CAMBUGAHAY FALLS: Budget Travelers Guide & Everything You Need to Know

Cambugahay Falls had been that dreamy waterfall haunting my dreams for years. It’s the kind of place I kept telling myself I would return to, even before social media turned it into one of Siquijor’s most famous attractions. Before the crowds, the viral photos, and the now-famous fairy walk, it was simply that one waterfall I had always been meaning to visit again: a place of turquoise pools, lush greenery, and gentle cascades that stayed with me long after I left. So when I had a chance to go back to Siquijor, I made sure to see Cambugahay Falls despite all the hindrances.

Here’s a Cambugahay Falls Budget Travelers Guide, summarizing our experience and everything to love about this waterfall.

It was our fifth day in Siquijor and our second attempt to see Cambugahay Falls. The rain had finally subsided, and the sun rose over the horizon as if a typhoon hadn’t just passed. We didn’t plan to stay this long on Siquijor Island. We’d allotted only 3 days to explore it, but that was just impossible, as the weather had been unforgiving for the last four days.

Cambugahay Falls was the only thing keeping us on the island. Not that Siquijor isn’t worth it; we just still had too many spots to cover on our itinerary. I’ve always dreamed of its serenity and turquoise grandeur, something I didn’t fully get to enjoy on my first visit in 2015. Finally, it opened its doors after five days of closure. My cousin and travel buddy, Pani, has bugged me about why I was so keen on seeing it. My only response was “Basta! You’ll learn soon enough.”

As we drove the familiar roads to Lazi after enjoying our meal at Fig Cafe in San Juan, I couldn’t shake the feeling of relief. It was as if I was finally getting some rest after a week of hard work, or witnessing the results of my efforts come to life. I had wanted to arrive early, but a local informed me that visitors aren’t allowed until 8 AM, so we were perfectly on schedule. As we navigated the road and its twists and turns, I recalled that it had been under construction just a while ago. When we reached Lazi Church, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, though it didn’t hit me as hard as the first time I saw it, when it was close to falling apart.

Finally, we arrived at the site. I felt a bit disappointed that many other visitors had beaten us there. Seeing the long line of motorcycles parked outside the area made me worry that I wouldn’t get a moment alone with Cambugahay Falls. However, I reminded myself that I was there to enjoy its beauty once again, not to compete with others for a spot to appreciate it.

After paying the fees, we slowly descended the concrete ladder to Cambugahay Falls. After about 10 minutes, Cambugahay Falls finally revealed itself. For a moment, I thought I was looking at a different waterfall. Its curtain-like cascades weren’t the same as they had been 10 years ago. I kept looking for any resemblance to how I remembered it until my head hurt. But the part that hurt even more was when Pani said, “So ito na yung iniiyakan mo at gustong gusto mo makita?”

Before we got there, I was confident Cambugahay Falls would blow his mind away. I knew his standards were high, having seen so many beautiful waterfalls in our hometown, but I still believed he would be captivated by Cambugahay Falls. I cast the thought aside and urged him to just enjoy the moment. He didn’t fight me, but his teasing look irritated me. He knew very well that a part of me was missing something.

We rode a bamboo raft to the deepest part of the first tier of Cambugahay Falls. The local boy we hired expertly took “human drone” shots while swinging from a tree. His jokes and playful teasing made me relax. While the falls still felt somewhat unfamiliar to me, a surge of memories came rushing back. I slowly realized that it wasn’t the beauty of the place that lingered from my first visit; it was how I felt. The happiness, the warm welcome, and the openness of the locals. That was what I was returning to.

From that moment on, everything felt lighter. Pani’s teasing no longer bothered me. While we’ve seen many more beautiful waterfalls, Cambugahay Falls will always hold a special place in my heart. As we climbed higher to view the other tiers, Pani’s snide remarks ceased to irritate me. I realized he would never understand how happy I was to witness the enduring atmosphere of the falls, despite the many transformations it undergoes with each typhoon. Even though I hardly recognized Cambugahay Falls, its spirit always called to me, drawing me back and reminding me of the happy times we had together.

First, make your way to Siquijor through the different routes described in my 3-Day Siquijor Itinerary. Once you’re on the island, hire a local driver to take you to Cambugahay Falls.  You can also join a tour organized by your accommodation together with other tourists. For me, the best option will always be to rent a scooter and drive there.

• Cambugahay Falls is a popular attraction on Siquijor Island, so expect to encounter crowds during your visit. To avoid them, try visiting on weekdays.
• I usually recommend arriving early to avoid crowds, but that guideline doesn’t apply in this case. Cambugahay Falls opens at 8 AM, and visitors are not permitted entry before this time or after 5 PM. However, it’s still a good idea to get there as early as possible so you can enjoy the falls with fewer people before the influx of visitors starts.
• The entrance fee is ₱30/head. While it’s cheap, note that there are other fees to pay if you wish to make the most of your time there. Monkey Swing is ₱50/head. Rafting is ₱100/group. Fairywalk is ₱100/head.
• Descending to the falls is easy via a concrete ladder, but ascending back up the same ladder is quite challenging.
• You can combine a visit to Cambugahay Falls with other waterfalls in Lazi. In fact, you can dedicate an entire day to exploring Lazi, from Lazi Church and Convent to the waterfalls and underground river.

There goes our Cambugahay Falls adventure for you, lovelies. For questions, drop them in the comments. Follow me on Facebook, Tiktok, and Instagram to keep tabs on my adventure. Until next time. Ciao!