PANDIN LAKE YOU THE BEST ( Little El Nido of San Pablo, Laguna)
PANDIN LAKE
Pandin Lake (Click video here!)
Here's the travel guide :)
Just a few hours away from Manila, travelers can find peace and solitude. Pandin Lake has been one of my favorite getaways in South Luzon. It’s so peaceful and refreshing that even for a few hours, you can forget how busy your life is. As of 2017, I’ve visited this place six times.
Pandin Lake is one of the famous seven lakes of San Pablo and the cleanest one. There is a small community around the lake and the women get their income from the balsa rides (yes, women maneuver the rafts). A day before you get there, make sure to arrange a reservation with Ate Siony (+639299789565) especially if you prefer to have lunch. The standard rate is P360 per person for the two-hour balsa ride + lunch. Previously, they didn’t have a minimum number of persons per balsa but due to the influx of tourists in 2017, they started to require a minimum of 10 persons. If you’re traveling in a group with less than the required, you will be combined with other groups. HOW TO GET THERE: From Manila: Hop on a bus bound to Lucena and get off at the Junction to San Pablo City. The trip lasts for about 1.5 – 2 hours and costs P120. From there, ride a jeepney or tricyle to San Pablo Poblacion (P10). They all stop near the church. From Cavite: From Pala-pala, there are vans bound to San Pablo. Fare is P120 and the trip takes 1.5 hours. You will be dropped off near the church as well. To the right of the church, there is a 7 Eleven store and in front of it is the terminal of jeepneys that go to Pandin. Ride the jeepney with the route “ILOG” and ask the driver to drop you off at Pandin. It costs P12 and lasts for about 30 minutes. The drop off point is a parking lot and during the weekends, you’ll find children waiting for tourists. They can guide you to the lake since you still have to walk for another 10 minutes to get to the lake. These children won’t name their rates and it’s up to you how much you’re willing to pay them. If you prefer to go on your own or there are no guides available, the trail is easy to follow so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. After ten minutes of walking, you will find yourself completely amazed by the view. The lake has a shade of blue – green depending on the weather, the surrounding place is covered by grass and there are small nipa huts around the lake. You will be welcomed by Ate Siony and she will guide you to your raft. Their sizes vary depending on the number of guests. If you are early, you can enjoy the ride immediately after once the lunch is prepared. It consists of grilled Tilapia, rice, shrimp, fern salad and fresh buko juice. I was not used to eating vegetables but I appreciated how fresh the fern salad was. There was actually an instance when I returned to Pandin just for this salad.
Life vests are always required since the lake has a depth of more than 60 meters. You can also ask them to bring you to Pandin’s twin lake – Yambo Lake. It’s just another 3 minutes of climbing from the other end of the lake. Note that you cannot swim in Yambo since it is used for fisheries. However, it also offers a magnificent view. Two hours is really a short time because for sure, you will love everything about Pandin. The place has been getting attention in the past months so don’t be surprised if there are many visitors waiting for their turn when you get back. There is a simple bathroom just beside the lake where you can wash and change your clothes.
Wear your swim attire before you board the raft. Then just bring coverups. There’s obviously no changing area once you’re in the middle of the lake! Haha.
Bring only your essentials. Space in the raft is limited. Also, it’s hard to hike if you’re bringing so many things.
The beauty of the surroundings and the all-natural lunch just make everything perfect. After eating the delicious lunch, don’t miss taking a dip in the lake.
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