Pook ni Maria Makiling: The Enchanting Place for Nature Lovers

Built and developed during the Marcos administration, Pook ni Maria Makiling is still the place where people re-unite with nature because of the greenery and well preserve scenery.

It is an eco-tourism park built along the hills of Mt Makiling in Los Banos Laguna adjacent to the UP Los Banos, Jamboree site, the Makiling National Scout Reservation which is a campsite at the foot of the mountain, and the National Arts Center.

The place is very enchanting and relaxing where you could contemplate and put away the negative energy you got from your busy life in the city, 

Here it looks like time have stopped spinning and all you wanted to do is to resemble, meditate, and reunite with nature.

The park was surrounded by huge trees which is decades of years old which made me nostalgic.

The park is the best place for recollections, camping, honeymoon, seminar and summer outing because of its peace and quiet surroundings. Additional amenities is its huge Olympic size swimming pool which is the main attraction here.

How to get there:

Option 1- private vehicle only or rented jeepney  

• From Alabang, drive southbound along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) which is now the ACTex (Alaband Calamba Sto Tomas Expressway)
• Exit to the Turbina Exchange 1 or the Calamba Exit. This exit way is the  second exit after the Calamba Toll Plaza.
• Drive straight to Calamba City and then turn right at the Calamba Crossing traffic lights. You will know you are at Calamba Crossing when you see the SM Calamba mall at your right and the Mercury Drug, Jollibee buildings at your left.
• Drive along the 4-lane highway and enjoy the scenery. You should be passing by Baranggay Pansol where most Hot Spring Resorts are located.
• Drive to Los Baños Junction and then turn right to Lopez Avenue. You will know you are at Los Baños Junction if you see the Mercury Drug building at your right and the Jollibee building opposite it along Lopez Avenue.
• Drive about 1.5 km along Lopez Avenue until the UPLB Gate.
• From UPLB gate, turn right or up to end of Kanluran Drive, 
• Through the gate of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines ground turn left; 
• Entrance gate is past the National Arts Center gate about 500m (1640ft) to the right. 

Many of the buildings and structures inside the UPLB complex are the pet Projects of Imelda Marcos, the place is well maintained and secured and exclusively only for those with business with Boys Scouts of the Philippines, Theater Arts, and National Rice Research. Therefore, expect to pay fees upon entering to this checkpoints or gates to get to the Pook ni Maria Makiling which is located at the Top of the mountain.

Entrance Fee and Accommodation:   

Entrance fee = Php   25.00

Swimming = Php   40.00

Table Rental=  Php 300.00

Small Pavilion (30px) =  Php 500.00

Cottage w/ aircon (per person) =  Php 500.00

Room w/ bedroom (12 px) =  Php 2400.00