Drawing no more in Lake Yambo Adventure!
Many of us find ourselves glued to our phones daily, with the irresistible lure of social media notifications. Before bed and first thing in the morning, we scroll through our news feeds, a habit that leaves us less physically active.
Often, we dream of adventures inspired by the videos we watch online, but somehow, our plans never materialize. Despite our best intentions, friends start backing out with a myriad of excuses as the outing date approaches.
But this time, let’s turn those plans into reality. If you’re in Laguna, particularly in Los Baños, or anywhere in Luzon, I have some fantastic destination suggestions. These places are affordable, conveniently located, perfect for a day trip, peaceful, and relaxing. Plus, they offer plenty of opportunities for stunning photos to share on your social media!
Lake Yambo
Lake Yambo, alternatively referred to as Yambo Lake, is one of the seven prominent lakes located in San Pablo City, within the province of Laguna, Philippines. Positioned between the renowned Pandin and Bunot lakes, it forms part of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, which are volcanic crater lakes created by the region’s volcanic activity.
Known for its peaceful and beautiful setting, Lake Yambo is a favored destination for activities such as bamboo rafting and swimming. The surrounding verdant landscape enhances its tranquil and picturesque charm.
Watch Kara David’s TikTok video for more info.
The myth behind Yambo lake
A wealthy couple lived in a beautiful house with a large orchard but were lonely because they had no children. After 20 years of praying, a fair lady appeared and promised them a child, with one condition: the child must never set foot on the ground, or something terrible would happen.
The couple had a daughter who grew into a beautiful woman. One day, while she was sewing, a suitor invited her to walk in the orchard. When she refused, he threw her ball of thread outside. Ignoring her parents’ warning, she stepped on the ground to retrieve it. Immediately, the earth shook, and heavy rain fell, transforming the orchard into two lakes separated by a strip of land.
The lakes were named Pandin and Yambo, after the girl and boy.
How to get to the place.
If you are currently in Los Baños, Laguna, the location may be more familiar to you. For context, my friends and I are students staying in Laguna, although we are not originally from here. On weekends, we like to explore and visit new places to escape the stress of academic life.
We had a meeting time at 6:15 in the morning at Olivarez Plaza Mall. From there, we took an LLI bus and asked the conductor to drop us off at the Santa Cruz jeepney terminal for Yambo Lake. In Santa Cruz, we boarded a jeepney bound for Liliw and Nagcarlan, instructing the driver to drop us off at a place from where we could easily reach Yambo Lake. Finally, from Nagcarlan, we took a tricycle to our destination. We left at 6:15 in the morning and arrived at Yambo Lake around 9:45.
Total Expenses
For context, we bring our own lunch to reduce costs, and I suggest you do the same. The list of expenses below includes only the total cost of travel and services incurred in the area.
| Category | Description | Unit Cost (PHP) | Quantity | Total Cost (PHP) |
| Transportation | Agapita to Olivarez (tricycle) | 11.00 | Per person | 11.00 |
| Olivarez to Santa Cruz Jeep Terminal (LLI bus) | 47.00 | Per person | 47.00 | |
| Santa Cruz Terminal to Liliw Nagcarlan (jeepney) | 50.00 | Per person | 50.00 | |
| Nagcarlan to Yambo Lake (tricycle-package) | 150.00 | Divided by 3 persons | 50.00 | |
| Entrance Fee | Yamboo Lake Entrance Fee | 20.00 | Per person | 20.00 |
| Activity | Bamboo rafting | 1200.00 | Divided by 6 persons | 200.00 |
| Other | Shower | 20.00 | Per person | 20.00 |
| TOTAL | 398.00 |
Experiences
At the lake, we enjoyed bamboo rafting. For those with a craving for thrilling experiences, cliff jumping is available, with three levels to choose from depending on your courage.
Not to brag, but I successfully attempted level 3, the highest cliff. There is also a swing, perfect for taking photos with the lake as a backdrop. The activity we enjoyed the most was swimming. It was refreshing and a great way to recharge from our exhausting academic life.
The area is also ideal for overnight activities, such as camping, grilling, and even karaoke. We had a fantastic time and would highly recommend visiting Yambo Lake to experience it for yourself.
Gallery
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