Dalitiwan Resort in Majayjay – Cold Spring and River

Is it oppressively hot and humid where you are at? Like you’ve just step off the shower yet beads of perspiration makes a neat trail on your brows and back? Now, imagine you are slowly submerging your body in freaking cold spring water that goosebumps appears in your arms.  And when you look around you, you see mountain walls with its big trees and lush greens. You close your eyes, letting time, worries and the scorching summer heat melt away…

Wouldn’t you like that? 😀

I know I would hehe.

Summer is stifling hot in the Philippines, we know that, but heyyy, our country is blessed with an abundance of rivers, waterfalls, cold springs and beaches that you can go to, to cool off. Why not pack your bag for a day trip? After all you deserve a respite from the intense humidity, you deserve a quick getaway.

Where to head to?  Why not check out the highland towns of Laguna? I’m talking about Nagcarlan – Liliw – Majayjay. You have lots of choices whether you love chasing waterfalls, or you favour lounging in a cold spring, or you love the flow of rivers.

There are lots of resorts here, and yes swimming pools fed by rivers and cold springs.  An example? Dalitiwan Resort in Brgy Ilayang Banga in Majayjay Laguna.

Quick Trip to a Cold Spring River Resort!

Since a LaBoracay getaway for Labor Day holiday is not possible, we opted for something closer to home, like a town away from Liliw. 🙂 Dalitiwan Resort was our choice.

Last Friday, as the day progress and became hotter and stuffier, Tantan announced ‘tara sa  Dalitiwan’.

Kami naman go agad! Game na game! No questions asked. We needed to get out of the house, and go, dip somewhere to cool off.

Welcome to Dalitiwan

How to Go to Dalitiwan

The trip took us about 30 minutes to get from Liliw to Dalitiwan in Majayjay via car. If you are commuting, you need to make your way to Majayjay town center first. You can find Majayjay bound jeepneys in Pagsanjan, and in Nagcarlan. Then when you get to Majayjay, hire a tricycle to get you to the resort. Tricycle charges P20 per person to and from Dalitiwan to Majayjay town center. The fare is a bit steep I think considering the short distance, but one gotta run with what’s available sometimes.

Direction sketch from the resort’s FB page

We had to park along the road, maybe around eight hundred meters or so from the resort. If you are lucky, you may chance upon a vacant slot in the resort’s parking lot and you need not walk far.  We were not so lucky lol.

But the good thing is, the resort has a free shuttle service to fetch guests a few meters from its main gate every 15 minutes or so. This is also where they would collect the Dalitiwan Resort entrance fee of P80 per person for whole day access. They’ll give you a wrist tag, similar to what Enchanted Kingdom uses, only that Dalitiwan’s  is waterproof.  Sosyal, hehe.

First impression: Summer kaya daming tao grabe as in pero nakakainganyo ang tubig. The river looks refreshing, at parang ang sarap sarap maligo! Pati yung mga man-made waterfalls looks inviting that you just want to go under its water spray, and bask in the cold, cold waters.

Makeshift river dividers of rocks and boulders

Man made waterfall sa ilog

Lamig – lamig!

Resort Accommodation

Cottages are available, just don’t know how much the cottage or hut rental though for day use. (April 2016 Update: it’s P500 for day use, I’ve been there two more times after writing this post.) We did not avail of one, since we only had two bags between the five of us, and we were cheapskate hehe. We found a nook with rocks, and there we laid down our bags.

I spotted a few rooms, which I think are for overnight use. I wasn’t able to ask for Dalitiwan room rate or if they have air-conditioned rooms available. Kindly try their FB page if you want to inquire.

There are also videoke machine that I imagine one can rent if you feel like belting some songs.

Spring-fed swimming pool in Majayjay!

River swimming

WHY I LIKE DALITIWAN?

What I like about the place is that it is big, and the river flows strong.  The spring-fed swimming pool is also a winner for me since you don’t have to contend with rocks here, unlike if you are swimming in the river itself.

