Los Baños (Laguna) - Wikitravel (2023)

Los Banos is a city in Laguna.

Understand[edit]

Los Baños is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 98,631 inhabitants in 17,030 households. It has a total land area of 56.5 square kilometers and is bordered on the south and southwest by Mount Makiling, on the north by Laguna de Bay, on the northwest by Calamba City and on the east by the town of Bay. The town is located 63 kilometers southeast of Manila and is accessible via the South Luzon Expressway.

The town lies on the northern slopes of the long dormant volcano Mount Makiling and is known among tourists for its hot spring resorts that dot the area. Los Baños also hosts the University of the Philippines, along with other foreign and local and international research centers, such as the International Rice Research Institute, the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Carabao Center at University of Los Baños (UPLB), and Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization - Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEAMEO-SEARCA), making the town a temporary home for tens of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and expatriates.

Aside from its importance in academics, science and research, Los Baños is a well-known tourist destination. Because of the town's proximity to Metro Manila, Los Baños' hot spring resorts are frequent weekend or summer getaways for residents of the vast metropolis and tourists from other places in the Philippines and abroad. Tourists who visit Los Baños also come to the several native delicacies stores in the town to buy the town's famous Buko pie (coconut meat pie).

History[edit]

Los Baños started as a settlement called Mainit, the Tagalog term for "hot" and alludes to the thermal springs at the foot of Mount Makiling.

Mainit was a barrio of Bay until 1589. In 1595, a temporary building made of bamboo and cogon was built to serve as shelter for the patients who journeyed to Mainit to seek cures for their ailments. The early traders from Las Pinas such as the Eusebio clan and from Manila the Lopez clan are considered the earliest to have established farming and business establishment in the area followed by the Kalaw, Palakpak, Bernardo, Clemente and De Castro clans whom are all related to each other. Currently although most of these pioneering families have migrated to other municipalities and overseas, the clan are still in monopoly on agriculture, business and education.

(Video) Tolantongo grottoes, what to do and how to get there

In 1671, more permanent structures like churches and hospitals were built only to be destroyed by a fire in 1727. The structures were re-erected at a slow rate. The church which now stands in the municipal center of Los Baños dates back to 1851. The Spanish Governor's palace was built in 1879 but was only completed in 1892.

In 1909, the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture (UPCA) was established. UPCA, in successions, became a Japanese camp for prisoners of war, an internment camp for allied nationals, a target of Kempetai punitive measures, and the headquarters of a secret organization of guerillas. On February 23, 1945, American paratroopers and Filipino guerrillas staged a rescue of the civilians in the internment camp, killing all the guards and burning down the makeshift barracks in what is now the athletic field. Only Baker Hall, the armory-gymnasium, remained. While all the foreign civilians were rescued, the Japanese raided the area in reprisal a few days afterward, burning and killing.

In early 50's a batch of bright young Filipino forestry graduates of the University of The Philippines College of Forestry (UPCF) made their way to "British North Borneo" (Sabah) on a pioneering quest that has contributed in the establishment of the "Sabah Forestry Department" in Malaysia, including the famous "Sepilok Research Centre" where it also shelters the world famous orang utan sanctuary. (Prominent UPLB foresters in Sabah, Malaysia: T.V.Eusebio, Udarbe, Alavaso, Sario, Pascua, Dotimas, Padua)

In 1959, the 10th World Scout Jamboree was held in Los Baños, with the theme "Building Tomorrow Today" with an attendance of 12,203 scouts.

In 1962, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) began its operation.

In 1979, the evolution and development of academic excellence in Los Baños moved the people of Los Baños to request then president Ferdinand Marcos to declare the municipality as "A Special University Zone", granted on 15 June 1982 by virtue of letter of instruction No. 883.

Los Baños was further declared as an "Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences Community" on 17 March 1982 by virtue of Executive Order No. 784 (Section 23).

