People nowadays love the cityscape environment, where a person could venture out either day-or-night, interact with people, and even visit places like cafe, malls, pubs, library, even the filipino’s patent Jollibee, and many more. Some would also like to work in the city for better opportunities and be given that slice of life, love, excitement and growth under the buildings, neon signs, and street walks. From the busy portions of the city, paperworks, backlogs, project requirements, and all of that, people still crave a sense of escape. And what better way to do that than turn into the provinces.
The Philippines is in abundance of resorts, beaches, and naturally formed environmentally breathtaking scapes that a person could enjoy and relax. It matters on the preference on whether you are fond of climbing a mountain, or go on to relax at the sea. But, if you are fond of both, I have just the location for you.
The place is known to be as “Laswitan”, a 20-foot rock formation with three lagoons. This place is located South-East of the country, within Mindanao (one of the three (3) major islands of the country), and under the region of CARAGA, in the place known as Cortes, Surigao Del Sur.
Accessibility:
Laswitan can be accessed by either Motorcycles and even cars. The place is known to be a hotspot on the weekends for family or barkada goers, the roads have been fully cemented and there is a parking space for the vehicles. Starting from that point, you would need to pay 30 pesos ($0.54) for entrance, and there would be a jeepney that will accommodate you from there on out, or you could just opt to walk. After that, you will need to walk down several steps of stairs in order to reach the lagoon.
Weather
Although the lagoon can be accessed from anytime that one or a group wishes. The most preferable weather for everyone to enjoy is rain. The rainy season is most prominent in the “Ber” months, most of the time October to December, this is because the wind coming from the light or heavy rain would push the waves to the rock formation causing it to “Laswit” or splash, Other people call this weather as “Laswit weather”.
Cottages
The lagoon offers cottages and is a “first come, first serve” basis, the cottage price would range in between 150-300 pesos ($2.69-5.38) and you can enjoy the cottage all throughout the day.
Food
The food can be ordered and served on the entrance site of the lagoon, but you could also bring your own food.
Restrictions:
The lagoon is off-limits from 5pm and onwards. Everyone is not allowed to jump over the rock formation.
How to get there?
Davao City(via Airplane)
If you have a flight bound to davao, do these following things:
1st: grab a taxi bound to Ecoland Bus station
2nd: Catch a ride for a Bus enroute to Tandag City
- You can choose to ride an Air conditioned bus (Non-stop) where the travel time is lessened to 5-6 hours.
- You can also opt to ride a non-Air Conditioned bus where the travel time is 8-10 hours.
3rd: As you arrive in Tandag city, you can either stay in a hotel or catch a ride in a jeep bound for Cortes.
4th: as you arrive on the Municipality of Cortes, you can then opt to ride a motorcycle or tricycle bound for laswitan
Butuan City (via Airplane)
If you have a flight bound to Butuan, do these following things:
1st: grab a taxi bound to Langihan Bus station
2nd: Catch a ride for a Bus enroute to Tandag City
- You can choose to ride an Air conditioned bus (Non-stop) where the travel time is lessened to 3-4 hours.
- You can also opt to ride a non-Air Conditioned bus where the travel time is 5-6 hours.
3rd: As you arrive in Tandag city, you can either stay in a hotel or catch a ride in a jeep bound for Cortes.
4th: as you arrive on the Municipality of Cortes, you can then opt to ride a motorcycle or tricycle bound for laswitan
Butuan City (via Ship)
If you plan on going by ship and have voyaged bound to Butuan, do these following things:
1st: grab a tricycle on to Nasipit Bus station
2n: Catch a ride for a Bus bound to Butuan City
2nd: Catch a ride for a Bus enroute to Tandag City
- You can choose to ride an Air conditioned bus (Non-stop) where the travel time is lessened to 3-4 hours.
- You can also opt to ride a non-Air Conditioned bus where the travel time is 5-6 hours.
3rd: As you arrive in Tandag city, you can either stay in a hotel or catch a ride in a jeep bound for Cortes.
4th: as you arrive on the Municipality of Cortes, you can then opt to ride a motorcycle or tricycle bound for laswitan.
Recommendations:
- It is best to venture out by groups in order to enjoy the best time
- Laswitan is best enjoyed throughout the day, so better go to it at 9AM or 10AM
Pictures:
