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.