PANGADILAN FALLS: Budget Travel Guide + Everything You Need to Know

Pangadilan Falls is among the many hidden gems in the province of Sultan Kudarat. It is located in the sleepy and secluded town of Columbio, which is tucked behind the mountains of Davao Del Sur and South Cotabato. Nestled deep within the lush tropical forests, Pangadilan Falls is a captivating natural wonder that enchants visitors with its serene beauty and tranquil surroundings. The falls cascade gracefully between gigantic rocks that look like cracks on the earth’s surface, creating a mesmerizing sight and a soothing sound that echoes through the verdant landscape.

We were headed to Columbio one day to see La Palmera Ridge. Little did we know that this town has so much more to offer. When I browsed the internet about it, photos of stunning waterfalls surfaced alongside pictures of mountain ridges that have haunted my dreams since the pandemic. That made me all the more eager to visit so from our rented room in General Santos, we traced the roads to Koronadal and made our way to the mountains where the roads led to a beautiful promise.

The route in Koronadal has proven to be treacherous but has beautiful spots we can visit on our way to Columbio. It was also a shorter route than the one in Datu Paglas. The ride was peaceful for the most part as we encountered only a handful of vehicles along the way. I thought that it was such a shame only a few knew this route since it’s very scenic. The baffling reason revealed itself to us on the last stretch of the ride before finally reaching the valleys. Turns out, a good 2-3 kilometers was still ragged and uncemented, proving to be difficult for small vehicles.

As dangerous as it was to go down, we pushed through. Our tuk-tuk was not made for offroad situations but it managed to survive and get us to the safety of the valleys. We continued tracing the ragged road to the town center. Upon reaching it, we immediately asked for a way to La Palmera Ridge but a lot of people were discouraging us from taking our tuk-tuk there. They kept on offering us a motorcycle ride with price offers going up to ₱1000/person.

I knew they were trying to rip us off which got me really annoyed so I fled the scene and headed to Pangadilan Falls instead. At the crossing going to the falls’ location, I met Mohamad. He was kind enough to offer us a ride to all 3 spots in Columbio including Pangadilan Falls, La Palmera Ridge, and Fekung Bula for ₱600/person. It was a pretty good deal which I didn’t hesitate to accept.

The ride to Pangadilan Falls was not for the fainthearted. Those treacherous roads would have instantly sent us flying and rolling over the steep terrain had it not for Mohamad’s skillful driving. I placed my faith in him and he didn’t disappoint. He navigated the difficult roads with ease which killed all my nerves and got me enjoying the ride to the fullest.

We reached Pangadilan Falls in no time. At the registration site, we quickly paid the fees before continuing the ride down to the falls’ very location. Mohamad ushered me to the line of native huts where other locals awaited. Since we didn’t intend to stay long, they didn’t require us to get a cottage. At first, I was confused as there was no sign of the falls anywhere. Then Mohamad assisted me down a long crack lined with boulders and there I saw white water gushing through.

I was in utter disbelief at the beauty of Pangadilan Falls. Cascading down rugged rocks, the falls create a stunning, multi-tiered display of water, often adorned with vibrant rainbows, especially on sunny days. The formidable rocks are what made this waterfall special. Their intricate pattern added a unique charm that you couldn’t find elsewhere.  To top it off, the pool at the base of the falls offers a refreshing spot for a swim, its crystal-clear waters inviting visitors to cool off.

I couldn’t be any happier having laid my eyes on this jewel, that I spent a few moments here savoring its beauty before heading out to see the other spots.

From Manila – Fly to General Santos City airport then make your way to the city proper. Once in the city, ride a bus to Marbel/Koronadal City (₱80 | 1Hr). From there, you can find vans going to Columbio (₱50 | 45 Minutes). Hop on one and upon reaching the town center, hire a motorcycle to go to Pangadilan Falls.

Note: Vans to Columbio from Marbel are kind of limited. If you missed the trip then you can ride a van to Datu Paglas, instead. Once there, you can hire a motorcycle driver to Pangadilans Falls or charter its services so you can visit all three spots in Columbio.

From Cotabato City – Ride a van or Husky bus to Tacurong (₱80 | 1 Hr). Once there, ride another van to Datu Paglas (₱30 | 30 Minutes). At the terminal, you can find motorcycles that you can charter to take you to all three spots in Columbio. You can also contact Mohamad at his number 0905 738 1064 ahead of time so he can pick you up. Just negotiate with him a fair enough price for his services.

It’s ideal to spend the night in La Palmera Ridge before or after visiting Pangadilan Falls. For ₱1500, you’ll have an A-House and a gorgeous view of the sea of clouds in the morning. It also comes with a free breakfast for two people. However, if you find yourself in the area during unfavorable hours then you can find comfort in these accommodations.

There you have it, lovelies. I hope you find this post helpful and encourage you to discover more of the jewels in underrated places in Mindanao. If you have questions, just drop them in the comments. To keep tabs on my adventure, follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Until next time. Ciao!