Can you really find an authentic Finnish sauna in the Philippines? Surprisingly, yes—at a somewhat unexpected location: Surigao. It might seem odd to some—why would anyone need a sauna in the tropics? Isn’t it already hot enough? But the answer lies in a unique gem: Surigao Dream Beach Resort, home to a resort with a true sauna experience.
As a Finnish person and a devoted sauna enthusiast, building a sauna was non-negotiable when I decided to establish a resort in the Philippines. I shipped sauna panels and an electric heater from Finland in a container, ensuring that even in the tropical heat, guests could enjoy a proper Finnish sauna experience.
Sauna with a Five Star View
Despite several challenges, including a super typhoon, the resort and sauna were eventually completed. From the moment the sauna opened, it became an instant favorite among both locals and international visitors. Many had their first-ever sauna experience, while seasoned sauna-goers traveled to Surigao specifically to relive their love for the heat.
It’s hard to imagine a more stunning sauna view: behind you, a long row of palm trees sways gently, while in front, the deep blue of the Surigao Strait stretches until Leyte’s islands where Magellan first set foot after crossing the vast Pacific Ocean — and all this painted in the soft hues of a pink sunset.
In the evening, a refreshing breeze sweeps in from the Pacific Ocean, making the air feel crisp and cool. After a dip in the pool, the sauna becomes the perfect spot to warm up. However, the heater I had initially shipped from Finland, while sufficient for some, wasn’t powerful enough for seasoned sauna fans like the Finns.
Sauna Factory in the Philippines
Importing a stronger heater from Finland would’ve been costly and complicated, but I found a solution closer to my new home. Sawo, a renowned Finnish company doing sauna heaters has it’s factory in Cebu, Philippines, from where it shipps them worldwide. When I reached out for help, Sawo’s vice president, Petri Hautakorpi, immediately responded, expressing familiarity with our story: “I have even read the story of your resort over morning coffee in the Finnish news!”
Not long after, I found myself at the port of Surigao, receiving a large, heavy package from Cebu. Inside was the new, much more powerful heater, complete with 120 kilograms of stones—proof that Sawo doesn’t cut corners when it comes to quality. That makes a huge difference to the old heater that had only held 15 kilos of stones.
A few days later, Archie, a seasoned Filipino sauna installer, arrived to set up the new heater. Despite some additional electrical work required due to the size of the heater, Archie handled everything expertly.
Authentic Finnish Sauna in the Philippines
When the sauna was finally ready, the difference was extraordinary. The steam was sharper, richer, and the overall experience far exceeded my expectations.
The new heater not only heated up quickly—perfect for the hotel—but could also support longer sauna sessions. Now, guests from all our six villas could comfortably take turns in the sauna without compromising the heat quality. Even the aroma inside was unmistakably Finnish, thanks to authentic Finnish wood used in the walls and stones shipped from Finland.
Sawo’s Petri Hautakorpi proudly noted that their heaters, and sauna accessories are shipped from the Philippines to over 90 countries, including Finland. While manufacturing is done in Cebu, a lot of the raw materials, such as spruce, pine, and stones, still come from Finland to ensure top-notch quality control.
With the new heater, the sauna has drawn even more admiration from visitors—Filipinos and foreigners alike. Some guests, inspired by their experience, have even started planning to build their own saunas.
As one recent Canadian visitor said, stepping into an authentic Finnish sauna here in the Philippines was nothing short of surreal.
So come and check it out, and you will say it too: You have found the best sauna in the Philippines!