(Video) The Best Buko Pie in Laguna, Philippines

On August 7, 2000, Los Baños was declared as a "Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines" through Presidential Proclamation No. 349 in recognition as a center for science and technology in the development of agriculture and preservation of the environment.

The 6th Flora Malesiana, a triennial gathering of people with botanical expertise regarding "Malesia," was held from September 20 to 24 in 2004. It provided a forum for Flora Malesiana members and encouraged publications on Malesian plants.

During the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, Los Baños played host to the aquatics events, with the newly-built Trace Aquatic Center serving as the venue.

The headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Center for Biodiversity was opened on August 8, 2006 at the DOST-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, located at the College of Forestry, University of the Philippines, Los Baños. It coincided with the foundation day celebrations of the organization. The Philippines assumed the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006 and played host to the 12th ASEAN and East Asia Summits (held in Metro Cebu, January 2007).

In January 2007, the 5th ASEAN Inter-Club Age-Group Swimming Championships was held in the Trace Aqua Sports Center.

Los Baños also played host to the UAAP when the swimming competitions of the 70th, 71st and 72nd seasons were held at the Trace Aquatics Center.

Presently, Los Banos has the largest scientist community in South East Asia. Although it is a small town, it has contributed widely through scientific achievements and contributions locally and worldwide particularly on agriculture. A search through Google results in a list of international scientists in a range of fields who have come here to study.

(Video) Magandang Gabi Bayan: Campus Horror - University of the Philippines Los Baños

Local Folklore[edit]

Once you get down from your bus or jeepney at Crossing, Los Banos, you can take a walk from Jollibee to Robinson Shopping Mall, it's just about 20 meters opposite each other and if you go further, there's a nice Aglipayan Church next to Bangkal street where once upon a time, a beautiful young lady named Maria who lives at a foothills of the mountain used to pray quietly at the church in the evening. One day while gathering wild mushrooms, Maria accidentally met a young son of a prominent family from Barrio Mayondon, Los Baños whose parents lived in a distant southern part of Laguna de Bay. He was lost while climbing the mountain to search for orchids and fungus. The handsome young man fell in loved with Maria and a whirlwind romance begun.

Secretly the young man would sneak by night towards the mountainside and meet her. Before he left, he promised to return and marry her. She waited for him, pregnant and bore a son, she defied all odds, expecting him to return soon however, her son grew day by day but never to see him return. The prominent young man's uncles and aunts found out and decided to breakup the relationship by evicting Maria from the side of the mountain. Mysteriously she left and not to be seen for years but one day, the young man now a fully grown gentleman searched for her in the mountain and found her with a fair and cheerful son, tears from Maria's enchanting eyes shocked the earth of the mountain while wild animals can be heard growling for miles as if there was a celebration in the middle of the night. He proposed her for marriage but his relatives succeeded in bribing the church priest so that he would not be allowed a wedding because they argued that Maria was unclean to face the altar. Maria begged to the priest but to no avail, frustrated, they went to the town mayor's office and their wish was granted with a simple wedding and later vanished on the foothills of the mountain.

The Church priest was not aware Maria was actually Maria Makiling and if the priest did allow them the wedding, the walls of the Aglipayan church would have been turned into gold. The town mayor was rewarded by Maria and he retired quietly but unknown to the locals, he buried a huge amount of gold somewhere at the peak of Mount Makiling. The prominent son was never to be found again but local folks believed that they both have two sons Banahaw and Taal and they lived happily ever after.

Maria Makiling is a local folklore and character in Philippine mythology who is said to be a diwata, equivalent of a fairy or goddess. She inhabits Mount Makiling in Laguna province, and protects the animals and plants of the mountain from those who would harm or defile it. Folklore usually portrays her as kind and generous towards human beings, giving them gifts and blessings. But when she is provoked to anger by the greed or cruelty of humans, she withdraws her favors and/or dispenses frightening punishments.

