Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park: Where Broken Things Learn To Float

Some people see lakes as just bodies of water. I see them as places where broken things go to remember how to float. The first time I saw Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, it felt like meeting someone who already knew my darkest thoughts. Quiet, picturesque, and mysterious, this lakeside park seemed as wise as ancient philosophers.

As I admired the enchanting blue-green water, it felt like the lake was whispering to me, without words. 

They say lakes are mirrors, but I didn’t expect to see my soul in its reflection.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt something loosen inside me.

Then, as sunlight glimmered on the water, I realized I had been carrying too much for too long.

Why does Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park know exactly what I need?

What is it about this place that makes everything feel lighter?

Is it the stillness, the beauty, or something else entirely?

Whatever it was, my quick visit to this natural park gave me answers I didn’t expect to find in Negros Oriental.

My Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park experience

I have been complaining so much lately.

If you have been following my blog, you’ve probably heard all my life’s frustrations and anxieties.

But isn’t everyone, specifically millennials and young adults, doing the same thing these days?

The way I see it, complaining is ordinary when you’re trying to survive in a world that’s endlessly busy and overwhelming.

And so, as always, to escape my mundane and fast-paced life, I booked a trip to Dumaguete with my niece and friend.

On our way to Dumaguete

I thought this weekend trip was a bad idea.

All I wanted to do was to rest, unwind, and recharge my batteries.

And here I was, taking an overnight trip to Dumaguete after consecutive sleepless nights.

For a light sleeper like me, enduring a bumpy bus ride and ferry journey to Dumaguete wasn’t exactly the kind of rest I desperately needed.

I could have spent the weekend watching Netflix or Vivamax.

To make matters worse, I received weather notifications warning of heavy rains and possible flooding in Dumaguete that weekend.

But by then, it was too late to back out. 

Everyone, including our tour guide, was ready for this spontaneous trip.

Well, que sera, sera!

Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete City

My eyes were bloodshot, dry, and itchy.

Even though the skies were cloudy, my eyes felt a little discomfort in daylight.

Furthermore, my mind felt like a tangled knot, with thoughts twisting and pulling in every direction.

Why was I feeling pressured, thinking about deadlines and goals, when I was here to take a break from reality?

But slowly, things felt better. 

Maybe I just needed a little sunshine and a dose of Vitamin D.

Perhaps the breeze was the antidote I craved all this time.

Or maybe it was just human interaction.

Moments later, I received a call from our guide saying he had already arrived at the boulevard.

And so, we kick-started our day trip in Negros Oriental.

On our way to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park wasn’t in the original plans.

Our guide has already crafted a detailed itinerary for us with stops at several Valencia and Dumaguete attractions.

However, I insisted on adding Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park to our tour.

I was even willing to pay extra to include this natural park in our weekend trip.

We were already here, so why not hit as many birds as possible in one stone?

I also was willing to skip other attractions to make room for Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

It felt like Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park had a magnetic pull.

On our way to the park, I realized how far it was from Dumaguete.

And guess what?

We hadn’t even started the ascent to the park.

Soon, our tuk-tuk took a left turn and began climbing a steep road that would lead us to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes.

As we drove on the long and winding road, the city noise began to fade, replaced by the engine hum and soothing sounds of nature. 

We were also treated to a beautiful view of Cebu Island on the scenic drive to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes.

The air grew cooler with each turn, and I could feel a shift not just in altitude but in my mood.

Moments later, we saw a towering mountain in front of us, and our guide, Mike, said that was our destination.

He said it was going to be a long ride to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes.

But I had a feeling this long drive would be worth every kilometer and second.

I just have to relax, live in the moment, and let the Universe do his magic. 

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Nature Park Tourist Information Center

The weather predictions were right.

The sky was dark and gray when we arrived at the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Nature Park Tourist Information Center.

But I wouldn’t let anything ruin my mood for this nature trip in Negros Oriental.

So, we entered the tourist information center, paid the fees, and listened to the quick orientation.

My eyes wandered around the information center, and I saw a map of the mountains of Negros Oriental.

I noticed Mount Talinis, and checked how far it was from Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

Is it possible to hike from Mount Talinis to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes?

Based on the map, it’s possible and doable, but it would be one crazy and epic adventure.

From the tourist information center, Mike led us to the back where we saw a tiny scenic lake.

Naive, I asked Mike if it was one of the twin lakes within the nature park.

Mike, a local in the area, laughed and said it was too tiny, and it was one of the other small lakes in the area.

Even though it wasn’t the main event, this lake was still stunning and had an otherworldly, mysterious feel.

Do you see those trees in the background?

The ones that barely made up the lake’s surface?

Those trees gave me an idea of how deep the lake was.

Plus, the lake reminded me of the value of simplicity and stillness.

In a chaotic world obsessed with productivity, the lake taught me that it was okay to pause, to breathe, to exist without agenda or purpose.

The lake was like an old friend who didn’t need words to understand me. 

It gave me the space and time to stand in silence, and enjoy the comfort in the stillness.

After snapping photos of the lake, we went back to our tuk-tuk, and drove our way to the parking lot of Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

Exploring Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park

I could sense excitement, the moment we arrived at the parking lot of Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

With the fresh breeze and clear mountain air, we could already feel the charm and beauty of the lakes even if we weren’t on the shoreline.

