Siquijor is lovely, but honestly…
…it can get hot.
The sun sweltering down from above.
The humidity of the salty air.
If you’ve been exploring land sites like the Giant Balete Tree and Mt. Bandilaan…
…my bet is you’re ready for a swim.
So, why not head over to Cambugahay Falls?
Cambhugay Falls is Siquijor’s #1 waterfalls, and for good reason!
Just imagine: Gatorade-blue waters, Tarzan swings, a raft that takes you right under the gushing falls, a canopy of lovely shady trees.
It’s the perfect getaway to cool down, get that adrenaline pumping, and absorb the unmatched beauty of nature.
So, ready to visit Cambugahay Falls?
Let’s go!
Visiting Siquijor soon? Read my full Siquijor travel guide, or check out my list of 21 Siquijor tourist spots!
Cambugahay Falls Fast Facts
Before jumping into Cambugahay (get it?), let’s go over some fast facts if you’re in a rush!
- Entrance Fee: php50
- Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
- Location: Lazi
- How to Get There: Rent a motorbike and use Google Maps to get here! You can also hire a tricycle or habal-habal to take you hear and to Siquijor’s other spots.
Cambugahay Falls Fun Facts: What Makes It So Special?
You don’t want to visit Cambugahay Falls without knowing anything about it.
So before you go, here are 3 fun facts to take with you:
Cambugahay Falls Fun Fact #1: Cambugahay Falls Has 3 Tiers
Cambugahay Falls isn’t like any old waterfalls.
I mean, a single torrent of water cascading down from above into a rocky pool below.
Which is beautiful, but Cambugahay is even more special.
Because it has not one…not two…but three amazing tiers of falls, each one feeding into the next.
It’s like a magical staircase.
One torrent of water crashes into a sparkling turquoise pool…
…then that one falls into another…
…and another!
It’s a striking sight to see, especially if you have a drone and you can look at it from a bird’s eye view.
But even if you don’t, you can climb up to each tier and watch it gushing down into the startlingly bright waters below it.
Truly a sight to see, if you ask me!
Cambugahay Falls Fun Fact #2: Cambugahay’s Waters Are Shockingly Blue
The area around and under Cambugahay Falls is made of limestone.
Back in 2013, an earthquake caused 5,000 tons of limestone to fall into the pools, forming the steps Cambugahay is now famous for.
But the added limestone didn’t only make the falls more fun.
It also contributed to the shocking color of its waters.
The calcium carbonate in the limestone turns the water either Gatorade-blue or sparkling turquoise, depending on the day.
So if you’ve seen stunning photos of Cambugahay in travel blogs and shook your head, “Nah, these were edited.”
Trust me, they weren’t.
Cambugahay Falls does have strikingly blue waters – even without the filters and color corrections!
Cambugahay Falls Fun Fact #3: Cambugahay Falls Is an Adventure for Everyone
When you think of falls, you might think of daring adventures, exhausting climbs, and mosquito-filled forests.
You might think of dangerous, torrential falls like the Maria Christina (the Philippines’ tallest waterfall).
But the truth is, Cambugahay is quite family-friendly.
The falls are relatively short, and you can even stand under the pouring water on a raft.
The pools are still, and have banks that kids can stand on.
So if you’re worried it’s not safe to bring the family there…worry no more!
Cambugahay Falls offers fun for all ages – even pets are welcome to enjoy its cooling blue waters.
What to Expect at Cambugahay Falls (Read This Before You Go)
Cambugahay Falls isn’t one of those tall, stunning falls you can visit in other parts of the Philippines.
Visually, it’s not mindblowing.
What it is instead: tons of fun.
Yes, Cambugahay is memorable in its own right too.
It’s wide and short instead of tall and majestic.
It has a lot of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Which brings us to…
What to Do and See in Cambugahay Falls: 4 Fun-Filled Activities You Shouldn’t Miss
Now, for the fun part.
Here are 4 activities you can’t miss at Cambugahay Falls:
Cambugahay Falls Activity #1: The Tarzan Swings
Ready for some adrenaline-inducing adventure?
You’ll love the Tarzan swings at Cambugahay Falls.
Each swing is set high above the waters of the falls.
It consists of a rope tied securely to a platform and a rubber or wood handle for gripping.
You climb up some (ricketty but fun!) wooden steps to the top of the platform.
You stand at the edge and clutch the handle.
You take a deep breath as down below, your friends or family cheer you on.
You hesitate – the water looks so far below!
But then you decide to just go with it.
You trust the rope, push off from the platform, and for a moment, you’re flying.
You’re swinging through the blue, sunlit air, the inertia driving you upwards.
And then…you let go.
You fall for a heartbeat, and then your feet hit the surface of the water.
Splash!
You’re underwater.
The cool darkness embraces you, and you sink.
Kick, kick, kick!
You make your way to the surface, where your family and friends are cheering you for your bravery.
You laugh and swim back towards the shore.
Once you get on dry land, you head straight back to the platform!
The Tarzan Swing is addictive – it’s the rush of adrenaline you need to fire up your day and make it so much more fun.
Cambugahay Falls Activity #2: Rafting
Want to get under the gushing water of the falls?
Why not?
Hop onto the large wooden raft waiting on the banks of Cambugahay Falls.
