Cebu: Dao, Inambakan, Kawasan and Mantayupan Waterfalls Trip

Cebu’s best waterfall day is not one postcard stop. It is a full southern-Cebu circuit, with four very different falls packed into one long outing. You move from quiet forest pools at Dao Falls to the famous turquoise water of Kawasan, then finish beneath tall Mantayupan Falls.

I like the variety, and I like that the tour is private, with hotel pickup, entrance fees, water, and a local guide included. You get time for swimming at each stop, but the tradeoff is real: this is a very early start and a lot of time in a vehicle. From Cebu City, a pickup around 4:30 a.m. is possible.

• Dao Falls gives you a peaceful first stop in Samboan, with forest scenery, hiking, and swimming.
• Inambakan Falls offers a slower, green setting in Ginatilan and works well for photos and a refreshing swim.
• Kawasan Falls brings the famous turquoise pools and the option of cliff jumping.
• Mantayupan Falls reaches about 98 meters, making it one of Cebu’s tallest waterfall stops.
• The private format includes hotel transport and entrance fees, useful when four remote stops would be awkward to arrange alone.
• The main cost is your time and energy, with long roads, several walks, and little room for a lazy day.

Four Cebu waterfalls, four different moods

This tour covers Samboan, Ginatilan, Badian, and Barili in a single day. That sounds ambitious because it is. You are not simply strolling from one nearby attraction to another. The route links several towns in southern Cebu, so the road sections matter almost as much as the waterfalls.

The appeal is clear: you get a broad taste of Cebu’s waterfall country without organizing separate transport, local guides, and admission payments. At $117 per person, the price makes the most sense for people who value a private vehicle and a handled itinerary, especially if you are staying in Cebu City, Mactan, Mandaue, Talisay, or nearby pickup areas.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.6 from 35 ratings, and the most consistent strengths are the scenery, the guides, and the smooth handling of a complicated day. The main complaint is comfort during the long drive. A group of four adults found the vehicle tight for the number of hours on the road, so ask about vehicle space if you are booking with a full group.

Why the early alarm matters

Your pickup can come from Maribago, Oslob, Dalaguete, Badian, Mandaue City, Moalboal, Cordova, Cebu City, Talisay, or Lapu-Lapu City. You receive the driver details and pickup time by email, and you should be ready in the hotel lobby five minutes early.

From Cebu City, an approximately 4:30 a.m. pickup may be needed. That is not a minor detail. The waterfalls are in different parts of southern Cebu, and the day includes four separate stops, a lunch break, and the return drive.

I would treat the vehicle as part of the experience. Bring a small pillow or folded layer if you have one, keep snacks within reach, and wear clothes that can handle a wet morning. The supplied information does not promise a particular vehicle size, so larger groups should confirm comfort before paying.

The private arrangement helps. You do not wait for strangers at each stop, and your local guide can help you move through the visits at a sensible pace. Recent bookings have included a guide named Junest, described as especially helpful and attentive, but your assigned guide may be different.

Dao Falls in Samboan: a quiet first swim

Dao Falls is the first waterfall stop, with about two hours set aside for sightseeing, hiking, swimming, and the views along the way. It offers the calmer opening to the day.

The setting is described as forested and peaceful, which gives Dao Falls a different feel from the more famous Kawasan stop. You get a chance to walk through natural surroundings before reaching the water, then cool off in the pool at the base.

This is a good place to use water shoes. The tour specifically recommends waterproof or trekking footwear, and you should take that advice seriously whenever a day combines hiking and swimming. Bring only what you can protect from water, since a camera and phone are much easier to manage in a waterproof case.

Dao Falls is also the stop most likely to test your energy early in the day. You may have been awake for hours already, and the route includes walking rather than a simple roadside viewpoint. The reward is a quieter setting and time in the water before the day gets busier.

Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan: green surroundings and photo time

The second stop is Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan, with about one hour for photos, sightseeing, hiking, swimming, and views along the road. Compared with Dao Falls, this is a shorter visit, so you should be ready to make the most of it.

Inambakan is presented as a tranquil pool surrounded by lush greenery. That makes it a good place for photographs, but the real point is the chance to cool down again. By this stage, you will have a better sense of how wet and active the day will be.

The schedule gives you enough time for a swim, but not an unlimited one. If you like to linger at waterfalls for hours, four stops in one day will feel rushed. If you prefer variety and want to see several parts of Cebu, the compact visit works well.

Keep your towel and change of clothes accessible rather than buried under luggage. You will need both more than once, and the route is much easier when you are not unpacking everything beside each pool.

Kawasan Falls in Badian: the tour’s famous centerpiece

Kawasan Falls is the best-known stop and receives about 90 minutes, including a guided visit, sightseeing, hiking, swimming, and scenic views. Its clear turquoise water, tropical vegetation, and deep pools explain why it draws so much attention.

You can swim here, and the tour also includes the possibility of cliff jumping for those who want more excitement. This is an optional thrill, not a requirement. If you are uncomfortable with heights or unsure about the conditions, enjoy the pools and the walking routes instead.

Kawasan is where the tour shifts from quiet waterfall outing to a more energetic attraction. The setting supports both simple swimming and more active exploration. Your guide can help with the route, but you remain responsible for following local safety instructions and judging your own ability.

The timing is useful but limited. Ninety minutes gives you a solid visit, yet you should not expect a long, unhurried afternoon beside the water. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, carry a dry layer, and use a waterproof camera if you want photographs without risking your phone.

Kawasan is also the reason some people will find this tour worth the road time. You see the famous turquoise pools, but you do not have to build an entire day around that one waterfall. The downside is that the stop can feel less private than Dao or Inambakan, particularly if the area is busy.

