Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Springs National Park NPA

Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Springs Overview

Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Springs National Park, locally known as Pambansang Liwasan ng Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Springs, is a unique geothermal and forested protected area located in the municipality of Carmen in the province of Cebu, Philippines.

Covering approximately 0.3 square miles (0.9 square kilometers), this small but significant national park sits in a mountainous inland area in northern Cebu. Established in 1978, the park is best known for its naturally occurring hot springs, lush vegetation, and serene atmosphere, making it both a local sanctuary and a geological attraction.

The terrain of the park consists of gently sloping hills, forested valleys, and rocky stream beds. Its most striking features are the geothermal hot springs that emerge from underground fissures, with temperatures in some areas reaching above 60 degrees Celsius.

Steam rises from the earth in certain spots, especially during cooler mornings, creating an ethereal and misty setting. The surrounding vegetation includes a mix of secondary forest, native shrubs, ferns, and flowering plants that flourish in the warm, humid environment. Bamboo groves, coconut palms, and tall grasses are also common, creating a tropical ambiance that surrounds the steaming springs.

Wildlife in Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Springs National Park is modest but still notable for its ecological value. Small mammals such as civet cats and Philippine squirrels may be spotted in the forested patches, while reptiles like skinks and monitor lizards are often seen basking on rocks near the warm water.

A variety of birds inhabit the area, including tailorbirds, sunbirds, and Philippine coucals. Frogs, butterflies, and insects thrive in the moist environment, contributing to the biodiversity of the park despite its small size and proximity to agricultural and rural settlements.

The most popular feature of the park is, of course, its geothermal springs. These springs, ranging from comfortably warm to scalding hot, have long been used by locals for therapeutic bathing.

The warm mineral-rich waters are believed to have healing properties and attract visitors seeking relief from muscle pain, skin ailments, or simply a relaxing soak. Several natural and developed pools exist within the park, and rock-lined bathing areas have been built to accommodate visitors. Trails around the springs lead to forested picnic spots and elevated areas with views of the surrounding hills.

Visitors engage with the park through hot spring bathing, nature walks, and family picnics. The area is especially popular on weekends and holidays, when local families and travelers from nearby towns come to enjoy the relaxing environment.

Small shelters and benches are available for day use, and local guides occasionally offer information about the geothermal activity and the local environment. The spiritual significance of the site is also recognized by some, with a nearby chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe adding a cultural and devotional element to the experience.

Conservation challenges in the park include unregulated tourism, waste disposal, and nearby land use changes. However, local government efforts and community awareness campaigns have helped maintain the cleanliness and integrity of the springs and surrounding forest.

Steps have been taken to improve visitor facilities without compromising the park’s natural features. Continued education, sustainable tourism practices, and active local involvement are central to the ongoing protection of this geothermal gem in northern Cebu.

Park Map

Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Springs National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Springs National Park, located in Barangay Guadalupe, Carcar City, Cebu Province, is a small but ecologically and culturally significant natural area. Known for its geothermal hot springs, forested hills, and karst limestone terrain, the park offers refuge to a selection of native mammals and reptiles adapted to Cebu’s fragmented forest habitats and unique geological features.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
This adaptable monkey is the most commonly observed mammal in the park’s forested areas. It forages in groups for fruit, leaves, insects, and occasionally shellfish near water sources.

Philippine Warty Pig (possible remnant presence)
Once widespread on Cebu, small, elusive populations may persist in isolated forest patches. These pigs root for tubers, fruits, and invertebrates and play an important ecological role in forest regeneration.

Common Palm Civet (Musang)
This nocturnal mammal prowls the undergrowth and tree canopies in search of fruit, insects, and small animals. It also helps disperse seeds throughout the park’s forest corridors.

Philippine Forest Rat (Cebu native subspecies)
A native rodent found in limestone caves and forested slopes, it feeds on seeds, fruit, and insects and serves as a food source for snakes and predatory birds.

Cebu Shrew (possibly extirpated)
A once-endemic insectivore, the Cebu shrew is critically endangered or possibly extinct. If rediscovered in remnant habitats, it would be a conservation priority for the park and island.

Tokay Gecko
This large and vividly colored gecko is known for its powerful bite and unmistakable call. It is a nocturnal predator of insects and small vertebrates and may be seen clinging to rocks or trees at night.

Common House Gecko
A smaller, more familiar gecko, this insectivorous reptile is often found around forest shelters or nearby human structures, helping control insect populations.

Water Monitor Lizard (possible presence)
Occasionally seen near streambeds or hot spring outlets, this large reptile preys on fish, amphibians, and carrion. It is a strong swimmer and an important scavenger in the ecosystem.

Skinks (Various endemic and native species)
These fast, sleek reptiles are active during the day in forest clearings and rocky patches. They feed on insects and are well-adapted to Cebu’s dry, open forest environment.

Reticulated Python (possible presence)
Though rarely encountered, this large, non-venomous snake may inhabit deeper forested zones. It preys on birds, rodents, and small mammals and plays a key role in natural population control.

Birds

Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Springs National Park also supports a modest but significant bird community, especially lowland and limestone forest species, including a few Cebu endemics and birds associated with hot, humid forest microclimates and cliffs.

Black Shama (Siloy)
Endemic to Cebu and critically endangered, the black shama is a shy insectivorous songbird with a striking black body and melodic whistle. It is found in remnant forest patches and limestone slopes.

White-eared Brown Dove
A ground-foraging endemic dove that feeds on fallen seeds and fruits under forest cover. Its soft, mournful coo is a common sound in early morning forest stillness.

Philippine Bulbul
This adaptable songbird is often seen in the mid-canopy and forest edges, feeding on fruit and insects. Its bubbly calls fill the forest throughout the day.

Philippine Coucal
A stealthy ground-dwelling bird, it stalks lizards, insects, and frogs in underbrush. Its rich, deep call resonates through humid forest paths.

Lowland White-eye
Active and social, these tiny green birds travel in flocks through the canopy and edge habitats, feeding on nectar, fruit, and small insects.

Barn Swallow
Often seen in open areas and near hot spring structures, barn swallows glide through the air catching flying insects and sometimes nesting on nearby overhangs.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker (Cebu form)
This small woodpecker clings to trunks and branches while foraging for insects. It taps softly and joins other birds in mixed feeding flocks.

Collared Kingfisher
Perched near streams or thermal pools, this bold bird hunts insects, small fish, and amphibians. It has a loud, rattling call and vibrant blue-green plumage.

Brown Shrike
A migratory visitor during the cooler months, the brown shrike is often seen perched on shrubs or wires, scanning for insects to catch and store on thorns.

Yellow-vented Bulbul
Common in more open parts of the park and near gardens, this active bird feeds on fruit, nectar, and insects and sings with a distinctive chattering voice.

Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Springs National Park is a small but vital stronghold of Cebu’s natural heritage—where warm springs bubble beside limestone cliffs, and rare species like the black shama find a foothold in one of the last patches of native forest on the island.