In my quest to unravel more the secret treasures in the province of Laguna, my journey to the distant town of Majayjay has taken me to this precious jewel, Bukal Falls, that hidden beneath the luscious forest at the foot of the marvelous Mt. Banahaw. Both a natural spring and a waterfall, its water is the coldest I’ve ever bathed in and the purest I’ve ever tasted. The scene within its world is completely devoid of any human intervention. It has stayed at its most natural state despite the hundreds of enthusiastic spirits paying her a visit everyday to get a glimpse of her unrivaled beauty. This only proves that human and nature can coexist if we only regard the environment with great discipline and reverence.
THE JOURNEY TO BUKAL FALLS
My original plan was to visit Taytay and Bukal Falls both located within Majayjay that same day but the time I have allotted turned out to be not enough. The journey to Majayjay itself took me almost the entire day despite me starting at 5 in the morning and coming only from Biñan. I couldn’t really tell whether it was because of the distance or the traffic (I wasn’t sure whether it was heavy as I was asleep the entire time), maybe because of both. I departed for Majayjay from Sta Cruz at 10:45 AM and arrived there a little over 12 noon. I immediately hired a tricycle to take me to Brgy. Bukal despite having only eaten a biscuit for lunch. Upon arriving at Brgy. Bukal barangay hall, another problem presented itself. They no longer had a guide available to take me to Bukal Falls! Just my LUCK huh….
I was tempted to ask whether I can just go to the falls on my own having only to rely on their directions but it was confirmed negative even before I opened my mouth to spit out the question. The local officials do not allow visiting tourists to be on their own mainly for safety and environmental reasons. I weighed whether to still pursue Bukal Falls or skip it for later to go chasing Taytay Falls instead. Just when I was to choose leaving, the facilitating official found me 2 teenage boys to guide me to the waterfalls!
My guides Aris (18) and Andong (13) may be several years my junior but they sure were very capable. They didn’t talk a lot but I sure did have a great time with them. We started trekking towards the falls along a concrete road that was gradually going up. The sun was burning hot but the air blowing was cool against my skin. The concrete road ended and the trek continued to a man-made path that was a few inches more than a foot wide. There wasn’t any difficult assaults but the hike really was long, may be taking an hour or more. From the man-made path, we turned right to a vegetable plantation then descended to a staircase that was a bit beaten up by previous typhoons. Upon reaching the foot of the stair, we then walked several steps along a rugged terrain before crossing a stream that was a knee deep then ascended a stair again towards where Bukal Falls lies. I could hear the gushing of its water from afar which got me more excited. The minute I heard funny giggles, I knew I was almost there.
My heart skip a beat upon seeing the deep blue waters flowing out of the catch basin of the lower tier of Bukal Falls. Several meters up where I stood, I could already tell the waters were as clear as crystals given how I can still see the rocks underneath. I continued walking without taking my eyes off it passing through a narrow path where several tents were pitched then went to cross over boulders to see the main tier of the falls. I opted to find ourselves first a spot where I can snap my camera some good photos of the falls. I also didn’t wanna join the crowd of people at the main tier so I contented myself with glimpse of it from afar. When I found the opportunity to have Bukal Falls all to myself, I went several steps up and couldn’t help but just be in so much awe upon seeing its enchanting world.
The crimson rocks covered in moss surrounding the main catch basin and the pristine waters trapped inside it were just in perfect harmony. I wondered how the waters are painted blue reveling at its possible depth. I looked up to see sprinkles of water falling down. The absence of the mighty cascade of water from above down to its enchanting pool didn’t take away its charm one bit. The subtlety made it even more endearing. Memorable. I took a few more snaps then settled in to take a dip in its icy cold waters. While afloat the water I thought memories like this can last many lifetimes, can fuel a too exhausting journey and make true an elusive dream. Guess I just found my “happy place”.
MY 50 CENTS, TIPS AND OTHER INFO
- The place is surprisingly clean, please do your part to keep it that way. Don’t leave your waste. If you are not the type to bring your trash home with you, at least throw them in the garbage bin. Don’t let the locals go after your trash. That isn’t their job.
- We all are equally entitled to discover and witness the beauty of nature but please avoid mass hike or mass chasing waterfalls. Go in small groups of 5-10 and try going there on weekdays. You’ll appreciate nature more when you have it all to yourself. To be able to indulge in the peace and quiet of a waterfall with the gushing water serving as your lullaby is that great reward you can gift yourself after a tiresome trek.
