Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Earlier this month, Team Out of Town was invited to join other travel writers and TV crews on the inaugural flight of AirAsia’s newest route: Dumaguete.

On our second day, our visit to the Manjuyod Sandbar was followed by a nature trip to the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

The Twin Lakes Natural Park is a protected natural park surrounded by Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao. Both were naturally formed from a volcanic eruption with the Lake Balinsasayao at 90 meters deep and 76 hectares wide, and the Lake Danao at 58 meters deep and 30 hectares wide. The name Balinsasayao is derived from the birds that inhabit the lake and the surrounding forest, Balinsasayaw. While Danao is named after the native Danao people who settled near the lake.

Before we reached the actual park, we registered and paid the entrance fee at the visitor’s center. The team visited a small lake situated next to the visitor’s center before taking an additional five-minute ride to the park.

The Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park is open from 8am to 5pm on a daily basis. The entrance fee for Filipino travelers is Php50 while for foreign travelers is Php100. Children at the age of 7 and below are free of charge and special rates apply for students, senior citizens, and residents of Negros Oriental/Occidental.

Things to do in Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park

Travelers can choose to paddleboat, kayak or hike through the forest, or opt to relax and enjoy the serenity of the lake.

• Boat Rides – Php350/hour, 6 pax
• Kayaking – Php150/hour
• Hiking – Php300/hour, 3 pax
• Cottage – Php100
• Parking Fee – Php10 (motorcycle), Php25 (car), Php50 (vans/SUV)

*Overnight camping is not allowed
*Rates may change without prior notice.

Travelers should wear comfortable hiking shoes, take breaks to breathe, and always bring water with them. Drone flying is prohibited within the park as it attracts the attention of the birds inhabiting the surrounding forest. Swimming and snorkeling are also not allowed. Travelers should be mindful of their trash and not litter.

How to get to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park

Travelers from Manila can book a flight to Dumaguete via the AirAsia website and mobile application. AirAsia flies to Dumaguete at the following schedules:

• MNL-DGT – 4x weekly, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (Z2 641) with a travel time of 1.5 hours. Flights depart at 7am and arrive at the Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport at 8:25am
• DGT-MNL – 4x weekly, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (Z2 642) with a travel time of 1.5 hours. Flights depart at 9:05am and arrive at the NAIA T4 at 10:25am.

From the city proper, travelers may rent a private vehicle or take the habal-habal. Travelers are advised to only approach drivers from the San Jose Tourism Habal-habal Drivers accredited by the DENR, Provincial Tourism Office, and LGU San Jose. Travelers may ask for their Tourist Driver’s ID.

• One-way – Php200 per person
• Roundtrip – Php400 per person
• 2 pax per motorcycle

*Rates may change without prior notice.

Park Schedule and Entrance Fee

Operating hours: 8am to 5pm / Daily

Entrance fee:

• Filipino travelers – Php50
• Foreign travelers – Php100
• Children at the age of 7 and below – free of charge
• Students, senior citizens, residents of Negros Oriental/Occidental – special rates may apply

*Rates may change without prior notice.

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Read:

• Top 10 Best Things To Do In Negros Oriental
• Ultimate List Of The Best Hotels In Legazpi City