My mother’s home province, Davao Oriental, has a very special place in my heart. I didn’t grow up there. But if my memory could tell you a story out of the few years I was there, it would be of colorful skies, sunburnt skin, salt in my hair, and unrivaled happiness. You know, the good times. That’s why I always make sure to allow a month or two each year just to see it. Two years ago, I roamed Davao Oriental for a couple of weeks and was able to write a blog about the underrated spots ⇒ 10 Underrated Tourist Spots In Davao Oriental (Cateel & Baganga) it kept for so long.
As stunning as the beaches in Davao Oriental are, I’m more fond of exploring its mountains in search of hidden waterfalls. In this blog, I’m listing all the stunning waterfalls I was fortunate to visit.
—1. Curtain Falls
Location: Brgy. Campawan – 30-minute ride from Poblacion Baganga
Curtain Falls put Baganga on the tourist radar. This sleepy town, though home to many hidden natural wonders was being overlooked in favor of its more famous neighboring towns. But as soon as news about a gorgeous waterfall emerged, Baganga was never the same.
Gradually people from all over the region flocked to this town, discovering not only Curtain Falls but also its beautiful beaches, rivers, and lakes. Nowadays, this once-quiet town has taken center stage, and Curtain Falls has not had a day without amazing eyes gazing at its grandeur.
Planning to visit soon? See Full Travel Guide → CURTAIN FALLS (Baganga): Travel Guide, Budget + Useful Tips
—2. Paogpogon Falls
Location: Brgy. Mikit – Just 30 minutes away from the town center taking the same road to Brgy. Campawan but Mikit is on the left.
Paogpogon Falls is perfect for people who are looking for an extraordinary adventure. Getting to this waterfall requires at least an hour of trekking along a trail-less route and several river crossings. This is one of my favorite waterfalls in Baganga as it offers a different kind of experience. If you’re up to the challenge of scouring the unknown for hidden jewels then Paogpogon Falls is for you.
The route leading to Paogpogon Falls is not that difficult. It’s mostly on flats and moderate uphills and downhills. The challenging part is finding your way against the thick bushes and dense forest. Getting lost is pretty common but it’s part of the obstacles that spice things up for this adventure.
—3. Sungkuan Falls
Location: Brgy. Campawan – 25 minutes from the town center and 10 minutes before reaching Curtain Falls.
Sungkuan Falls is a small waterfall that’s located only a few minutes away from Curtain Falls. It’s not very popular with tourists but if you’re looking for a place where you can have a nice bath, then Sungkuan Falls is your kind of waterfall.
It has a wide and deep pool of naturally cold waters that people with a knack for cliff jumping would surely love. As it’s not very touristy, Sungkuan Falls could be an ideal sanctuary for people who are not much into going with the crowd. It’s also very accessible since it will only take a few steps down a wooden ladder to reach it from the main road.
—4. Anagacian Falls
Location: Brgy. Batiano- 15 minutes from the town center and 30 minutes via Brgy. Binondo.
Anagacian Falls is a play hard-to-get kind of waterfall as one will have to conquer 10 river crossings and a 90-degree rock scrambling on a cliff wall just to reach it. It’s totally worth it though as it’s one of the most gorgeous waterfalls you’ll ever set your eyes on in Baganga.
—5. Magpong Falls
Magpong Falls is a twin waterfall that spans about a 50-feet drop to a pristine emerald green catch basin. Its cold water then flows out into a rocky stream. One of the most interesting features of this waterfall is a small cave where you can see bats flying in its dark corners. The falls are engulfed within a cliff wall with curtains of shrubs and ornamental plants. It’s a quiet place, surprisingly serene despite it being easily accessible from the main road.
The road leading to Magpong Falls is concrete. The walk to the falls from where the concrete road ends will only take 10 minutes along a rugged yet easy dirt path. Due to frequent rains, the road at the time of our visit was blocked by a mountain of earth and debris from a landslide that forced us to park our vehicle much farther from where Magpong Falls is located.
There were a couple of picnic huts built near the falls but they looked a bit rundown. There were no toilets and baths nor garbage bins there so please be responsible and manage your waste properly. Also, access to the falls is free. No one is tasked with maintenance jobs so kindly keep it clean when you visit.
—6. Inawiyan Falls
Inawiyan Falls is a play hard-to-get kind of waterfall. It challenges those who want to see it to an 850-meter trek along puddles of mud and treacherous rocky terrain with dripping water down to where it lies. It’s a worthwhile adventure to a curtain waterfall that conceals a cave. It spans from a 30-foot drop to a turquoise pool of clear water on good days. One who has been to Aguinid Falls would agree that it somehow looks like it.
The trek is easy, and slippery most of the time, but what’s more challenging is finding the right way. It actually took us a second visit to finally see Inawiyan Falls. There were no signs or markers to guide visitors and a local guide is hardly an option for those that don’t speak the local tongue. Despite that, Inawiyan Falls remains one of the best options for those who seek thrill and extraordinary adventure.
—7. Busay Falls
Among the three waterfalls that we visited, Busay Falls is the easiest to access and most developed. It is located beside the main road and has a concrete swimming pool perfect for both non and strong swimmers. Despite the little developments that include some picnic huts in its surrounding, everything else was kept natural.
