The ecotourism, adventure, falls and glamping capitalCavinti, Laguna

IT’S hard to believe that there’s a place south of Manila blessed with mountain lakes and waterfalls. Where people are warm and hospitable, always ready to share their rich heritage and colorful past. Where nature’s bounty continues to provide fresh produce that nourishes the body and warms the soul. This place is Cavinti, Laguna, and it only takes two to three hours to experience this paradise.

The name “Cavinti” originated from the original inhabitants of the place, the Aetas. During wedding rituals, Aeta grooms captured the brides by holding onto their legs, or “kapit the binti.” This phrase later evolved into “Kabinti” and eventually became the name of the place, according to legend.

Boating at Lake Lumot with Mt. Banahaw in the background.

Freshly caught tilapia from Lake Lumot.

Originally part of Lumban, Laguna, Cavinti gained independence in 1819. In 1903, it was absorbed as part of Luisiana but regained its independence in 1907 under Act 1712. In 1943, a large portion of Cavinti’s land was converted into two connected man-made lakes, Lake Lumot and Lake Caliraya, to supply water to the Caliraya Hydroelectric Plant. These two lakes soon developed into eco-communities for windsurfing, fishing and camping.

Camping at Mountain Lake Resort.

The author enjoying a catch.

How to get there

Cavinti is 110 kilometers south of Manila. To get there, take SLEx and exit at Calamba, then continue on the national highway to Pagsanjan, and take the winding road on the right leading to Cavinti. If you prefer public transportation, take a bus bound for Santa Cruz from Buendia or Alabang. Upon arriving in Santa Cruz, take a jeepney bound for Cavinti.

What to see, what to do

For adventure-seekers, Cavinti offers plenty of action. At the top of the list is the backdoor access to Cavinti Falls, formerly known as Pagsanjan Falls. The jump-off point is at Pueblo El Salvador Nature Park, where visitors must pay a registration fee of P350 and wear a harness before descending to a series of vertical ladders leading to the waterfalls.

Another must-visit place is the Cavinti Underground River and Cave Complex, considered the second-largest cave system in the Philippines. The caving fee is P650, with an additional P1,000 guide fee per group. Cavinti Caves have several chambers and tunnels with unique stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations.

For those who prefer a more relaxing pace, the two lakes, Caliraya and Bunot, offer boating, rafting, fishing, windsurfing, and jet skiing. The two lakes were once stocked with Largemouth Black Bass, making them a prime destination for game fishers and families looking for a picnic and camping spot.

Cavinti also boasts several heritage attractions, including the Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish Church, whose first stone church and convent were built in 1621. Pandan plants are abundant in Cavinti, and the townsfolk use them to craft “sambalillo” or pandan hats as a source of livelihood. Every August, the town hosts a Sambalillo Festival, where they create the world’s largest hat, a Guinness Book record holder. The town has a unique ritual of welcoming guests with a dance and a glass of lambanog.

Party balsa at Kamp Tralala.

Cavinti’s Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish.

We put the BYD to the test at the Zhuhai International Circuit.

The Cavinti Falls, formerly known as Pagsanjan Falls.

Dome light inside Cavinti Caves. PHOTOS BY JOSEPH BAUTISTA

Where to stay

Cavinti offers over 50 resorts and hotels to choose from. At the top of the list is the high-end The Hamptons Caliraya/Mountain Lake Resort, where you can also enjoy golf with a stunning view of the lake. There are private villas like The Cliff at Naculo and Caliraya Lake Front Hotel that can be rented for private family gatherings. Las Caidas Resort and Spa has private cottages overlooking several waterfalls.

Cavinti is also becoming the glamping capital of the Philippines, with resorts like Isla de San Antonio, Mahatao Island, Chandava, Serenidad, Kalahi Lakeshore, Lolo Itok’s, and Eagles Camp offering cottages by the lake or places to pitch your tents.

If you’re looking for a fun stay by the lake, consider Kamp Tralala. They have a “Party Balsa” where visitors can have a party and a barbecue while sailing on a raft around the lake. They also offer fun activities like mud sliding, all-terrain vehicles, and sleeping inside a tent on a raft floating on the lake.

What to eat

A must-try delicacy in Cavinti is “dinuldol,” a local rice cake made from ground rice mixed with kakang gata and caramelized sugar.

The lakes also provide a bountiful harvest of tilapia, which can be prepared fried, inihaw (grilled), or made into sinigang (a sour soup). Locals have also developed tinapang tilapia, which, when fried, is best served with garlic fried rice. Occasionally, you can enjoy freshly caught largemouth bass, which, when fried and served with sweet and sour sauce, is a delicacy better than lapu-lapu.

To fully enjoy the cool mountain weather of Cavinti, savor a hot cup of coffee. There’s a coffee shop along the highway going to Pagsanjan called Kata Café, serving various homegrown coffee varieties and snacks. For a more relaxing spot to sip your coffee while overlooking Lumot Lake, head to Roa Coffee, where you can watch the beautiful sunset of Cavinti while enjoying a hot cup of espresso.