When it comes to natural respites, the Philippines is abundant in destinations featuring different land and water forms. Beaches are the most popular spots, but the country also offers waterfalls, lakes, springs, streams, mountains, hills, and vast fields for those who want to reconnect with Mother Earth and recharge with her natural powers.
The rise in infrastructure developments paved the way for people to recreate natural hotspots and merge them with modern facilities that cater to wellness, leisure, and unwinding. You’ll find these idyllic features in the five eco-resorts listed below that you should add to your next vacation plans:
Prado Farms
The five-hectare Prado Farms in Lubao, Pampanga, is a quaint family-run farm that promotes an idyllic homestead life that starkly contrasts the rush and noise of the city. It advocates for sustainable living through upcycling and growing organic fruits and vegetables. Visitors are encouraged to be mindful during their stay and reevaluate their actions that may impact the environment negatively.
Metro dwellers or residents of an apartment for rent in Tarlac may enjoy quiet moments at Prado Farms as the eco-resort is just around two hours away from their locations.
Mount Purro Nature Reserve
Enjoy living in a forest next weekend by booking a kubo (nipa hut) at the Mount Purro Nature Reserve in Antipolo, Rizal. This one-of-a-kind eco-resort upholds sustainable tourism by maintaining its 36-hectare forest haven and utilizing eco-friendly materials, such as wood, cogon, nipa, and coconut lumber for their cottages and rental houses.
Mount Purro Nature Reserve also features a thicket of elderly trees, perfect for those seeking a change of scenery from an apartment for rent in Cainta or the hustle and bustle of the capital.
Kwentong Dagat
Beach bums, vegans, and vegetarians, rejoice! Kwentong Dagat is a beach resort in San Felipe, Zambales that offers bahay–kubo-style cabins and glamping features. Renting accommodation here will take you back to your camping memories.
Kwentong Dagat’s sustainable practices include zero-waste living and eating organic plant-based foods. Guests looking for healthy and delicious meat-free dishes shouldn’t miss the eco-resort’s vegan-friendly restaurant.
Bohol Bee Farm
Learn how bees build colonies and produce honey at the Bohol Bee Farm. Located in the breathtaking Panglao Island, the Bohol Bee Farm boasts an agricultural beach resort setup that will surely delight nature lovers and wanderlusts.
Bohol Bee Farm promotes a sustainable lifestyle by offering jobs to locals; the locals then maintain and preserve the resort’s natural beauty in return. Such practice will sustain the bees’ habitats and the resort’s purpose for future generations to enjoy.
Atmosphere Resorts & Spa
Another beach respite that promotes zero-waste and eco-friendly living is the Atmosphere Resorts & Spa in Dauin, Negros Oriental. This resort offers luxurious vibes without compromising the state of its natural environment.
Some of the sustainable practices Atmosphere Resorts & Spa does and advocates for include recycling, promoting the use of reusable and refillable containers, utilizing local materials, proper waste segregation, and harnessing the power of solar energy. The resort has also pledged to eliminate single-use plastic products to clean and preserve our oceans.
The Philippines’ natural destinations offer more than just green and refreshing environments that contrast metropolitan setups. These natural respites are reservoirs of what Mother Nature has blessed us with. On your visits to these five eco-resorts, be mindful of your stay and think about what sustainable practices you can take with you back home.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
