Before the summer ends, why not visit these 7 Waterfalls Near Manila that will surely make your summer more than a beach!
DARANAK FALLS
Daranak Falls is my personal favorite in this list of 7 Waterfalls Near Manila. Daranak Falls is located in Tanay, Rizal and is roughly 2 hours away from the Metro. The falls is a popular shooting location of movies and television drama series, pre-nuptial photo shoots and waterfalls photography. During weekends, Daranak Falls gets really very crowded and the best way to avoid the swarm is to go here first hour in the morning or during week days.
Daranak Falls
How to Get to Daranak Falls To get to Daranak Falls by public transportation, proceed to StarMall Shaw Boulevard FX Station and take a Van/FX bound to Tanay. Get off at Tanay Public Market and from there, hire a tricycle going to the waterfalls. Better yet, bring a private car so you can proceed to Pagsanjan Falls and Taytay Falls (or even reach Balabag Falls should traffic permit) – that’s instant waterfalling in a day! Well, of course, a bit tiring but worth doing it just the same.
PAGSANJAN FALLS
Pagsanjan Falls needs no further introduction. Well, except that it is not located in Pagsanjan but rather in Cavinti. Hence, Pagsanjan Falls is Cavinti Falls. Other than that, if you are adventurous, try visiting Pagsanjan Falls during rainy days for a wild and thrilling shooting the rapids adventure. Note however that the river may become very dangerous during rainy season. During summer, it is a safe ground ( water that is).
Pagsanjan Falls (Photo from http://www.rishiray.com)
How to get to Pagasanjan Falls Pagsanjan Falls can be reached through Pagsanjan Town (the easier route to the falls) and through Cavinti Town (the more challenging route). There are many tour packages available for Pagsanjan Falls should you want to indulge in a hassle free trip. Or you can always do it yourself. To get to Pagsanjan Falls by public transportation, proceed to Buendia Bus Terminal and take any bus bound to Sta Cruz (Laguna) and get off at Sta. Cruz Public Market. From there, take a jeepney bound to Pagsanjan Town and from there take a tricycle to the river or you can tell the driver to bring you to Pagsanjan Falls Lodge and Summer Resort where you can start your adventure. From Pagsanjan Falls, visit also Taytay Falls.
TAYTAY FALLS
Taytay Falls is also called Imelda Falls or Majayjay Falls and is located in Majayjay, Laguna. More than how the falls got its name, people flock Taytay Falls because of its cool waters – lets just say – ice-bucket waters. In fact, its waters can keep a bottle of soda ice-cold. That being said, Taytay Falls is the perfect answer to summer’s sultriness. A visit to Taytay Falls is best combined with a visit to Pagsanjan Falls and it can be done in a day.
Taytay Falls (Photo from https://melissacuya.wordpress.com/)
How To Get To Taytay Falls To get to Majayjay Falls by public transportation, proceed to Buendia Bus Terminal and take any bus bound to Sta Cruz (Laguna) and get off at Sta. Cruz Public Market. From there, take a jeepney bound to Majayjay Town and get off in Majayjay Jeepney Terminal. From there, take a jeepney going to Taytay and inform the driver that you are going to the waterfalls. Get off at the highway junction going to the falls and get a tricycle that will bring you to the falls. If there are no tricycles, then you have no choice but to walk. Better yet, bring a private car and set your WAZE to Taytay Falls.
BALAGBAG FALLS
Balagbag Falls is the biggest, most accessible and most beautiful of the several waterfalls in Real, Quezon. The falls has two cascades and a deep water catch basin on the lower cascade.
