The Lovely Lake Mainit

Mindanaoan Meets World
by: Maria Irene Aserios

Did you know that the deepest lake in the Philippines, which is also the fourth largest one in the country, can be found in Mindanao? That’s Lake Mainit, which has a surface area of 173 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 223 meters. Eight towns can be found around this great body of water, which is “shared” by Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.

Lake Mainit actually plays a vital role in commerce, trade and eco-tourism ventures for both provinces. There are a total of 31 lakeshore barangays around this body of water and you can have good views of the lake from the municipalities of Mainit, Alegria, Jabonga and Kitcharao.

The first time I visited Lake Mainit, I found its beauty arresting. It takes you aback. It is simply breathtaking – a great reminder that Mindanao truly is blessed.

During my visit, I stayed at the Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort and Hotel. The governmentun resort offers several types of rooms. Room rates start at Php 400 for a single bed (Php 700 for a double bed). The resort also has a convention center, a restaurant, function hall, swimming pools (with nearby picnic tables), a tennis court, its own mini park and even some cottages on concrete pillars right there at the lake. There’s also a mini event area near the cottages where local bands and artists perform regularly. Food prices are cheap. During my visit, I ordered fresh seafood like there’s no tomorrow!

By the way, when you want to have a feel of the local community, you might want to ride a tricycle and go to the town proper where the municipal hall, a plaza and a few eateries can be found. I felt safe there and the locals I met and asked pasalubong ideas from were very friendly. They told me that corn coffee, peanut bars and ginamos (salted, fermented fish) were among the bestsellers. I pretty much hoarded on those!

So…are you interested to see this natural beauty? Believe me, Lake Mainit is a beauty!

How to get to Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort and Hotel:

From the Butuan City bus terminal, take a bus going to Surigao. You have to make sure, though, that the bus is NOT a non-stop trip. Make sure that the bus can stop at Barangay Magpayang, Mainit (this is a roadside barangay). You can ask the bus dispatcher to be sure. Also, when you buy your bus ticket, request the driver or conductor to drop you off at the Magpayang junction. From there, you can ride a tricycle going to Mainit Lakeside Resort and Hotel. Fare is Php 10.00 per person. Travel time from Butuan to Magpayang is roughly 2 hours.

For invitations, please email me at mindanaoan@gmail.com. For more travel and lifestyle stories, please visit my blog Mindanaoan.com.

Til next ish! Safe travels, everybody!