Busay Falls is a tiered waterfall that looks like a mini version of Aliwagwag Falls. It’s a lot smaller compared to the latter but it’s the highest among the three waterfalls in Boston. It’s also the coldest but the least wild as one can still bathe under its gushing water.
Access to Busay Falls is not free as it requires a P20/head entrance fee. Picnic huts are for P200 but visitors are not forced to get one especially if they’re only there for a quick dip and for snapping photos.
—8. Tugunan Falls
The story of Tugunan Falls is an interesting one. This waterfall was unknown and overlooked not until Typhoon Agaton paved the way for it in April 2022. After days of massive flooding, Tugunan Falls emerged. This once-unknown jewel has come out of its shell, proving to everyone that it’s worth recognizing.
We were lucky to have known Tugunan Falls before its development now. This was where our feet first took us when we were lost while searching for Inawiyan Falls. While its pool has now become wider and deeper, nothing much has changed with its rock formations. They are still stunning and it’s even better now that visitors have its deep pool to take plunge in.
Tugunan Falls is being developed into an Ecopark and requires an entrance fee of P30/head. The landowners have also made access to this waterfall easier by building ladders and paving the road. They have also built cottages which visitors can rent for P300 a day as well as toilet and shower rooms to make it more convenient for guests.
—9. Kapuka Falls
Location: Brgy. Lamiawan, Caraga, Davao Oriental – 30-45 minutes from the town proper of Caraga.
Kapuka Falls is definitely one of my favorite waterfalls in Davao Oriental. It boasts of naturally refreshing Gatorade waters that flow down delicately to its pool and down to the river below. When I think of a place straight out of a fairytale, Kapuka Falls will instantly cross my mind. It’s like a world of its own and a magical and enchanted one for that matter.
See Full Travel Guide: Kapuka Falls: Travel Guide, Budget + Itinerary to Exploring Caraga’s Hidden Gem
—10. Prinsesa Falls
Location: Brgy: Santiago, Caraga – 15 minutes from the town proper.
Prinsesa Falls is located within a resort with man-made pools and cottages made of wood and nipa. It’s like this waterfall has either become the main star or has simply become a beautiful backdrop of its own territory. Nevertheless, Prinsesa Falls has not lost its charms and continued to beguile everyone.
See Full Travel Guide: PRINSESA FALLS: Getting to Know One of Caraga’s Jewels
—11. Aliwagwag Falls
Location: Brgy. Aliwagwag – 25 minutes from Cateel proper.
Aliwagwag Falls is the main star of Davao Oriental when we speak of waterfalls. It has been this province’s greatest pride for decades and even with the discovery of other waterfalls in the area, nothing seems to dim its shine. As of writing, the Aliwagwag Ecopark remains closed but visitors can still witness Aliwagwag Falls at the bridge.
—12. Mabuyong Falls
Location: Brgy. Maglahus – 25 minutes from Cateel proper and less than 10 minutes from Aliwagwag Falls.
Mabuyong Falls is one of the best-kept secrets of Brgy. Maglahus in Cateel. Even the majority of local residents in the area are unaware of its existence. It might have been overshadowed by its neighbors but its beauty is totally worth the 25-minute trek. If you fancy a little adventure in a road less travelled by then Mabuyong Falls is what you’re looking for.
Where is Davao Oriental & How to get there?
Davao Oriental is located on the Eastern Coast of Mindanao. It is bordered by Surigao Del Sur up North and Davao De Oro in the West. The nearest airport to access this province is Francisco Bangoy Airport in Davao City. Here are the ways you can get to Davao Oriental from any point in the country.
Manila – Fly to Davao City. From there, ride a cab to Ecoland Terminal and hop on a Bachelor Bus going to Mati or a Mallen Bus going to Cateel. Travel time takes about 3-4 hours to both destinations. Vans are also available.
From Butuan – Ride a bus to Mangagoy and another bus going to Cateel.
From Bislig – Take a tricycle to Mangagoy and ride a bus to Cateel.
Useful Travel Tips for Seeing These Waterfalls In Boston Davao Oriental
—These waterfalls are situated in different barangays and need to be visited separately. I highly suggest allotting a day for each town.
—To see these waterfalls in their full glory, I suggest that you visit them during the Amihan season from December to May. Avoid the months of February and March though since these are the times with the most rain that could spoil your visit and could be potentially dangerous due to massive flooding.
—Bring food and water on your visit. You can also buy your provisions in the town proper before you go on your waterfall adventure.
—There’s no regular transportation that ply the route to all these waterfalls so your best bet is to hire a tricycle if you’re in a group or habal-habal if you’re alone.
—Expect to shell out at least P500/day to hire a motorcycle to get to these waterfalls.
There you have it, lovelies. Davao Oriental is home to many beautiful waterfalls I haven’t had the chance to visit yet so expect this blog to be constantly updated with new ones in the future. Bookmark this post if you don’t want to miss out on the update or follow me on Facebook and Instagram to keep tabs on my adventure. Until next time. Ciao!
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