Balagbag Falls (Photo from http://thebatslife.blogspot.com/)
How To Get To Balagbag Falls To get to Balagbag Falls by public transportation, proceed to Cubao Bus Terminal and take a bus bound to Infanta or Real and get off at the intersection of Real-Mauban road and from there, take a jeepney to Mauban. Properly inform the driver that you are headed to Balagbag Falls. From the highway, the waterfalls is a short walk away. Alternately, you can take a bus bound to Lucena and get off at Dalahican Grand Terminal in Lucena. From there, take a bus or van bound to Infanta. Better yet, bring a private car. If you started 6AM in Daranak Falls, you can reach Balagbag Falls by 5PM with stop over in Pagsanjan Falls and Taytay Falls. This is my time estimate by private car:
4AM – Drive from Shaw Boulevard to Daranak Falls 6-8AM – Daranak Falls 8-10AM – Drive from Daranak Falls to Pagsanjan Falls (via Manila East Road passing through Pililia, Pangil, Lumban etc) 10AM-1PM – Pagsanjan Falls 1-1.30PM – Drive to Taytay Falls 1.30-3.30PM – Taytay Falls 3.30-4.30PM – Drive from Taytay Falls to Balagbag Falls 5-6PM – Balagbag Falls Dead tired! Why not stay in Punta Real Beach Resort for overnight?
MALAGASLAS FALLS
Malagaslas Falls is one of the three waterfalls in Laurel, Batangas and can be reached easily by a short trek from the jump off point in Sitio Salipit. The waterfalls is a popular destination among locals and it can really get crowded on weekends and even on weekdays. Though you can trek to Malagaslas Falls and Ambon-Ambon Falls by yourself, I still advise that you get a local guide to accompany you.
Malagaslas Falls (Photo from http://mustachioventures.blogspot.com)
How to Get to Malagaslas Falls To get to Malagaslas Falls by public transportation, proceed to Cubao Bus Terminal or Buendia Bus Terminal and take a bus bound to Tanauan or Lipa and get off at Tanuan City junction. Proceed to the jeepney terminal in Tanauan Public Market and take a jeep bound to Laurel and get off at Laurel Public Market. From there, take a tricycle that will bring you to Sitio Salimpit. Inform the driver that you are going to Malagaslas Falls. From Sitio Salimpit, it will be an easy trek to the Malagaslas Falls and Ambon-Ambon Falls. Better yet, bring a private car so you can also visit Malabicbic Falls in Aguinaldo (and Tagaytay of course).
AMBON-AMBON FALLS
On the same trail as that of Malagaslas Falls is Ambon-Ambon Falls. From Malagaslas, Ambon-Ambon is about 20 minutes away. Ambon-Ambon Falls is more stunning than Malagaslas Falls because of its height and the rock boulders surrounding it. It also has a nice natural pool as a catch basin.
Ambon-Ambon Falls (Photo from the Tourism Office of Laurel Batangas)
How to Get to Ambon-Ambon Falls To get to Malagaslas Falls by public transportation, proceed to Cubao Bus Terminal or Buendia Bus Terminal and take a bus bound to Tanauan or Lipa and get off at Tanuan City junction. Proceed to the jeepney terminal in Tanauan Public Market and take a jeep bound to Laurel and get off at Laurel Public Market. From there, take a tricycle that will bring you to Sitio Salimpit. Inform the driver that you are going to Malagaslas Falls. From Sitio Salimpit, it will be an easy trek to the Malagaslas Falls and Ambon-Ambon Falls.
MALIBICLIBIC FALLS
Malibiclibic Falls is located in Aguinlado, Cavite and unlike the six other waterfalls in this list which can be easily reached, Malibiclibic is a different story. Reaching Malibiclibic Falls involves steep descend among big mossy rock boulders amidst the forest. But for the adventurous person, reaching Malibiclibic is a piece of cake. And since the trail to the falls is still very natural and hopefully it remains that way, a local guide is needed so you won't get lost along the way.
Malabicbic Falls (Photo from https://www.flickr.com/photos/amcbautista/ owned by Apollo Bautista)
How to Get to Malibiclibic Falls To get to Malibiclibic Falls by public transportation, proceed to Coastal Mall Terminal and take a bus to Alfonso, Cavite. From Alfonso Bus Terminal, take a jeepney to Aguinaldo Town. From Aguinaldo Terminal, take a tricycle to Barangay Lumipa where the trek will start. Before you trek, register at the Barangay Hall so they can properly assist you.
There are other equally beautiful waterfalls near Metro Manila that can be visited but I only rounded this list to 7. What do you think should be included in the list should we make it 15 Waterfalls Near Manila?
