Dao Falls in Samboan, Cebu: A Full Tourist Guide in 2024

Heading to Dao Falls in Samboan, Cebu? Our Dao Falls Tourist Guide 2023 breaks down everything you need to know about visiting the waterfall, including the fees and how to get there.

Dao Falls is located in Barangay Suba, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines. Plunging from a 120-meter-tall cliff, Dao Falls in Samboan is one of the tallest waterfalls in Cebu. Dao Falls is only one of the dozens of waterfalls in Samboan.

Sometimes spelled Dau Falls, Dao Falls is only one of the dozens of waterfalls in Samboan that are open to the public. Other popular falls in Samboan include Aguinid Falls and Binalayan Falls.

Dao Falls Samboan Cebu — Dao Falls in Samboan, Cebu

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How to Get to Dao Falls

➡️ From Cebu City

To get to Dao Falls in Alegria, Cebu, take a Ceres Liner bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Barili. The fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD). Tell the driver or conductor to drop you off at Dao Eskina (see map), the corner road to Dao Falls’ visitors’ center.

Then take a habal-habal or motorcycle taxi to the visitor’s center. The fare is 100 PHP (~2 USD) for 1-3 people. The total travel time from Cebu City to Dao Falls is about 4 hours. Book a private intercity transfer to get you from Cebu City or Mactan Airport to Samboan!

➡️ From Moalboal

If you are coming from Moalboal, take a bus from Moalboal Bus Stop to Samboan. The fare is around 100 PHP (~2 USD). Tell the driver or conductor to drop you off at Dao Eskina (see map).

Then take a habal-habal or motorcycle taxi to the visitor’s center. The fare is 100 PHP (~2 USD) for 1-3 people. The total travel time from Moalboal to Dao Falls visitors’ center is 1 hour and 20 minutes.

➡️ From Oslob

If you are coming from Oslob, take a bus along the highway to Bato Bus Terminal in Samboan. The fare is 80 PHP (~1.5 USD). Then take a bus bound for Cebu City. Don’t forget to tell the driver or conductor to drop you off at Dao Eskina (see map), the corner road to Dao Falls’ visitors’ center.

Then take a habal-habal or motorcycle taxi to the visitor’s center. The fare is 100 PHP (~2 USD) for 1-3 people. The total travel time from Oslob to Dao Falls is about 4 hours.

Dao Falls Fees

In 2023, the entrance fee to Dao Falls is 100 PHP (~2 USD) per person inclusive of safety equipment like life vests and helmets. There’s also a 200 PHP (~4 USD) guide fee.

The last time we went there was in March 2023 and we were a group of 6. We tipped our tour guide 200 PHP (~4 USD) who also took our (blurry) photos. Jokes aside. I think that’s a fair tip.

Dao Falls Opening Hours

Dao Falls is open from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Tuesdays to Sundays. It will be closed to tourists on Mondays for a scheduled weekly clearing operation.

What to Bring to Dao 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

Hiking to Dao Falls

The hike to Dao Falls is an attraction in and of itself. At the start of the trailhead, you will be surrounded by a thick forest of coconut trees and mountains covered with lush greenery.

The trek starts with steep concrete steps toward an old bamboo suspension bridge. You might be worried about the bamboo bridge, but it holds up pretty over the years. If that does not excite you, ask your tour guide to take the alternate route, which is a very steep dirt trail.

Your hike involves treading rocky trails and passing through small streams for the first 10 minutes. You will also pass by slippery limestone pathways that get even slippier during rainy days.

Dao Falls Samboan Cebu9 — The rocky stream going to Dao Falls in Samboan, Cebu

As you approach the main tier of the waterfalls, you will be greeted by several large river streams that are coral-blue in color, coursing through massive cream-colored canyons. The trail is under a canopy of dense forest, making the experience even more magical.

Before reaching Dao Falls, your grip and leg strength will be tested. Nevertheless, there are makeshift railings to help you navigate this part of the trek.

A lot of tourists have complained about the irrelevance of tour guides. But based on my experience, they are necessary to warn you where the slippery parts are and where to place your grip. Note also that during the rainy season, it might get too slippery along the way. These guides are there to guide you where to step.

Dao Falls Samboan Cebu3 — The massive Dao Falls greets visitors at the top

At the waterfall, you will be in awe of the massive drop with green trees and the glaring blue sky on the backdrop. The plunge pool can go 6 feet deep and the bed is filled with pebble rocks. There’s a diving spot, but jumping off it is prohibited as the plunge pool is not deep enough.

Overall, the hike to the main tier of Dao Falls takes about 15-20 minutes. The trek back to the tourist center only gets easier.

Dao Falls Samboan Cebu5 — Dao Falls from the top

Best Time to Visit Dao Falls

The best time to visit Dao Falls is between March and May during the dry season. Between the rainy months of June and November, expect a trek to the falls to be very slippery.

Also, rainy months often cause flooding, which might prompt the local government to close entry to the falls for safety reasons.

Take note that Dao Falls is closed on Mondays for a weekly cleaning.

Where to Stay Near Dao Falls

Fantasy Lodge Samboan

Neptune Diving Resort Santander

Your Complete South Cebu Travel Guide

Dao Falls is only one of the must-visit tourist spots in South Cebu. There are so many things to do in South Cebu and so much to see. To help you out, check out CEBU INSIDER’s collection of travel guides for South Cebu: