Bulusan
Volcano lake, hot springs, and cloud forest trails — no tour buses · Sorsogon, Bicol
Photo: Jamesbourne1986 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bulusan is the kind of destination that rewards the traveller willing to go one bus further. Located in the southern tip of Sorsogon province, the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park is a UNESCO-listed geothermal landscape of crater lakes, natural hot springs, cold mountain pools, and mossy rainforest — and it sees fewer than 5,000 foreign visitors a year. The volcano itself erupted as recently as 2022, giving the whole place an edge of geological aliveness that you feel the moment you step into the park.
Things to do in Bulusan
Hike to Bulusan Lake
A well-marked 1.5-hour trail through dense tropical forest leads to the main crater lake at 600 metres elevation — a calm, mist-edged caldera lake with jungle on all sides. Entrance is PHP 50 at the park gate. No guide required, though a local guide (PHP 300–400) adds context in wet conditions.
Soak at San Benon Spring
A natural geothermal pool near the park entrance at a comfortable 35°C, set in a shaded clearing with changing rooms and a small fee of PHP 30. Ideal after the Bulusan Lake hike — your legs will appreciate it.
Swim at Masacrot Cold Spring
Two kilometres from the town centre, a natural cold spring feeds a shaded pool that stays consistently refreshing regardless of season. Entrance is free; popular with local families on weekends.
Trek to Barcelo Waterfalls
A 30-minute hike from the main park area leads to a multi-tiered waterfall with a deep emerald plunge pool at the base. The trail crosses small streams twice — wear shoes you can get wet. No entrance fee.
Visit the Bulusan Volcano Observatory
A small government monitoring station on the lower slopes with information panels on the volcano's eruptive history and current alert status. Alert Level 0 means the park is fully open; check PHIVOLCS updates before your trip.
Overnight in Irosin
The nearest town has simple but clean guesthouses at PHP 400–600 per night. Eating options are basic — a handful of carenderias serve rice meals for PHP 60–80 — so bring snacks for the trail.
Ready to book?
Book your Bulusan trip now
Flights, hotels and tours — compare live prices and book securely through trusted partners. Prices update daily.
Affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices shown are live from our partners.
🗓️ Best time to visit Bulusan
November to May, dry season. The crater lake trail is passable year-round but the forest path can be muddy and slippery from June to October. Hot springs are most enjoyable in cooler months (December to February).
✈️ How to get to Bulusan
From Legazpi, take a bus to Sorsogon City (2 hours, PHP 90–120), then a jeepney to Irosin town (45 minutes, PHP 40), then a tricycle to the park entrance (15 minutes, PHP 80–100). From Donsol: 3 hours total via Sorsogon City on the same route.
Plan your Bulusan trip
Compare hotels and tours — booked through trusted partners. Use the planner on /plan to turn this guide into a full day-by-day itinerary.
🗓️ Use this guide in your plan
Build a Bulusan trip directly. The planner combines it with real flights, stays and tours into one day-by-day itinerary.
✨ Open Trip PlannerOne of 215+ destinations covered. Explore more at /guides and /blog.
Frequently asked questions — Bulusan
Is it safe to visit Bulusan Volcano?
Yes, when the alert level is 0 or 1. PHIVOLCS monitors the volcano continuously and park access is restricted automatically if activity increases. Check phivolcs.dost.gov.ph before your trip and ask locals in Irosin on arrival.
Do I need a guide for the Bulusan Lake trail?
Not officially — the trail is well-marked and 1.5 hours return is manageable without assistance. Hiring a local guide (PHP 300–400) is recommended in the rainy season when paths are slippery.
Can I combine Bulusan and Donsol in the same trip?
Yes, and it works well. Spend 1–2 nights in Donsol for whale sharks, then bus 3 hours south to Irosin for Bulusan. Or reverse the order — both are in Sorsogon province and connected by public transport.
Are there entrance fees for everything?
Bulusan Lake: PHP 50. San Benon Spring: PHP 30. Masacrot Cold Spring: free. Barcelo Waterfalls: free. A full day in the park costs well under PHP 200 in entrance fees, making it one of the cheapest nature days in the Philippines.
💬 Ask Locals about Bulusan
No questions about Bulusan yet — be the first to ask.
Ask the community →💡 Traveller tips for Bulusan
Local-knowledge from other travellers. Got a tip? Share it.
Loading tips…
📝 Your notes & photos for Bulusan
Loading…
First time in Bulusan?
Quick essentials so you can hit the ground running.
Free 30-day visa on arrival for most nationalities; the nearest Bureau of Immigration for extensions is in Sorsogon City.
Bring cash from Sorsogon City or Legazpi — Irosin has limited ATM availability and machines frequently run empty on weekends.
Pack insect repellent for the forest trails; leeches are present on the Bulusan Lake path after rain — tuck your socks over your trousers and check your ankles on exit.
A full day including transport, all entrance fees, a guide, and meals can come to PHP 600–900 per person total — one of the best value nature days in the Philippines.
Inform your guesthouse of your planned trail before you leave; mobile signal is weak inside the park, so download offline maps before arriving in Irosin.