- You can spend the night there but you have to find a place aside from the limited space available at the campsite near the waterfalls. You can ask local officials or the residents if they would allow you to camp within their yard for a fee.
- There are no store available near Bukal Falls so make sure you have everything that you need before hiking your way there.
HOW TO GO TO BUKAL FALLS
- Commute – From Metro Manila, ride any bus from Buendia or Cubao Stations to Sta. Cruz. From the drop off in Sta. Cruz, ride a tricycle going to the Public Market. Passenger jeepneys bound for Majayjay are parked along the road and depart every hour. From Majayjay, hire a tricycle going to Brgy. Bukal and asked to be dropped at the Barangay Hall. Register. secure a guide then trek to the waterfalls.
- Private Car – From Metro Manila, take SLEX and exit in Calamba. Follow the National Highway going to Sta. Cruz then head east to Barangay Patimbao Road. Turn right unto Daang Bakal Road continuing to San Luis Road then take Magdalena-Majayjay Rd to Majayjay-Lucban Rd continuing to Liliw Majayjay Road. Turn left at the junction going to Barangay Bukal and drive straight away until you reach the barangay hall. Register, secure parking and guide then trek to the waterfalls.
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES FOR A GROUP OF 5
- RT Fare Manila-Sta. Cruz – P280
- RT Fare Trike Sta. Cruz-Public Market @ P80 – P16
- RT Fare Jeep Sta. Cruz-Majayjay – P70
- RT Fare Trike Majayjay-Bukal @ P60 – P12
- Environmental Fee – P20
- Shower – P10
- Guide @ P300 – P60
TOTAL: P468
THINGS TO BRING
- Extra clothes
- Toiletries
- Towel
- Garbage bag
- Slippers
- Packed Lunch
- Trail snack
- Trail water (1L)
- Extra money
- Camera
SAMPLE ITINERARY
0430: Assembly DLTB Bus Terminal Buendia/Cubao
0500: ETD Sta Cruz
0700: Sta Cruz (Ride trike to public market and ask to drop u off in jeepney terminal bound for Majayjay)
0800: Majayjay (ride trike to Brgy Bukal)
0815: Brgy Bukal hall/ Register
0830: Start trek to falls
0915: Bukal falls/bathe/photo ops
1200: Lunch
1600: Pack up/Trek back to Barangay Hall
1730: Majayjay
1830: Sta Cruz
2030: ETA Manila
UPDATED CONTACT INFO:
- Barangay Bukal Local Council: 0928 216 8279 or 0930 133 2309
- Tent rental: 0930 837 6616
- 2 Bedroom House with kitchen rental: 0930 837 6616
- Food Service: 0910 452 5537
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Barangay Bukal Local Council is encouraging visiting tourists to just bring loads which they can manage to carry all throughout the trek from the barangay hall to Bukal falls stating that the local guides they provide are just there to serve as guides, assist during an emergency, and ensure safety and that they are not PORTERS. If it can’t be helped then maybe it is just wise that you give them additional compensation for their service. Also, they strongly discourage bringing gas stoves to avoid fire hazards. I hope everyone adheres to this. And may I please also remind you to mind your waste. The fee that you pay isn’t enough reason to disrespect nature. Actually, it isn’t at all justifiable so let’s all be responsible.
OTHER INTERESTING PLACES IN LAGUNA YOU MIGHT WANT TO SEE
- Isdaan Floating Restaurant
- Hulugan Falls
- Taytay Falls
- Buruwisan Falls
- Pagsanjan Falls
- Cavinti Underground River Cave
There you go, Lovely Peeps. I hope you found this post helpful. If you need more information, feel free to shoot them in the comments box below. Please do share this post and spread the word about this stunning waterfall. Until next time. See Yah. 🙂
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82 Comments
Hi ate, if going solo, my place ba where we can safely keep our things?
Unfortunately wala. You can leave some of your stuff sa barangay hall. Your valuables nman can be put in a dry bag and carried with you at all times.
Hi! Great work you have here. I know it has been a while since you visited Bukal Falls but do you recall how far away the pitch site is from the actual falls? The tent would serve its purpose as a locker of sorts.
It’s far. Maybe a 10-15minute walk. They don’t allow pitching of tents near the falls.
Hi Ms. Keza!
Are the numbers you have provided above still accurate from the day you went there up to this day? We are planning to visit Bukal Falls and Taytay Falls from 28-29 of April. We are planning to spend our weekend together with my partner but we are lack of information related thereto. Please give me insights, tips and other related information. Thanks and God bless!
