Solo Backpacking Trip at San Pablo City, Laguna

Solo backpacking is one of the things in my to do list. This is mainly to find out if I can manage to travel alone. I decided to go to San Pablo City, Laguna because its proximity to Manila and after doing some research I found out that there are a lot of things to do in San Pablo City.

One of the things that I decided to do in San Pablo was to visit the lakes that made this city famous. San Pablo City is known for having seven lakes in which some have become a tourist attraction and others have become the main source of livelihood for the townsfolk. The seven lakes are Sampaloc Lake, Bunot Lake, Calibato Lake, Mohicap Lake, the twin lakes of Pandin and Yambo and Palakpakin Lake. In my trip I was able to visit four of the lakes in San Pablo City.

the Sampaloc Lake

The next of my things to do list is to go to Sulyap Gallery Café Bed and Breakfast to visit their antique collections. Since Sulyap also offered accommodation for solo travelers, I decided to check in also and stayed there for the night. Aside from the gallery and rooms, Sulyap amenities also include a swimming pool and a restaurant that offers delicious Filipino cuisines.

The Function Room Of Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant

One of the houses that offers accommodation at Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant

Included also in my to do list is to take a photowalk of the town. I started my photowalk at six in the morning at Sampaloc Lake. I decided to capture the sunrise or at least the colors of the morning’s reflection against the lake. But when I reached the lake I was welcome by the locals doing their morning routine of jogging, bicycling and taking breakfast along the stores lined at the lake.

an overview of the Sampaloc Lake

the townspeople takinbg a walk along the lake

My itinerary wouldn’t also be complete if I were not to visit the town’s church. So part of the itinerary is to visit the San Pablo Cathedral which is famous for its architecture. So after taking pictures of the sights and activities at Sampaloc Lake, I decided to take a walk heading to the San Pablo Cathedral. Unfortunately, the cathedral is under repair as to restore the façade of the old church, but I still tried to get a nice picture of the church.

the San Pablo Cathedral under construction

I get around the City mostly by tricycle which is kind of expensive especially when travelling alone. My tricycle fare from Sulyap Gallery Café Bed and Breakfast to Sampaloc Lake is Php 30.00. This is the reason why I decided to go to the Church from Sampaloc Lake by foot. If you will rent a tricycle to reach the lakes you need to have good negotiating skills as the driver can charge you until Php 800.00 for the whole trip.

the town plaza of San Pablo 

For food there is nothing to worry as there are lots of fastfoods and carinderias at the town plaza. Sampaloc Lake is also full of vendors. For the trip to the lakes, Pandin Lake offers lunch packages that are included in a raft cruise of the lake.


You can get to San Pablo City by riding a Lucena Bound bus and tell the conductor that drop you off at San Pablo Medical Center. You know you are near the Medical Center once you passed by SM San Pablo. Bus fare is Php 135.00. From the San Pablo Medical Center you can start your trip by riding a tricycle that can bring you to almost any part of San Pablo City.