Nagcarlan Forest Resort is a forest resort with natural spring waters flowing from Mt. Banahaw. You can bathe in the batis (river) itself amidst the wild forest or the four different kinds of pools collecting the cold spring waters. Surprisingly, the food is actually quite good, featuring Nagcarlan specialties, Filipino Food, and some Japanese comfort food by Chef Russel Patrosinio.
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About Nagcarlan Forest Resort
Nagcarlan Forest Resort is a secret gem in Nagcarlan, Laguna, 92kms away from Bonifacio Global City, about 2+ hours driving time passing through Los Baños, Laguna.
It is serene, with a lush forest surrounding it with cold fresh Nagcarlan air. Driving and finding it is an adventure in itself. Pictures of the vintage car and fountain do not do justice to the beauty of the place.
Nagcarlan Forest Resort
Barangay Silangan, Nagcarlan, Laguna
Email: nagcarlanforestresort@yahoo.com
Telephone:
+63 995 3001090
+63 945 492 6894
+63 929 480-5771
+63 968 719 8359
Facebook: Nagcarlan Forest Resort
Instagram: @nagcarlan_forest_resort
>> Nagcarlan Forest Resort Rates, Day Tour and Room Accommodation
El Presidente Room
Stay at the 2-bedroom suite with dining, kitchen, and sala areas where you can lazily lounge with the family.
The rooms are clean—with 2 double beds in the kids room (above) and 1 double bed in the main room, both with TV and cable channels.
Basic pillows, blankets, towels, and toiletries are provided.
The toilet is clean and equipped with hot shower and bidet plus pail and tabo.
Breakfast is decent and included in the room accommodation. You can request to have it served dine in with your preferred meat—tapa, tocino, hotdog or fish.
check in 3:00pm to 12:00nn check out
Bldg 1, 2nd Floor (good for 6 persons)
Suite room with 2 bedrooms
You’ll love the privacy of the El Presidente located on the 2nd floor with a view of the spring water pools.
Fresh Spring Water Pools
They have a private access to a portion of the batis with cold spring mineral waters. They created a mini-dam to elevate the water level and provide a waterfall effect.
Yes the water is cold. We applied coconut oil on the kids’ back for added protection. They say cold spring water has healing properties.
The water is not too deep and is safe for kids, but you need to wear slippers for stepping on the rocks.
(Note: We lost one of Yugi’s crocs which was swept away by the river’s current.)
This is our favorite pool area in front of our room, surrounded by the garden trees. It’s cold at first so you have to submerge yourself in the water to get acclimated or better take a dip when the sun is out.
The pool is easily drained, and they clean it regularly before filling it up again with spring water.
Our next favorite is the long pool where you can swim and play with the kids from end to end.
Nagcarlan Food
They started to elevate their food with the help of Chef Russel who was originally based in Siargao. We were pleasantly surprised with the Filipino comfort food and Japanese meal options.
Nagcarlan Food Menu:
• Starters, Main Course, Salad, Breakfast Meal, All Time Favorites
• Soups and Veggies, Burgers, Hot Drinks, Pasta & Noodles, Desserts, Refreshment
• Breakfast Menu
• Grupos Menu
Adobo sa Gata is a specialty in these parts of Laguna, and Nagcarlan is particularly famous for the Carabao’s meat version. It was tender, and we just had to order this twice during our stay. Must order. 🙂
Pako salad is fresh picked around the area and served ensalada style with salted egg, tomato, and crunchy bits.
Cristy Pata done well with crunchy outside and flavorful meat inside. Sometimes when you are away from home, you just want to celebrate with your favorite Filipino food.
Deconstructed Kare-Kare with crispy pork slices that dominate the dish. Sarap rin nito!
With the cold mountain weather, a hot sour soup of Sinigang is the best way to warm your palate with generous salmon belly slices. The bulalo is also soulful and comforting with this kind of yakap weather.
The Japanese Tonkatsu and Katsudon are also done from scratch, a good alternative for your Japanese food cravings during your stay.
Thank you Chef Russel for the wonderful food recommendations that made our stay truly memorable.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this is indeed a hidden gem in Laguna, inspiring us to discover more awesome places 2-3 hours away from Manila to escape to.
What we like about Nagcarlan Forest Resort:
✅ Swimming in the fresh spring water like a refreshing dip in a pool of mineral water. It’s a bit cold, but it provides health benefits once you get over the fear of dipping in literally ice water.
✅ Experience made memorable by awesome food—Nagcarlan specialties, Filipino comfort food and Japanese meals. Don’t miss to order the Carabeef Adobo sa Gata, Pako Salad, Sinigang na Salmon Belly, Crispy Pata, and Crispy Kare-Kare.
✅ Clean place surrounded by both garden and forest with plenty of space for social distancing.
What can be improved:
✅ Less noise from day trippers or people from the nearby resort doing karaoke so as not to destroy the mood of a serene escape.
✅ Desserts can be better. Hope they offer a Nagcarlan Halo-Halo.
✅ More of Nagcarlan culture. I would be more interested to know more about the local culture than taking pictures with a vintage car and fountain. Hope they can integrate more unique offerings and pasalubongs from this part of Laguna.
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Thanks to Nikkei Team for the experience. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
Disclosure: Thank you to our awesome friends from Nagcarlan Forest Resort for our awesome experience. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
PS. We loved the tikoy from Nagcarlan, sweet with a caramel like texture and taste.