Afterward, we started to descend to the first lake from the parking lot.

Since it rained cats and dogs the previous days, the trail to the shoreline was slippery and muddy.

So, the locals suggested that we follow the concrete pathway to the lake’s shoreline.

Steep and a little mossy, the concrete pathway was still a little slippery, meaning we had to be cautious on our way down.

Soon, we arrived at the shoreline, and I was immediately amazed by its sheer size and beauty.

Moreover, it was more serene and scenic than Lake Sebu and other popular lakes.

There’s something magical about Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

In an instant, it transported me to another world free from distractions, deadlines, and endless notifications.

My thoughts were initially racing, but soon, they slowed down to match the rhythm of the lake’s gentle ripples. 

It was in this stillness that healing and therapy began.

The lake was like nature’s therapist.

It didn’t ask me any questions or tried to solve my life’s problems.

Instead, it gave me a peaceful presence, reminding me that it’s okay to be still and do nothing.

The thing is, I have become a goal getter as of late.

I’ve been persistently busy with life, chasing personal goals and milestones.

And sometimes, I become frustrated when there are challenges and when things don’t go my way instantly.

Staring at the slow water movements, the lake taught me that it’s okay to be still and that I should trust the process.

The water flowed effortlessly, adapting to its surroundings without any resistance.

And the lake is the epitome of this wisdom.

The lake taught me to let go, stop fighting the current, and trust wherever the Universe takes me.

Then, my eyes scanned the area, and I saw a rocky part that was perfect for photography.

And so, we hiked our way to that part, following a rocky pathway.

When we arrived, I was still in awe of the view and the stillness of the lake.

While taking photos and admiring the view, something hit me.

It whispered something to me without any words.

I gazed at the blue-green water, and saw my reflection, and noticed how tired my soul was.

Suddenly, words and sentences were forming inside my mind.

Afterward, images depicting tranquility and peace flashed through my mind.

The lake was still, and it made me realize how I can declutter and clear my mind.

The thing is, sometimes, I feel guilty when I do nothing.

Somehow, the hustle culture has changed my mindset when it comes to resting.

Like most people nowadays, I feel worthy only when I’m productive or doing something that equates to money.

So, the idea of doing nothing became uncomfortable or even a no-no.

But the lake took me back to my rebellious days when I would challenge that kind of mindset.

The lake transported me to an era in my life when resting wasn’t a waste of time, but a necessary break that gave me inspiration, clarity and strength.

Where was this version of me?

Can I become this type of person again?

In several moments in my life, stillness gave me the clarity I needed.

It allowed my mind to wander, process, and uncover solutions that I wouldn’t have discovered while I was caught up in the rush.

And Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park was a reminder that sometimes the most productive thing we can do is pause and do nothing. 

In the stillness, we recharge and we reconnect with ourselves. 

Then, we gain the strength to move forward, not with frantic energy, but with purpose and peace.

In the stillness, we discover the kind of growth and productivity that can’t be measured by milestones, checkboxes or deadlines.

After taking photos, I just savored the serenity and beauty of Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

In a way, it was therapeutic. 

To me, lakes don’t just heal us through their physical beauty.

They will also touch every sense.

The sound of gentle ripples and nature is a lullaby for a restless mind like mine.

The smell of moss and damp wood grounded me, drawing me back to the present.

And how about the taste of crisp and cool air?

Well, it’s like food for the soul.

Each turn and step in Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park made me lighter.

Honestly, I kind of regret cramming so much into this weekend trip.

I wish I could have spent at least 5 hours in Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

I was pretty sure it would have done wonders to my soul.

Mike and the other locals suggested we take a boat ride to the other side of the lake where we could get a stunning view of the park.

But time wasn’t on our side, and we had a jam-packed schedule for that day.

From the rocky shoreline, we headed to the park’s restaurant and viewing deck.

The view there was breathtaking.

It made me long for the good old days, and it made me wish we could have spent more time in Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

Afterward, we went back to the parking lot and continued with our day tour.

Getting down from Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park

The drive back to the highway from Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park was scenic and refreshing.

Along the way, we made stops just to take pictures, and enjoy the view and the fresh air.

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park was just the beginning of a therapeutic weekend break.

But it did wonders for me, and it brought me to the days when life was simple and peaceful.

And best of all, it gave me clarity on how to survive in a chaotic world that glorifies productivity and busyness. 

Trips like this are not about escaping reality but about reconnecting with yourself. 

So, if ever you find yourself tired of the rush and noise, do yourself a favor, and let a place like this remind you of life’s simplicity.

And who knows? 

You might just find the answers you weren’t even looking for.

How much is the entrance fee in Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park?

The entrance fee to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park is 50 pesos for locals and 100 pesos for foreigners.

Where is Lake Balinsasayao located?

Lake Balinsasayao is located inside the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, a massive protective area covering multiple municipalities in Negros Oriental.

How high is the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes?

The Balinsasayao Twin Lakes are crater lakes located 1,000 meters above sea level.

How to get to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes?

The best and most convenient way to get to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes is to get a guided tour. It’s also affordable and includes stops at many attractions in the area, including Casaroro Falls and Tierra Alta. I recommend LaagniJoelboy if you prefer to go with this option.