Exploring the beauty of Cavinti with DOT-Calabarzon and CTSOA

Cavinti in Laguna is known for a lot of things, some of which you don’t even know about. Recently, the local government of the municipality invited Village Pipol Magazine over to tour the place in four days. We went to grand ecological parks, majestic churches, splendid resorts, awe-inspiring campsites, statuesque halls, and delectable cafes and restaurants.

Exploring the beauty of Cavinti

Originally, Cavinti was a part of Lumban, Laguna. However, in 1619, the town gained complete and independent status as a parish by a papal bull believed to have come directly from Rome. This became the story behind the legends that say there were two Puhawan brothers of Lumban. In search of food in early 1600, they reached Cavinti where they found an image that turned out to be that of El Salvador.

They brought the image to their home in Lumban. However, it got lost again only to be found in the very same place they first discovered it. Today, that same place became the hallowed grounds where the centuries-old Cavinti Church was in honor of El Salvador. It’s made out of light materials. Many times, they had to rebuild it due to natural calamities.

Day 1

Bumbungan Eco-Park

Found further into the town center of Cavinti, Bumbungan Eco-Park has a dam where the top of the spillway serves as a wet bridge on the Lumban-Caliraya-Cavinti Road. After an adjacent bridge was constructed, the dam and adjacent land became an ecological park filled with natural formations of rocks and falls gained huts and bathroom facilities for guests and visitors. We had our welcoming remarks there while eating our breakfast.

Municipal Hall

We were fortunate to have a courtesy call with Mayor Arrantlee E. Arroyo, Vice Mayor Milbert L. Oliveros, and a few councilors present at the Municipal Hall. The local government introduced each of the people present during the tour. That’s where we learned that Cavinti actually holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest pandan hat aka sambalilyo.

Cavinti Church

As mentioned above, there was a legend that became the start of the town’s separation from Lumban, Laguna. Also known as the Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish Church, its titular patron is Señor del Trasfiguracion or commonly known as El Salvador del Mundo (Divine Savior of the World). We had the opportunity to go to the top of the church and see the antique bells.

Cavinti Weaving Center

The Cavinti Women Weavers Association is an organization of mothers, sisters, and daughters weaving using pandan leaves. They make bags priced at Php 250, Php 300, and Php 400, hats that start at Php 25, and containers that they locally call the tampipi. The president of the Cavinti Women Weavers Association, Nanay Helen Ramos, was part of the group that weaved the world’s largest pandan hat. The association even encouraged us to know more about the weavers through their page and Nanay Helen’s account.

The Cliff at Naculo Falls

The Cliff is a private eco-sanctuary within Naculo Falls and a few minutes from Pagsanjan Town. Four falls bind the property and remain nestled in the middle of an untouched forest. If you commute, you can take the bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, and from there, you can request a service from the management of the property. Then, if you want to go to the Naculo Falls, you have to go over 200 steps of concrete stairs, steep red rails, and natural rock formations. We had our boodle fight Filipino lunch at The Cliff which can be found on Airbnb.

Kata Kape

Kata Kape offers pasta, pastries, cakes, pica-pica, and coffee. The word kata means tara. So, the name means Tara Kape, inviting you for a coffee. We recommend the tiramisu latte which balances the taste of sweetness and strongness of the coffee. Then, of course, don’t forget to order your choice of food.

Farmshare Agri Park

Having visited the Farmshare Agri Park for a farm-to-table experience, we were actually glad to be back. It lets us experience interactive activities with farm animals. Aside from that, they had glass cabins that people can stay over. They also sell fresh dairy products. They sell different flavors of milk: matcha, chocolate, strawberry, french vanilla, Greek frappe, and milk tea among others, as well as kesong puti.

Las Caidas Wellness Resort

You can get your spa treatments at the resort and even dine at their BuenApetito Restaurante. We had our dinner there, filled with good food and good music. We were able to introduce ourselves and sit down and talk to the members of the Cavinti Tourism Sites Operators Association (CTSOA), and the Cavinti Tour 2023 Team.

La Ruazol Resort

While our group stayed at the Farmshare Agri Park, the other half of the entire tour stayed at the La Ruazol De Cavinti Resort. It’s a simple resort that you can bring your family to and enjoy the pool and laid-back feel of the entire place. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to visit the accommodation of the other half as we went on our own overnight stay.

