Category: Laguna

Solving the Traveler’s Dilemma: Bare Camping vs. Rigid Hotels

Planning a quick escape from Manila usually leaves you with two extreme choices: packing a mountain of heavy gear for an exhausting DIY camping trip, or spending a fortune on a predictable, sterile hotel room where you are completely cut off from nature.

Kalikasan Glamping Resort in Calauan, Laguna solves this friction. It bridges the gap by offering a fully immersive jungle experience without stripping away modern essential comforts. You get to sleep surrounded by a lush tropical forest and a cool mountain breeze, but you also get a comfortable mattress, working air conditioning, a private bathroom, and high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi to stay connected if you need to work from nature.

Complete Travel Guide & Tips

To make the most of your nature stay, a little preparation helps smooth out the edges of a jungle environment.

• Book Well in Advance: Kalikasan operates on an exclusive, low-density model with limited tents (like their Rhino and Ibex setups). They rarely accept walk-ins, so secure your slot early via their booking channels.

• Managing the Afternoon Heat: While the tents feature air conditioning units, afternoon temperatures in the dense jungle can become intensely humid. Plan to spend your 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM window lounging in the pool or exploring shaded trails rather than staying inside the tent.

• Bring Your Own Cooking Gear: The resort features a highly functional shared kitchen space with a chiller to store your ingredients. While they provide a small stove setup (with a small ₱90 fee for the butane), remember to pack your own cooking utensils, plates, and cutlery.

• Pack Reliable Bug Spray: Even though guests frequently note an surprisingly low number of flies and mosquitoes given the thick forest setting, keeping a bottle of insect repellent handy is always smart when staying outdoors in the Philippines.

Nearby Attractions

If you want to stretch your legs outside the resort property, the local Laguna area is rich with historical sites, natural wonders, and relaxing hot springs.

• • Alligator Lake (Tadlac Lake): Located just a short drive away in Los Baños, this peaceful lake is surrounded by deep green canopy, making it a great, quiet spot for photography or early morning strolls.

  • Silva Hotspring Resort: Roughly a 17-minute drive from the property, this is a perfect stop if you want to soak in the therapeutic thermal waters that the region is famous for.

  • Parish and National Shrine of St. Padre Pio: Located roughly 24 minutes away in Santo Tomas, this massive, beautiful religious center features a striking tent-like roof structure and peaceful open grounds.

Transportation Tips: How to Get There

The resort is tucked away in Mahabang Parang, Calauan, Laguna, making it a manageable 1 to 2-hour trip from Metro Manila depending on traffic.

By Private Vehicle (Recommended)

From Manila, jump onto the Skyway and head straight down the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Take the Santo Tomas exit and continue your drive toward Alaminos town. From there, follow the local roads leading into Mahabang Parang in Calauan. Keep your eyes peeled as you enter the town area, as clear road markers for the resort can be sparse.

By Public Transportation

Head over to the Buendia (Gil Puyat) Taft Avenue station in Pasay or the Cubao station in Quezon City. Board a bus bound for Lucena and ask the conductor to drop you off specifically at the Alaminos Laguna Public Market. From the public market, you can easily hail a local tricycle to take you straight to the Kalikasan property gates.

Who is This Resort Best For?

The “Work-From-Nature” Professional: Thanks to the inclusion of high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi and designated workspaces, digital nomads can take video calls and smash deadlines while listening to forest birds.

Couples & Solo Seekers: The romantic, quiet setup of individual tents with private balconies makes it incredibly peaceful for duos or solo travelers looking to disconnect from city noise.

Large Groups/Families: Because you can rent out the entire resort capacity (accommodating 15 to 25 guests comfortably), it serves as a fantastic venue for intimate family reunions or corporate team-building retreats who want private access to the infinity pool and kitchen.

Pros and Cons

Like any destination, balancing the highlights with the realities ensures you choose the right spot for your style.

Pros

• Stunning Infinity Pool: Offers a picture-perfect view facing the mountain valleys and lush greenery.

• Uncrowded Exclusivity: A limited number of tents means you will never have to fight crowds for a spot by the pool or in the kitchen.

• Pet-Friendly: You don’t have to leave your furry family members behind; pets are allowed on the property without extra hidden charges.

• Starlink Internet: Strong, reliable connection despite being completely surrounded by dense jungle.

Cons

• Signs of Natural Wear: Because it sits directly in a humid forest environment, the exterior tent canvas material can show signs of weathering and damp stains.

• Unpolished Grounds: The resort embraces a wilder, raw nature aesthetic. If you prefer manicured lawns and perfectly clipped hedges over rugged tropical paths, this might feel a bit unmaintained to you.

• Limited In-House Dining: While there are basic food options available on-site, choices are limited, meaning you will heavily rely on bringing your own ingredients to cook.

Pricing Observations and Comparisons

A standard stay for two adults in an individual luxury tent (like the Ibex or Rhino units) starts around ₱3,900 per night. If you choose to add extra guests, the property charges a flat rate of ₱1,000 per additional person. For those looking to secure the entire resort for private use, the flat rate sits around ₱15,000 for up to 15 guests.

Compared to high-end, commercial hot spring resorts in nearby Pansol or premium wellness estates in San Pablo that frequently start at ₱7,000 to ₱12,000 a night for couples, Kalikasan sits comfortably as a budget-to-mid-range alternative. It gives you the high-end visual appeal of an infinity pool and private glamping spaces without forcing you to pay premium hotel luxury rates.

Local Food and Tourism Tips

You cannot leave Laguna without experiencing its legendary culinary staple: authentic Buko Pie (coconut custard pie).

While driving through Los Baños or Calauan, make a mandatory stop at local institutions like The Original Buko Pie or Lety’s. Unlike commercial versions found in Manila mall kiosks, these local pies are packed tight with thick, tender layers of real young coconut meat and feature a flaky, buttery crust that is served warm. It makes for the absolute perfect afternoon snack to bring back to your glamping deck.

First-Person Review: What It’s Really Like

“Driving up from Manila took us just a little over an hour, and the transition from highway concrete to total jungle canopy was instant. The infinity pool is definitely the star here—swimming while watching the sunset over the valley felt like we were hidden away in Bali.

Our tent was clean, the king bed was incredibly soft, and having our own private bathroom next to the tent was a massive upgrade over usual camping trips. The Starlink Wi-Fi was fast enough that I easily hopped onto a quick work call without any lag. Yes, the afternoon sun made the tent pretty warm despite the AC, and you can tell the forest humidity works hard on the canvas materials outside, but the sheer peace, quiet, and friendly care from the staff made it an absolute win of a weekend.”