Coron never runs out of interesting spots to see and, in this case, feel.
The water of Maquinit Hot Spring is hot.
Really hot.
I can completely understand the people who dipped their toes and decided not to go in! 😂
We’ll get more into that in a bit because, in this post, I’m going to go over:
- Everything you need to know about Maquinit Hot Spring
- Entrance fees and how to get there
- Some FAQs
Then talk about whether it’s worth visiting or not!
Let’s dive (or should I say, dip) into it!
Visiting Coron soon? Check out my tourist spots post to learn about what you can see, or my travel guide to help you plan better!
All You Need to Know About Coron’s Maquinit Hot Spring
Maquinit Hot Spring is said to be the only known saltwater hot spring in the Philippines.
And they weren’t joking when they called it a “hot” spring, with water temperatures around 38 – 40° Celsius (102 – 104° F)!
That’s why it’s best to enter gradually – feet first, wait a minute, down to your knees, wait another minute, and so on.
They also weren’t joking when they said it’s a saltwater hot spring (trust me, I tasted it 😂).
As usual, several people claim that hot springs have healing properties.
I can’t verify that for you, but I will say that it is very relaxing (especially after a long day of touring!).
What To Do in Maquinit Hot Spring
Aside from the obvious, you can do several other things here.
There are plenty of wooden tables, chairs, and cottages in the area.
That’s why I recommend bringing some snacks or food. This makes a great place to chill with friends.
Then behind the spring, there’s a small boardwalk that cuts through a small mangrove forest.
It’s a bit underwhelming (there are better ones in other parts of the country), but what makes it special is the view of the sleeping giant!
At the edge of the boardwalk, you can see Coron Island in the distance. And you can make out why people call the island the sleeping giant.
How to Get to Maquinit Hot Spring
The best way to get to Maquinit Hot Spring is by hailing a tricycle. Fare costs around php300-400, with your driver waiting for you at the entrance.
Maquinit is about 20 minutes from Coron town proper. It’s on an isolated road, which is why your driver will wait for you.
The road leading there is also rough, making it quite a fun ride!
Other than that, you can also get to Maquinit via an organized tour.
There are a bunch of tour agencies all over Coron that offer this tour. Or, you can book ahead on Klook.
These tours cost around php650 – php800 per head, and they also visit:
- Coron Souvenir Shop
- Lualhati Park
- Town Plaza
- St. Agustin Church
- Mt. Tapyas View Deck
- Coron Cashew Factory
I highly recommend taking a tricycle though.
Aside from the offroading in a trike experience, it’s much cheaper and of all the spots included in the tour, only Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring are memorable.
Maquinit Hot Spring Opening Hours
Maquinit Hot Spring is open from 8 am to 8 pm, with the entrance closing at 7 pm.
The best time to visit would be late afternoon, presumably after touring Coron Island.
During midday, the hot water might not be as relaxing with the hot sun also on your skin!
Maquinit Hot Spring Entrance Fees
Entrance costs php200 for adults, and php100 for children below 10 years old.
PWDs and senior citizens also get a discount! Just present your ID and you’ll only have to pay php143.
FAQs About Maquinit Hot Spring
Do You Need a Tour to Visit Maquinit Hot Spring?
No! The easiest (and best) way to get there is by hailing a tricycle and paying php300-400 for a two-way trip.
That said, there are tours that include the Maquinit Hot Spring on their itinerary.
You can find these anywhere in Coron town. Or you can book online here.
Is There a Volcano in Coron?
There is an underground volcano in Coron, hence the hot spring.
One of our guides also pointed out the source of Maquinit to us when we visited Mt Tapyas.
How Hot is Maquinit Hot Spring?
The water ranges from 38 – 40° Celsius (102 – 104° F)!
In plain English, that means it’s too hot to jump straight in, but not too hot that your body can’t adjust if you enter slowly.
Where is Maquinit Hot Spring?
Maquinit Hot Spring is found 30 minutes east on the outskirts of Coron Town.
Getting there requires driving through rough roads. So if you’re renting a motorbike, be careful!
Does Maquinit Hot Spring Close?
Yes. Maquinit closes at 8 pm, but the entrance cut-off is 7 pm.
I recommend coming in at around 5 pm. You can’t see the sun setting on the horizon (you’re facing east), but golden hour is glorious in this place.
Why is it Called Maquinit Hot Spring?
Maquinit comes from “Mainit” which means “hot” in Filipino!
This means that the name literally means “Hot Hot Spring.” 😂
It does make sense though because trust me, it is HOT.
Is Maquinit Hot Spring The Only Saltwater Hot Spring?
Maquinit is the only saltwater hot spring in the Philippines (or, at least, the only discovered saltwater hot spring).
The hot spring water from the underground volcano mixes with the nearby seawater to create this natural phenomenon.
There’s only a handful of these around the world. So it’s crazy how one of them ended up in Coron, one of the remotest islands in the Philippines!
Conclusion: Should You Visit Maquinit Hot Spring?
Absolutely!
Maquinit was one of my favorite spots not only in Coron Town but in the entire Coron itself!
It truly is something special.
That’s why I say GO!
Don’t miss out on this!
Even if you can’t handle the heat, it’s still worthwhile to see this natural phenomenon.
Traveling to Coron and need help with plans? Check out my Coron Travel Guide and/or my Coron Tourist Spots posts!
Nice input
🙌