Her true name is not known; she is simply called "Maria Makiling" because "Maria" is a generic name for a woman, and "makiling" (crooked/uneven) refers to the mountain. Some say that "Maria Makiling" is the Spanish-era name of Dian Masalanta, the ancient Tagalog goddess of love, pregnancy and childbirth.

Get in[edit]

HM Bus Liner and DLTB Co. are buses that service routes to Los Baños from Cubao and Manila. Take a bus that goes to Sta. Cruz and mention to the bus conductor to drop you at Olivarez Plaza or College. Fares from Cubao and Manila ranges from ₱79.00 to ₱100.00.

From Calamba, you can ride a jeepney at SM City Calamba or Waltermart. Fare from Calamba is around ₱21.00. If you intend to go to the University of the Philippines Los Baños, you can take a jeepney in Olivarez Plaza (if arriving from Manila) or in SM City Calamba (if from Calamba) that services a route to 'UP College'. Fare from Olivarez Plaza to the university is ₱7.00-8.00

(Video) Iceland Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia

See[edit][add listing]

University of the Philippines, Los Baños and other places of interest within its administered area

  • Makiling Botanical Gardens
  • ASEAN Center for Biodiversity
  • UPLB Museum of Natural History
  • Flatrocks - creek usually frequented by hikers
  • Mudspring - Presumed volcanic crater of Mt. Makiling
  • Peak 2 - Highest peak of Mt. Makiling
  • Pook ni Maria Makiling- an eco-tourism site adjacent to the Jamboree Site, National Arts Center and U.P. Los Baños
  • Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Jamboree Site - a campsite at the foot of Mount Makiling adjacent to U.P. Los Baños, which is being managed by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the site of the 10th World Scout Jamboree in 1959, the 1st and 12th Asia Pacific Jamboree in 1973 and 1991, and the 1st ASEAN Jamboree in 1993.
  • National Arts Center - a patch of land at the foot of Mount Makiling adjacent to U.P. Los Baños, which is being managed by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the site of the Philippine High School for the Arts, a special school for young artist scholars
  • University of the Philippines Open University
  • International Rice Research Institute
  • Dairy Training & Research Institute
  • Philippine Carabao Center at UPLB (PCC at UPLB) - conducts R&D in water buffalo; implements other programs related to water buffalo development; one of the 13 regional centers of PCC (see the link below)
  • Agricultural and Life Sciences Complex
  • National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB/BIOTECH) - UPLB

Institute of Plant Breeding

  • APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for Small and Medium Enterprises (ACTETSME)
  • National Crop Protection Center (NCPC)
  • College of Agriculture AgriPark
  • Baker Hall (also known as Los Baños Internment Camp during World War II)
  • Philippine Council For Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)

Department of Science and Technology Regional Office for Region IV (DOST IV)

  • Magnetic Hill
  • Dampalit Falls
  • Immaculate Conception Parish - a centuries old church at the town proper (Poblacion/Bayan)
  • Paciano Rizal Shrine - house of Paciano Rizal, brother of National Hero Jose Rizal
  • Paciano Rizal Park - park dedicated to Paciano Rizal, brother of National Hero Jose Rizal
  • Trace Aqua Sports Complex and Museum - aquatic sports venue for the 2005 SEA Games and Philippine Olympic Festival
  • Los Baños Eco-Waste Processing Area - noted and commended for its solid waste management
  • Yamashita Shrine - execution site of Gen. Yamashita

Do[edit][add listing]

Los Banos literally means in Spanish language “the baths”, this town is famous for its therapeutic pools of mineral hot springs at the base of mystic Mount Makiling. Most of the local residents water supply are warm water and during hot season (Summer) residents sometimes have to bathe with ice blocks in a pail to cool the water. The first thing you do when you’re around the bend to the welcome sign – roll down the windows and breathe deep. Breathe in the fresh air and see the difference why this place is a therapy. Escape to a local resort like the Splash Mountain, sink into a soothingly hot pool and feel your tension melt away. Spa-like, that’s how the experience is. You can stay at these pools the whole day if you like – swim, soak, sunbathe, and it’s enough to refresh your weary soul.

