Cebu: Dao, Inambakan, Kawasan and Mantayupan Waterfalls Trip

The best thing about this Cebu trip is the variety: four waterfalls in four different towns, from quiet Dao Falls in Samboan to famous turquoise Kawasan Falls in Badian. You get forest paths, natural pools, photo stops, and time for a swim rather than a single quick viewpoint.

I like the simple all-in setup, with private transport, a local guide, water, and all four entrance fees included. I also like the chance to compare Cebu’s waterfalls in one outing, including tall Mantayupan Falls and the more famous Kawasan stop. The trade-off is clear: this is a long day on the road, and some pickups may begin around 4:30 a.m.

Key points

• Four waterfalls, four towns: Samboan, Ginatilan, Badian, and Barili make this a broad tour of southern Cebu.
• Dao Falls starts the day: Plan for hiking, swimming, and a forest setting away from the best-known Cebu stops.
• Kawasan brings the turquoise water: You can hike, take photos, and swim in the famous pools.
• Mantayupan reaches about 98 meters: Its two-tiered drop makes it one of Cebu’s tallest waterfalls.
• The private format helps: Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from Cebu City, Mactan, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, and several southern resort areas.
• The cost covers the basics: At $117 per person, transport, guide service, water, and four entrance fees are included, but lunch is extra.

Four waterfalls, one very long Cebu day

This is not a leisurely half-day outing. It is a full-day road trip that links four waterfall areas across southern Cebu, with roughly two hours at Dao Falls, one hour at Inambakan Falls, about 1.5 hours at Kawasan Falls, a 30-minute lunch stop, and one hour at Mantayupan Falls.

That schedule gives you time to do more than snap a picture and leave. You can hike, swim, and stop for views at each site. The price of that variety is road time. If you are staying in Cebu City, you may leave before sunrise and return tired. One pickup was at 4:30 a.m., which gives you a useful idea of how early this can begin.

I see this as a good choice for someone who wants a full day devoted to nature and does not want to arrange four separate transfers. It is less appealing if you prefer slow mornings, long meals, or one waterfall explored at an easy pace.

Dao Falls in Samboan starts with a quieter mood

Dao Falls, in Samboan, is the first major stop and receives the longest scheduled visit, about two hours. The plan includes sightseeing, hiking, swimming, and scenic views along the way.

The appeal here is the setting. Dao offers a quieter forest experience, with the waterfall surrounded by greenery rather than a busy town scene. You get time to walk through the natural surroundings and cool off in the water at the base.

I would treat this as the day’s first proper outdoor outing, not just a photo stop. Wear swimwear under your clothes if possible, and keep a dry change of clothes ready. Water shoes or waterproof footwear will be more useful than ordinary street shoes because the day combines paths, wet areas, and swimming.

The early start matters at Dao. You may still be waking up when you arrive, but the cooler part of the morning can make hiking more comfortable. The tour provides water, though you should bring extra drinks and snacks because meals are not included.

Inambakan Falls adds a green, peaceful pool

The next stop is Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan, with about one hour for photos, sightseeing, hiking, and swimming. The waterfall is framed by lush greenery and has a calm, enclosed feel that makes it a good contrast to the other stops.

One hour is enough for a short walk, pictures, and a swim, but it does not leave much room for lingering. If you want a relaxed visit, listen closely to the guide’s timing. The day still has two major waterfalls ahead, plus lunch and the return drive.

This is one reason I like the four-stop plan: the waterfalls do not all offer the same kind of experience. Dao gives you a forest escape, while Inambakan feels like a compact natural pool surrounded by green growth. You get variety without needing to choose one attraction and wonder what the others look like.

Bring a waterproof camera or a phone case if you want pictures near the water. The activity information specifically recommends a waterproof camera, swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. Those are not decorative packing suggestions. You will have several chances to get wet.

Kawasan Falls delivers the famous turquoise water

Kawasan Falls in Badian is the best-known name on this route, and the water is the main attraction. The falls run through tropical vegetation into clear turquoise pools, giving you the classic Cebu waterfall scene.

The Badian stop lasts about 1.5 hours and includes a guided visit, sightseeing, hiking, scenic views, and swimming. That is enough time to enjoy the setting and take a refreshing swim, though you should not expect an entire day at the falls.

Cliff jumping is listed among the possible activities in the general description. Treat that as an option only if local conditions and the guide allow it, and only if you are comfortable with the activity. The supplied information does not promise a particular jump point or say that every participant will do it.

Kawasan is likely to feel like the most iconic stop, but it is not automatically the most peaceful. Its fame means you may find more activity here than at Dao or Inambakan. The value is the recognizable blue-green water and the chance to experience one of Cebu’s signature natural attractions, not guaranteed solitude.

The walking portions also matter. This is a waterfall day, not a drive-up sightseeing loop. If your fitness is limited, the repeated hiking, wet paths, and swimming may be demanding. The tour is described as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked unsuitable for people with a low level of fitness. Ask the provider about the exact access arrangements if mobility is a concern.

A short lunch stop in Badian

Lunch is scheduled in Badian for about 30 minutes, and it is not included in the price. Bring food and drinks, or plan to buy lunch during the stop.

Thirty minutes is a practical pause rather than a long restaurant meal. You will need to eat efficiently and stay aware of the schedule. Pack snacks in your day bag so you are not relying on one meal after several hours of walking and swimming.

The lunch break also gives you a chance to change clothes if your vehicle and arrangements allow it. At minimum, keep wet items separate from dry ones. A waterproof bag or plastic bag is useful for damp swimwear, towels, and shoes.

Mantayupan Falls ends the sightseeing with height

The final stop is Mantayupan Falls in Barili, scheduled for about one hour. At around 98 meters, it is described as one of the tallest waterfalls in Cebu. Its two-tiered cascade gives it a different character from the pool-centered experience at Kawasan.

