The summer season brings with it many lists: what to wear, what to eat, where to eat and what to do. If you’re plagued with a constant case of wanderlust, you’re probably wondering where to travel. Now picture this: With over 30 recreational activities, Caliraya Resort Club features only the most thrilling and fun-filled indoor and outdoor amenities plus a breathtaking view of nature’s gifts in Lumban, Laguna, Philippines.
Last weekend, I just had an amazing getaway with maternal relatives in Caliraya Resort Club. This resort in Laguna is supposed to be just two and a half hours away from Manila. However, because we somehow got lost on the way, travel time was thrice the ideal. We took off at 7AM and arrived at 1PM on the venue, late for lunch. No worries though, as official check-in time is 2PM and there were still food for us to satisfy our growling stomachs.
For stay-in guests, Caliraya Resort Club offers 72 rooms contained in villas, duplexes and the hotel. Different rate per person applies according to the type of accommodation. All rooms are equipped with double-deck beds, cable televisions, air-conditioning, and rest rooms with hot/cold showers. We stayed at Duplex 1 which was nearest to the shore of the pristine man-made Lake Caliraya.
The room ambiance was okay; it was nothing high-class but the simple, “all-you-see-is-all-you-get” kind. See the rates here.
Top 10 Activities We Did in Caliraya Resort Club (Lumban, Laguna)
1. Eating
As a foodie, I hunt for food foremost in any traveling destination. Here at Caliraya Resort Club, breakfast, lunch and dinner comes in buffet “eat-all-you-can” meals. Both quality and variety of food were not bad. Everyone dines in at the same time, given the allocated time slot for feeding. Food and drinks are clustered into sections and are dedicated in incarnations. Across the huge dining area, tables are reserved for every group of guests resulting to good organization and management.
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
2. Swimming
Caliraya Resort Club has threeΒ swimming pools built side by side each other: twoΒ children’s swimming pools (1-4 feet) with basketball court and the wave pool with artificial wave generator (5-6 feet). We enjoyed flow-riding at the artificial waves which made us feel like kids all over again!
3. Slide Pinoy
Slide Pinoy is like a mini zip line where you have to sit on a small wheel or chair tied to a cable and just wait until you reaching the other point. With no gears attached to the rider, the key is to hold on tightly to the rope and pray that pulley system minimizes friction well to help you accelerate. It’s interesting how it can support both kids and adults’ weight.
4. Hanging Bridge
This was my second time to pass through a hanging bridge and thank goodness, I had managed to cross it safely (slowly but surely). It was setting my teeth once again on the edge. My pulse was racing really fast as I focused on skipping the gaps in between steps and kept my balance on the swaying bridge.
5. Slip n ‘Slide
“No, thanks,” I said, seeing how dirty people looked when they were splashed with mud after they’ve slipped and slid. I just volunteered to take pictures of my family as they experienced the ride. Basically, one would have to climb all the way up and prepare to slide in a seating position while the activity facilitator splashes water with soap for a smooth slip. Riders may be in a group for increased acceleration.
If you’re thinking to give it a go, be very careful because you might get injured upon landing on rocks and mass of mud formed from loose dirt and water.
6. Volleyball
Volleyball is a good cardiovascular workout, but it’s not my thing. The volleyball court is one of the outdoor facilities in Caliraya Resort Club that has additional charge. The resort management does not care about who among the players participate, as the charge is counter per hour (PHp 200) and not per head. Anyone in the group may join in and if you feel that you don’t have enough players, welcome other guests to have fun and make friends in this sports.
7. Basketball
Just like the volleyball court, the basketball court in Caliraya Resort Club can be rented. Daytime rate is PHp 250 per hour, while nighttime rate is PHp 450 per hour. A friendly group of strangers offered us to play with them so we used the court for a short while at night for free.
8. Sky Bicycle
Caliraya Resort Club is not a circus yet we saw people riding bicycles on ropes up high. The Sky Bicycle is one of the resort’s newest attraction. “Cycling on the sky” is advised not to be done in breakneck speed.
Each rider is reminded to continue pedaling despite the fear, angst and the strength of the wind. For a two-way sky-cycling lasting in no longer than 10 minutes, the sky-rider is charged PHp 200.
