Kawasan Falls and Mantayupan Falls in One Day from Cebu

Kawasan Falls is the star here, with bright blue-green water, several levels, and the option to feel a powerful curtain of water on your back. Mantayupan Falls gives you a quieter first stop, reached by a brief walk through rice fields and rural villages. I like the two-waterfall plan and the fact that lunch, transport, and hotel pickup are covered. I also like the small group, capped at 10, which makes the long day easier to manage.

The main drawback is simple: Mantayupan Falls may feel less polished than Kawasan. One section has been criticized for black ants on the steps and rails, and the area is smaller. The drive takes about two hours each way, so this is a full road day as well as a waterfall outing.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different waterfalls: Mantayupan offers a short countryside walk and two water levels, while Kawasan gives you three levels and more room for swimming.
• A long but straightforward day: Expect about 10 hours, including the drive from the city and the two waterfall stops.
• Small-group attention: The maximum group size is 10, and guides have included Michelle, Michael, and Jozef.
• Swimming and hydro massage: Bring a swimsuit and dry clothes if you plan to get under the falling water.
• Lunch is included: You receive a picnic lunch by the falls, but drinks cost extra.
• Useful door-to-door service: Hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, and a local Kawasan guide are included in the $105.13 price.

The 7:00 a.m. start and the long road south

The day begins at 7:00 a.m. with hotel pickup. From there, you leave Cebu’s city traffic behind and spend roughly two hours heading toward Mantayupan Falls.

That drive is not just dead time. The route passes old Spanish-era houses, rice fields, small villages, and green countryside. You get a look at a less urban side of Cebu, with daily life unfolding along the road. You might see residents doing chores, children playing, and the usual mixture of homes, farmland, and roadside activity.

I appreciate having transport included on a day like this. Renting a vehicle would mean handling the route, parking, timing, and the return drive after a swim. Here, you can sit back and save your energy for the walks and water. The tradeoff is that two hours in a vehicle each way is a serious part of the experience. If you want a quick waterfall visit, this is not it.

The van has been described as a large private 12-seater, though the tour accepts no more than 10 people. That cap matters. A small group usually means less waiting when people change clothes, order food, or walk between stops. It also gives you a better chance to ask your guide about the area without competing with a crowd.

Mantayupan Falls: a quiet first stop with two drops

Mantayupan Falls comes first. A brief walk takes you from the vehicle toward the water, so you do not need to prepare for a demanding mountain hike. The route includes steps and walking surfaces around the falls, but the overall outing calls for a moderate level of fitness.

The waterfall has two levels, one about 14 meters high and the other about 98 meters. Water collects in a pool below, and the color can look bluish green when sunlight reaches the walls and water. It is a pleasant place to take in the scale of the falls without rushing straight into the more famous stop at Kawasan.

Mantayupan also has a mini-hydroelectric system serving the nearby town. That detail gives the site a practical side. This is not only scenery arranged for a day trip. The water is part of local life and local infrastructure.

You should keep expectations in check. Mantayupan is smaller in feel than Kawasan, and the steps and rails may not be spotless. Black ants have been noticed around parts of the route. That does not cancel the stop, but it is useful to know if you are especially sensitive to insects or expect a perfectly maintained attraction.

I see Mantayupan as a good opening act rather than the main reason to book. It breaks up the drive, gives you a short walk, and lets you see a less famous waterfall. If your priority is the largest swimming area or the most dramatic stop, Kawasan will likely be the highlight.

Kawasan Falls and the easy 30-minute walk

After continuing south, you reach Kawasan Falls. The approach takes about 30 minutes and is described as an easy, enjoyable trek. You walk past wooden huts and across old bridges, with the route passing close to village life.

That walk is part of the appeal. You are not simply stepping out of a vehicle beside a photo platform. The path brings you through a rural setting where local residents may be washing clothes, children may be splashing in the water, and everyday chores continue nearby. It gives the visit a more personal feel than a purely scenic stop.

The old bridges and huts also mean you should wear shoes that can handle a damp or uneven path. The information provided does not promise a fully paved route, and the advice to have moderate physical fitness is worth taking seriously. You do not need an athletic background, but you should be comfortable walking for 30 minutes and managing steps or wet ground.

Kawasan has three water levels, giving you more than one place to look at the falls or cool off. The water is known for its striking blue color and refreshing temperature. The effect is strongest when the sun reaches the pool and falling water, so conditions can change with the light.

Swimming, hydro massage, and what to bring

You have free time at the pools, which is where the day shifts from sightseeing to simple outdoor relaxation. You can swim, sit near the water, or watch the falls from a dry spot. The water is described as cool and refreshing, so do not expect a warm bath.

