While international travelers consistently flock to the coastal beaches of Panglao, local families searching for a refreshing weekend escape this May 2026 are driving to the island's southern hills. Maambong Spring Resort—widely mapped by mountaineers as Roxas Park or the President Manuel A. Roxas Campsite—stands as one of Bohol's most enduring public eco-tourism treasures. Tucked away in the forested interior of Barangay Calma, Garcia Hernandez, this municipal park is celebrated for its continuously flowing, ice-cold mountain water. Surrounded by a dense canopy of towering mahogany trees and open green meadows, the resort offers a peaceful, rustic getaway where you can escape the coastal heat without emptying your wallet.
Natural Current Pools and Canopy Camping Grounds
The primary draw of this municipal park is its expansive swimming network, which features multiple public pools tailored for both young children and adults. Moving far away from chemical treatment systems, these pools are constantly supplied with fresh, crystal-clear cold water flowing directly out of the mountain's natural limestone rock formations. For families and day-trippers, the main pool areas are outfitted with playful water slides, while the adjacent grassy plains function as a premier destination for youth scouting jamborees, spiritual retreats, and open-air camping. Shaded bamboo cottages are built directly along the water's edge, creating a laid-back environment where visitors can relax under the trees and enjoy a classic provincial picnic.
Localized Government Rates and Picnic Logistics
Because the entire property is managed as a public park by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Garcia Hernandez, entering the grounds is incredibly cheap, making it highly accessible for large tour groups. The municipality implements an open-door policy for refreshments, allowing families to bring their own food and drinks with absolutely zero corkage fees. Shaded day shelters can be rented directly at the gate, with prices fixed at an affordable ₱200 per day for standard upper, lower, and side cottages, and ₱150 for individual table-and-chair sets. For larger family reunions, corporate outings, or community assemblies, the resort's spacious central function hall can be reserved for a highly economical rate of just ₱1,500 per day.
Navigating the Southern Highway to Sitio Maambong
Plotting a road trip to this hidden cold stream is a straightforward process, whether you are utilizing public transportation networks or driving your own vehicle. Located in Sitio Maambong, the resort sits roughly 4.2 kilometers inland from the Garcia Hernandez town proper and approximately 53 kilometers—about a one-hour scenic drive—away from Tagbilaran City. Travelers can easily board a southbound bus or passenger van at the Tagbilaran Integrated Bus Terminal, alight at the town plaza, and hail a local tricycle or motorbike taxi to cruise up the paved interior roads. While the resort is fully accessible to private cars and large tourist vans, visitors with mobility limitations should note that the property currently features limited wheelchair-accessible parking spaces near the primary pool entrance.
