Commune with Nature at Lava Mountain River Farm

Wow. It has been a while since I wrote something…not just for PR, brand collaboration or for public info dissemination.

You see, before the quarantine lockdown happened here in Cebu, I got the chance to shoot this farm situated beside the Mananga River in the mountains of Busay. I can still clearly remember that day. We went up to the mountains to shoot, went down after sunset. The signal was bad so we were unplugged for many hours.

When we went back to the city, we were greeted with the lockdown announcement. The world stopped. Travel restrictions here and there. It was hard to cross borders. Everyone was forced to stay at home, and this particular farm was forced to close its doors to the public.

Fast forward to this very day, people are slowly traveling again. Resorts, hotels, and vacation farms are slowly welcoming guests again.

LAVA FARM

Lava Mountain River Farm is a 4-hectare eco-resort nestled right beside the Mananga River in Busay, Cebu. It takes 45 minutes to reach this nature-abundant property.

You can definitely get the chance to commune with nature, enjoy the fresh air and soothing ambiance.

So why is it called Lava Farm? I’ve seen people asking this question, wondering if there’s a volcano of some sort in the area. And here’s the reality — there’s no volcano just a cascading river, or should I say waterfalls? The name came from the owners of the farm. The property is owned and managed by the Lava Family. It started in 2017 as a way of promoting sustainable tourism and natural farming, and to showcase local culture through their native facilities and local food offerings.

Getting There

Lava Farm is situated at Biasong, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. It’s 3 kilometers away from the main road and you will pass through a not-so-concrete road before reaching the property. From Lahug, Cebu City, it will probably take you 45 minutes to an hour to get there.

There is no public vehicle that can take you directly to the resort so you have to arrange your transportation beforehand. Here are some ways to get there:

By Car: You can bring/rent a private vehicle to get to the place. You can navigate using Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Lava Mountain River Farm”. Parking space is available to guests.

By Motorbike: You can also opt to ride a habal-habal/motorbike from JY Square. I’m not sure about the cost right now since #NewNormal. So make sure to negotiate first before riding. The estimate cost would be ₱150-₱200.

Accommodations

Lava Farm is known for its peaceful and tranquil ambiance and exclusivity. It can house huge groups of people but with the current COVID protocols, it would be best to confirm this with the resort before making any reservations.

Lava Farm does not cater to walk-in guests. You need to have prior reservations before going there. Here’s a list of their available accommodations:

Mountain Hut

The Mountain Hut is a large one-storey Filipino Hut, with its own exclusive lounge, dining area, outdoor grilling setup, two bathrooms, and a swimming pool.

Inclusions:

Exclusive use of the Mountain Hut, lounge and dining area, outdoor grilling setup and two bathrooms
Shared use of the swimming pool
Drinking Water Provided
With Grilling area – 1kg of charcoal provided
With Refrigerator
No corkage fees
No bringing of electrical appliances for cooking

Rates:

Overnight: ₱11,000 good for up to 12 pax only
(₱700/head above 12 pax, up to 20 pax)
Day-Use: ₱9500 good for up to 12 pax
(₱550/head above 12 pax, up to 25 pax)

RIVERSIDE HUT

The Riverside Hut is a two-storey Filipino Hut, with its own exclusive lounge and dining area, overlooking the river, perfect for guests looking to spend time with their families or couples looking to have an entire space for themselves. It has its own garden space, river viewing area, and outdoor grilling setup.

Inclusions:

Exclusive use of the Riverside Hut, and Riverside Villa grounds
Shared use of the swimming pool
Drinking Water Provided
With Grilling area – 1kg of charcoal provided
With Refrigerator
No corkage fees
No bringing of electrical appliances for cooking

Rates:

Overnight: ₱7,500 good for up to 8 pax only
(₱600/head above 8 pax, up to 10 pax)
Day-Use: ₱5000 good for up to 8 pax
(₱500/head above 8 pax, up to 15 pax)

MAHOGANY HUT

Lava Farm’s addition to their existing huts. Kindly reach out to Lava Farm directly to get more information about the rates. This hut can house two (2) people, perfect for couples wanting to just get away from the hustle-bustle of the city.

CAMPING TENTS

If you really want a full experience of communing with nature, you can opt to avail of their camping tents. For more information, kindly contact Lava Farm.

Dining at Lava Farm

Lava Farm offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and group merienda to its guests. For details about their menu, you may message Lava Farm directly on their Facebook page for a quick response.

What to Expect

Infinity Pool
Lava Farm has an infinity pool, shared by guests. The pool is fed by constant running water keeping it fresh and rejuvenating.

Himbabawud Falls
You can trek for an hour starting from the river to Himbabawud Falls. Take the road less traveled as this waterfall is a hidden gem that only a few have explored.

Bonfire
You can request from the staff to set up a bonfire. Additional fees will apply.

Masahista/Masseuse
Tired from a full day of trekking or just want to get a real good massage? You may inform them ahead if you plan to avail of this service.

Network/Signal
There’s little to no signal in the property for Globe users. If you’re a Smart subscriber, then you’ll be fine.

New Normal at Lava Farm

In adherence to the pandemic protocols, Lava Farm will only cater to guests who made prior reservations. No walk-ins are allowed.

For more information you may contact Lava Farm through 0921 276 5518 or 0998 165 6487. Their phone line is only available between 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM on Mondays to Saturdays. For quicker response, you may message Lava Farm directly on their Facebook page.