we check in, since we are quite far from bacolod, what kind of payment they’re accepting??
Heirz, they have a bank account where you can deposit the down payment.
How many people can the LGU cottage (which is p1500) accommodate? I am planning to have my family stay there for 6 days and nights? do they have special offers? I am planning to take them there for a week vacation. I think there are 7 adults and 5 kids… anyone has a suggestion? Please I so want to go to this place… FIDEL
It’s good for 6 people but you can add extra bed. It’s better if you contact the Mambukal booking office so that you can arrange with them.
Hi! Me and a friend will be in Bacolod this July 2-4, it will be our first time to be in Bacolod and I ave been reading blogs about places to stay and places to go in Bacolod and Mambukal Resort caught my interest. However, since it will be our first time, I would like to know how can I make a reservation for 2 and is there a reservation online for Mambukal Resort? Do you have an office in Manila where I can go and make my reservation? I appreciate any info that will help our visit to Bacolod memorable and fun. Thanks!
To book to Mambukal, you have to contact them through the numbers provided above. It is located in the town of Murcia, around 30 minutes drive away from Bacolod. If you need additional info, just leave a message here.
kelangan gd ang reservation f magkuha room for 2?? we are planning on going there tomorrow and we’ll be staying overnyt..
Not necessarily but the resort is usually fully-booked so its good to reserve beforehand.
Hi! My family and I plans to have vacation there this end of May!
how much is your room rate for overnight stay? good for 5-6 person.
Thank you. 🙂
I suggest you take the LGU Cottage which is P1,500/cottage.
May ara sila online nga reservation/booking maam?
plans to visit mambukal late this year. same rates man gihapon?
Yup, the same rate on rooms although there’s a slight increase in the entrance fee.
How much is the entrance fee and the room rate good for 2?
How many day/s is your booking/reservation for the room good for 2? july 10, 2010 2pm sana, 1 day overnight lang, check out ng july 11 noon
They require 50% payment at least 3 days before the date. Kindly call them at (034) 709-0990 / 433-8516.
thank you Gladys. Pwede ko hingin cell number po kasi malayo po kc kami sa bacolod, kon ok lang sa email nlang isend po…thanks!
Yes, ma enjoy gid na sila. Good thing about Mambukal is that it’s for the whole family. Both children and adult will surely enjoy the place.
my gosh,last ko na kadto sa mambukal sang fieldtrip pa namun when i was in high school and since then wala na ko kabalik pa sa Mambukal. I wish to go there if makabakasyon ko this coming december,i want to spend my holiday together wih my family sa Mambukal… For sure enjoy gid sila like when i was there before..
we went there in 2006 after a badminton tournament. enjoyed the hot spring a lot. my wife wants to go back there. sayang at napostpone yung isang event which she was supposed to attend. mambukal ang venue.
We’re used to wearing slippers, I suppose. You just need a lot of practice. I’m glad you liked Mambukal.
Mambukal was a nice place to visit with my fiancee, definitely allowed me to see part of the Philippines outside of Bacolod City and Manila. Still cant figure out how Filipinos can walk in the mud with sandals and not slip, but when I wear them I look like I’m trying to ice skate for the first time.
I agree Karen, Mambukal is not yet overdeveloped and I hope it will stay that way. If there are special holidays it’s usually fully booked so most people would book ahead of schedule.
Mambukal is really developed now as compared before but still maintaining the balance of nature. I guess they should put up more open cottages. Went there just this Easter Holiday but the cottages were all fully booked so we ended up sitting under the trees but it was fun. Its really nice to relax in such a cool place even if its very hot.
Will definitely visit there again with some friends from Manila as its a nice place to go to.
Thank you for your comments Francis. Through you, we have a glimpse of how it was in those days. Though much has changed with new developments at the resort, but I think the Mambukal still retains much of its natural beauty.
I remember Mambukal from waaaaay back when the “Pagoda of The Sandwich House” was still operational.. (no idea now if its still there). It was managed by an elderly couple, I somehow forgot the name of the elder gentleman, but the lady we would fondly call Lola Tinay. Our family would always rent-out the whole place for the weekend. The Pagoda was located on the upper side of the resort right after the steel bridge, where one can always wiff the pungent aroma of sulfur… hehehe..
Entrance in those days was around 2 pesos per head, and the car fee is like 5 pesos?.. Anyway, I reckon much has changed since then… 🙂
Last time I “visited” Mambukal was Christmas 2006, the hotel / lodge was still being renovated, and there where no vacant cottages for me and my wife to stay. So we just stopped by a roadside sari-sari store, bought ice cold RC Cola, teared open a bag of chips… and engaged in some “those were the days” chit-chat with the store owner while passively hearing the sounds of the night.. (crickets, night birds, and what not)..
I did not see, if the Pagoda was still there…. It was too dark on the place where it once stood… and I was very “talawit” to go out of the car… hehehe..
Best regards,
Francis
Hehehe buangit ka ya. Diwata ko na nila. 😀
Hello, nahadlok sila sa imo ya.
well, indi na guru mariit kay damo na tawo. sila na ang hadlok sa mga tawo. hehehe
hadlok ko sang una pa mambukal kay hambal nila mariit na da. hahaha. sang una wala pa na ang dako na pool, ang isa ka dako gina ubra pa lang na. ang pool sadto ya daw pa ang tubig tapos ang daw pareho sang thermal pool na dayon nga bilog na bala. haha. daw tigulang na gid ko ba.