San Pablo is another developing city in the province that doesn’t seem to run out of unexpected delights, Laguna. Slowly, this city is paving its way to urbanization with it seeming a little too busy which is easily observed through its streets thronged by vehicles, markets reverberating its usual grind and locals getting on with their daily routines. Despite the threat of it completely evolving to be one of this world’s modern cities, San Pablo’s charming and rustic character is still very evident. Cool refreshing air, century old infrastructures and locals traditional ways are some of the things that make this city very endearing. To add to its already remarkable resume are multiple peaks towering in the outskirts and the 7 jewels of a lake which are all breathtakingly beautiful. Allow me to introduce you two of the most off-beaten and pristine of the 7, the Twin Lakes of Pandin and Yambo.
PANDIN AND YAMBO LAKES COMPARED
Pandin Lake is a rarely spoken gem lying unperturbed beneath the luscious forest in Brgy. Sto Angel. Sitting among locals’ simplistic houses, who would ever think that a beauty such as that of Pandin Lake can be found a few minute walk from the busy highway with only a tiny dirt road enough for motorcycles leading hopeful visitors to this precious jewel. Surely, Pandin Lake knows how to take one’s breath away with its cool teal waters abounded by lush vegetation looking pretty enchanting from afar. This jewel effortlessly exudes grace and opulence common only to some of nature’s unspoiled creations. Afloat its pristine waters are bamboo rafts while the crisp laughter of local children playfully having a much needed swim, the chirping of the birds and some hearty conversations around are the only sounds you would hear like its own natural melody played in repeat.
HOW TO GET THERE?
- From Manila – Ride a Jac Liner or any bus bound for Lucena in Buendia/Kamias Bus Terminals. Alight the bus in SM San Pablo then ride a jeepney to San Pablo proper. Walk from the final stop inside the public market to 7/11 located near the church and ride a jeepney going to Ilog. Alight in Brgy. Sto. Angel, just in front of the entrance to Pandin Lake which you would easily notice as it bears the sign with PANDIN LAKE written in bold and huge letters and the Mayor’s face sitting next to it. Choose whether to get a local guide (not necessary unless you want to give a local child his baon come school day) or simply ask them for directions to Pandin Lake and walk on your own (very doable).
- From Alabang – Ride a bus bound for Lucena and alight in SM San Pablo. Fare is P98. Follow remaining steps above.
- From San Pedro, Biñan and Sta. Rosa – Go to Balibago complex. Ride a van to going to San Pablo City. Fare is P75. Follow remaining directions above when you get to San Pablo.
- From Calamba, Los Baños, & Calauan – Ride a jeep or a bus going to Sta Cruz. Once in Sta Cruz, ride a passenger jeep to San Pablo. Follow remaining directions above.
- From Dasma and Pala-Pala – Ride a van going to Sta. Cruz. Once in Sta Cruz, ride a passenger jeep going to San Pablo. Follow remaining directions above.
Yambo Lake sits in between the municipalities of San Pablo and Nagcarlan and its name may sound a little masculine to the ear but this magnificent creation bears an elegance of a Queen. Unlike Pandin Lake, getting to Yambo lake can be a bit of a task yet another rewarding journey with a delightful promise at the end. The quest to behold the beauty of this jewel may be long and winded but you’ll see it’s worth it. Cool, pristine waters reflecting the lush greens that surrounds it is this jewel’s breathtaking reward. The tranquility it offers is unmatched. To some a trip to this lake may be a bit boring but to those who value serenity and being in harmony with nature, Yambo Lake is a priceless treasure.
HOW TO GET THERE
- From Manila – Ride a Jac Liner or any bus bound for Lucena in Buendia/Kamias Bus Terminals. Alight the bus in SM San Pablo then ride a jeepney to San Pablo proper. Walk from the final stop inside the public market to the street near the Fire Station across 7/11. Ride a Jeep to Narcarlan. Alight in the terminal and ride a tricycle going to Brgy. Sulsuguin.
- From Alabang – Ride a bus bound for Lucena and alight in SM San Pablo. Fare is P98. Follow the remaining steps above.
- From San Pedro, Biñan and Sta. Rosa – Go to Balibago complex. Ride a van to going to San Pablo City. Fare is P75. Follow remaining directions above when you get to San Pablo.
- From Calamba, Los Baños, & Calauan – Ride a jeep or a bus going to Sta Cruz. Once in Sta Cruz, ride a passenger jeep to Nagcarlan. Follow remaining directions above.
