During our 5-day trip around the central Visayas, doing one day in Bohol and four in Cebu with the last day in Cebu City, we felt like we already hit the “peak of the action” by days two and three.
For perspective: day 2 was mainly about canyoneering at Kawasan Falls, and day 3 was snorkeling the sardine run in Moalboal.
I mean, on day four around lunch, after hiking Osmeña Peak, snorkeling with whale sharks, and visiting the Sumilon Island sandbar, we were literally telling each other, “We can finally chill and relax until we fly home, right?”
Then, a little bit later, we arrived in Aguinid Falls…
Summary
In Aguinid Falls, first, we started by trekking in the jungle. Then we crossed wooden bridges. Then we splashed and swam through a milky blue river.
The next thing we knew? We were climbing waterfalls, pulling ourselves up with a rope. We were jumping into more pools. We were climbing walls as water cascades on the rocks we hold to move up. Between levels 0 to 8 of the falls, you can expect a full body workout that activates your chest, arms, legs, and fingers.
In the middle of everything, we were basically laughing it off and wondering… “what happened to chilling?!” 🤣
In the end, however, exploring Aguinid Falls turned out to be fun and I highly recommend it if you want an experience that is more than just a quick adrenaline rush or picture perfect waterfalls.
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Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
Difficulty
During our planning, we did not research much about Aguinid falls, so I was surprised by the challenging trail.
That said, I feel like anyone can do the adventure in Aguinid Falls, even beginners. The guides are always there to help you get through each stage. You get two or three guides depending on your group size, and they provide such awesome assistance that you will definitely want to leave a generous tip.
Actually, one of us in our group got a minor knee injury during our canyoneering in Kawasan Falls. He had to tap out early because of it. Yet he still managed to push through every challenge in Aguinid Falls.
Levels
Similar to Kawasan Falls canyoneering, the adventure in Aguinid Falls is divided into sections. They call them levels, and there are eight of them. Actually, given that the first level is labeled zero and the last is labeled eight, there are nine levels total.
Here is the tarp showing the different levels in Aguinid Falls.
It’s worth noting that unlike canyoneering in Kawasan Falls, these levels don’t necessarily ramp up in difficulty or higher with each jump. However, the last couple of levels are definitely more challenging and require a bit more spirit.
Actual Experience
In the registration area, they asked us if we wanted to do the whole adventure from levels 0 to 8, or the shorter version that only goes up to level 5 or 6.
Because we were in our mid-20s, even though we were already running on fumes after hiking Osmeña Peak, snorkeling with whale sharks, and exploring the sandbar in Sumilon Island, we opted for the full course. We figured adventure was the main reason we came to Cebu anyway. I did not regret voting for that decision.
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After registering, we picked up our rented safety gear, helmets and life vests.
We had to keep them on the whole time during the adventure. But there were a few spots, especially by the iconic sections of the falls, where they let us take them off so we could look more adventurous in the photos. LOL.
Good to know: if you forgot to bring footwear with a good grip when you visit Aguinid Falls, you can get a pair of water shoes included in your package. You will need that good grip to easily climb the rocks later on.
In our case, most of us in the group wore trekking sandals. We figured we didn’t need to rent water shoes since our sandals were brand new and still had great traction. Since all of us made it to the end of Aguinid Falls without any slips, I’d say we made the right call.
But yeah, good footwear definitely matters because the limestone and rocks you climb can get incredibly slippery.
Honestly, during the actual adventure, I completely lost track of which parts were challenging and which were easy breezy. I also lost track of the levels we were on because you stop noticing that stuff the second you see those massive walls of rock.
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Looking up at those giant boulders, which were easily two to four meters high, all my focus went into the climb. All I could think about was where to plant my foot next so I wouldn’t slip down as I scrambled upwards, or how to position my body so I could easily pull myself up with the rope without looking clumsy.
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Yes, you’ll be climbing cascades that lean at angles ranging from 30 to 60 degrees. And it was a wild, adrenaline pumping activity that felt incredibly exciting… somehow.
And to get you even more excited for the adventure, a quick wall climbing activity awaits you at Aguinid Falls as well.
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It might seem a bit intimidating at first when you think about how wet and slippery the wall is going to be. But your guide will be right there with you the whole time. He will have your back until you safely make it to the top of the rock wall.
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Similar to Kawasan Falls canyoneering, the adventure at Aguinid Falls involves jumping into pools. But if my memory serves me right, you are not forced to jump because there are always alternative paths to take instead.
In our case, only a few of us actually tried jumping. Others mentioned that they already got that experience at Kawasan Falls.
