🛏️Lihim na Paraiso

Lihim na Paraiso — "Secret Paradise" — is a private resort tucked into Sitio Umboy, Brgy. Kasili, on the upland side of Santa Cruz, Marinduque. It opened to the public in August 2022 and is set up the way most barkada-and-family resorts on the island are set up: you rent the whole place. There's a main villa that the early visit writeups peg at 15–20 pax, and a separate cottage that sleeps 5–8 — both day-use and overnight bookings are available. With only six Google ratings averaging 3.8 stars, this isn't a place with a long paper trail — but the reviews that do exist line up so consistently on the same handful of details (three pools, the view, the videoke) that you can size the property up before you make the call.

What You Can Book

Two whole-place rental options, per the 2022 visit writeup:

- The Villa — sleeps 15–20 pax - The Cottage — sleeps 5–8 pax

Important caveat — these capacity numbers come from a 2022 third-party blog (Tara Lets Anywhere's "Best Marinduque Resorts" roundup), not from the resort's own posted material. Lihim na Paraiso has not published a rate card or per-room breakdown online. Confirm current pricing, day-use vs overnight rates, and any add-ons (kayak, videoke) directly through the Facebook page before you commit to a date.

What's on the Property

Three swimming pools — multiple reviews confirm they're clean, and a November 2023 ★4 reviewer specifically called out the pool water temperature as "lukewarm," which on a Marinduque afternoon is the right word for "doesn't shock you when you go in."

Mountain and sea views from the same property — this is the line that comes up in almost every account. A June 2024 ★5 reviewer said it best: "The view of the mountains and sea from here is very beautiful and breathtaking! It's so relaxing and it's very peaceful at this place." Sitio Umboy sits upland enough that you get the coast and a ridge of mountain at the same time, which is unusual for the island's resort cluster.

Kayaking by the seaside — the resort has kayaks for guest use. The same June 2024 reviewer mentioned not trying it but planning to come back for it; if it's important to you, ask before booking whether it's included or a separate fee.

Videoke — confirmed in two separate reviews, including a May 2023 visitor who flagged it as one of the reasons the place works for family and barkada gatherings.

What Visitors Say

Six Google ratings averaging 3.8 stars — small sample. Of the reviews with text, the picture is consistent: three pools, mountain-and-sea view, private feel for family / barkada bookings.

The most detailed account, June 2024 ★5: "I would definitely come back here or even stay the night next time. The view of the mountains and sea from here is very beautiful and breathtaking! It's so relaxing and it's very peaceful at this place. It's also very private and good for a family gathering. The three pools at this resort are clean. There's also kayaking by the seaside but we didn't try it tho, maybe next time."

November 2023 ★4: "Nice view. Perfect temperature of pool water (luke warm)."

May 2023 ★4, originally in Tagalog: "Medyo bago pa siya bali tatlong swimming pool maganda ang View pwede din sila overnight may videoki pa ok na ok pang family at pang barkada." In English: "It's still fairly new, with three swimming pools, a nice view, and they can also stay overnight, and there's even a videoke, which is great for families and friends."

There's one ★1 from July 2024 with no text — be aware of it, but with no detail attached it's hard to read either way.

What to Know Before You Book

First — this is a whole-property rental, not a room-by-room booking. Show up with two travelers and you'll be paying for the whole cottage or villa. The pricing model is built for celebrations: family reunions, birthday weekends, barkada trips.

Second — neither rates nor opening hours are posted online. The Facebook page is the only working channel as of mid-2026, and there's no listed phone number or email. Plan extra lead time to message them and get a response before locking your dates, and bring a reservation confirmation when you arrive — but it's also worth asking whether walk-ins are accommodated in case your plans shift on the day.

Third — Sitio Umboy is rural. Google Maps will get you close to the pin, but a tricycle from the Santa Cruz Poblacion is the standard last-mile option; tell the driver you're going to "Lihim na Paraiso, Sitio Umboy, Kasili" specifically so you don't get sent to the wrong sitio.

Where It Sits

Brgy. Kasili sits in the upland fringe of Santa Cruz, the largest municipality in Marinduque. From the resort you can reasonably string a trip to Bagumbungan Cave, Cavesera Beach Resort, or the Sta. Cruz Church for a quick parish visit, and a Maniwaya Island day from the Buyabod Port if you want a separate island side trip. For a meal in town, the Sta. Cruz Poblacion has a handful of cafes and turo-turo options.

Booking and Contact

- Facebook: Lihim na Paraiso (facebook.com/lihimnaparaiso) — the only published channel - Phone: not published as of mid-2026 — message via Facebook - Email: not published - Website: not found - Rate card: not posted online — must ask via Facebook

Why to Consider

If you're putting together a family or barkada weekend and the picture in your head is three pools, a mountain-and-sea view, and a videoke setup you don't have to share with strangers, Lihim na Paraiso is one of the few Santa Cruz options that delivers that exact configuration. The catch is that you're betting on a small review sample (6 ratings) and a property that hasn't formalized its pricing online — confirm everything in writing through the Facebook page before you send any deposit, ask whether the kayak is included, and bring more bottled water than you think you'll need because Sitio Umboy isn't near a sari-sari store you can walk to. The reviewers who do go, like it.