Baganga suddenly came up on the travel radar in recent years and it has never failed to pique our interests since. From stunning caves and enchanting lakes to gorgeous white sand beaches, this quaint town on the Davao Eastern Coast keeps on proving that it can hold its own against Mati and Cateel when the conversation comes down to beautiful travel spots. It has bestowed us with a number of worthy places to add to our bucket list and now it also added several waterfalls to its name. One of them I was lucky to get to visit is the alluring Curtain Falls. Allow me to describe what this waterfall is all about and what it takes to see it up close.
The Journey
I only knew Baganga as a town with long strips of white sand beaches and where we usually look for the freshest seafood. I have little memories about this town during the few times my mom and I went to visit her friend. This was also the place I looked forward to the most whenever we traveled from Davao back to Brgy. San Antonio in Cateel. It served as a beacon or some kind of a reminder that home is just a few moments away. Only recently did I hear talks about the many beautiful sights it has hidden for so long.
Being a wanderlust, I must say, runs in our blood. My cousin, who works as a public school teacher in Cateel, has kept me in the know about the wonders she constantly stumbles upon in the many times she scours the area looking for new places to gaze her eyes on. Just two years ago, I caught a glimpse of the Curtain Falls when she posted it on her Instagram. In an instant, I thought that I should never miss seeing this gem when I get to go back home. And at last, it was finally fulfilled early this year.
It had been so long since the last time I was in Cateel that I can no longer keep track of the weather. Majority of the country should already be sunny during January but that was not the case in Davao Oriental. It works the other way around. So when it’s mostly summer anywhere in The Philippines, this side of the archipelago is all rains and glooms. But it wasn’t something I planned to be sulky about. While I prefer traveling during sunny days, I also don’t find it bad to travel when it’s drizzling since I get to do one of the things that I love most. And that is to chase waterfalls.
It was my 2nd week in Cateel and I already visited a number of well-known sights in the area. Some were the places I love as a child and others were new spots my cousins told me about. I visited Aliwagwag Falls a couple of days before and I thought of adding another waterfall to my vacation. Despite my cousins warning me about the danger and difficulty of going to Curtain Falls, I took the chance with my all-time favorite Panining (kuya/cousin) and drove our way to this hidden gem. We rented a motorcycle from a distant relative and made our way there unaware of what to expect.
From Brgy. San Antonio, the drive was smooth and swift until we finally took the turn at the junction leading to Brgy. Campawan. The first few kilometres into the barangay were paved and cemented. The journey started to get rough halfway to our destination. The cemented road ended and we were faced with a rugged and muddy dirt path. The road as it is was already difficult for a motorcycle and it was quite a struggle for riders who aren’t familiar with it. What made it even more challenging was that part of it was a series of slopes with steep ascents and slippery descents.
We passed by local houses along the way but the last stretch in going to Curtain Falls was just trees and thick bush. The final turn was a journey into the woods of deafening silence but it wasn’t eerie in any way. It was surprisingly comforting and calming, especially if you are the type to find solace in nature. The scene within this part of the drive will never cease to amaze until the sound of a gushing waterfall puts everything else on mute. A well-designed receiving area will then show itself and this signals the end of the ride.
From the reception, we crossed a river using a narrow wooden path in order to get a closer look of the Curtain Falls. There are a handful of small picnic huts near it. They are usually for rent. Since there were no other visitors around, we got it for free. Our eyes were treated to a panoramic view of this stunning jewel while we munched on some bread. It was like gazing at an old-school theater screen covered in white silky curtains. The only difference is that these water curtains will not be swept aside to give way for the movie as it’s the very highlight itself, which is just how we like it. We continued to admire it in silence until we thought it was time to take a dip at its emerald pool surrounded by rocks.
Useful Tips In Traveling To Curtain Falls
- The best and most convenient way in traveling to Curtain Falls is to drive your own vehicle to get there. Taking a tricycle or any public transpo will cost a lot.
- If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can hire a motorcycle and a driver (habal-habal) to take you to the Curtain Falls. Note that some drivers will usually dissuade you from going here especially if you’re planning to explore other spots in town. You might as well hire them exclusively for this tour. Rate ranges from P200-P300
- Renting a motorcycle and driving your way there is another good option but I haven’t really seen any motorbikes for rent in the area.
- The roads were already being fixed when I went there last January 2020 so access to the falls should be easier, say 2021 onwards.
- There is a parking space for motorcycles and small vehicles. Parking varies per vehicle type but ranges from P20 to P50.
- Entrance Fee is priced at P10/person.
- There is no cellphone coverage in the area for all networks.
- The Curtain Falls is best seen during the rainy season. Time your visit from December to May to be able to witness it in full glory.
- Visitors are warned not to stay too late in the vicinity due to some rebel groups lurking in the area.
How To Go To Curtain Falls
From Manila – Fly to Davao. Once at the Davao Airport, take a cab to the Ecoland Terminal. Ride a van or a bus to Baganga (5Hrs | P400). In Baganga town proper, hire a tricycle to take you to the Curtain Falls.
Book Your Trip
Where To Stay Before/After Visiting Curtain Falls
Obrero Suites – Palma Gil Street, Obrero, Poblacion, Davao City
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Jotel Inn – 434 E. Quirino Avenue, Poblacion, Davao City
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Eden Nature Park and Resort – Bo. Eden, Toril, Davao City
Check Rates Now!
Curtains were created to conceal a beautiful show and feed the audiences’ anticipation. Others were to simply beautify a window. And then there are curtains that were made to steal the show.
There you have it lovelies. There is certainly more to Baganga that we have yet to unravel. For now, let’s start with the magnificent Curtain Falls and work your way in discovering more hidden jewels. Until next time. Ciao!
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