Heading to Aguinid Falls in Samboan, Cebu? Our Aguinid Falls Tourist Guide 2023 breaks down everything you need to know about visiting the waterfall, including the fees and how to get there.
Cebu Province is not just about Magellan’s Cross and the lechon of its capital city, swimming with sardines in Moalboal, or meeting with whale sharks in Oslob. In Samboan, a small town perched on a hill, you can find a bunch of waterfalls, and one of them is Aguinid Falls.
Aguinid Falls is a paradise on Earth. Located in South Cebu, particularly in Barangay Tangbo, this waterfall is the perfect place to beat the heat and commune with nature. The water cascades down toward crystal turquoise pools encapsulated within lush greenery.
Aguinid Falls is one of the most visited waterfalls in Cebu, boasting eight tiers—five of which are accessible to tourists, offering an unparalleled experience.
How to Go to Aguinid Falls
➡️From Cebu City
To get to Aguinid Falls from Cebu City, you need to take a jeepney, car, or Grab heading to Cebu South Bus Terminal near E-Mall (see map).
Then, ride a bus with the route to Bato via Barili and inform the conductor to drop you off at the trail leading to Aguinid Falls in Barangay Tangbo within the Samboan town proper.
You can find signage at the basketball court, and for private vehicles, there is another way after this court. The fare is around 200 PHP (~4 USD), and your travel time is approximately 4 hours.
➡️From Moalboal
The easiest way to get to Aguinid Falls from Moalboal is to rent a motorbike or scooter. It costs around 300 PHP (~6 USD) per day.
If you are driving the scooter independently and not hiring a driver, you should start your journey from Moalboal’s Panagsama Beach area. To get to Samboan, you must head south along the Cebu South Road. Continue on this road. You shall pass by the Badian, Alegria, and Malabuyoc towns.
Upon reaching Samboan, look for the junction with a signage directing you to Aguinid Falls. The junction is just before you get to the Samboan town proper if you are approaching from the north.
Turn right at this junction and simply follow the road. You will soon arrive at Aguinid Falls. It is recommended that you use the Google Maps or Waze app so you won’t get lost.
If you wish to get to Aguinid Falls from Moalboal by bus, ride a bus heading to Bato via Barili and ask to be dropped off at Aguinid Falls. The fare is around 70 PHP (~1.5 USD).
➡️From Oslob
The best and easiest way to reach Aguinid Falls from Oslob is to rent a motorbike or scooter. It costs around 300 PHP (~5-6 USD). Or you can charter a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) to get you to the falls for 1,000 PHP (~17.5 USD). The travel time takes around 1.5-2 hours.
If you are driving the scooter independently and not hiring a driver, the path from Oslob to Aguinid Falls is easier because of its shorter distance from one another compared to the other origins discussed earlier. It will be a scenic drive around the island’s southern tip, passing by the beautiful Sumilon Island along the way. Be sure to open your Google Maps or Waze app!
If you wish to get to Aguinid Falls from Oslob by bus, take a bus going to Bato Port in Samboan. From there, you need to ride another bus going to Cebu via Barili. Tell the driver that you will alight at Aguinid Falls. The total journey by bus costs around 50 PHP (~1 USD).
As you reach the place, if you take the bus, you can walk or hire a motorcycle to take you to the registration area of Aguinid Falls. If you drove your own car or rented a motorbike, you can simply park your car or motorbike there.
Aguinid Falls Fees
The entrance fee to Aguinid Falls is 300 PHP (~5-6 USD). This includes compulsory safety equipment (wet shoes, helmet, and life jacket), two guides, and tips for the guides.
Aguinid Falls Opening Hours
Aguinid Falls is open from 6 AM to 6 PM daily except Mondays, which is the cleaning day.
What to Bring to Aguinid Falls
Before heading to Dao Falls, here’s a checklist of the things you need to bring on your hike.
- Dry bag
- Trekking shoes or sandals
- Water bottle
- Waterproof phone case
- Microfiber towel
Trekking Aguinid Falls
After paying the entrance fee, you will start with a quick briefing with your guides. The walk to the first level is just simple. It takes around 15 minutes from the trailhead to the first level. You will be walking up the dry rock to the side of the falls.
Level 1
Upon reaching this first level, you will find a large pool by a small waterfall, where you can swim. However, sadly, for those who like to dive into it, it is not deep enough to do so. You can swim here either before or after your hike.
Level 2
Then, you will head to the second tier. This is the hardest level (you are just at level two, right?). Things here can get a little bit trickier. It requires you to walk up a steep and smooth rock in the middle of the waterfall.
Don’t worry because a rope is there to help you stay grounded, and the foothills are cut into the rock. As long as you are wearing the right shoes, getting your footing won’t be that difficult.
However, you need to maintain your balance especially when the waterfalls are coming at you. Follow your guide at all times. They will tell you where to put your feet.
Level 3
Though all these levels belong to just one waterfall, each level seems to show off a different kind of personality. The third level is like a jungle paradise as the scene changes from the enormous waterfall to a milky blue river section covered in greenery.
The walk here is mostly through shallow pools, then up some rock. This tier is a nice place to take a shower in the waterfall if you feel like doing so. Also, there is a steep rock to climb at the side of this section, but there are footholds to guide you.
Level 4
The fourth level is what cliff divers are waiting for. Here, unlike in the other levels earlier, the pool is deep enough to dive, plunge in, and swim. If you do not have the guts to cliff dive, you can just enjoy the views of the surroundings.
Level 5
The fifth level, where the top of the falls is, is pretty impressive yet somewhat anticlimactic. The trek to this point is quite stunning, passing by several amazing falls and wading through a bright blue river.
Once you reach this area, the falls are huge, but you can’t take a plunge here as the water is very shallow. You can sit on a rock or in the water and take in the views.
Your guide will tell you that there are more tiers these waterfalls have, but they are not accessible anymore for tourists for safety reasons.
Best Time to Visit Aguinid Falls
The best time to visit Aguinid Falls is during Cebu’s dry season, which runs from December to June. While you can still visit the falls during the rainy season, it may be harder to climb because of the higher water levels, and the trek may be more slippery.
Where to Stay Near Dao Falls
- Fantasy Lodge Samboan (Check room rates!)
- House Rental Banaba Tree Samboan (Check room rates!)
- Eden Resort Santander (Check room rates!)
- Santander Pebble Beach Resort (Check room rates!)
- Neptune Diving Resort Santander (Check room rates!)
Your Complete South Cebu Travel Guide
Those are everything you need to know if you are heading to the breathtaking Aguinid Falls in Samboan, Cebu—from the directions on how to get there to information about the trek.
Aguinid Falls is just one of the must-visit tourist spots in Cebu. Of course, there is so much more to see and discover. If you are looking for more travel guides nearby, check out our range of South Cebu travel guides:
- South Cebu Travel Guide: Tourist Spots, Things to Do, Beaches, Itinerary, and Budget
- Best Beaches in South Cebu
- Fun Things to Do in South Cebu
- South Cebu Itinerary for 2 Days: Moalboal and Badian Itinerary and Budget
- South Cebu Itinerary: 6D5N DIY Itinerary and Budget
- Tourist Spots in South Cebu
Got more questions about your trip to Aguinid Falls? Leave them in the comments! We will get back to you ASAP!
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