- From Dasma and Pala-Pala – Ride a van going to Sta. Cruz. Once in Sta Cruz, ride a passenger jeep going to San Pablo. Follow the remaining directions above.
Find A Bus
SAMPLE BUDGET, CONTACT INFO, FEES & ITINERARY
| FEES | PANDIN LAKE | YAMBO LAKE |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance Fee | None | None |
| Cottage | None | P200/day |
| Bamboo Raft (Big) w/out Food | P500 for 2 person P600 for 3 person P180/pax min 4 | P500 for 2-3 person P600 for 3 person P180/pax min 4 |
| Bamboo Raft (Big) with Food | P1000 for 2 pax P1200 for 3 pax P360/pax min of 4 | P1000 for 2 pax P1200 for 3 pax P360/pax min of 4 |
| Bamboo Raft (Small) | P180/raft | P180/raft |
| Food Alone Consist of: -Ensaladang Pako -Ginataang Hipon -Inihaw (Grilled) na Tilapia -2 cups of rice -A banana -Mineral water *Add P20/pax for 1 order of Grilled pork | P180/pax | P180/pax |
| Toilet and Bath | P20 | Free |
| Overnight Camp | Yes. Rates vary | Yes. P100/head |
| SAFE BUDGET | PANDIN LAKE | YAMBO LAKE |
|---|---|---|
| RT Bus Fare Mla-SM San Pablo - P250 RT Jeep SM-San Pablo - P14 RT Jeep to Pandin Lake - P20 Food & Activities - P360 TOTAL - P644/pax for a group of 4 Add: P150/pax for a side trip to Yambo Lake | RT Bus Fare Mla-SM San Pablo - P250 RT Jeep SM-San Pablo - P14 RT Jeep to Nagcarlan - P50 RT Tricyle To Yambo Lake - P50 Food & Activities - P360 TOTAL - P724/pax for a group of 4 Add: P150/pax for a side trip to Bunga Falls & Underground Cemetery | |
| CONTACT PERSON | Ate Siony - 09299789565 | Ate Leonor - 09193374992 |
| SAMPLE ITINERARY | 0400 Meet Up Buendia/Kamias Bus Stations 0430 ETD Lucena 0600 ETA San Pablo 0700 Pandin Lake. Breakfast. Activities. Photo Ops 1000 Yambo Lake. Activities. Photo Ops 1200 Lunch 1300 Bunga Falls 1600 Underground Cemetery 1700 San Pablo 1900 Manila/Home | |
OTHER INFO YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PANDIN AND YAMBO LAKES
- The trail leading to Yambo Lake from Pandin is already closed. So those who intend to trek to Yambo Lake or Mt. Mabilog will have to take the jeepney bound for Nagcarlan and a tricycle going to Yambo Lake. Another option if you only want to see Yambo Lake is to rent a bamboo raft which will take you to the end of Pandin Lake where lies a trail to Yambo Lake. The trek may take 10 minutes.
- If you plan to sidetrip to Bunga Falls from Yambo Lake, you can ride a tricycle which is for P150 good for 5 pax.
- Trekking Mt. Mabilog is yet another exciting adventure that you can have for a guide fee of P300.
There you go, folks. If you need further info just drop them on the comments box below or straight to my inbox by clicking that little button on the right corner of your screen. I would love to answer any of your queries but please do your reading first. Ayt. Happy travels everyone. Ciao. 🙂
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91 Comments
Hi there! Are the contact numbers still active? Planning to visit this month or the next. Thanks!
Hi Kyle. Not sure. But you can try calling the numbers.
thanks for this.. I wonder what’s the best day to visit the underground cemetery?
Hi Lorie. Not really sure what’s the best day but perhaps it’s best to avoid weekends.
Pano po ba makakapag reserve sa yambo lake? Open po ba kayo sa May 9?
Hi Jelo. Try the numbers on the blog. I think you need no reservation but you can check to be sure.
Hi Ms. Keza! Great review! Very infromative. May I know if food is allowed in Yambo lake? Kaya ba ng PWD and senior citizen in a wheelchair? Thanks!
Hello Lea. Food is allowed in Yambo lake and kaya ng PWD and senior citizens. It won’t be a problem.
Any number to call for some inquiries regarding Lake Pandin?
Hi. There’s a number on there. You may try to contact it for more questions.
Nagbago na po ba ng presyo sa pamasahe during pandemic? Ano po kaya ang est budget per person? solo?
Hello. I think the same lang. if my difference siguro nasa 10-15 pesos lang.
