PINSAL FALLS: DIY Travel Guide, Budget + Itinerary & Why Ilocos Sur Is More Than Just Vigan

When we speak of the Ilocandia Region, most people would think of the cobblestone streets and heritage houses in Vigan or the sand dunes in Paoay or the windmills in Pagudpud, and only a few know about the other jewels lurking behind the shadows of these famous destinations. Many people miss out on the chance of going into meaningful adventures as they refuse to deviate from the ordinary to merely follow the crowd. Sadly, they miss out on witnessing Pinsal Falls and its grandeur. This unspoken gem located in Sta. Maria will leave you speechless and blow your mind away with its beauty. A great option for adventure seekers and nature lovers, it certainly does provide a contrast to the usual sights of Ilocos. A world of its own, it boasts of curtain-like cascades and a pool of pristine emerald waters that are perfect for some dipping under the midday sun. So whether you’re someone looking for something new to do when you go to Ilocos or a blissful spirit seeking adventure in some off the beaten path, you can never go wrong with this waterfall.

OUR PINSAL FALLS STORY

3 AM of a Sunday, having come from an epic adventure in Kaparkan, I rode a Partas bus from Bangued to Sta. Maria. It was a one hour ride inside an almost empty bus with a driver who didn’t seem to bother stopping to load passengers along the way. I suppressed a chuckle while shaking my head in disbelief when we simply passed by a woman and a child with a suitcase at the side of the street who was clearly gesturing to the bus to stop. Right then, I knew it would be a swift ride that I refused to shut my eyes and sleep as to not miss my stop but I couldn’t help it. Unable to resist the urge to doze off, I asked the driver to wake me up when we reach SaveMore in Sta. Maria.

45 minutes later, my phone buzzed like frenzy. It was Ian (my boyfie/moody travel buddy) checking on where I was at. I was to meet with him and two other friends, Naomi and Ann in Sta. Maria so we could altogether go to this must-see waterfall. I didn’t have any idea where I was at but a good minute after, the ticket boy approached me and said we’re almost at my stop. I grabbed my stuff as soon as the bus came to a halt. Having alighted the bus in a hurry, I looked for familiar faces but I found no one. I reached for my phone and dialed Ian’s number, a little upset as I was expecting he would be waiting at my stop. He picked up and I almost shouted on top of my lungs had I not seen him pop out of a nearby eatery looking in my direction. He has bad eyes so I didn’t know if he saw me but I told him I was already there waiting.

Emerging inside a typical eatery with long tables and plastic chairs, I found Naomi and Ann enjoying a hearty meal. It got me a little hungry as well but none on the menu looked appetizing so I settled for instant cup noodles and bread. Ian however being a lover of soup tried the local dish Imbaliktad which is similar to our all-time favorite pulutan, Papaitan. He seemed to enjoy it that he asked for extra soup. I couldn’t bear the sight of him sipping that soup to its last drop as I knew how bitter it tasted. I guess the only local dish I came to love during this trip was Abra’s Pancit Loglog. It’s a must-try I should say along with their longganisa which has this tangy and garlicky flavor and aroma.

After filling our tummies to our heart’s content, we kick-started the adventure at exactly five in the morning. From the eatery, we walked a little in front of SaveMore and hired a tric to take us to the waterfall. What I love about this ride was that it was pretty smooth. I love how the roads were developed and concreted. No bumps except for those which were intended to slow vehicles down. And the scenery over a vast rice field with the sun rising up the horizon causing a beautiful collision of colors was really breathtaking. I could just gasp in awe with what my eyes were seeing. Everything was spectacular from the greens to the clear waters of the streams we passed by along the way.

The ride lasted for about 45 minutes and once we arrived at the site, I felt like I never wanna leave. This waterfall was magnificent. The cascades was our music over the dead cold silence of the morning. There was nobody there but us. No other soul to interrupt a wonderful dream we didn’t wanna wake up from. I couldn’t fathom how such a priceless treasure lying within the towering cliffs beyond acres and acres of rice fields could be overlooked by so many people. How is it not talked about when every detail of its existence could not even be described by so many words? I could just stare and ponder.

