AGUINID FALLS: Travel Guide (Itinerary and Budget) 2018

If you fancy the outdoors and taking uncharted path, then the municipality of Samboan will surprise you with pristine natural attractions concealed in its dense wilderness. Take for example AGUINID FALLS in Brgy. Tamboan, which I recently visited with my cousins and uncle.  Aguinid Falls may not be as famous as Kawasan Falls but it is equally captivating and yes, definitely Instagram-worthy!  This 8 level waterfalls with shamrock green water is making a name as one of the best eco-tourism destinations in South Cebu.

As of our recent visit, only the 5 levels of Aguinid Waterfalls are open and recommended for tourists. Exploring Level 6 to Level 8 is not encouraged as of now since they don’t have the proper gears yet.  But my guides assured me that they are working on it.

Before the trek, travelers will be briefed for safety.  2 guides will be assigned per group (1-5 persons), one will guide travelers while the other is tasked to carry your gears and bags.

AGUINID FALLS LEVEL 1: Jumping is not allowed since it has shallow water and trail here is slippery and peppered with rocks.  So be extra careful.  It’s an easy 3 minute trek from the trailhead.  But you can take a dip at one of the basins.

AGUINID FALLS COVER 4

AGUINID FALLS LEVEL 2: This level requires stamina as you need to climb a 90 degree rock.  But don’t fret because there is a rope and some holes where you can step on while making your way up or down and the guide will be at your side to assist you.

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AGUINID FALLS LEVEL 3: This is one of the most enchanting levels.  You can sit here and take a shower as the water flows from the top of a beautiful, naturally carved rock.  This is one of my favorite spots for photo op!

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AGUINID FALLS LEVEL 4: We had to climb again to reach Level 4 and hold onto small holes while ascending.  If you like to cliff jump, you can do it here.  Not as high as other waterfalls in Cebu though, about 6 feet only, but it is definitely worth a try.  I enjoyed swimming in the basin here!

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AGUINID FALLS LEVEL 5: The crown jewel of Aguinid Falls.  Here you’ll find a massive limestone rock overflowing with shamrock green water.  A perfect place for taking a dip.  And it’s probably the most Instagrammable spot in Aguinid Falls (I’ve yet to see Level 6 that has a natural infinity pool).

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HOW TO GET TO AGUINID FALLS FROM MANILA

 

So the question is, how to get to Aguinid Falls? From Manila you can fly to Dumaguete or Cebu to get to Aguinid Falls. I prefer Dumaguete though as it is nearer.  Follow the instructions below.

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HOW TO GET TO AGUINID FALLS FROM CEBU

 

STEP 1: From Cebu, take a jeepney, cab or Uber/Grab to South Bus Terminal near E Mall.  Ride the bus to Samboan or Bato via Barili and tell the conductor to drop you off at the trail to Aguinid Falls in Brgy. Tangbo in Samboan town proper. There is a signage at the basketball court and there’s another way after the court for private vehicles.

The bus to Bato via Barili leaves hourly starting at 2:00 AM and the last trip going back to Cebu City is around 7:00 PM.  Fare is approximately PHP 175/US 3 (EURO 3/SGD 4/MYR 14) for adults and PHP 135/US 3(EURO 2/SGD 4/MYR 11) for students.  Travel time is about 3.5 to 4 hours.

STEP 2:   You can walk or hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) to take you to the registration area of Aguinid Falls.  If you have a private vehicle, you can take your car or motorbike to the registration area and just park your vehicle.  There is a parking fee of PHP 10 – PHP 25.

STEP 3: Register and pay the entrance fee + environmental fee:

Locals: PHP 40/US 0.78(EURO 0.66/SGD 2/MYR 3)

Foreigners: PHP 60/US 1(EURO 1/SGD 1/MYR 5)

Seniors: PHP 32/US 32(EURO 0.53/SGD 0.84/MYR 3)

STEP 4: Two guides will be assigned to you or your group (1-5 persons).  One guide will serve as the technical guide, assisting you as you trek and climb the waterfalls while the other guide will take your photo and carry your stuff.  There is no standard guide fee so it’s up to you much to pay.  But me thinks a minimum of PHP 150/US 3(EURO 2.46/SGD 4/MYR 12) per guide should be okay, so PHP 300/US 6 (EURO 5/SGD 8/MYR 25) total for 2 guides.

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HOW TO GET TO AGUINID FALLS FROM DUMAGUETE

STEP 1:  From Dumaguete, take a jeep /multi-cab to Sibulan Port, fare is about PHP 12/US 0.23 (EURO 0.20/SGD 0.32/MYR 1).

STEP 2: At Sibulan Port in Negros Oriental, ride the fast craft/passenger ferry to Liloan Port in Cebu.  Ferry fare is around PHP 70/US 1.37(EURO 1/SGD 2/MYR 6).   Transit time is about 25 minutes only.

NOTE: If you are bringing a car/private vehicle from Dumaguete, you can head to Tampi Port in Negros Oriental for large ferry (Maayo Shipping Lines) going to Bato Port in Cebu. The fast craft in Sibulan Port is small, cannot accommodate vehicles.

STEP 3: At Liloan Port, ride the Cere bus to Bato via Barili.  Tell the conductor that you will go to Aguinid Falls and ask him to drop you off the jumping off point.  It’s near the basketball court at Brgy. Tangbo in Samboan.