9. Earthball
To display and practice teamwork, compared to playing the regular volleyball, playing the Earthball is so much more fun! The game starts with the large inflated ball positioned on the center line. Teams line up along their own end line and must be behind the end lines. Players can only retrieve balls on their side of the field. If a team is successful in knocking the earthball over the opposing tea’s orbit line, they score a point. As the earthball is quite heavy, there should be at least four people carrying itβeach taking a side of the ball (north, east, south, west) to attain balance.
10. Canoe
Before leaving, we maximized our time in Caliraya Resort Club by paddling in the canoe. For an hour, we rented the canoe for PHp 300. A group of four people can take turns. We divided ourselves into three batches so we could all experience gaining control over steering the canoe and keeping the boat steady. Two people took the role of the paddler, while the other two seated as passengers, in each batch. Navigating the tricky waters of the Lake Caliraya was another unique encounter in our stay.
Wrap Up
Caliraya Resort Club Inc. is a good venue for team-building, soul-searching and arranging events with a large group. This place can accommodate up to 800 people.
The list of activities I posted above reflects only a snapshot of what you can do in Caliraya Resort Club Inc. Other exciting activities are as follows: Billiard (PHp 200/hour), Table Tennis (PHp 120/hour), KTV (PHp 250/hour), Fishing Catfish (PHo 180/kilogram), Bonfire (PHp 750/set), Horseback Riding (PHp 300/hour), Wall Climbing (PHp 250/hour/person), Rappelling (PHp 120/person/2 jumps), Bungee Fun (PHp 100/3 minutes/person), Regular Zipline (PHp 120/ride/person), Superman Single (PHp 200/ride/person), Speed Boating (PHp 3500-PHp 6000/hour), Ski Boarding (PHp 200/hour), Wakeboarding (PHp 250/hour), Windsurfing (PHp 450), Knee Boarding (PHp 200/hour), Jet Skiing (PHp 2500/30 minutes), Kayaking (PHp 250/hour) and Riding the Banana Boat (PHp 350/person/15 minutes). With all these, you will not get bored especially when in the company of friends and loved ones.
If you love sight-seeing and traveling to the countryside or just looking for a place to spend a weekend vacation, Caliraya Resort Club may be a good choice. Dissect and uncover its wild and crazy side this summer! π
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
How can you be in so many awesome places??? O_O AND I love the sky bicycle! Haha! Looks sooo thrilling! The mini zipline looks so cute! ^^ It looks like you were having loads of fun in all the photos! You’re making me jealous! LOL. But thanks for sharing anyway! I’d love to go there too! ^^
Thanks to my aunt who invited us, we also were able to avail some discount during our stay. Hey, Caliraya Resort Club has an ongoing promo so you may want to check out their Facebook page to know more. π This Holy Week is their peak season. Aside from the fact that it’s summer (many students are on vacation), working individuals find the time to take a leave from work for a get-together. Yeah we had a lot of fun. You’re welcome! π
I have never been there but I love the fact that they thought of a lot of activities to keep everyone busy.
Yup, there are both indoor and outdoor activities from simple to extreme. One would not be bored when in Caliraya Resort Club. π
Wow! This is fun and your photos just showed it ^ ^
I can’t wait to go swimming yay!
Ohhh buffet… Now I’m hungry ha-ha
Great post!
Haha why not eat to your heart’s content and then burn the calories through swimming afterwards? Yeah, that sounds like a nice plan. π
WOW! is all i can say while reading your awesome summer adventure in Caliraya… How I wish I could be somewhere as adventurous yet at the same time as relaxing as the places you’ve been, instead of being stuck studying for Med School (hahah) That Sky bicycle is what I really want to experience :]
Hehe studying and finishing Med School has its gains and for sure you will reap them sometime soon. π The Sky Bicycle is one of the best highlights in this resorts. If ever you’ll come here with your family or friends, make sure to experience it! π
Did you do the sky bicycle? It looks really scary.
No, I didn’t. It was my uncle who went for it. My mom just insisted that I pose for the camera while riding the bike behind the fence. Even that act was scary. π I had thoughts on the fence suddenly opening and I would have to pedal the bike till the end. Gosh. I can’t imagine the fright!