For me, I still jumped, but I definitely hesitated a bit because the milky blue water made it hard to tell how deep it actually was. Either way, the guides know exactly which pools are safe for jumping.
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Best Time to Visit
What made our time at Aguinid Falls even better was that there were barely any crowds. I could not help but feel like the whole place was reserved for us. It really was not a surprise though, considering the time of year we visited Cebu.
Our trip happened in November, which is still technically during the rainy or low season.
And even though it might sound a bit cringe, I really think Aguinid Falls is a hidden gem, and visiting during the low season created the perfect combination that gave us a truly “intimate” waterfall chasing adventure.
That said, I do not really recommend visiting during the rainy season or from June to November. Weather can be unpredictable, pretty much what we experienced at Osmeña Peak. We were just lucky to have pleasant weather for most of our trip including our adventure at Aguinid Falls.
Ideally, you should visit during the dry season, which runs from January to April. But keep in mind that waterfalls look a lot more spectacular when there is more water from the rain.
When we planned our trip, however, we mostly focused on other attractions like Kawasan Falls canyoneering. We wanted fewer crowds, shorter lines, more nature, and zero photobombers. Thankfully, everything went according to plan.
If you decide to visit during the rainy season too, remember to have a Plan B in case the weather turns wild.
How to Get There
Thinking about checking out Aguinid Falls? Renting a ride like we did is the absolute easiest way to get there and coast on to your next stop with zero hassle.
You can find Aguinid Falls on the southwestern side of Cebu, and if you want to pinpoint its exact location, you can check this map I created for you.
If you are using public transportation, buses have a stop in Samboan. Coming from Cebu City, just head to the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT). Make sure to look for a bus bound for Bato via Barili.
Choosing the Barili route is essential because it runs along the western coast where Samboan is located.
Tell the driver or conductor you are heading to Aguinid Falls so they know exactly where to drop you off. Or just show this photo of the ‘welcome landmark of Aguinid Falls’ tarp. Expect a travel time of around 4 to 5 hours.
Good to know: this is the same bus that stops in Moalboal and Badian. If you are coming from those towns, you can easily catch a ride on this bus and reach Aguinid Falls in about 1 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Visiting Information
Aguinid Falls fees, rates, rules, and regulations might change without notice. Here is the latest update from the local government that I found on their Facebook page.
Where to Stay
For day trips to Aguinid Falls, Cebu City is your best option if you are looking for a home base.
But for multi-day trips where you will be visiting different attractions including Aguinid Falls, I would suggest Moalboal or Badian.
Easy access to public transportation, for one. Another reason is the proximity to other attractions like Kawasan Falls canyoneering, the Sardine Run, Osmeña Peak, and white sand beaches. This way, you can spend less time on the road and more time enjoying the actual sights.
During our trip, we stayed in a homestay in Barangay Basdiot in Moalboal. Not only was the beach within walking distance from our place, but the boat launch for tours and snorkeling activities was also easily accessible.
The area is also where most tourists hang out. Prices are a bit higher than usual, but finding places to eat breakfast and dinner, with tons of fresh seafood options, was not a problem at all.
Conclusion
Before you visit Cebu and Aguinid Falls, I have to say that our trip completely changed how I see our country.
On the way home, I could not stop thinking about one thing: if you can get this many new experiences and adventures on just one island, imagine what is waiting out there on the rest of the 7,000 islands. Aguinid Falls was definitely one part of the trip that gave me that impression.
However, if I am being real, Aguinid Falls did not stick with me after our trip nearly as much as Kawasan Falls canyoneering, the Moalboal sardine run, and whale shark watching in Oslob. Which, by the way, are the big three attractions I always tell people to check out when they ask for Cebu recommendations.
Perhaps the reason for that is we did canyoneering in Kawasan Falls first, which completely set the bar for fun and adventure way too high right at the start of our trip. Not kidding: it felt so amazing to overcome that nerve-wracking fear of heights that made my knees shake right before jumping 30 feet into the water.
I enjoyed climbing Aguinid Falls but never felt the same level of exhilaration as I did at Kawasan Falls.
So with that in mind, if you are planning to visit Aguinid Falls and do the canyoneering in Kawasan Falls, you know which one to try first!
Enjoy your trip!
Planning to Visit Cebu?
I am here to help you plan your journey and ensure you have an incredible time. You should check out my travel maps, planning tools, itineraries and tips, which are all derived from my own adventures in Cebu.
Click the maps below to view or download them:
Cebu City
South Cebu
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