Yes Farhan. Everything is pretty much the same since the last time I was there in February. Just give them a try. 😊
Salamat sa info. Super lalim ba yung tubig?
Yes malalim po dun sa main basin.
Malalim ba yung tubig?
Yes malalim po dun sa main basin.
WOW.. ayus to bago na naman mapupuntahan.. tnx Keza for the detailed guide.
But what if we bring our own vehicle do they have parking lot in Barangay Bukal??
Hi Miqui. Yes meron namng parking lot dun na ibibigay ang barangay if you would request for one.
Kelangan po ba pag pumunta eh may guide na babayaran ?
Yes po for safety and para tulong na rin po naten sa mga lokals dun.
is this place open kahit holyweek ? plan namin pumunta Friday april 14, good friday yun e
468 expense is good for a back and forth visit ?
Yes po.
hi po…if ever overnight saan po pede mag stay?
Can i bring my kids
Yes you may. . But dont leave them unattended.
3 years old and 4 months kase kids, pwede kaya. Hindi po ba mahirap bumaba at umakyat?
Hi Dese. Kaya nman po. Hinde nman po mahirap umakyat at bumaba.. 🙂
hi! saan po pwede magbihis after dipping. kasi wala mga cr diba? thanks!
Sa barangay hall po. 😊
hi! sino pwede contact person po para sa place and tour guide po and kung pwede b mag overnyt po ty
planning to go on January. malamig po kaya tubig? hahah! sorry if stupid question. my friends are first time hikers and very concerned sa lamig ng tubig 😛
Hi Jaja, the water is icy cold but in a very refreshing way. 😊
hi. ilang minuto po ung pag trek?
Hi Jeff,
45-1 hr depende sa pacing
May mga room for rent or inns ba sa bukal fals
Hi Jean.
Meron pong house for rent. Try to contact that number I had indicated on the blog. 🙂
Hello po. Tatanong ko lng po sana if may idea kayo how much yung house rental na may 2 bedroom. And if magtent po ba ok naman yung campsite? Thank you!
Hi Chi. Dunno about the house. As for the campsite, mejo limited lang ang space and walang designated wash area. Bukal falls kasi is undeveloped so walang palikuran or anything at masikip at nadadaanan ng tao yung campsite. 🙂
Required ba ang tour guide?
Hi Vinson. Yes. It’s required
hi.. ask ko lng kung meron chance na maka pag overnight sa lugar? like camping site.. or tent site.. for safety reasons lng.. di kasi namin tripo basta daytour lng eh.. salamat.
Hi. Yes there’s a campsite pero limited lang ang space. Try to ask the barangay if nagdesignate na sila ng bagong campsite. 🤔😊
Hi, may contact person ka sa bukal, we are planning to go this weekend, gusto ko lng ma sure na may aabutan,kaming guide. Salamat
Hi Chris. Yes. It’s up there 👆👆
hi,from landayan san pedro laguna po ako. ano po mas better na way to go majayjay ?commute lang po .
yung sa balibago ba na van going majayjay is dun na mismo sa barangay bukal pde magdrop off. plan ko po kasi magpunta . thanks po
Hi. No di po sa brgy bukal. Sa town proper po ng majayjay ang baba unless manggaling sya sa parte na madadaanan yung brgy. Bukal.
Hi ung 280 ba balikan na yung pamasahe na yon? thanks
Hi. Yes RoundTrip na po yun.
What’s the ratio of the guide and the visitor? 🙂
May side trip po ba na pwede?
Hi Ricky.
Guide is 1:5.
Sidetrips: Taytay Falls, Majayjay Falls. Isdaan Floating Restaurant.
hi ms kesa ask lang po kng malapit lang po ba ung room for rent nila ty po
Hi Erika. I haven’t really seen the room for rent yet but I doubt it’s located anywhere near the waterfalls as there were no houses anywhere near it. Baka dun sa mismong barangay sa mga linya ng houses andun ang room for rent. Just ask na lang the number I’ve indicated on the blog. 🙂
Nkapunta na po kayo sa Mt. Batolusong?
Hi Karen. Hinde pa po but I am planning to hike there when the weather permits. 🙂
Hello, may parts ba na mababaw lang? O malalim talaga sya? Thanks. 😊
Hi Anj. It’s malalim talaga. May mga mababaw pero dun malapit sa mga bato pero yung lapad about 2-3 feet past that malalim na tlga. Try to bring floaters na lang when you go there if hindi gaano maalam magswim. And avoid rainy days ha.. 🙂
Hi, same lang ba ang rate nila sa guides for overnight?
