Learn how to visit Aguinid Falls, another epic multi-leveled waterfall located in the Samboan Municipality in South Cebu.
Cebu is the island of waterfalls and Aguinid Falls is perhaps one of the best if you love adventure! This one features seven levels of flowing waterfalls, each with the opportunity to swim and jump into the crystal-blue Cebu jungle water.
Learn how to get here, the fees, what to expect, and tips for an epic day trip!
About Aguinid Falls
- Location: Barangay Tangbo, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines, approximately 4 hours by bus from Cebu City and 1-1.5 hours by motorbike from Moalboal.
- Entrance Fee: 300 PHP per person, guide tip recommended.
- Opening times: 8 am – 5 pm everyday
- Access: Levels 1-5 are accessible via some easy-to-use ropes; higher levels require professional canyoneering.
- What to Expect: Climbing, swimming, natural slides, and cliff jumping across multiple waterfall levels.
- Tips: Bring a dry bag, wear aqua shoes, arrive early, avoid sunblock, and carry out any trash.
How to Get to Aguinid Falls
You have a few options for getting to Aguinid Falls in Samboan. Those coming all the way from Cebu City should expect a long 4-hour drive, so it's best to stay somewhere close by.
Option 1: Self Drive Motorbike
The best independent way to get to Aguinid Falls is to rent a motorbike. This is better if you are staying in Moalboal or Oslob. At these two tourist hubs, you can pick one up for 300-400 PHP per day. Scroll down of the exact location below to help you find the falls.
If you're planning to stay in Oslob during your trip to Cebu, then perhaps this is the best way to get to Aguinid Falls. This is because it is a shorter distance and a very scenic drive around the Southern tip of the island, passing beautiful Sumilon Island on the way.
Option 2: Tricycle Taxi
You can pay a local tricycle taxi driver to take you directly to the falls. Prices will vary depending on the distance. Remember to barter. Expect to pay around 250-300 from Moalboal (which takes about 1.5 hours.
Aguinid Falls Location
Aguinid Falls is located roughly 1.5 hours from Moalboal in the Samboan Municipality. This is just south of Ginatilan, where you can find other epic waterfalls such as Inambakan Falls.
The epic 5-leveled waterfall is conveniently located very close to the main coastal road (Santander - Barili - Toledo Road. You'll want to follow this road until you near Ton-Ton and Rak-Rak Beach House, you'll find signs to Aguinid Falls on that road.
The waterfall is very easy to find. I have pinned the exact location for your convenience below.
Google Maps Pin: “Aguinid Falls EcoAdventure Park”
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My Experience at Aguinid Falls
There is a program operating at Aguinid Falls that used to be called the EcoAdventure Park, but I believe now they just use the name of the waterfall. This is a little different to some of the other popular waterfalls in Cebu, as you need to have a guide to visit the multiple waterfall levels.
The falls are part of a unique system that runs for a couple of kilometers along the Tangbo River.
Arriving and Parking Situation
Once we arrived at the park, just past the turn-off, we were asked by locals to leave our motorbike by their houses. However, this is common in the Philippines and I knew they would just ask us for a fee.
While I completely support locals trying to earn some money from tourism, I believe it's fair if they tell you the price beforehand. That's why it's a good idea to ask how much it will cost first, usually, 10 pesos is enough. For a small fee, they'll take care of your helmets and motorbike, and you'll be supporting a local community.
After parking your bike, head up to the ticketing office where you will have to pay the entrance fee.
Aguinid Falls entrance fee
The current entrance fee for Aguinid Falls is 300 pesos per person, which includes safety gear such as a helmet, life vest, and non-slip shoes.
This fee also covers a vehicle pick-up at the end of the adventure. Additionally, it is mandatory to take two guides, with tips optional but recommended. The guides are very supportive and make the experience more enjoyable.
There are several local guides waiting for eager travelers. These guides get to operate on a rotating basis, and usually, only get one tour per day. They are not paid a wage and rely completely on the tip. The ticketing office is upfront with these details. It is completely up to you how much you'd like to pay the guides after seeing the waterfalls.
