One of the best experiences on earth! You travel with a boat and the famous activity "shooting the rapids" and reach the falls. What an experience You would love the ride and the feel of nature!
Pagsanjan Falls is probably the most famous natural attraction in Laguna. However, it is actually located in Cavinti, an adjacent town to Pagsanjan, and the falls' indigenous name is Magdapio Falls. Pagsanjan, Laguna is the jump-off point to Pagsanjan Falls.
This was an amazing experience! You sit in a small canoe-like boat, one in front of the other while two guys do all the work! You have a guy in the back and one in front paddling and lifting the boat up above rocks and up inclines in the river. It's amazing what these guys can do, they lift the boat, they use their legs to push off when it gets narrow that in itself is an experience! Then, the views are simply amazing! They're the views people post on Facebook that everyone envies!
Then once you get to the end, you get onto a raft that takes you on a couple minute float to the waterfall, then you go under the waterfall! Once you go under, you can hang out in the "cave" and watch others go under. You can stay there to do diving and swimming, then you head back.
Boat ride was fun but heart stopping! It is good to exercise your heart and you will really enjoy the activity.
Skilled and accredited boatmen will take you on a scenic boat ride at Magdapio River in order to reach the main falls, the famous Pagsanjan Falls. They used to be wooden bancas.
On the way, you will be treated to the sight of other minor falls, lush vegetation, and natural rock formations.
It was a great nature trip! While on the kayak boat, you also amaze with the different waterfalls that will approach you and give you a wonderful experience to see them.
The Two Access Routes
Pagsanjan Route
Cavinti Route- Still considered to be a more popular option for tourists to reach the falls, the Pagsanjan route starts from any of the resorts along Balanac and Bumbungan rivers. Tourists board a fiberglass or wooden boat paddled by 2 skilled and licensed boatmen in a ride known as “Shooting the rapids”.
- It takes about an hour to reach the falls, with the boatmen paddling upstream, through Pagsanjan Gorge, until they reach the natural pool beneath the stunning cascades of Pagsanjan Falls. After enjoying the day in the falls, tourists are paddled downstream in a thrill ride over 14 rapids.
- For more adventurous tourists, the Cavinti route offers a chance to hike/trek and rappel to reach the location of the falls.
- The vertical trek includes a downward climb on a steep steel ladder for the hikers to reach the falls. A raft at the bottom will take the tourists to the “devil’s cave” located behind the cascading curtains of the main falls.
Necessary fees and permits to pay:
Roundtrip Boat Ride Ticket - P1,250.00
Entrance Fee - P100.00
Police Ticket (maintaining the peacefulness of the place) - P250.00
Food
You can bring your own food or can buy everywhere before heading to the Pagsanjan Falls. Be sure to bring your water with you and had a heavy meal since the two routes both need an enough energy, the tiring "trekking" via Cavinti route and the heart stopping "shooting the rapids" via Pagsanjan route.
How to Get There
Take
a bus from Buendia going to Sta. Cruz. Fare is P140 for an
air-conditioned bus and travel time is around 2 hours. If you will take the Pagsanjan route, there are some residents that will guide you to the Mayor's Office to pay the necessary fees and permits. You can ride a tricycle to there and fare is P100.00.
If you will take the Cavinti route, from Sta. Cruz,
take a jeep going to Cavinti. Travel time is around 45 minutes and fare
is P27.00. From Cavinti town proper, hire a tricycle going to the jump-off
point at Pueblo
El Salvador Nature Park and Picnic Grove located in Brgy. Tibatib,
Cavinti. Travel time is around 15 minutes and fare is P20.00 each. Then
trek for about an hour or so from the jump-off point going down to the
waterfall.
My tips: Wear sunblock. Wear a hat. Wear flip flops or aqua shoes. Get ready to get wet. Wear a bathing suit or something you don't mind getting wet. Definitely bring your camera, but it should either be water proof or make sure it can be water proofed or in a zip lock bag in a drawstring bag, because you'll definitely what photos of your journey, but you also take it with you under the falls! Last tip: be sure to tip your boat men well. They do a lot of work and give you a great experience.
My tips: Wear sunblock. Wear a hat. Wear flip flops or aqua shoes. Get ready to get wet. Wear a bathing suit or something you don't mind getting wet. Definitely bring your camera, but it should either be water proof or make sure it can be water proofed or in a zip lock bag in a drawstring bag, because you'll definitely what photos of your journey, but you also take it with you under the falls! Last tip: be sure to tip your boat men well. They do a lot of work and give you a great experience.
It's so worth the journey! <3
~ fashionista anne castro