Buy[edit][add listing]

World famous buko-pie (coconut pie) will be on the top of your list. Dont leave the town without trying their famous product '"BUKO PIE" or "young coconut pie". Its really tasty.

Eat[edit][add listing]

Los Banos is famous for Buko Pie - young coconut meat deliciously baked in a pie crust. Ice cream, fresh milk and Kesong Puti (Cottage Cheese), all made from Carabao milk are available at DTRI

Budget[edit]

  • Ellen's Fried Chicken. ₱10-100. edit

Mid-range[edit]

  • Big Belly's, Jose R Velasco Ave (Beside China Bank Savings). ₱65-150. edit
  • Tresto, Jose R Velasco Ave (Beside China Bank Savings). ₱65-150. edit
  • Baan Thai, Jose R Velasco Ave (Beside China Bank Savings). ₱65-150. edit

Splurge[edit]

  • Cafe Ella. ₱50-500. edit
  • Bonitos. ₱100-500. edit

Pasalubong[edit]

  • Lety's Buko Pie, Agapita Plaza. edit
  • Colette's. edit
  • The Original Buko Pie.. edit
  • Cafe Maquiling, Anest Tower, Lopez Ave.. edit

Drink[edit][add listing]

A short walk from the UPLB Gate, you'll find LB Square, known for its numerous bars and restaurants that are jam packed during Thursdays and Fridays.

(Video) Kjarkas - Francisquita

Sleep[edit][add listing]

There are a lot of boarding house and apartments to choose from all around the campus. You will get a place less than USD100. If you want a little bit higher, you can check-in at:

  • Splash Mountain Resort Hotel
  • Splash Oasis Hotel
  • Jonel Spring Resort Laguna
  • Palmridge Private Resort

Stay safe[edit]

Contact[edit]

Get out[edit]

FAQs

What is the meaning of Los Baños? ›

Near the southern shore of Laguna de Bay, it was named Los Baños (“The Baths”) for the thermal springs that flow from the base of Mount Makiling. The waters are piped into the town's numerous hotels.

Which of the following is famous in Los Baños Laguna? ›

Los Baños in Laguna is famous for UPLB Campus, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the dormant Mount Makiling and resorts and hot springs.

Is Los Baños part of Manila? ›

The town is located 63 kilometres (39 mi) southeast of Manila and is accessible via the South Luzon Expressway. The municipality lies on the northern slopes of the long dormant volcano Mount Makiling and is known among tourists for its hot spring resorts.
...
Los Baños, Laguna.
Los Baños
Websitelosbanos.gov.ph
47 more rows

Is Los Baños rural or urban? ›

Los Baños is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 98,631 inhabitants in 17,030 households.

How did Los Baños get its name? ›

In 1873 a pioneer to the area named Gus Kreyenhagen ran a trading post near Los Banos Creek. The Post Office Department decided to establish a Post Office at the trading post and named it after the creek, hence the name “Los Banos.”

How old is Los Baños? ›

The town of Los Banos was established at its present site in 1889 after the location of the post office of Los Banos near the creek in 1874. Plaque placed by California State Park Commission in cooperation with Los Banos Parlor No. 206 Native Sons of the Golden West and the City of Los Banos.

Is Los Baños a town? ›

Los Baños is a resort and university town in Laguna, located south of Metro Manila across the country's largest lake, Laguna de Bay. It is 63 km from Manila and is a popular weekend destination for residents. The 2015 census showed a population of 112,000.

Which place in Calabarzon was named Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines? ›

Dubbed as the “Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines,” the town of Los Baños serves as a hub for local and international research institutions to collaborate for the advancement of research and development in the Philippines and its neighboring countries.

How many cities are there in Laguna? ›

Laguna comprises 24 municipalities and 6 cities. The provincial capital of Laguna is Santa Cruz. As of the 2020 census, there are 3,382,193 people in the province.