Open na po ba now?
Hi Aileen. Yes. It’s open.
Hello! Pwede kaya mag dala ng sariling food wala namang corkage?
I think pwde nman pero babayad prin ng rent ng cottage
anu po suggested itenerary nyo for an oevrnight camp, salamat po
For overnight camp, i suggest you stay at Yambo Lake. Mas malapad yung camping area.
How much po bayad kpg overnight? How much bayad kpg nag tent kami? yambo or pandin, thanks for your response.
Hi Ivan. I would suggest for you to contact the numbers indicated on the blog for your enquiry so you would be given a more accurate answer.
Great article! Very detailed. Salamat! We’re visiting pandin this coming weekend. Thanks to. Your article we’re going to yambo lake na Rin. 🙂
No worries. Have fun. 😊
may malapit po bang hotel sa pandin lake na pedeng mag stay ang family?
Yes meron naman po in both Sn Pablo and Nagcarlan. You can search via Agoda for choices.
Hi Ms. Keza, limited time ba sa padin lake. sample punta and mag-rent na kami ng balsa ng morning then pwede kami until hapon don? thanks in advance 🙂
Sorry for the late response. Yung balsa is may time limit if maraming guests. I guess it’s 3-4hrs at most. Pero pagwala masyado tao, you can stay as long as you want😊
Hi. Kung may dala po kaming car at sa lake pandin kami nag trek, pano kaya kami babalik kung nag-raft kami to lake yambo? tanx
Pwede nman po bumalik using the raft. Depende na po yun sa usapan nyo ng tagadun.
Kelangan po ba mgpareserve muna before pumunta?
Not necessary Meg.
pls give me cell no,ask ko
If we take the route from Dasma PalaPala, yung ride from Sta. Cruz papunta na ba yun San Pablo proper? Or another pa? Thanks
Hi Jeneza, papunta na po yun sa San Pablo proper.
Hi, yung 250 fare po ba balikan na?
Yes po balikan na
hi, im planning to to camp, san po mas madilim ang night sky sa pandin o yambo?
Mas suitable for camping ang yambo lake not sure though bout their skies.
Hi 😊
From cubao po meron po ba?
Hi, try Jam or DLTB in Cubao. 🙂
hi 🙂 how long is the travel time from alabang? 🙂 will start to travel siguro around 8AM on friday 🙂
Hi Grace,
From Alabang, you should be in San Pablo for a little over an hour. Then 20 minutes to Pandin Lake. 45 minutes to Yambo Lake.
Hello 🙂
Pwede po ba mag fishing? 🙂
Thank you so much
Hi Eujin,
Not sure kung pwede. Try to contact na lang the numbers there to confirm your query.
Open po kaya ng january 1 yung lake, we are planning to stay over night.thanks in advance sa sagot
Can we go fishing here? Do you have rate for fishing activities?
Hi! How long was your tour with the raft?
Thanks! 🙂
It was about an hour or two.
Is it necessary to do a reservation or not?
Hi. Reservation is not necessary. 😊
Thanks. Coz I’m afraid we wouldn’t have any rafts left when we go without reservation. 👍
how about the reservation mam ? if 4 kami how much yung cost for one day thanks?
Hi Herson. The cost is up there on the blog. Just do the math if there’s gonna be the 4 of you. Cost really depends on what you gonna do when you get there. 😊
Hi. Pwede kaya kung kotse or van yung sasakyan? Or pang motorcycle lang at tricycle talaga? May senior citizens kasi kaming kasama kaya mahirap na kung magte-trek pa sila. Thank you. 🙂
Hi. For Pandin Lake di kayang pasukin ng sasakyan. May designated parking area dun and from the parking area 10-15 minutes na lakad. Di naman masyadong paahon yung dadaanan. Sa Yambo Lake kayang kaya pasukin ng kotse.. Try to contact the number on the post if you need further instructions sa Pandin Lake. 😊
hello po.. pwede po ba puntahan lahat yan ng isang araw lang? thank you
Hi Thamia,
Yes po kaya po ng 1 day iexplore ang dalawang lakes.
Hi. Do we need to book before we go or they are accepting walk in travelers? And for the food, 180 pesos for all you’ve mention above?
Hi Vanessa. No need for booking.
hi mam good afternoon pwede po ba magpareserve dito sa yambo or pandin lake ? ano pong mas maganda dito sa dalwang to na marerecommend nyo.
