Cambugahay Falls Siquijor is a popular multi-tier blue-pooled waterfall that might just be the most popular attraction on the island– is it worth it?
The famous, 3-tiered waterfall and swimming hole known as Cambugahay Falls is ideal for a day trip, meaning most travelers on the island will visit the falls via a short ride from San Juan.
In this travel guide, I’ll give you a rundown of what you need to know to visit this waterfall, how to beat the crowds, and a short review to narrow down if it’s worth it for you.
Featured in: 2 Best Siquijor Waterfalls You Need to Visit
Where is Cambugahay Falls on Siquijor
You will find Cambugahay Falls towards the south side of Siquijor Island. The closest town is Lazi and you can reach it via a short ride from the main circumferential road.
Below I've pinned the exact location to help you find it. There are many attractions on this side of the Island including Lagaan Falls and The Enchanted Balete Tree.
How to Get To the Cambugahay Waterfalls in Siquijor
To get to the magical Cambugahay Falls Siquijor, you'll have two options. We decided to rent a motorbike to explore all the fun things to do on Siquijor independently and drove to the waterfall ourselves.
I would recommend this option if you are confident on the bike and want a bit more freedom. Regardless, below are both options.
Option 1: Cambugahay Falls + Heritage Tour
If you're short on time, or if you'd just like to see the best Siquijor highlights, including a visit to Cambugahay Falls and the epic Salagdoong Beach, then it might be a good idea to book a tour.
Note you can try your luck finding a guide in San Juan. Or, if you're still in Dumaguete then the one below is easily the best you'll find. It's got hundreds of bookings and a 4.9/5 star rating on Siquijor.
Book: Guided island tour option (includes Cambugahay Falls)
This trip includes:
- Hotel pickup/drop-off in Dumaguete
- Private tour around Siquijor island
- Return ticket ferry included
- History tour with a visit to century-old churches
- Take a dip in the turquoise waters of Cambugahay Falls and see the famous 400+-year-old Balete Tree
- End the day at the famous Triad Cafe for views of Negros and Boho
This trip is really affordable and can actually work out cheaper than doing things independently.
Option 2: Independent Option
For those of you already on Siquijor and planning to stay a few days exploring the island, then by far, the best way to do so is to rent your own motorbike.
Directions: From San Juan, head east on the Circumferential Road toward Lazi. After approximately 12 kilometers, you will reach a marked turnoff on your left for Cambugahay Falls.
Turn left and follow the signage directing you to the parking area. The journey from San Juan should take about 25-30 minutes.
Location: Siquijor Circumferential Road, Lazi
The road is in good condition and you can leave your motorbike just near the steps down to the waterfall (signed). It only takes about 5 minutes to reach the main waterfall lagoon from the entrance.
If you're not too keen on renting a bike, you can always get a tricyle taxi to Cambugahay Falls. But, make sure to barter for a fair price.
My Experience at Cambugahay Falls
Entrance Fee: 20 PHP
I know that visiting Cambugahay Falls was going to be one of the best natural attractions on Siquijor. In fact, it's the reason I visited after my trip to Apo Island.
So, we made the trip on our bikes and parked at the dedicated parking lot mentioned above. From here, it's a short walk to the falls.
This waterfall is a series of 3-tiered waterfalls flowing into magical blue pools with crystal clear waters. Once you arrive, you need to pay the 20 PHP entrance fee, which is now increased from 10 when I visited.
Then, you're free to explore and enjoy this beautiful place.
The cascading flow originates from natural springs in the jungle interior. This crisp, clean water flows for roughly 3 kilometers before flowing into the ocean at Lazi Bay.
The main attraction at Cambugahay Falls is the bottom tier, where there is a wide, 2-metre tall waterfall plunging into a deep, blue pool (lagoon). This is easily accessible via a short walk from the main trail.
There's a bamboo raft here, as well as a swing that locals have made up for enjoyment.
However, when I asked to use it, the guide told me that it would cost 50 PHP to use with unlimited turns– definitely worth it in my opinion!
Avoiding the Crowds
Since this can get very busy, I recommend walking upstream to check out the other tiers, as well as the more secluded cold springs and lagoons. These upper tiers have far fewer tourists and are just as beautiful (just not as deep).
Tip: Cambugahay Falls is Siquijor's most popular attraction. Definitely arrive early to beat the crowds! We got here just after sunrise and had the place to ourselves for over an hour!
Where to Stay on Siquijor
The main tourist hub on Siquijor is known as San Juan (Siqujor Town). However, there are also several guest houses, hostels, and resorts scattered around the island. Below I'll give you my three top options for where to stay in Siquijor to plan your trip.
- Epic Bamboo Treehouse: Mandala Tribe Treehouses - Want to take your Filipino island adventures to the next level? Mandala Tribe features epic treehouse accommodations in a perfect spot on Siquijor. The breakfast is amazing and the price is really fair!
- Budget Guest House: LightHaus Destination Place - This is the best-reviewed guest house on the island! This place costs less than $10 a night, is ideally located, and has a crazy 9.7/10 rating on Booking.com
- Luxury: Descanso En Paraiso Resort - Descanso En Paraiso is a luxury resort on Siquijor without the regular price tag! This resort is just a short walk from popular Pontod Beach and has its own restaurant, pool, garden, and bar.
Review: Is Cambugahay Falls Worth Visiting?
Cambugahay Falls is undoubtedly picturesque. However, if you visit in the middle of the day, it's far from a peaceful experience. Its unique and vibrant turquoise waters with lush surroundings make it a popular spot on Siquijor Island.
In my opinion, perhaps too popular– especially during peak travel seasons and weekends.
That said, like usual, I visited in the early morning before the crowds. Haylea and I had the swing and the pools to ourselves and spent about an hour swimming and rope swinging. I'd recommend visiting these waterfalls. But, don't do so in the middle of the day!
So, did you enjoy this quick guide to visiting Cambugahay Falls Siquijor Island? If so, please let me know in the comments below!
Also, while you're here, make sure to check out some of my other useful travel guides for more Philippines adventure inspiration!
- 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
- 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