STEP 4: At Brgy. Tangbo (near the basketball court) you can walk to the registration area for a few minutes or ride a habal-habal (motorcycle) to take you there.

STEP 5: Register and pay the entrance fee + environmental fee:

Locals: PHP 40/US 0.78(EURO 0.66/SGD 2/MYR 3)

Foreigners: PHP 60/US 1(EURO 1/SGD 1/MYR 5)

Seniors: PHP 32/US 32(EURO 0.53/SGD 0.84/MYR 3)

STEP 6: Two guides will be assigned per group (1-5 persons).  One guide will serve as the technical guide, assisting you as you trek and climb the waterfalls while the other guide will take your photo and carry your stuff.  There is no standard guide fee so it’s up to you much to pay.  But me thinks a minimum of PHP 150/US 3(EURO 2.46/SGD 4/MYR 12) per guide should be okay, so PHP 300/US 6 (EURO 5/SGD 8/MYR 25) total for 2 guides.

AGUINID FALLS ITINERARY

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Here’s a sample Aguinid Falls itinerary, good for 1 day.  You can also visit other waterfalls in Samboan and other attractions in South Cebu while in the area but better start early.

SCHEDULEACTIVITIES
06:00 AMETD Samboan. Head to South Bus Terminal in Cebu City.  Ride Ceres Bus to Samboan or Bato via Barili.
09:30 AMETA Brgy. Tangbo, Samboan.  Hire motorbike or walk to Registration area of Aguinid Falls.
09:45 AMRegister and pay entrance fee.  Hire a guide (2 guides per group).
10:00 AMBriefing. Start trek. Level 1-5 of Aguinid Falls. Swim and cliff jump.
01:00 PMEnd of waterfall adventure.
01:30 PMLate lunch.
02:00 PMHead to next destination or return to Cebu City.

 

 

AGUINID FALLS BUDGET

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Here’s a sample budget breakdown for Aguinid Falls if you follow the sample Aguinid Falls itinerary above.

COSTSACTIVITIES
PHP 175/US 3 (EURO 3/SGD 4/MYR 14)Bus fare Cebu City to Samboan
PHP 175/US 3 (EURO 3/SGD 4/MYR 14)Bus fare Samboan to Cebu City
PHP 40/US 0.78(EURO 0.66/SGD 2/MYR 3)Aguinid Falls Entrance Fee
PHP 300/US 6 (EURO 5/SGD 8/MYR 25)Guide fees (2 guides)
PHP 690/US 14 (EURO 11/SGD 18/MYR 57)TOTAL EXPENSES

 

AGUINID FALLS TRAVEL TIPS

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Aguinid Falls is most impressive during the wet season (July to October), the best time to visit as the water flow is in full blast.

Bring aqua shoes or trail shoes, zip lock or water-proof bag, shorts and swimwear.

There are stores scattered around the registration area.  You can buy or rent water-proof bags here, shorts, swimwear and even aqua shoes.  I rented aqua shoes for PHP 50/US 1 (EURO 0.82/SGD 1.32/MYR 4) and it was very helpful since the trail is slippery.

Tourists are discouraged from using sunblock as it may contaminate the water.

There are a couple of parking areas near the registration area where you can leave your vehicle.  They charge P PHP 10/US 0.20(EURO 0.16/SGD 0.26/MYR 0.82) – PHP 25/US 0.49(EURO 0.41/SGD 0.66/MYR 2) depending on the type of vehicles.

Tourists are not allowed to bring food at Aguinid Waterfalls to prevent the river (Tangbo River) from being contaminated.  You can leave your food in the parking area or registration area.

Please do not leave your trash anywhere. Do not pick plants.

Trekking Aguinid Falls is only allowed until 5:00 PM.

Exploring Level 6 to Level 8 is not encouraged as of now since they don’t have the proper gears yet.  But according to our guides, they are working on it.  Once the gears are available, they can start accommodating requests to trek Level 6 to Level 8.

If you are taking the Ceres bus from Cebu, vendors before or at Carcar area will get on the bus and start selling Carcar chicharon, try it, the town has the best-tasting chicharon in Cebu.  I like Wenna’s and Jason Ruby chicharon.

CEBU CITY BUDGET HOTELS

 WHERE TO STAY IN CEBU CITY

 

While most popular attractions can be found in downtown Cebu, tourists prefer to stay in the uptown area around Fuente Osmena. Here’s a list of Cebu hotels for you to choose from.

BUDGET

ABC Hotel Cebu

AGODA ABC HOTEL
Corner F. Ramos & Lim Tian Teng Street, Barangay Sta.Cruz,Cebu City

CHECK RATES

Adelfa Hotel

AGODA ADELFA
J. Llorente St., Capitol Site, Cebu City

CHECK RATES

SEARCH FOR MORE HOTELS: 

CEBU HOTELS

ALSO READ:

KAWA HOT BATH SAMBOAN CEBU

CEBU CITY TRAVEL GUIDE 2018 (Budget + Itinerary)

CASINO PEAK TRAVEL GUIDE 2018 (Budget + Itinerary)

OSMEÑA PEAK TRAVEL GUIDE

 


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24264_351910964162_336201504162_3580676_6142279_nAbout the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina travel blogger. Her work has appeared in local and international publications.

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