With our minds full of snapping countless photos, a voice suddenly surfaced from a distance. I turned to see a woman approach us. She introduced herself as the caretaker of the park and went on to talk about the fees, rules, and other information that may be essential to visitors. I appreciate her eagerness. She seemed to enjoy her job of showcasing this jewel of a waterfall and why wouldn’t she. Had the chance, I’d take her job any other day.

After hearing all the do’s and don’ts of the park, we went on to explore further. From the receiving area, we rode a boat to go near the waterfall. It was a quick two-minute ride but what awaits on the other side is nothing short of enchanting. Curtain-like cascades flowing relentlessly to its emerald pool. Rocks of different sizes surround the bank. The water was freezing yet so refreshing. As the sun slowly rose up, everything else started to also sparkle from the dewy leaves to the water reflecting the skies.

After countless snaps on our camera, we decided to take a dip. With our rented lifebuoy, we went to the deeper parts of the pool. While afloat near the cascades, we saw several kids passed by coming from the 2nd tier of the waterfall tracing an invisible staircase all the way down to the banks. We wondered how they did it. Curious of what awaits on top, we went to the other side of the river and climbed the same stairway going to the second tier of this waterfall. It was at first nerve-wracking considering how narrow the path was. There was also a corroded part that could cause a hard fall if we weren’t being too careful. Another scary thing was the damaged and rusty stair that was shaking while we passed by.

Overcoming the not so walk in the park climb to the second tier, we were then entertained by a scenic view of the whole waterfall. The long river snaking its way to the vast rice fields looked greener than ever. The cascade of the waterfall was like silk falling down the basin. I would say that this waterfall is more beautiful to look at from the second tier. And what’s even better than a beautiful view? Lagoons! Yes, there are natural pools of emerald waters on the 2nd tier and there is a handful of them you can choose from!

Having spent half a day getting ourselves enough of this waterfall, we finally decided to leave. We quickly dropped by a hotel to wash up and change since there are no showers there. We then rested for a little bit and an hour later went to Vigan to have lunch. The rest of the day was spent exploring cobblestone streets and old churches. We would have loved to stay until the fountain show but we had work waiting for us early the following morning that at 4 PM, we were on the bus bidding the beautiful province of Ilocos Sur “goodbye”.

HOW TO GO TO PINSAL FALLS

From Manila – In either Cubao or Pasay Station, ride a Partas or Dominion bus going to either Vigan or Bangued Abra (6Hrs ; P670/way). Alight the bus in SaveMore Sta. Maria. From there, ride a tricycle going to the waterfall (45 minutes ; P350 2-way).

Note: Bus fare may vary depending on the type of bus (regular, deluxe or super express). For inquiry, you may contact Partas Bus directly at +63 (2) 7278278

TIPS & OTHER USEFUL INFO

• Just like many other, Pinsal Falls is best visited during the rainy season as water tend to dry up during summer.
• We visited in October 2018 and as of that time, it still lacks toilet and bathrooms. So after dipping, you may want to check in a nearby accommodation to shower and change.
• To maximise your visit, I would say to go there early. Not only will it allow you to have the place to yourselves but the early morning, for me, is when this stunner is at its most beautiful.
• Bring your own food, water and other beverage. There’s no food sold there. If there is then choices are pretty limited and they can be very expensive.
• Access is free. If you don’t plan to stay long then you can just leave your stuff at the receiving area. Otherwise, you may rent cottages there for P300.
• Visiting requires no reservation. You can simply go there and enjoy this natural wonder without worrying about booking in advance.
• To keep the place and its surrounding clean, make sure to LEAVE NO TRACE. Leave your heart in there but please don’t leave trash.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR PINSAL FALLS

There certainly other jewels worth discovering in Ilocos Sur and a day is definitely not enough. Should you need a place to stay, here are the most recommended accommodations as curated by Agoda.

BUDGET, ITINERARY & OTHER ESSENTIALS

And there you have it lovelies! Next time you plan on going to Ilocos Sur, make sure not to miss this gem. For questions, suggestions and what have yous, just leave them on the comments. Please don’t forget to share this post. Until next time. Ciao!