LIST: Best swimming spots in Metro Manila for a stress-free long weekend
No out-of-town trips? No problem. With flight disruptions and heavy traffic expected during the 49th ASEAN Summit, staying in Metro Manila this long weekend might actually be the smartest move.
Just make sure to steer clear of the summit’s high-security zones around Pasay City. Even though major roads stay open, four streets near the Philippine International Convention Center and Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex—Atang Dela Rama, Vicente Sotto, Pedro Bukaneg, and Magdalena Jalandoni—are off-limits, and heavy congestion is expected along Macapagal Boulevard, Diokno Boulevard, Roxas Boulevard, and the World Trade Center area.
Instead of sitting in traffic or going to crowded malls, spend your long weekend poolside. Check out these swimming spots around the metro—complete with entrance fees and rates.
Maybunga Rainforest Park (RAVE)
Maybunga Rainforest Park, also known as Rainforest Adventure Experience, is an outdoor recreational spot located along F. Legaspi Avenue in Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City, where residents and visitors can swim and enjoy other park attractions.
The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., although some facilities may have different operating hours.
The entrance fee is P100 per head for Pasig residents and P150 for non-residents. Children below three feet tall pay P50 if they are Pasig residents and P100 if they are from outside the city.
Visitors can also rent a cottage for P500, a table with four chairs for P100, or a long table for P400.
The park also has event venues for private gatherings. The Rizal Pavilion costs P3,000, the Senior Citizen Park P2,500, the Boating Lagoon P4,000, and the New Kiddie Pool, which is a private pool, P10,000.
For more information, you can check the park's Facebook page.
ACE Water Spa
If you prefer an indoor swimming facility, ACE Water Spa has branches in Pasig City and Quezon City. It offers a hydrotherapy experience using an Ultrasonic Jet System, which uses aquatic jets to massage specific areas of the body and help soothe tired muscles.
Guests can enjoy its different water facilities, including hydrotherapy massage pools with soft, moderate, and hard-pressure jets, hot herbal pools, wet and dry saunas, a kids' area, and a lap pool for those who want to swim. The facility also features waterfalls and other water attractions.
The entrance fee is P780 for adults, P380 for children four feet and below, and P557.14 for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The rates are good for a four-hour session, during which guests can use the spa's wet and dry facilities.
Visitors are required to wear appropriate swimwear, such as one-piece or two-piece swimsuits, rash guards, swimming trunks, or tank tops with cycling shorts. Children two years old and below must wear swimming diapers. Guests should also bring their own towels, as cameras, mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets are not allowed inside the spa.
ACE Water Spa is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It has two branches: one at United Street corner Brixton Street in Pasig City and the other at 399 Del Monte Avenue in Quezon City.
You can check its Facebook page for more details on its rates and offerings.
Marikina Sports Center
For those looking for an affordable public swimming facility, the Marikina Sports Center is another option. Located along Sumulong Highway, Barangay Sto. Niño, Marikina City, the complex features an Olympic-sized, 50-meter swimming pool with nine lanes, making it suitable for both recreational swimming and lap training.
The pool is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, with morning sessions from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays for maintenance.
Swimming costs P50 per person per session, plus a P10 entrance fee to the sports center.
Aside from its swimming facilities, the sports complex has a track oval, covered gymnasium, basketball courts, badminton facilities, and a football field. Visitors can check with the center about the availability and fees for using these other facilities.
Walk-ins are accepted for public swimming sessions, but schedules may change when the pool is reserved for competitions, training, or other events.
You can check the Marikina Sports Center's Facebook page for updates and more information.
Amoranto Sports Complex
Amoranto Sports Complex, located at 140 Don A. Roces Avenue, Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City, is another public swimming option for those who want to practice their swimming skills or get some exercise. Its facility features a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool with 10 lanes, a separate warm-up pool, locker rooms, showers, and changing areas.
The regular swimming rate is P100 per person per hour during the day and P130 per person per hour at night. Groups can also book non-exclusive training sessions for P1,500 per hour for up to 15 people, with an additional P100 for every succeeding participant.
Those planning to hold a sports fest or event at the pool will be charged P8,000 for the first four hours and P1,700 for every succeeding hour. An additional P1,500 is charged for the use of a timing system, while another P1,500 applies for night lights.
According to the Quezon City government's Citizens' Charter, the swimming pool operates daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on days when it is reserved for exclusive use. Those interested in booking the facility may submit a request letter to the Amoranto Sports Complex or email amorantosc@quezoncity.gov.ph.
For the complete list of rates and requirements, see the Quezon City government's swimming pool guidelines here.
YMCA of Manila
For those looking for an affordable swimming spot in the city, the YMCA of Manila offers a swimming pool open to both members and non-members.
The two-hour swimming session costs P130 for adult members and P140 for non-members. For students and children, the rates are P105 for members and P115 for non-members. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities can avail of the P115 member rate.
Both walk-in visits and reservations are accepted, making it convenient for those who want to swim on the day or plan their visit ahead of time. The swimming pool operates from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests can also purchase swimming caps at the facility.
It is located at 350 Antonio Villegas Street, Ermita, Manila, near SM City Manila and Manila City Hall.
For inquiries and reservations, visit the YMCA of Manila's official website.
AYSN Sports Center
North people, you can also check out AYSN Sports Center in Cubao. Located at 47 P. Tuazon Street corner C. Benitez Street, the private sports complex has an indoor lap pool that guests can access through paid swimming sessions.
The entrance fee is P500 for a two-hour session.
The facility is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is also used for swimming lessons and training, so it's best to contact the center ahead of your visit to check pool availability and schedule your session.
For inquiries and bookings, contact AYSN Sports Center at 0917-1910540 or visit its official page.