Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park protects two crater lakes divided by a mountain ridge at 830 meters above sea level. The area features dense forest with diverse plant life that shapes the entire landscape throughout the park.

The area received protected status in 2000 through a presidential decree. This designation reflected efforts to preserve forest ecosystems across the Philippines.

The name comes from Cebuano words referring to swiftlet birds and lakes, reflecting how local people have long understood this landscape. The twin lakes remain central to how communities in the area see and relate to their surroundings.

The park is roughly an hour away by car from Dumaguete and reached via mountain trails. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and come prepared for straightforward hiking paths.

The park is home to over a hundred bird species that can be spotted in the forests and over the lakes during a visit. Attentive walkers may see rare species found nowhere else in the island region.