Hi Diane. I doubt na same lang. You might pay for 2 days of service.. you can just inquire using the contact no. I’ve indicated above
Hi! What do you mean by Php 300 – Php 60 sa tour guide? 🙂
Hi Z. P300 divided by 5 equals P60 per pax since the guide is good for 5 people
Gud eve po ask ko lang po ung rountrip tricycle from majayjay to bukal how much po xa?kasi sa ibang post nakita ko 300-600 daw po..thank you
Hi Gel.. It should only cost you P30. It can be shared by 3 people or if trike drivers decided to be a bit of a rip off it can be P30/person. Don’t pay more than that.
Thanks a lot po..planning on going there sa tues.kasi..hehe thnx for the info po ulit..
No worries.. have fun
Hi Keza! yung ibig sabihin po ba ng “RT Fare” ay balikan na po? Papunta at pabalik na po yun?
Hi Kaye! Yeah. spot on!
Ung 480 expenses ..per head po b UN or 5 person n
Hi Wilma. It’s per head po
Is it super deep po ba?
Hi Dianne. Yes it is super deep. 😊
may life vest ba silang pinaparent hehe
Hi Pao. So far sa official fan page nila walang update about lifevest rental. Nung andun din ako wala rin kaya sariling sikap sa pagpadyak at paglutang.. Haha. You can ask the guide nman to help u. 🙂
Hi po! may contact number po ba kau sa barangay hall? thanks! or yung mga nakasama nyo?
Hi Karen. You can try this number 09282168279
possible po b overnight?
l
Hi leo. Yes pwede po pero limited lang ang space sa campsite. 😊
Hi Keza, is Bukal Falls accessible all year round or the waterfall dries up/trickles down during the summer months?
And I know you mentioned the trek in your awesome blog already, but is the trek easy enough for me to go with a splinted forearm? (I’m getting cabin fever not being to go hiking for weeks already!) As in I don’t need to scramble up any rocks or hold tree barks because of steep declining trails? Is the trail mostly flat level walking?
And one last question! Have you ever hiked there on a weekend morning? Does it get super crowded? If you had to recommend weekend morning or afternoon (and Friday, Saturday, Sunday), which is the less crowded time and day of the weekend? Thanks so much for sharing your adventures!!
Hi Ariana. Yeah Bukal Falls is accessible all year round and just like other waterfalls, the water trickles down during the summer months but the basin is still full of water.
The trek is easy and in the most part a flat level walk. The only difficult part was the descent to the concrete ladder but there is an iron pipe that you can hold on to, then the crossing to the river but I heard, a wooden bridge was already built so it’s no longer a concern and the ascent from the river to the final stretch but it isn’t really that hard. Just be careful as the trail is kinda dripping wet and slippery.
Lately, there’s too many people going to Bukal Falls during weekends. Friday would be the least crowded. Try going there a little past 12nn. There wont be too many people since most of them are already on their way home.
Hope you get/feel better soon. Good luck with your plan of seeing Bukal Falls. 🙂
Wow thanks so much for the advice and quick reply! 🙂
You’re welcome. Have Fun. 🙂
Hi po… how deep is the water maam? Because we are planning to go there but with some kiddos…may mababaw n part po b ng tubig para s mga bata
Hi Mar. Malalim po ang basin ng main tier. Wala pong mababaw na part. Pero meron po sa lower tier pero maliit lang so kelangan po talaga supervision ng mga kiddos most especially kung non-swimmers. 🙂
Prepping up now…going to Bukal falls. See you guys 🙂
Hello Miss Keza ask ko laNg taga Laguna rin akopero dkoalam papunta dyan sa bukal falls plan nMin pumunta dyan this Friday same lang din ba uNg sasakyan nMin thAnkz :D:);)
Hi Diana? San ka Laguna?
Besides the spot itself, I love how creative yet neat and informative your blog is. We’re planning to go there this weekend. Leaving at 2 pm from Manila would you recommend any place to stay at as we prep for the Sunday hike to Bukal Falls?
Hi Vea. Thank you. I suggest you stay anywhere in or near Sta. Cruz. You can check out Traders Mega A Inn or Tropical view inn and other budget hostels in Pagsanjan. You guys have fun. 🙂