I was thinking of the same scenario too upon seeing your photo. You should try it the next time.
Next time, okay – that’s if I successfully convince my sister, mom or boyfriend to also skycycle with me (I doubt if they’d agree). π
Did you try the slide too. I would love to see you covered in mud. =>
No, I didn’t. My excuse: no one would take their photos if I include myself in queue for the mudslide. In reality: I didn’t want to get myself dirty and sticky or end up getting injury. π
I enjoyed your pictures,looks like you had great fun there.
Yup, this trip was a lot of fun but tiring, too. π
That was so much fun! It reminds me I have to go to a resort already!
You have until July to go to a resort without having to worry about storms and rains. π
Grabeh noh?, it feels like Summer time is too short with so many places to go and things to do.
What a nice resort for everyone!!!!
Haha yes! Inside Philippines alone, there’s so much we can do. And hey, this reminds me that I also want to experience being a mermaid too just like you did. π
Wow, so many fun activities in one place! Sounds like an ideal getaway spot for a bunch of friends/family! I am especially intrigued by the sky cycling, but doubt that i’ll ever give it a try since i can’t even ride a bicycle and not super good with heights! I am super scared of hanging bridge! I’ve passed a few but just because i had to!
Sky cycling is like a challenge in Fear Factor for so many people. Finishers raise their arms in sheer joy and smile for the camera. π
From someone who is afraid of heights, I could never do the bikes!
Haha we’re the same. I don’t even know how to properly strike a balance when riding the bike on land. Sky cycling looks really fun but it’s not for the faint-hearted. Aside from the height, you have to pedal your way through the cable and have to return back to where you have started once you get to the other end. Weeee! π
First time I’ve heard of Caliraya Resort Club, Inc.
Unless it was done on purpose, they ought to do something with the Slip N’ Slide π
Haha yes, it was done on purpose. It’s like a long mudslide – good to try only when you feel comfortable getting messy. π
The last time we visited Caliraya was about 2 years ago where there was no sky bicycle and where folks mostly offered swimming, grilling and horseback riding. Nice vacation there π
Oh maybe that’s why some people keep saying that Caliraya is boring and there’s nothing to do there except sight-seeing, eating and swimming. The horses we saw were little like ponies.
aww look at you go!!! all the activities looks like so much fun! π and omg the food!!! the food!!!!!
The food tasted average but somehow my relatives were convinced that they were super delicious especially the beef kaldereta. π Best for me were the vegetables!
It looks like you guys had an awesome time! The slide into the mud looks insanely fun!!
Haha that adverb-adjective pairing you used is extremely apt for the mudslide. I like it!
You had me at food! That food looks amazing, now I want pancakes π
The pancakes tasted so bad and they disappointed. I prefer the ones we make at home (out from the box, from the grocery store). The others were fine.
wow! so much fun and activities you could do in Caliraya. been thinking of going there too.
Make sure to check the map so you would not be lost like we did. π
The photos look like fun. Lots of good food and beautiful sights. Thank you so much for sharing. It’s nice to see people enjoying the beauty this world has to offer.
Yeah this is another account showing that it’s more fun in the Philippines. π You’re welcome, Boonie!
Seems like a great place for fun and team building! π
Right. We saw so many teams even with uniforms on.
Now I know where to go and what to do in Laguna if ever I visit Philippines. I so miss the Philippine food and the outdoor activities under a nice tropical weather.
This resort is nice because most resorts in Laguna do not have a restaurant inside and you are required to find food or bring/cook your own. I dislike preparing and then cleaning up afterwards when on a vacation. Here at Caliraya Resort Club, meals are buffet-style so you don’t have to worry about anything else. π
Those were so much fun! I wish I could visit the place soon, too!
Reserve one weekend and stay in with your family. Check online deal sites. I know there’s some still offering discounts. π
The images captured here of you and your family are priceless. We can consider this place for our family summer getaway especially since it’s not very far.
Families need time to build bonds, as they are always busy with everyday work and chores so taking a vacation is a great way to do that. π
Glad that you had a great time with your family which is really the most important thing right?
