Mapanuepe Lake — Attraction in Zambales

Finally, after a GC llloonnggg conversation of our SARS (Saan Abutin Ride Syndrome) Group, we decided to push thru to our sked date last Dec 15~16,2022 with a plan to stay for another night on the 16th but decided to just pack up and look for a house with a pool where we can stay in Angeles, but we dont have a luck to find a place for 8people, so we decided to drop by/walk in at Subic Bay Travellers Hotel and so far, we did a right choice of doing it.

Mapanuepe lake is really a good place for a camping night out. Its a windy day/night when we stay and become calm in the morning. When you traversing the placr, fort the 1st timer, I suggest you get a "Tour Guide" cost 600pesos/vehicle.

We are having 4vehicles with us, 2pick-ups and 2SUV, even a 4x2 is enough but I guess a car/van is a bit of risk if you plan to bring it.

I heard from some of our colleagues weve been visited by a Carabao at almost midnight and how did we know its a "Carabao", it did really leave a proof 😁😁😁.

Toilets/water supply is good, the place is clean since this is a private property, you can see some people attending the place cleanliness and water filling to overhead tanks. Still, bring lots of drinking water, its available in the place but the only thing its a bit pricey. We bought some packed ice, cost 20pesos/plastic, taho in the morning, cost 50pesos.

Lake is good and calm, bringing a canoe will be a good experience because its not available, i dunno, why they didnt include this in the place. They will also allow you to swim but we never tried it. Fishing is also allowed coz Ived seen some guys doing fishing.

Overall for me, staying for a night camping out is good but maybe staying for another night, ill think again.

Have an enjoyable stay in Mapanuepe Lake, its also an added bucket list to your place to visit...

The most beautiful camping area I’ve been so far 😊 you’ll definitely enjoy the picturesque scenery of the lake.

There is also a sunken church within the area but you’ll need to pay for the boat. I think it’s 1,500 php for the whole boat.

There is enough CR in the area and lots of carabao and goats as well, be wary of your food because sometimes the animals get attracted by your foods. There is also a mini sarix2 store in the lake. Best area here is the Area 2, mostly of the tour guide will direct you here especially if this is your first time visiting the lake.

If you’re going here via car, then be prepare to get your car dirty. Any type of cars will do as long it is not a rainy season. There is also an optional tour guide here in which I highly recommend if it’s your first time going here because you’ll gonna cross an open field and sometimes the road marks are not that visible.

Tour guide fee is 800 pesos, and I think you can haggle to lower the price, incase you have the means to pay, then I suggest don’t haggle anymore, just think of it that you are helping the Aeta community of zambales. There is also environment fee of 30 pesos. 300 pesos parking fee for day tour and 600 pesos for overnight.

Important note: No signal at the lake area and the lake is not...

2 ways to get there: By boat or car.

The best advice is to get a guide to reach the camping grounds, especially if you're going there on a sedan. They will approach your car and offer their services.

Do not get a guide IF you're also after a quick off-road adventure (for 4x4 SUVs and pick-ups) and don't mind taking a number of detours before reaching the lake.

As of Feb 2025. Their fees are the following:

P300/Car - Day Tour P600/Car - Overnight Additional P10/person - environmental fee

P800 - Guide (roundtrip)

There are public toilets available near the camping grounds, as well as camping gear for rent like tents and chairs (P50/chair).

Locals were friendly. No paved road going to the lake and no lamp posts to illuminate the dirt road at night. Max speed is 25 kph.

Important Note: Take care of your belongings, reports mentioned thieves roam the area at night.

Stay on the path. Some areas have loose soil/sand(lahar), we got stuck on an area and needed help from 4 local guides and shovel to dig and push our car out of a sinking lahar...