Hinatuan Enchanted River in Barangay Cambatong in Surigao del Sur has been attracting tourists since the Spanish times. It even earned the moniker “Enchanted” after a diplomat named Modesto Farolan called it “Rio Encantado” (or Enchanted River) in the early 1900s.
The river also has legends attached to it. For example, fairies and elves will congregate near the water when fireflies lit the night. Others believe its waters have magical healing properties. It’s undeniable how Rio Encantado has been integrated into the locals’ culture.
That’s why the people of Hinatuan are trying their best to preserve its beauty and marine life.
At 12 noon, the caretaker rings the bell and swimmers are asked to get out of the water. He plays the Hinatuan Hymn. In a few minutes, schools of fishes appear for “feeding time.” The caretaker and tourists can throw scraps of food. And after an hour or so, the fishes return to the underwater cave.
The caretakers do this every day that the feeding time itself has become a tourist attraction.
To accommodate more tourists, locals are also building cottages around the area. Life jacket can be rented for P100 apiece to people who want to take a dip in the enchanting turquoise waters.
The river also has legends attached to it. For example, fairies and elves will congregate near the water when fireflies lit the night. Others believe its waters have magical healing properties. It’s undeniable how Rio Encantado has been integrated into the locals’ culture.
At 12 noon, the caretaker rings the bell and swimmers are asked to get out of the water. He plays the Hinatuan Hymn. In a few minutes, schools of fishes appear for “feeding time.” The caretaker and tourists can throw scraps of food. And after an hour or so, the fishes return to the underwater cave.
The caretakers do this every day that the feeding time itself has become a tourist attraction.
To accommodate more tourists, locals are also building cottages around the area. Life jacket can be rented for P100 apiece to people who want to take a dip in the enchanting turquoise waters.
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