Most importantly, the main river is really cold, clear, and clean. Why I’m sure it’s clean? We saw dragonflies fluttering in the river. What’s the significance?

Dragonflies brings memories of my childhood, haven’t seen one in a long, long time. Thanks Kat for snapping this pic of the dainty, beautiful creature.

Dragonfly by the river ~  When Kat Wanders

WHY YOU’D LIKE DALITIWAN RESORT OF MAJAYJAY?

I’d be so bold and say my reasons above, plus there’s a gushing water between huge rocks at the far end of the river, which is best if you want to experience forceful spray against your back.  Plus, although man-made, the walls of waterfalls are great spot for barkada shots, and the water’s truly refreshing. The river too has a shallow and a bit deeper portion maybe about 4 feet deep, so you can choose a spot that fits you to a T.

The river runs strong..

For the more adventurous, you can swim with the current at this river junction. Some kids did this, nagpaanod sila, then they grab the huge boulder a couple of meters down. The river’s current was too forceful for us that we just stayed anchored on the rock para papicture nyahaha.

A Day in Dalitiwan!

Our hot summer bodies in our little nook lol hehhehe 😀

WHAT NEEDS TO IMPROVE ABOUT DALITIWAN RESORT?

This may be a small thing considering that I really like the resort and surrounding environs but I am really disappointed that there is a dearth of garbage cans in the picnic area, and in the shower area. I did not see one, even inside the shower area or outside of it. Shower rooms and its immediate surroundings are littered with empty sachets of soaps, shampoos and what have you. Put trash cans there please.

A small portion of the rocky trail to the natural mini-waterfalls have been converted into an impromptu picnic area by some guests who, in bad taste, have left behind used paper plates, soft drinks cans and bottles, and left-over food. Tsk. Resort management should put trash bins there too, to encourage visitors to throw their trash properly. Although, proper garbage disposal should have been a given and there should not be a need to “encourage” anyone but yahhhh may mga tao talagang pasaway at walang dignidad sa sarili tapon ng tapon ng basura kung saan-saan.

PENFIRES RECOMMENDED

Dalitiwan Resort is a refreshing place that you, the whole family and barkada will enjoy especially during summer months. Malamig sa ilog!  And yes, I look forward to visiting again. If you are looking for a quick getaway outside of the city, head to Majayjay, follow the winding road, and be in Dalitiwan. Enjoy nature!

The resort is open 24 hours, so you can spend the whole day and night.

Facebook page: Daliwatiwan Resort Majayjay Laguna

UPDATE April 2, 2016:

Since writing this post I have been there again twice – last September with my family from Cebu, and last December with my aunts who visited me from Cebu too. 😀 Since we stayed there for hours, we opted to avail of the cottage, rental fee is P500.

Advise: Do not go to Dalitiwan when there was a heavy downpour the previous day or night (rainy season). Call Dalitiwan ahead or message them on FB.

Why? Because I took my cousin there last November and we were refused entrance for our own good. The water was murky because the heavy rain of previous night dredged up mud and soil along the river’s path, and the current was exceptionally strong then. The resort wasn’t accepting guests because guests will not be able to enjoy the place anyhow.

So what me and my cousins did, since they came all the way from Manila and wanted a refreshing dip and I don’t want to disappoint them – we headed straight to Taytay Falls. Though it rained heavy the night before, Taytay Falls water remains clean and clear and super cold, lol.

UPDATED DALITIWAN CONTACT NUMBERS: These are the latest mobile  numbers I have from the calling card they’ve given us last November.

I am sharing this because I am getting a lot of messages asking for updated contact numbers of Dalitiwan.

Conching – 0906 353 4137

Buena – 0927 995 6231 or 0949 652 1295

Rosen – 0915 514 9330

Sidetrip: Visit the St Gregory Parish of Majayjay in town proper then eat at the recommended restaurant in Majayjay – Jabella for their pizzas.

Credits:  Some pictures are courtesy of My Ink Trail and When Kat Wanders. Thanks Julie and Kat!

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