The southern part of Cebu has many hidden treasures. One of which is the Aguinid Falls in Samboan, Cebu. It’s a great tourist attraction for travelers who yearn for an adrenaline rush. Let me share to you our DIY travel guide and experience in Aguinid Falls. (Post Updated: November 11, 2020)
As of November 11, 2020, Aguinid Falls is temporarily closed to the public as per Cebu Provincial Tourism. The whole Cebu island is open only for local residents and there are only a few tourist spots that are open. Please visit Cebu’s centralized booking site (https://discover.cebu.gov.ph) and find out the currently open tourist attractions in the island.
Always remember to travel safe and be safe. Be a responsible tourist by following the local safety guidelines and protocols. For now, feel free to read and save this post for future reference.
Aguinid Falls: Basic Information
The Aguinid Falls is located in Samboan, Cebu tracing the Tangbo River. It’s not as popular as the Tumalog Falls in Oslob or Kawasan Falls in Badian, but this waterfalls has something unique to offer. The Aguinid Falls is a multi-level waterfall and it has 6 levels. Every visitor must climb each level to see its grandiose beauty. The water, on the other hand, is rich in calcium which explains its whitish color. If you want to know the directions and how to go to Aguinid Falls, check out the following instructions below:
Oslob to Aguinid Falls
Visiting this place is quite easy. If you’re coming from Oslob, then take a bus going to Port of Bato in Santander, Cebu. You will alight in a bus terminal in Santander. From this bus terminal in Santander, take another bus going to Samboan. Inform the driver that you will alight in Aguinid Falls. Bus ride takes around 1 hour.
Cebu City to Aguinid Falls
If you’re coming from Cebu City, then proceed to South Bus Terminal. Take a bus going to Samboan, preferably Bato via Barili. Inform the driver that you will alight in Aguinid Falls in Samboan, Cebu.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Aguinid Falls is from January to early June. These are the dry months in the Philippines and it is safer too. The months of late June to December are the rainy or typhoon season. Avoid visiting this place during these months.
Our Experience and What to Expect
We arrived in Aguinid Falls around noon time. From the highway, we just followed the signboards leading to the place. There are a number of stores selling essential items for the upcoming adventure such as waterproof bags, snacks, water, and souvenirs in the area. The sun is up and the weather is sweltering that time, so these stores are perfect in filling up your stack.
| Aguinid Falls Entrance Fee | PHP 40 per person (USD 0.76) |
| Tour Guide Fee | Varies. |
According to the locals, the funds collected from the entrance fee are used for maintaining and protecting the place. The tour guide fee, on the other hand, varies because there are no available local ordinance that will standardized the rates for the guides. Hence, the guide fee depends on how satisfied a visitor is. For some locals, being a tour guide is their source of living.
Aguinid Falls Levels
Like what I said earlier, this waterfall has 6 levels. Each level has their own unique shape and structure. Every traveler must climb each level to see its entirety. The hike takes around 1-2 hours depending on your fitness level and time spent on each stage. Unlike in Tumalog Falls, this waterfall involves a lot of physical strength and endurance. Here are some of our travel tips before you proceed to the adventure:
- It is best to leave your big bags in the Tourist Information Center (where tourists register and pay for the entrance fee). The staffs will take care of your belongings.
- Bring essential items only during the climb like your waterproof camera. Leave your wallets also in your big bags in the Tourist Information Center. If you can’t, then bring a waterproof bag during the hike instead.
- Use a waterproof case or bag in protecting your vulnerable gadgets.
- Do not bring your drone! I’m telling you this because I tried bringing my drone in the place. The GPS signal is “0” and do not risk flying your drone in ATTI mode or it might get lost in the air.
- Wear non-skid footwear to prevent slipping. I recommend using aqua shoes for this case.
- There are available restrooms in the area for changing clothes.
- Get ready to get wet, so wear your swim/summer clothes.
- Eat before taking the challenge! Do not hike in Aguinid Falls with an empty stomach!
- Keep yourself hydrated. Always!
- Always follow your guide. They know what is best for your safety.
- Be a responsible tourist, follow the rules, and throw trash in appropriate bins.
- Take pictures and enjoy the climb! Enough said.
Aguinid Falls Level 0
The first part of Aguinid Falls is the Level 0. We were just at the beginning of our hike but I am already impressed in its beauty. The flowing water truly invigorates our tired body. Some rocks are also slippery! Good thing my friends and I wore proper footwear that day.
Aguinid Falls Level 1
Moving further, the level 1 of the waterfalls is made up of a large slope of limestone and a plunge pool. Things are getting more exciting as we unfold the beauty of this hidden treasure.
Aguinid Falls Level 2
Things are becoming more challenging now in level 2 of Aguinid Falls. In order to reach the upper levels of the falls, we need to climb this monstrous limestone. It is a rule of thumb to always follow your tour guide! They’ve been to this place for many times and they know what to do for your safety. Kuya Tata, our tour guide that day, helped us in climbing this slope. We need to grab this suspension rope for support as we climb up the falls.
Aguinid Falls Level 3
The level 3 of the waterfall is more relax than the previous level. Here, we walked a few meters going to the falls. We also need to climb this waterfall but this level is shorter than the previous.
Aguinid Falls Level 4
Level 4 offers more adrenaline rush because of its 20-ft cliff. The depth of this plunge pool is 7 feet which is suitable for cliff-jumping. My friends and I are fond of adventures, so we jumped off this cliff without any hesitation. Piece of cake!
Aguinid Falls Level 5
This is the sixth and final level of the Aguinid Falls. It showcases a tall structure of limestone and its surface is jagged and rough. We took a couple of pictures in this stage and spent time with Kuya Tata.
Stories from our Tour Guide and Future Plans
Kuya Tata shared a lot of stories during our hike in Aguinid Falls. This made our adventure more fun and easier. Kuya Tata spent most of his childhood in this waterfalls playing with his friends and classmates. It was unknown in the public before and only the locals of Samboan know about Aguinid. During highschool, Kuya Tata told me that they used the water from the falls as their chaser while enjoying their strong drinks. Every corner of Aguinid is not just filled with adventures, it’s also full of stories.
Our tour guide mentioned that this waterfalls has 2 more levels beyond level 5 before reaching the source. But it needs appropriate gears and equipment in order to reach the last 2 levels. This may come in the future, but for now, our recent experience in Aguinid Falls is worth it!
The Descent
Going back from level 5 of the falls to level 0 is pretty much easier than climbing it. Although, we must be careful in stepping on slippery rocks to prevent any injury. When we returned back to the Tourist Information Center, we thanked our tour guide and ate some fresh langka. Since Kuya Tata provided us a one-of-a-kind experience in Aguinid Falls, we gave him PHP 600 (USD 11.54) for the guide fee. This is already a huge amount for them. We never mind the cost, what matters is we’re able to help.
The Adventure in Aguinid Falls is like a pre-quiz to the extreme Badian Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls according to Kuya Tata. But this waterfalls has its own character and beauty which I really liked overall. In the end, our mini-hike in this place is satisfying. Kudos to the people of Samboan!
Did you find this travel guide helpful? Then, support our blog by sharing this post with your friends and loved ones! Make sure to include this amazing place in your Southern Cebu Adventure. For questions, just leave a comment below or send me an email at blainechrian@lostandwonder.com. This post is updated on November 11, 2020.
Tara! Byahe ulit Tayo! Let’s get Lost and Wonder!
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3 Comments. Leave new
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Wow this is such a wonderful place to visit. I will add this to our Cebu itinerary.0