Aguinid Falls: Simple Guide for Weekend Warriors

Aguinid has been on my go-to list for soooo long and last weekend we finally had the time to visit (what people call) the “Natural Wonder” in Samboan.

Samboan which used to be part of Alegria’s jurisdiction is located in the southern part of Cebu province and is about 150 kilometers away from Cebu City. Samboan is known for its beautiful crystal clear waters and rich marine ecosystem. One of its natural attraction includes Aguinid Falls.

Aguinid Waterfalls, a unique body of water in Barangay Tangbo, comprises five different tiers or “levels”. Each tier has a unique waterfall and to move to the next tiers/levels, you will have to climb limestone walls and rock forms from the bottom going up.

At first, I thought it was hard but when I saw the trail, it wasn’t bad at all.

Aguinid may not be as famous as Kawasan Falls in Badian where visitors can do cliff jumping and canyoning but it is beautiful on its own and is equally captivating as Kawasan.

🚌 How to get there

FROM CEBU

You can easily ride a bus going to Samboan or Bato at the South Bus Terminal near Elizabeth Mall in N. Bacalso Avenue. It will take you three to four hours to reach Samboan (if the traffic is smooth).

Ask the conductor to drop you off at Aguinid Falls’s trail in Barangay Tangbo, Samboan. Public buses travel round-south from 2:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The fare costs around 175 PHP (3+ USD).

There are two signages along the street. You can see the larger signage near a basketball court and the smaller one at a corner intended for private vehicles.

No need to hire a motorcycle to take you to the registration area of Aguinid falls. Just walk, it’s part of the experience. Anway, it’s just really near.

If you’re bringing your own car, you can park it near the registration area for a fee.

You need to log-in at the registration area and pay the necessary fees. 40 PHP for locals, 60 PHP for foreign visitors, 32 PHP for senior citizens.

FROM DUMAGUETE

I think this route is nearer for those who are not from Cebu.

From Dumaguete, head to Sibulan Port, Negros Oriental. It’s a short jeepney ride. From there, ride the ferry or fast craft to Lilo-an Port in Cebu. Fare costs around 70 PHP (1.5 USD) and you’ll reach Lilo-an Port in just 25 minutes. Note that these sea vessels are intended for passengers only.

If you are bringing a private vehicle from Dumaguete, head to Tampi Port instead and take the larger ferry, Maayo Shipping Lines, going to Bato Port in Cebu. I’m not quite familiar with how much it will cost if you’re bringing a car though. It varies depending on the size of your vehicle.

From Lilo-an Port, hail a bus to Bato and tell the conductor to drop you off at Aguinid Falls’ trail in Barangay Tangbo, Samboan.

If you’re coming from Bato Port, just look for the two signages of Aguinid Falls along the street. You can see the larger signage near a basketball court and the smaller one at a corner intended for private vehicles.

Go straight to the registration area to log-in and pay the necessary fees. 40 PHP for locals, 60 PHP for foreign visitors, 32 PHP for senior citizens.

Technical guides will be assigned to you or your group. Before you start trekking and climbing, you’ll have to undergo a quick briefing/orientation session. Then, you are good to go!

Note: Since Aguinid Falls is yet to be regularised by the local government, there is no fixed rate for technical guides. It’s really up to you on how much you are willing to pay. Our group of four gave our guide 400 PHP. You might think that’s a lot, we just thought he deserved it.

💡 Handy tips

Best time to visit Aguinid Falls is from July to October as the water flow is in full blast.
Trekking is only allowed until 5:00 PM
Bring your own aqua shoes, trail shoes, or trek sandals.
If you plan to bring some things, place them inside a waterproof bag.
Wear comfortable clothes.
Pack light! There’s no need to bring your entire bag unless you have no other option but to bring it with you.
Avoid using sunblock as it may contaminate the water.
Bringing of food is not allowed. If by any chance you brought food, you can leave it at the registration area.
Leave nothing but footprints! Don’t throw your trash anywhere!

I hope this helps you plan your next weekend getaway. If you like this article and want to see and know more about my trips and tips, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Here’s how my weekend looked like. What about yours? (Watch in HD!)