Day 2

Pueblo El Salvador Eco-Park

As the main gateway to the Cavinti Falls, Pueblo El Salvador Eco-Park also has a picnic grove site near the top of the falls. We had an early tour orientation for our trip to the underground river and caves complex that we will be visiting later that morning. We signed waivers and were given flashlights. The waivers were really all about the organization’s assurance that this physical activity won’t go beyond our limits.

Roa Coffee

We had our coffee fix at Roa Coffee. Aside from that, we were able to talk to Harold Gordula and his baristas. They demonstrated how they manually brew their coffee. They prepared cold brew for us and we drank it by the lake. Since their establishment is along the highway, anyone can pick up their coffee here and if guests would like, they could stay over by the few tables and chairs. Aside from that, Roa Coffee actually caters for events, too. These include gatherings and weddings where they can serve 100 cups of coffee for at least Php 5,000.

Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex

Before you do anything at the underground river and caves complex, you must register at the Tourist Information Center in Pueblo El Salvador Eco-Park first. Going into the caves costs Php 650 per person and you can hire a guide for Php 1000 per group with a maximum number of eight people. Guests and visitors can go trekking, swimming, crawling, and cave exploring. Helmets are provided. Flashlights, on the other hand, are limited. So, don’t forget to bring your own, just in case. The estimated time for exploring is around two hours. The path around used to be very muddy and hard to go around. However, during the pandemic, they were able to fix it for an easier course.

Caliraya Lake Front Resort

Formerly known as Casa Amore, Caliraya Lake Front Resort is a secluded rest house at the center of Caliraya Lake at the top of Sierra Madre Mountain owned by Mr. Francis Rivera. It sits at the top of a peninsula with a high ceiling, designed with an open space concept with wrap-around windows to give you a panoramic view of the pristine lake and the forest. It’s a huge resort with lake access, an infinity pool, a game room filled with billiards, chess, and mahjong, an indoor fireplace, a workspace with a lake view, a karaoke room, huge bedrooms, and bathrooms. There is also an area for kayaking. So, don’t forget to ask for a life vest. You can find it on Airbnb.

Nest-T-House

It’s a tiny house with a mountain lake view and is dubbed as the newest glamping spot in Cavinti. Although it would be such a wonderful place to stay, we only had a boodle-fight dinner there before going to Caliraya Ecoville Resort for the accommodation of the night.

Day 3

Caliraya Ecoville Resort

Caliraya Ecoville Resort is envisioned as a premier agri-tourism center. It promotes organic and aquaponic farming, a farm-to-table lifestyle, integrated with amenities and activities. These support relationship building and quality time with family and friends. We had our breakfast there with hot coffee or choco. Then, we rode on an ATV to tour the area.

Cavinti Falls

We went back to Pueblo El Salvador Eco-Park for an orientation, sign a waiver, and wear a harness for our trip to the Cavinti Falls aka the Pagsanjan Falls. Although it is named Pagsanjan Falls in history books, it is now being claimed by Cavinti as it is where the falls are geographically located. Meanwhile, going to Cavinti Falls will allow you to participate in activities like hiking, trekking, rappelling, and swimming. There are steep pathways, a view deck, tree roots, rocky paths, and two 90-degree vertical ladders which will require guests and visitors to climb a ladder up and rappel down. Then, there is an 80-degree metal ladder with more than 500 steps. You can also take a dip when you get there and ride a balsa that will take you underneath the falls. The trip to Cavinti Falls costs Php 350 for a trek entrance and exit, Php 750 for a trek entrance and boat ride exist, and Php 1100 for an entry and exit via boat. Of course, we suggest bringing food and lots of water as you participate in physically-taxing activities.

Serenidad Leisure Hub

The group was welcomed with mugs as a giveaway. We rode on a 4×4 before riding a boat. We had our lunch at the Serenidad Leisure Hub which offers a boodle fight for a group of people. These included kesong puti, riverside shrimp in coconut milk, salted egg, fruits like oranges and bananas, grilled tilapia, grilled liempo, carabeef with coconut milk and papaya, steamed vegetables, bagoong, and pati-patisan sauce. Then, from there, we toured Lumot Lake via boat.