The stop includes a guided visit, sightseeing, hiking, swimming, and views along the way. You can admire the two levels, then cool down in the natural pool at the base if conditions and timing permit.

Because Mantayupan comes late in the day, expect to feel the accumulated effects of the earlier stops. Your shoes may be wet, your clothes may be damp, and the road journey will not be finished afterward. That makes practical packing especially important. Keep your dry clothes, towel, water, and snacks easy to reach rather than buried at the bottom of a suitcase.

Ending here gives the tour a useful change of pace. Kawasan is known for its water color and fame, while Mantayupan gives you scale and height. If you enjoy seeing several types of waterfall in one trip, this final stop justifies the long route.

The road time is part of the experience

The tour offers pickup from a wide range of locations, including Cebu City, Mactan, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay, Cordova, Maribago, Oslob, Dalaguete, and Badian. Drop-off is available in the same broad group of areas.

That flexibility is valuable, but your starting point affects the day. A Cebu City pickup can mean a very early departure because the waterfalls are spread across the south. A pickup closer to the southern attractions may reduce some road time, though the schedule remains full.

The transport is private, which means you are not sharing the day with a large tour group. That can make the early departure and repeated stops easier to manage. You can keep your own group together, talk directly with the guide, and avoid waiting for many unrelated hotel pickups.

Vehicle comfort deserves an honest mention. A group of four adults found the vehicle a little tight for the many hours on the road and felt a larger vehicle would have been better. If you are booking for four adults, ask about the vehicle size before paying. This is a small detail that can make a major difference on a long Cebu day.

The driver and guide are central to the experience. Junest is specifically praised for being friendly and helpful during the trip. The tour includes an English-speaking local guide, but a guide’s role may include different things at each waterfall: helping with the route, explaining timing, pointing out the swimming areas, and keeping the group moving.

Is $117 a fair price?

At $117 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a single Cebu waterfall. But the comparison is not really with a short local outing. The fee includes private transport, hotel pickup and drop-off in many Cebu areas, an English-speaking guide, water, and entrance fees for Dao, Inambakan, Kawasan, and Mantayupan Falls.

You still pay for lunch, insurance, and airfare. Meals are the main extra cost on the day, along with any personal purchases. If you already have a private car and know how to reach all four sites, you may be able to arrange the route differently. For most people, though, the price pays for convenience and coordination.

The value is strongest if you are short on time and want a single organized day. It is also useful if you do not want to work out the southern Cebu route, parking, local access, entrance payments, and return transport yourself.

The value is weaker if you only care about Kawasan Falls or dislike long drives. In that case, a shorter outing may suit you better. This tour earns its price by giving you four waterfall settings, not by offering a slow, luxurious day.

What to bring for a wet, active day

Pack for repeated water stops rather than a normal sightseeing tour. The most useful items are:

• Swimwear and a full change of clothes
• A towel
• Water shoes or waterproof shoes
• Snacks and extra drinks
• A waterproof camera or phone protection
• Trekking gear suited to the planned walking
• A waterproof bag for wet clothing

The provider supplies water, but the activity notes also tell you to bring food and drinks. That is sensible because lunch is not included and the schedule is active.

Avoid bringing alcohol or drugs. Baby strollers and baby carriages are also not allowed. Babies under one year are not considered suitable for this activity, and the tour is not recommended for pregnant women or people with high or low blood pressure.

You should also be realistic about your fitness. The tour includes several hiking sections, swimming, wet surfaces, and a long day in a vehicle. It is not a good fit if you tire easily or want a mostly seated sightseeing experience.

Small habits that make the day better

Cebu’s waterfalls are natural attractions, so local guidance matters. Listen to your guide before entering the water, follow any instructions about safe swimming or jumping, and respect the surrounding communities.

A little Filipino courtesy goes a long way. Salamat means thank you, and using it with your driver, guide, or local staff is a simple way to show respect.

Keep your belongings close and waterproof the items you cannot afford to lose. A camera, wallet, and phone can quickly become a problem around pools and wet paths. Carry only what you need at each stop.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and lets you reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is helpful when Cebu weather or your wider itinerary is still unsettled. Check the available starting time for your date, since pickup timing can vary by location.

Should you book the four-waterfall route?

I would book this tour if you want a full, active day and your priority is seeing several of Cebu’s best-known waterfall areas without arranging the transport yourself. The combination of quiet Dao Falls, green Inambakan, turquoise Kawasan, and tall Mantayupan gives you a much broader experience than visiting one waterfall alone.

I would skip it if you need a late start, have a low fitness level, dislike long drives, or want a spacious vehicle for a large adult group. Ask about vehicle size if four adults are sharing, and confirm the pickup time before you commit.

For a prepared visitor with swimwear, dry clothes, water shoes, and a willingness to leave very early, $117 is a reasonable price for the transport and four entrance fees. Just think of it as a demanding waterfall road trip, not a restful resort excursion.

FAQ

How long is the Cebu waterfall tour?

The activity lasts one day. The scheduled stops include 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, in addition to driving time.

Which waterfalls are included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Cebu City, Mactan, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Talisay. Pickup and drop-off are also listed for Cordova, Badian, Moalboal, Oslob, Maribago, and Dalaguete.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for Dao Falls, Inambakan Falls, Kawasan Falls, and Mantayupan Falls are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. A 30-minute lunch stop is scheduled in Badian, and you should bring or purchase your own food and drinks.

Can I swim at the waterfalls?

Yes. Swimming is included in the planned activities at Dao Falls, Inambakan Falls, Kawasan Falls, and Mantayupan Falls. Bring swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

Yes. The tour includes a local guide, and the listed tour language is English. Junest is one guide specifically associated with the experience.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.