Maquinit Hot Spring

After making our way back to our boat from Kayangan Lake, we returned to Coron Port where our van awaited us to take all of us to Maquinit Springs, the final stop of our Asia Grand View Hotel-sponsored first-day tour of Coron. We arrived at the springs by 6:30 PM.

Maquinit Hot Springs, believed to be one of the rarest hot springs in the country and in Asia. is unique for its saltwater pools, one of only a few in the world. One of the best mineral hot spring sites in the country, it has hot sulfuric, mineral-rich salt water emanating from the ground and collecting in several waist-deep pools 5 m. from the seashore.

The author at Maquinit Hot Spring

Its waters flow right into Coron Bay, causing a misty mirage seen from the shoreline of Coron town.  Water temperature here can rise to a scorchingly hot 32 to 40º Celsius, especially between 10 AM and 3 PM.  It is cooler during sunset.  The waters are reputed to cure skin ailments while the green moss lining the pool are said to be a remedy for sunburn (it also makes the floor slippery).

It was almost unbearable at my first dip at the volcanically heated water of the 2 main pools but I soon got used to it and it soothed my aching muscles. The others followed suit.

Visitors with respiratory and skin problems have observed improvements in their condition after a dip. For those with high blood pressure (like me), they are advised to minimize their time in the pool and later take a cold shower to normalize their body temperature.

A wooden boardwalk where one can view the islands of Coron Bay and the nearby mangroves

For generations, Ms. Lia Ramos and her family has been taking care of the hot springs.  According to Lia, the pools have spirulina,  a substance used to produce animal feeds, medicines, vitamin supplements and cosmetics.

View of Coron Bay

How to Get There: By land, the springs are accessible by a 30-min. tricycle ride from the Coron town proper (PhP300-400 round trip).  By sea (during high tide), boats dock at a  boardwalk leading to the sea. From the boardwalk, you can see the islands of Coron Bay.  By air, Skyjet Airlines has regular flights from Manila to Coron.

Maquinit Hot Springs: Sitio Maquinit, Brgy. Tagumpay, Coron, Palawan. Open daily, 8 AM – 8 PM. Admission: Adults (PhP200), Senior Citizens/Students (PhP160), Children 5 to 10 years old (PhP100), Children Below 5 Years Old (free). Mobile number: (0918) 344-4633.  E-mail: maquinit.hotspring@yahoo.com.

Asia Grand View Hotel: Governor’s Ave., Jolo, Brgy. 5, Coron, Palawan.  Tel:(+632) 788-3385. Mobile number: (0999) 881-7848. E-mail: gsd@asiagrandview.com. Manila sales office: Unit 504, Richmonde Plaza, 21 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.  Tel: (+632) 695-3078 and 531-8380.  Mobile number: (0917) 550-7373 to 75 Fax: (+632) 695-3078.  E-mail: info@asiagrandview.com. Website: www.asiagrandview.com.

Skyjet Airlines: Manila Domestic Airport, Parking A, Terminal 4, NAIA Complex, Brgy. 191, Pasay City, Metro Manila. Tel: (02) 863-1333. E-mail: sales@skyjetair.com. Website: www.skyjetair.com.