How many colleges are in UPLB? ›

UPLB offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its nine colleges and two schools.

How many students are in UPLB? ›

Is Laguna Caldera active? ›

Laguna Caldera is a potentially active volcanic caldera and a geographical depression in Rizal, Philippines. It is broadly elliptical in shape, with dimensions of 20 by 10 km.
...
Laguna Caldera
LocationRizal, Philippines
Geology
Mountain typeCaldera
Volcanic arc/beltMacolod Corridor
7 more rows

What is the largest province in the Calabarzon? ›

Quezon province has a total land area of 870,660 hectares or 8,706.60 square kilometres. It is the largest province in CALABARZON having 54% of the total land area of the region.

Does it snow in Los Banos? ›

Los Banos, California gets 10 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year. Los Banos averages 0 inches of snow per year.

When was Los Banos established? ›

The town of Los Banos was established at its present site in 1889, after the post office of Los Banos was built near the creek in 1874.

Is Los Banos a good place to live? ›

The city of Los Banos is good city for people who are from the bay area to buy a house and safe money but it is no opportunity here. I really enjoy how Los Banos is a small town with a lot of diversity and the people living in the town are very kind. For the most part, it's a very safe town with not that much crime.

How do you pronounce Los Banos? ›

Los Banos (How to Pronounce Cities of the World) - YouTube

What is in Los Banos CA? ›

Top 10 Best fun things to do near LOS BANOS, CA 93635
  • Rail Trail. 0.9 mi. Botanical Gardens. ...
  • Jungle Jim's Adventure Lanes. 1.2 mi. Laser Tag, Arcades, Bowling. ...
  • Tony's Rendezvous. 0.3 mi. ...
  • Premiere Cinemas. 0.7 mi. ...
  • Beals Horsemanship. 4.5 mi. ...
  • Ralph Leroy Milliken Museum. 0.6 mi. ...
  • Los Banos Wildlife Area. 2.8 mi. ...
  • Lucky Strike Club. 0.3 mi.

Is Batangas a city? ›

Batangas City, officially known as the City of Batangas (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Batangas), is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 351,437 people.

How many barangays are there in Los Baños Laguna? ›

Los Baños has 14 barangays as shown in the following table.
...
Barangays.
BarangayLos Baños Total
Population (2020)115,353
Population (2015)112,008
Change (2015‑2020)2.99%
14 more columns

Who is the current mayor of Los Baños Laguna? ›

What is the smallest city in the Philippines in terms of land area? ›

Among the cities, the largest is Quezon City with an area of 166.2 km2 while the smallest is Pasig with only 13 km2.

Where is Mount Makiling located? ›

Mount Makiling, or Mount Maquiling, is a dormant volcano in Laguna province on the island of Luzon, Philippines.

What is the largest province in the Calabarzon? ›

Quezon province has a total land area of 870,660 hectares or 8,706.60 square kilometres. It is the largest province in CALABARZON having 54% of the total land area of the region.

Who is the current mayor of Los Banos Laguna? ›

What is the zip code of Los Baños Laguna? ›

LocationZip Code
Los Baños4030
Luisiana4032
Lumban4014
Mabitac4020
30 more rows

Videos

1. 25 Things to do in Toronto Travel Guide
(Samuel and Audrey - Travel and Food Videos)
2. Cascadas de Peguche, El Lechero & Cuicocha Lake near Otavalo in the Ecuadorian Sierra
(farhad4art)
3. Ecuador Travel | Interesting Nightlife | Bars between Men & Women
(Other Side of the Truth)
4. Sydney Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia
(Expedia)
5. Casa Embrujada con Monstruos + MÁS | Steve and Maggie Español Latino | Halloween para Niños
(STEVE AND MAGGIE ESPAÑOL LATINO)
6. Kids First - Peppa Pig en Español - Nuevo Episodio 2x20 - Español Latino
(Kids First - Español Latino)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated: 03/01/2023

Views: 6243

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.