When the raft fills up, a guide will pull it into the water, straight for the falls.
You can either sit still and watch the water slide by, or you can stand up, cheer, and take photographs.
(Warning: Don’t bring your phone without protection! It is SURE to get wet – and you don’t want that!)
A guide will even take photos for you, if you request it. (They will get on the Tarzan Swings and take drone-like photos and videos of you – it’s super fun.)
Once at the falls, you’ll stay for a few minutes to enjoy the cool torrent of water on your skin.
Then, the guide will pull you right back to shore.
Cambugahay Falls Activity #3: Swimming
So…
…maybe you’re not a great fan of adrenaline.
And maybe you’re not into getting flattened by the rush of the falls.
That’s OK!
You can still enjoy Cambugahay Falls.
You can stay in the shallows, sitting waist-deep in the water.
It’s super cool – the perfect remedy for a sweltering day.
Or, if you like to swim, you can push off from the clay banks and paddle into the center of the pool.
You can lie on your back, float, and look up into the beautiful canopy of trees above you.
It’s relaxing, beautiful, and an amazingly refreshing way to spend your day.
Cambugahay Falls Activity #4: Chill, Chill, Chill!
Ok, so what if you don’t even like swimming?
Hmmm…then why did you come to Siquijor in the first place?
Just kidding!
If you came to Siquijor with friends or family who love to swim, but it’s just not your thing…
…don’t worry.
Cambugahay Falls offers lots of beautiful, quiet, shady spots you can relax in.
The trees are dense and green.
Birds chirp in their branches.
The sound of the falls is like a great ocean of white noise, perfect for falling asleep to.
So spread your blanket, do some yoga, lie on your back, open a book, doze off to sleep…
…the choice is yours!
Even if getting wet is not your thing, you can still enjoy the stillness and beauty of Cambugahay Falls.
How Much Will You Spend in Cambugahay Falls? (It’s Super Budget Friendly!)
Good news.
Cambugahay Falls isn’t one of those fancy, over-priced places that (honestly) just aren’t worth it.
In fact, you can visit the falls with the change you have in your pocket!
Here’s what you’ll spend there:
- Entrance to Cambugahay Falls: PHP50 per person
- Tarzan Swing: PHP20 – 50 per person for unlimited swings (I’m not sure there’s an official price)
- Rafting: PHP100 per group
- Snacks: As much as you want! Or bring your own snacks and don’t spend a thing there.
Where Is Cambugahay Falls?
Cambugahay Falls is located in Lazi, Siquijor, nestled within a forest.
How to Get to Cambugahay Falls (The Easiest Way)
The best way to get to Cambugahay Falls is by motorcycle.
In Siquijor, it’s easy to rent a motorcycle for roughly PHP350 a day.
Lazi town is a 30-minute drive from San Juan (the main tourist area of Siquijor).
From the town, it’s only a few minutes to Cambugahay Falls.
Once you get to the area, you need to go down 135 steps to the falls.
It’s not that hard, and when you reach the bottom, you’ll be rewarded with a refreshing swim.
Best Time to Visit Cambugahay Falls (Hello, Early Birds)
You guessed it!
The best time to visit Cambugahay Falls is early in the morning.
That’s because once midday rolls around, people start arriving in droves.
When we were there, there were tons of different groups, all shrieking and splashing around.
I didn’t mind that, but if you’re a person who likes absolute stillness..
…go for the early morning!
Cambugahay Falls is open from 8 AM to 5 PM daily.
You can arrive there around 7:30 AM, so you can be sure you’re the first one at the falls.
Also, weekdays are much quieter than weekends.
Cambugahay Falls Alternatives (Other Lovely Falls to Visit)
Yes, Cambugahay Falls can be crowded.
This is especially true nowadays, after one of the Philippines’ most famous celebrities posted social media content of herself on the swings. (eyeroll)
Don’t worry, though.
If you absolutely can’t stand other people, here are other, quieter falls you can visit:
- Lagaan Falls. A really beautiful, still, quiet place with a stone slide and cave.
- Cangbangan Falls. The tallest waterfall in Siquijor! It’s a thin, isolated falls with an eerie green swimming hole at the bottom.
- Lugnason Falls. Another green jungle cascade – a wide falls with a pool you can jump into and swim in.
These alternatives are just as beautiful as Cambugahay.
And while they don’t enjoy the same fame that Cambugahay does, they offer a peaceful alternative to the now too-popular falls.
Cambugahay Falls: The Siquijor Adventure You Can’t Miss
Yes, Cambugahay Falls is Siquijor’s most famous falls.
Which means it can get crowded, especially on weekends.
So, should you visit?
My answer: YES!!!
Why not?
The water of the falls is cold and refreshing, a perfect relief for the hot island weather.
The Tarzan Swings and rafting activity are super fun.
The place is shady, dense with greenery and birdsong.
The air is fresh, the sunlight and shade lying in pretty patterns on limestone clay and rock.
You will love it!
So what if other fellow humans are feeling the same joy as you are?
Who knows?
Their happy shouts and chatter might even be contagious.
So YES!
If you are in Siquijor now, make sure to carve out a visit to Cambugahay Falls in your itinerary.
Don’t miss it!
Note: Don’t forget to read my complete Siquijor travel guide, or check out my list of the 21 best Siquijor tourist spots!