Camiguin has several waterfalls.
But none are quite as impressive as Katibawasan Falls – the tallest on the whole island!
It might be thin, but even from afar, you can feel the power of these majestic falls.
In today’s post, we’re going over:
- What makes Katibawasan special
- How to get here
- Entrance fees
- Opening hours
- Planning tips for visiting
- Katibawasan vs Tuasan Falls
And a bunch of fun facts and FAQs about the falls.
Let’s get into it!
If you’re traveling to Camiguin soon, check out my travel guide for helpful tips! You can also check out my tourist spots list, where I go over 17 other spots besides Katibawasan!
All You Need to Know About Katibawasan Falls
Dropping 250 ft., Katibawasan is one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the country.
What’s amazing is that it’s on Camiguin – one of the smaller islands of the Philippines!
That’s what happens when you have an island Born of Fire, a.k.a formed by volcanoes.
Katibawasan isn’t only a site to behold, but also a place to be enjoyed.
The pool created by the waterfall is great for dipping and swimming (just make sure not to go under the falls since that can be dangerous!).
The place is quite developed.
All around the falls, there are tables and chairs for chilling and eating snacks, there are nice clean bathrooms too, some portions of the pool are man-made but still natural looking, and the stairs going down to the falls are very well built.
There are about 100-200 steps going down. Maybe a bit tiring for some people, but not something that anyone can’t do!
This makes Katibawasan a wonderful place to visit if you’re with your family, or with a group of friends.
What to do in Katibawasan Falls
The best thing to do here is to dip in the cold water while admiring the beauty of Camiguin’s tallest waterfall.
You can swim too, but the pool is a bit too small for a proper swim (unlike in Sto. Nino Cold Spring).
Other than that, Katibawasan is a great place to relax.
Again, there are plenty of tables and chairs and cottages that you can rent.
Bring some snacks, and you have a wonderful place to chill with friends or family while listening to the roar of the falls.
How to Get to Katibawasan Falls
Katibawasan is only 15 minutes away from Mambajao proper. You can ask any tricycle or habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) to take you here (just ask them to wait for you since there isn’t any public transportation outside the falls).
If you’re renting a motorcycle (which is the BEST way to get around Camiguin), a simple search in Google Maps will do the trick for you.
Katibawasan has a big parking area, so you won’t have to worry about that.
Katibawasan Falls Entrance Fees
Katibawasan has an entrance fee of php75 ($1.5) per head. They also have sheds for rent at php150 ($3), and tables for php100 ($2).
You don’t need a table if you’re just here for a quick dip.
But if you’re in a big group and you have plenty of bags, a table or shed sure would be nice.
Katibawasan Falls Opening Hours
Katibawasan Falls opens at 8 am and closes at 5 pm!
Planning Tips for Visiting Katibawasan Falls
- Come early! Since Katibawasan is so close to Mambajao, it gets crowded during the late afternoon. If you want to beat the crowd, you can come early, plus points if it’s on a weekday.
- Bring snacks! Right outside Katibawasan, there’s a sari-sari store selling plenty of snacks. If you want to go local, you can try kiping, which is a flat-fried casava drizzled with molasses.
- Katibawasan isn’t near any other popular Camiguin tourist spot. However, it is right next to the town. This makes it a great spot to either start your day or end it – since your accommodation will probably be relatively close by.
Katibawasan vs Tuasan Falls
Katibawasan is more developed and family-friendly, while Tuasan has a more “wild” feel to it.
Don’t get me wrong, Tuasan is great for everyone to visit.
But when you get there, you can feel like you’re all alone in the middle of the forest, whereas in Katibawasan, you’ll feel like you’re in a public park.
In Tuasan, there aren’t any stores nearby, while Katibawasan has several just outside the gate.
Katibawasan is also far more accessible than Tuasan. The road to Tuasan is paved, but it’s a lonely one going up the mountain.
All in all, I slightly liked Tuasan more.
But as always, why not visit both? They’re both wonderful falls to take a dip in.
Frequently Asked Questions About Katibawasan Falls
How Tall is Katibawasan Falls?
Katibawasan Falls is 250 feet high, or around 76 meters. It is the tallest waterfall in Camiguin, and one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the Philippines.
How Many Steps are in Katibawasan Falls?
Roughly 100 – 200 steps. The steps aren’t steep though, so this should be easy for anyone to climb or go down.
What is Katibawasan Falls Known For?
Katibawasan Falls is known for being the tallest waterfall in Camiguin. For such a small island, a tall waterfall like this is truly a wonder.
Where is Katibawasan Falls?
Katibawasan Falls is found in Mambajao, Camiguin – 15 minutes away from the town proper.
Because it’s so close to the town, it’s a popular spot for both tourists and locals alike!
How Many Waterfalls are in Camiguin?
There are three major waterfalls in Camiguin, namely Katibawasan, Tuasan, and Binangawan.
There are several other small waterfalls on the island, but those three are the tallest and most popular ones.
Conclusion: Should You Visit Katibawasan Falls?
I personally like Tuasan Falls more than Katibawasan.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit!
It’s a wonderful place for a dip and just watching and feeling the power of the falls.
It’s also so close to Mambajao, you won’t have to commit much to go and see it.
Plus, you’ll be looking at the tallest waterfall in Camiguin, which is worth a visit in and of itself.
So don’t skip!
Looking for more travel tips to Camiguin? Check out my travel guide. Want to discover 17 other spots in Camiguini besides Katibawasan? That’s on my tourist spot list!