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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Los Baños
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Los Baños for hot‑spring soak, Mount Makiling hike or UPLB campus walk; no need to stay overnight unless you want resort spa.
Los Baños is a lakeside resort town 63 km south of Manila, known for mineral hot springs at Mount Makiling’s foot and the University of the Philippines campus. Its attractions cluster within a few kilometres, so a single day covers the main sights; stay only for spa‑resort relaxation.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rainy season, landslides)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱800–₱1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₱1,200–₱2,000 excl. bed · High ₱2,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- Police 117 · Fire & ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Buko pie slice | ₱80–₱120 |
| Coffee (café) | ₱50–₱100 |
| Jeepney fare Manila‑Los Baños | ₱250 |
| Hot‑spring day‑use (resort) | ₱300–₱500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MNL · Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila)
- ≈ 63 km (39 mi) by road, 1½ h in traffic≈ 39 mi (63 km) by road, 1½ h in traffic
Typical fares
- Manila → Los Baños (jeepney)
- ≈ ₱250, 1½ h (check)
- Resort hot‑spring day‑pass
- ≈ ₱350 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Jeepney and tricycle routes run the Calamba‑Pagsanjan Road; buses from Manila stop at the town crossing. Rent a car for the Mount Makiling trail or use UPLB campus shuttles.
See and do
Known for
- Thermal hot springs
- Mount Makiling Forest Reserve
- UP Los Baños campus
- Buko pie
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Makiling hike | Jeepney to UPLB gate, then trailhead; 10 min walk | ≈ 1 h total |
| Hot‑spring resort day‑use | Taxi or tricycle from town centre, 5 min | ≈ 15 min |
| Pagsanjan Falls (boat ride) | Bus to Pagsanjan (≈ 30 min), then boat launch | ≈ 2 h |
Sleep
- Splash Mountain Resort Hotel
- Pool, lazy river, hot‑spring pool; near National Highway
- Hillspa Resort
- Water slides and spa; 5 min from town centre
- La Roca De Trinidad
- Family‑friendly resort with onsen‑style pools
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Paumanhin |
| Thank you | Salamat |
| How much is this? | Magkano ito? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Saan ang banyo? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- Roads prone to landslides during heavy rain; check conditions in June‑Oct.
- Leeches on Makiling hikes; wear long pants and bring repellent.
- No alcohol allowed inside the UPLB campus.
Generally safe for day visitors; watch for landslides in rainy months and leeches on forest hikes.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Los Baños yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Thermal hot springs
- Mount Makiling Forest Reserve
- UP Los Baños campus
- Buko pie
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Los Baños official website: losbanos.gov.ph/
- Wikidata – Los Baños: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Los Baños, revision 5338702 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5338702
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/los-banos-philippines). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.