The hydro massage activity is one of the more memorable options. You can sit under the falling water and let the force hit your shoulders and back. It sounds fun, but the water pressure can be strong, so follow the local guide’s instructions and choose a position that feels comfortable.

Bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes if you plan to take part. A towel is also sensible, though it is not listed among the inclusions, so you should not assume one will be supplied. Drinks are not included either. Pack or purchase what you need for the day, especially since swimming and a long drive can leave you thirsty.

You should also protect anything that cannot get wet. The tour information does not specify storage arrangements, so keep phones, cameras, and wallets in a secure waterproof pouch or leave unnecessary items at the hotel.

Picnic lunch beside the falls

A picnic lunch is served by Kawasan Falls. That is a useful inclusion because the tour lasts about 10 hours and the stops are far from your hotel. You do not have to spend time searching for a restaurant during the busiest part of the day.

The meal has earned particularly warm praise, with guests describing it as delicious. That is one of the strongest parts of the package from a value point of view. You get a proper pause beside the water rather than a rushed snack in the vehicle.

Tell the operator about dietary requirements when booking. Drinks are not included, so budget a little extra for water or other beverages. The supplied information does not name the menu, so anyone with strict dietary needs should provide details in advance instead of assuming the meal will suit them.

Lunch by the falls also helps shape the pace. You are not being pushed from one photo stop to the next. There is time to eat, rest, and enjoy the setting before the return journey.

Guides, group size, and the human side of the day

The package includes a local Kawasan guide. That guide helps with the route and the waterfall area, where old bridges, wet ground, pools, and hydro massage all benefit from local direction.

The guiding team has included Michelle, Michael, and Jozef on different outings. Michelle and Michael have been noted for polite, professional service, while Jozef has been described as attentive. Guide assignments can vary, but the small-group format should still give you a more direct connection than a large coach tour.

The maximum group size is 10, and the booking requires at least two people. That makes this a good fit for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The group limit does not mean you will have the waterfalls to yourself. Kawasan is a popular local escape, especially on weekends and holidays. Still, a smaller vehicle and fewer people in your party can make the transfers and walking stops less tiring.

Is $105.13 a fair price?

At $105.13 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a waterfall. The price makes more sense once you count what is included: hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, a local Kawasan guide, and picnic lunch. You are paying for a full day of logistics, not just entry to two natural sites.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Cebu and do not want to arrange a vehicle or navigate the route yourself. The included transport also matters because the day involves a long drive, two waterfall visits, a meal, and a return to your hotel.

The value is weaker if you only care about Kawasan Falls. Mantayupan adds variety, but it also adds driving time and a stop that may feel less attractive or less tidy. If your schedule is tight, a shorter Kawasan-focused outing may suit you better, though this particular package gives you both waterfalls in one day.

A maximum of 10 people helps justify the cost. You are not signing up for a huge bus with a long series of unrelated stops. The day has a clear purpose, and the included lunch removes another decision from a busy schedule.

Who should book this waterfall day?

I would choose this tour if you want a simple, organized escape from the city and prefer scenery over shopping or sightseeing in town. It suits people who enjoy short walks, freshwater swimming, rural roads, and a full day outdoors.

It is also a good match if you want the famous Kawasan Falls experience but like the idea of adding a quieter, less familiar stop. The contrast between Mantayupan’s two levels and Kawasan’s three levels gives the day more variety than visiting only one waterfall.

Families can consider it, provided children stay with an adult and everyone is comfortable with the travel time and moderate physical demands. The information does not give a minimum age, so check directly if you are booking for very young children.

I would hesitate if you dislike long road journeys, wet walking routes, insects, or changing clothes outdoors. Mantayupan may disappoint if you expect carefully maintained paths, and the blue-green water can look different depending on sunlight and conditions.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refundable, so keep the local cutoff in mind.

Should you book Kawasan and Mantayupan Falls together?

Yes, if you want door-to-door service, a small group, and two waterfall settings in one long day. Kawasan Falls is the main draw, with three levels, cool pools, and the option of a forceful water massage. Mantayupan adds rural scenery, a short walk, and useful variety.

Book it with realistic expectations. You will spend a lot of time on the road, Mantayupan may feel rougher than Kawasan, and drinks are extra. But with lunch, transport, hotel transfers, local guiding, and a group capped at 10 included, the $105.13 price is reasonable for a convenient full-day escape.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The day lasts approximately 10 hours.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with transportation.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch by the falls is included. Drinks are not included.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 people.

Do I need to be physically fit?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The day includes a brief walk at Mantayupan Falls and an approximately 30-minute easy trek to Kawasan Falls.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.