Yes. Even though my dad and sis could not make it there, at least I had a great time bonding with my maternal relatives. π This happens only once in a while so I made sure to live it to the fullest.
Looks like you had a lot of fun! The food looks delicious and I really would love to try out those different attractions.
If you’re looking for a place where you can do so many things with so little time, consider Caliraya Resort Club. Before going, I suggest you plan ahead on the activities you want to do, so you can better manage your time there. π
The Sky Bicycle seems to be very fun but your top ten are all great. I am hoping to be here with my family too.
Thanks! Don’t forget to bring a camera in your travel. π
The sky bicycle looks so exciting! Was it hard to balance while you’re up in the air?
I didn’t try it but my uncle said it was only hard to balance when there are strong winds blowing through the ropes in an opposite direction.
Out of all the activities that you and your family did, I’d probably get hooked on the Sky Bicycle more! This is actually the first time that I’m seeing and hearing about it. I’m afraid of heights, but I’ll certainly go for it! π
I give you an “A” for being courageous. π When you do that, I guess the experience would have hard to forget.
It looks like you had a really great trip. I hope to travel to the Philippines one day for myself. π
Include that in your bucket list. That is achievable! π
There are so many fun-filled activities in this resort! I have a feeling you most enjoyed eating the food at the resort haha!
Wow you know me best. Amen to that haha.
[…] plenty of vacation time in the long weekend, we did not pursue another outing (just got back from Caliraya Resort Club) but stayed at home instead. Malls were closed last Thursday to Friday, so we quickly decided to go […]
WOW! Caleraya is so much different now. Especially the hanging bike thing. Must go back soon. = ) Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! Whoa I did not expect that many people would go positively for the sky bike when in reality it looks so scary. π
When I was in college some students got the chance have their retreat here kaso di ko na naabutan. Love the activities. Super fun to be here!
Oh you can take a chance this year with your family and friends. π
arghh!! envy..how i wish me and my fam can visit caliraya too.! nice photos!
I think anytime you’re free is the best to go. π When it’s past summer, just make sure that it’s not raining so you can maximize your time there doing the activities.
This is sooo perfect for for family/friends get-together! I got hungry with your food spread π
Hehe yay! You’ll going to enjoy your time here. π
We go there in caliraya last August 2013. It was so happy and exciting ,,becos we are the guest that time,,cos there was a typhoon,,,,but it was so very ang fun,,even there is a heavy rains,,,,
Oh wow I’m glad you still had a good time even when it was raining and strong winds greeted you there. π
Your blog is so informative! Thank u so much for posting this π
You’re welcome. π
hi! your blog is very helpful thank you. i love it that you listed the prices of each and every activity a person or group can do whilst there. I just have one question though….. Is it possible to just go there and do the activities without the hotel accomodation? (not getting a room anymore)
Thanks, aj! π Yes, you can go with the day tour option. Rate is PhP 1,560 per person (Entrance Fee is from 7am to 5pm) and this includes buffet lunch, unlimited coffee and hot tea during meal time. The package also include:
Free access to 3 swimming pool
Use of Free facilities
β- Earth Ball
– Slide Pinoy (Mini-zipline)
– Obstacle course
– Hanging Bridge
– Children’s Playground
Use of house of prayers
Ferry boat transfer to and from the resort (2 to 3 mins. boat ride)
Jeepney transfer inside the resort
Hi Ms. Rochkirstin! Can we feature your review and your photos of our resort on our Facebook page: http://www.fb.com/calirayaresortclub? Rest assured none of the photos will be used for advertisements. Thank you.
Sure. π You’re welcome!
Hello Rochkirstin! Thanks for this post.. We were in Caliraya too last weekend for our company team building and yes, overall i feel the same you did.. Ok nmn db? π i did try slide and fly, not surekung meron n nun nung visit mo, beside eath ball sya.. Kkatakot! π
Btw, i manage jacarandatravels.com and i interview pinoy travel bloggers.. Or pinoy that writes about travels :).. Pwede b kita ma interview?
Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience. This place is really great for teambuilding activities. Dami magawa. π Sure, you may send me your questions through my email.