Hi Herson,
for mas maganda ang view sa Pandin lake pero mas konte lang tao sa Yambo. Yes pwede ka magpareserve pero di nman required.
may cottage po ba na pwede magstay for one night w/ cr?
Hi Herson. there’s no such cottage there. What they have are open cottages tpos merong public CR. If you wanna stay overnight, pwede ha magcamp using your tent.
How much po bayad kpg overnight? How much bayad kpg nag tent kami? Safe naman siguro yung place para mag camping?
Hi. You’ve mention that the trail leading to Yambo Lake from Pandin is already closed so the only option for us to reach Mt. Mabilog is by riding tricycle? 🙂
Hi Pauline. Yes. You will need to ride a jeepney and a tricycle to get to the jumpoff. Or another option is to ride a raft to the trail leading to Yambo Lake and then take the trail that goes to the jumpoff or registration. 🙂
ma’am ask lang kung may pwede parkingan ng motor malapit sa yambo lake…pa single na motor ko lang kasi balak pumunta and eto po ba yung mga updated fees?? salamat po 🙂
Hi Roderick.
Yup may parking area naman for motocycles dun. And yes updated po yung fees jan. 🙂
last nalang po Sementado naman po yung daan ma’am or maputik? SALAMAT 🙂
Hi. Yes concrete po ang kalsada all the way to the lake.
Hi. Magkano rate sa Pandin pag mag-isa lang with food? I wanna go there alone. Thank you
Hi Jasper. Food is P180. If you wanna go on rafting, rate is P1200 inc of food.
Ask ko lang po kung meron ba parking lot sa pandin lake? May charge po ba yun? Salamat
Hi John. Yes may parking space po dun. Wala nman pong charge. Courtesy token lang para mga lokals. 😊
Hi ate.plan po namin punta nextweek.pwde po b mg camping or tent po overnight..my byad po? Thank u
Hi Jo Ann. Yes pwede magcamp and may additional fee po. try to contact na lang the numbers above for reservation and additional info. Have fun. 🙂
Hi Ms. Keza, pano kung 2 lang po kami how much po pag hindi big raft yung irrent? Yung good for 2 people lang po sana? Thank you
Hi Kaye. Yung small rafts is P200 I think. Wala yung table at roof. Bamboo raft lang talaga na 1 1/2 meter ang lapad. Wala din yung lunch na included.
pwede po bang maligo sa pandin lake? 🙂
Hi Carmi. Yes pwede po
Hello! Just want to ask if may entrance fee po sa Bunga Falls? How much po? and if my tour guide to Bunga falls magkano po? Thank you!
Hi Danie. Entrance is P10. No need for a guide. It’s an easy trek down and shouldn’t take you longer than 15 minutes.
Ask ko lang po regarding sa overnight? Pano po yun at magkano? Thanks
Hi Crish. Sa Yambo Lake wala problema magcamp overnight pero sa Pandin Lake mejo mabusisi ang process kasi sabe sa akin nung inask ko ang sa overnight camp, kelangan daw magbayad ng extra para sa mga tanod sa barangay para magbantay aside pa yun sa camping space. Ask mo na lang yung incharge. May number jan sa taas para mas malinaw. 👆👆👆
Kaya po ba ng pregnant yung trek to Lake Pandin?
Hi May. Yes kaya nman po. Di nman po gaanong paahon at maiksi lang po yung trail papunta sa lake pandin
Hi. Plano naming pumunta sa Pandin lake sa November. Do we need to text the contact person for reservation? Baka kasi madaming tao and pagdating namin dun ay wala kaming mapala.
Hi. There’s actually no need for resservation pero kung gusto nyo makasiguro kasi madami na din pumupunta dun, magpareserve na lang kayo. number to contact is up there. 🙂
what if mag-isa lang. Solo traveller? magkano kaya ang est budget? thanks in advance.
Hi. Mejo mapapamahal ka if you are going to take the rafting sa lake. Take that out then pamasahe na lang iisipin mo which is less 500. 😘
Hi. What are other places to visit aside from the lake and the cemetery ? What time is the best time to go there? Is it easy for senior citizens to travel to? I’m also bringing kids ages 12-17, what activities are there for them. They both serve the same food for lunch? Thanks.
Hi Cathy. You can check Bunga Falls in Nagcarlan. It isnt too far away from Yambo lake. Yeah, it’s an easy trip kaya ng senior citizens. Activities for kids swimming and bamboo rafting. There’s a swing area in Pandin lake. Food. They serve the same for lunch and breakfast.