What to Expect at Aguinid Falls Samboan
The falls themselves have a total of around 10 levels. When we visited the first time, ony the first five levels were accessible. However, now the first seven levels are accessible to most visitors. The upper levels require more advanced climbing skills. The adventure involves climbing up waterfalls, swimming in crystal-blue pools, and jumping into the water.
The experience is both thrilling and slightly physically engaging, ideal for those seeking an adrenaline rush but don't expect anything too hardcore.
However, the upper three levels are reserved for professional canyoneering teams. In saying that, these levels are still awesome and you could easily spend an entire day exploring them.
Aguinid Falls levels
The first few levels are smaller waterfalls tucked between jungle canyons with steep limestone walls and dense jungle vines overhanging. The guides assist you through these levels, and at times, you will need to climb using fixed ropes.
The higher levels offer deep pools for swimming and jumping, with each level presenting a unique natural feature.
Our guide took us through the first few levels. On the first two levels, we needed to climb up the waterfall using a fixed rope. Our guides are more than qualified to help, however, it does require some strength and balance to pull ourselves up.
There are several deep, aqua-blue pools for swimming and jumping as you progress up the waterfall levels. Take your time and enjoy some of the smaller jumps. Ask your guide for the best places to jump.
The fifth and final level for us is the masterpiece of Agunid Falls. It is a strangely shaped, limestone and calcium-enriched waterfall flowing into a shallow pool. It's one of the most unique waterfalls in Cebu, and just the right pressure flow to get a nature massage.
Tips Before You Visit Aguinid Falls
Before you make the trip to Aguinid Falls, you might want to know some of these useful tips.
- Bring a dry bag if you're bringing any cameras or phones. You will get wet if you want to explore all of the waterfall levels.
- You will need to walk through waist-deep water at times. I recommend either bringing some reef shoes or runners that you can get wet, or going barefoot.
- Take your time at the waterfalls. You might feel like you don't want to push your time with the guides, but they usually only get one job per day. Therefore they want to make the most of it.
- Keen on a waterfall exploration day? Why not check out some other waterfalls nearby? Popular Tumalog Falls is not too far away.
- Aguinid Falls closes at 5:00 PM, arrive early to take advantage of a whole day at the waterfalls.
- Avoid using any sunblock or suncream as this might contaminate the river (Tangbo River)
- Make sure you pick up any trash that you bring or see on the path. The municipality does a pretty good job of keeping the waterfall clean, but you could do your part by taking some trash with you.
Where to Stay on Cebu Island
The best place to stay is in Moalboal as it's close to all of the best things to do and all the epic attractions you'll want to add to your Cebu itinerary. However, if you're planning to travel around the island, then I'd also recommend staying at:
- Cebu City/Mactan
- Oslob
- Malapascua
- Sumilon Island
Here are my 4 top picks for hostels, resorts, and hotels in Cebu for each budget.
1. Ancelle Cristo Re Moalboal
Top-rated luxury resort situated on a private beach near Moalboal where you can snorkel with sea turtles. This hotel is run by three amazing sisters who use their proceeds to support a local orphanage.
2. Bai Hotel Mid-Range
Mid-budget resort in Cebu City with large rooms, daily buffet breakfast, and rooftop swimming pool. Located close to the Cebu International Airport.
3. Chief Mau Hostel
A great hostel with a relaxed backpacker vibe in the heart of Moalboal. Large rooms, an onsite bar, and tours can be booked straight from the front desk.
4. Sumilon Bluewater Island
Stay on a pristine private island with a beautiful white sandbar and crystal-clear water for swimming and snorkeling.
While you're here, make sure to check out some of my other blog posts for more adventure inspiration on the island!
- Siargao Travel Guide - discover the epic island of Siargao and why there are so many more things to do than just surfing
- Cebu Island Travel Guide - my ultimate adventure travel guide to Cebu
- Siquijor Island Guide - off-beat adventures in Siquijor
- Kawasan Falls - how to visit the Philippines' most famous waterfall
- 10 Best Islands in the Philippines - a roundup of my 10 favorite islands to travel to in the Philippines
- Accommodation Guides: Plan where to stay in Siargao and find great hotels in Cebu