Bumming Around in Maribago
May 28th, 2007 by Jing Lejano, Editor-in-Chief, Good HousekeepingPosted in Travel |
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If there’s one thing I could do all day, it’s to bum around the beach. I could work like a horse for days on end but when I’m at the beach, you could just forget about deadlines. One of the best beach bumming experiences I’ve had in a long while was the time I spent at Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort. Though the resort has been around for a couple of years (a delicious secret kept by Europeans), it’s only recently that Pinoys have discovered this little spot of tropical heaven.

Its sliver of white sand beach may only be 110 meters long but it’s more than enough room for a handful of Europeans and myself to tan away. For two days, I pasted myself on a lounging chair, only occasionally getting up to take a quick dip, and more than occasionally trooping down Pier 7 Beach Bar to hydrate with water and, of course, some kind of alcoholic drink. I could have saved myself the trouble of walking as I found out later on that the cabanas were equipped with intercoms, and I could have just buzzed my order. Oh, well!

The beach wasn’t crowded at all because around the property, beautifully landscaped and all, are two lagoon-shaped swimming pools with waterfalls, a children’s playground, and a recreation center. Oh, and there is a shark pool, and you can watch them feed this cold-blooded fishes in the afternoons.


Of course, there are the usual jet-skiing-snorkeling-diving-island hopping menu but I can’t really tell you about that. As I said, I was a lazy lizard during that trip. But even lazy lizards have to eat, and boy did I!
Lunch at Sunset Cove Live Seafood Restaurant had me wolfing down steamed crabs, soupy clams, grilled fish, and delightful scallops. Yummy! What made the experience even more charming was the fact that the restaurant overlooked the sea, and that the seafood were stored live in fresh water tanks.

The buffet at Allegro Restaurant, by the pool, always features a sumptuous banquet: bacon and omelettes, dimsum and dumplings, tempura and smoked ham, baked chicken and chopsuey. On weekend nights, they stage a cultural presentation of different folk dances, one of the lovelier—and livelier— ones I’ve ever seen.
But what I loved most of all was ordering room service. Not only are the prices very affordable, the servings are generous and the service quick and courteous. Order the danggit for breakfast, the lechon kawali for dinner. Heaven!

But a trip to Maribago would not be complete without a visit to their newly opened Amuma Spa. They opened a whole new spa wing for visitors, and the bathrooms there are just divine! You can soak in that tub for hours! Don’t forget to book a hilot! You will be instantly healed of all your worldly worries—just what the doctor ordered.

HOW TO GET THERE: Cebu Pacific flies daily to Cebu. From the Mactan International Airport, Maribago is just 10 kilometers away.
CONTACTS: (63-32) 492-0100, 232-5411, 232-5412 to 14; e-mail bluwater@mozcom.com; or visit www.bluewater.com.ph.
RATES: A deluxe room starts at P6,860. A royal bungalow goes from P12,250 up.

May 28th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
saw in PALakbayan that they have really affordable rates for days/2nights package here in maribago…might go here sometime this year!
May 28th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
This is totally a very nice place to visit and explore.
May 28th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
very enticing! will sure consider this place on my next vacation.
May 29th, 2007 at 9:39 am
the beach is not nice.u should go to bantayan island
May 29th, 2007 at 10:56 am
bantayan island is a paradise…:)been there this year
May 29th, 2007 at 11:54 am
the beach doesn’t look so great :s
May 30th, 2007 at 4:02 am
wheres maribago? i agree the beach is not so attractive..
May 30th, 2007 at 7:34 am
I believe Maribago is in Cebu(?). pls correct me if i’m wrong.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Yeah I was there with my fiance and a couple of friends 2 years ago when it was still part of RCI (timeshare). The interesting introduction was security as the huge gates opened and security guards armed to the teeth. Inside though, it was quiet serenity. We had a nice cottage to ourselves and shared the next door room with the other couple. We crossed toward the small dune across from the manmade lagoon and took some nice pictures. Sea floor walking and the undersea Buddha was cool to watch while skin diving above. Face to face with a barracuda as it swims away, kewl! Beware the jellyfish in the summer. Yeah, and the staff were pretty friendly too. Since work dogs me, they helped me Fedex/UPS my packages to Manila easily. Good place. Deciding where to take additional pics, drop by the Shang on Mactan and walk the gardens. Come back to your cottage and swing on your own hammock and order the meals. Perfect.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:23 am
i really love to relax in this place…cant wait to be there this coming month….
June 1st, 2007 at 5:50 pm
my hubby took me and our one year old daughter there for a mother’s day weekend surprise. the place is pure paradise!
September 7th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
You want proof that the beach is not nice? Just check out my legs! I got bitten by sand fleas!!! I had to go to the derma and they had to inject steriods in 17 different itch spots. I hate this beach! It left scars on my legs and everytime I see it, I want to burn this place down.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:50 am
Not really recommended. Go to Bantayan or Malapascua instead.