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Chandava Lake Resort

We toured before eating baked mac as merienda. Entry and exit can be done either by land or water. It will be completely up to you. You can even go on a horse ride and enjoy the Batanes-like view. If you want to swim, you have to use a life vest. Aside from that, they also strictly implement quiet time at ten in the evening. Of course, you have the rest of the day to enjoy and make acceptable noise. So, let’s be respectful of the campground and the people in it. There are a lot of clean comfort rooms, floating cottages, concrete cottages, and nipa huts. You can go fishing; caged tilapia with a minimal fee or free if the fish is outside the cage. You can also go for a buko picking, camping, kayaking, bonfire in designated areas, and grilling, and there is also a convenience store within the vicinity.

Isla del Antoño

We had dinner at the Isla del Antoño with, of course, a boodle fight once again. It offers a lake view for a mini glamping accommodating that has gardens, terraces, a restaurant, bars, and barbecue facilities. All glamping units have kitchens, private bathrooms, balconies, or patios with views of the garden. For added convenience, on the other hand, the property management can provide towels and bed linens for an extra charge. The lake looked beautiful, especially during the sunset. There are Instagram-worthy like bridges, garden tables on a platform above the lake, and a bonfire area.

Paraiso de Alba

We arrived so late into the night but we were able to midnight snacks like chips, pica-pica, ube pandesal, and even alcohol. They offer activities like karaoke, biking, playing table tennis, and darts. Aside from that, guests and visitors can also go swimming in either pools or lakes and ride a speed boat. The accommodations that they have are cabana-type structures, as well as lake houses. Paraiso de Alba only opened this March of 2023.

Greenlake View

From Paraiso de Alba, we rode a boat to Greenlake View. We were fed spaghetti and alcohol before we retired for the night. There were three teepee huts, a big room, pavilions, and lots of accommodations in smaller areas. The teepee huts were our favorite. Located by the lake, it also had a glass side that will let visitors or guests see the view from the inside. But, anyone wouldn’t be able to see inside. The owner, Miss Mimi, said that they wanted to retain the minimalistic theme to be close to nature as much as possible. There is a long walk from one area to another. But, it’s such a relaxing walk either way. Then, in the morning, we ate pancit habhab, eggs, and monay for breakfast.

Day 4

Kalahi Lake Shore

The entire island can be available for an exclusive glamping experience for two cozy cabins for fifteen people. The accommodation has a view of the garden and has a shared kitchen for convenience. Aside from that, guests and visitors can do water sports activities in assigned facilities. There is also free Wi-Fi available. We had a snack there but the thing that we truly can’t forget is their pipino juice. Aside from that, we also received bags as giveaways.

Kamp Tralala

Then, we went to a campsite called Kamp Tralala. The three-hectare campsite is carved from a Rambutan tree farm where guests and visitors can set up their hammocks and pick fruits while camping. They promote DIY camping with their installed, tents, bonfire area, and other amenities that remain nature-friendly. However, you can also bring your own tents, too. Aside from that, they also offer something they call Balsa Party Ride which allows guests and visitors to tour Lumot Lake. Guests and visitors can chill around, fish, drink, eat, and so much more. It’s big enough to accommodate big groups. We also had snacks there with kutsinta and buko juice.

Lolo Itok’s Lakeview Resort

The resort is at the lakefront with an amazing view and an infinity pool. Greenery surrounds the area and you can even experience forest bathing. There are also two modern teepee houses and a luxury villa. Amenities include breakfast and Wi-Fi. They offer different activities like riding an ATV, karaoke, kayaking, bamboo rafting, fishing, swimming, grilling, and a campfire. The space also has glamping facilities, but tents are also available.

5558 Campsite

The camping site offers a terrace with a shared lounge. Guests and visitors can also go canoeing nearby. They provided us with snacks like pancit and break. We also learned about their accommodations like a tree house, camper vans, tents, and lakeside tiny houses. The area is wide and it’s really a perfect place to refresh and unwind.

Eagles Camp

The name actually comes from the owner’s last name Aguila. It’s a relaxing place that offers different kinds of activities like kayaking, speedboating, jet skiing, and even bonfires. They have different cabins and villas with various inclusions. Guests and visitors can choose which one they want for a relaxing overnight stay. Meanwhile, day trips are also available for those who want to get away from the hectic and busy city life.