Lunch in Badian: a short and practical pause

Lunch is scheduled in Badian for about 30 minutes, and meals are not included in the $117 price. Bring food and drinks, or budget for the meal separately.

Thirty minutes is enough for a practical break, not a long restaurant visit. You are still on a packed schedule, so I would keep your meal simple and use the pause to dry off, refill water, and prepare for the final stop.

Water is included, but the tour also tells you to bring snacks and drinks. That is sensible advice. An early pickup, several swims, and repeated walks can leave you hungry before lunch, and the road sections are easier when you have something small to eat.

Mantayupan Falls in Barili: the tall finish

The final stop is Mantayupan Falls in Barili, with about one hour for a guided visit, sightseeing, hiking, swimming, and views. At roughly 98 meters, it is one of Cebu’s tallest waterfalls, and its two-tiered cascade gives the stop a strong visual finish.

The natural pool at the base is suitable for a cool swim. After three earlier waterfall stops, you may be ready for a quiet final dip, or you may prefer to take photographs and save your energy for the ride back. Both approaches make sense.

Mantayupan is less about a single famous turquoise pool and more about the height and shape of the falling water. The two levels create a different scene from Dao, Inambakan, and Kawasan, which is exactly why the four-stop plan works.

One hour goes quickly. Keep your camera ready, but do not let photography replace the actual stop. You have already traveled a long way, and this final waterfall is a good chance to slow down before returning to your hotel.

What $117 includes, and where the value sits

The price is $117 per person. It includes a private tour, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cebu City, Mactan, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Talisay, plus entrance fees for all four waterfalls, a local English-speaking guide, and water.

Meals, insurance, and airfare are not included. That distinction matters because the day is long and active. You should budget separately for lunch and bring snacks, drinks, swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes.

I see the strongest value in the transport and coordination. Four waterfalls in four towns would require careful planning, separate entrance payments, and dependable driving. A private tour removes much of that work and lets you focus on the stops.

The value is weaker if you are staying close to one waterfall or dislike long road trips. You may prefer a shorter outing with more time at one place. This tour is for range, not maximum time at each pool.

Is this a demanding day?

You should expect hiking, swimming, wet paths, and repeated changes between vehicle time and outdoor activity. The tour is not recommended for pregnant women, people with altitude sickness, people with high blood pressure, people with a low level of fitness, or babies under one year.

It is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the waterfall visits still include hiking and swimming. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility limits, confirm exactly how much of each stop you can reach before booking. The broad accessibility label does not remove the practical challenges of uneven outdoor routes.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• A towel
• Water shoes or waterproof trekking shoes
• A waterproof camera or phone case
• Snacks and food
• Water and other drinks
• Basic trekking gear

Leave alcohol and drugs behind, and do not bring baby strollers or carriages. Respect local customs, follow guide instructions, and a simple salamat, meaning thank you, is always useful.

Who should book this waterfall circuit?

I would recommend it to an active couple, a private group, or a family with older children who wants to see several major waterfall areas in one day. It suits people who enjoy swimming, short hikes, photographs, and a full schedule.

It is especially practical if you are based in Cebu City, Mactan, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu City, or Talisay and do not want to arrange southern Cebu transport yourself. Pickup and drop-off are also offered from several other locations, including Moalboal, Oslob, Badian, Dalaguete, Cordova, and Maribago.

I would hesitate if you have a low fitness level, need a slow pace, or dislike long drives. The early alarm and vehicle time are the clear costs of seeing four separate waterfalls in one day.

The guide can make a real difference. A recent guide named Junest was praised for being friendly and attentive, but names are not guaranteed. Your English-speaking local guide is included, and the private format gives you a better chance to ask for help with timing, routes, and safety.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum waterfall variety in one day and are willing to start before sunrise. Dao Falls gives you quiet forest scenery, Inambakan adds another green swimming stop, Kawasan supplies the famous turquoise water and optional cliff jumping, and Mantayupan finishes with height and a two-tiered cascade.

Skip it if you want a relaxed day, a spacious vehicle guaranteed for a larger group, or hours at one waterfall. At $117, it is a fair package for private transport, four entrance fees, a guide, water, and hotel service, but the real investment is your energy and road time.

FAQ

How long is the Cebu waterfall tour?

The activity lasts one day. The schedule includes about two hours at Dao Falls, one hour at Inambakan Falls, 1.5 hours at Kawasan Falls, a 30-minute lunch stop, and one hour at Mantayupan Falls, plus driving time.

Which waterfalls are included?

The tour includes Dao Falls in Samboan, Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan, Kawasan Falls in Badian, and Mantayupan Falls in Barili.

Is swimming allowed?

Yes. Swimming is included at Dao Falls, Inambakan Falls, Kawasan Falls, and Mantayupan Falls, subject to local conditions and safety guidance.

Can I go cliff jumping at Kawasan Falls?

Cliff jumping is listed as an activity at Kawasan Falls. Follow local instructions and only take part if you are comfortable and able to do so safely.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The schedule allows about 30 minutes for lunch in Badian, and you should bring food, drinks, or snacks.

What does the $117 price include?

The price includes the private tour, hotel pickup and drop-off in specified Cebu-area locations, entrance fees to all four waterfalls, a local English-speaking guide, and water.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available from Maribago, Oslob, Dalaguete, Badian, Mandaue City, Moalboal, Cordova, Cebu City, Talisay, and Lapu-Lapu City.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with altitude sickness, people with high blood pressure, people with a low level of fitness, or babies under one year. The day includes hiking and swimming, so you should consider your fitness and mobility before booking.