In our opinion, Cambais Falls are among the best waterfalls in the Philippines. Located in the south of Cebu, they are an ideal complement to other activities in the Moalboal area such as the famous Kawasan Falls, Osmeña Peak, or Lambug Beach. If you’re a lover of waterfalls, you can also base yourself even farther south and focus on exploring the many waterfalls around this area.
With 3 beautiful tiers, they stand out for their wild setting where you won’t be short of turquoise pools, caves, jumps, and charming bamboo bridges. Plus, since they’re still little known, Cambais Falls have all the ingredients to make you fall in love. So here we’re going to tell you everything about them: how to get there, what to do, and traveler-to-traveler tips so you can enjoy them to the fullest.
How to get to Cambais Falls – Where are they?
Cambais Falls are about 130 kilometers from Cebu City, which translates into almost 3.5 hours by car (if there isn’t much traffic). Therefore, the most sensible option is to visit from Moalboal or other nearby areas. You can find information on how to reach this point in How to get to Moalboal.
In our case, we chose to reach Cambais Falls by motorbike from our hotel in Moalboal. This takes (if you don’t get lost) about 1 hour. From the famous Kawasan Falls it’s approximately 30 minutes.
Motorbike rental in Panagsama, where most of Moalboal’s accommodations are concentrated, is around 350 pesos per day.
⚠️ VERY IMPORTANT: it’s essential that you do not follow the route Google Maps gives you if you just type Cambais Falls, because it will take you along a horrible road (Brgy. Valencia Road). From experience, this can be dangerous, as there are unpaved stretches. Instead, take Alegria Brgy. Road, which passes other cool waterfalls (Cangkalanog Falls) and is fully paved.
The point marked on the map is the small parking area from where you have to walk to Cambais Falls. There’s usually someone there to “watch” your motorbike in exchange for a few pesos. You’ll see a sign pointing out the way.
Once there, you’ll only need to walk about 10 minutes to reach Cambais Falls. It’s a fairly easy and pleasant trail that passes several vegetable plots. You don’t even need special footwear—flip-flops are fine.
If you don’t ride a motorbike, another way to go is to negotiate with one of the private drivers you’ll see around. It isn’t hard to find them, but you can also ask at your hotel. In this case, you’ll need to agree on the price. If you want to make the most of the day, you can ask them to combine a visit to Cambais Falls with Osmeña Peak.
Price and opening hours of Cambais Falls
Price
Entrance to Cambais Falls is 50 pesos per person.
You don’t need to hire a guide because getting there from the small booth where you pay is very easy, and reaching the other tiers doesn’t require much know-how either. Even so, if you’re keen to jump from high up, it’s advisable to hire someone to show you the correct spot, as the pools aren’t very deep and it could be dangerous.
Opening hours
Theoretically the waterfalls are open from 9:00 to 16:00; however, it’s not something that can really be “closed.” You’ll find a small booth where you pay the entrance fee and it’s possible they’ll be there at those times. Still, if you’re an early riser, you can visit earlier. In the Philippines, the sun rises around 6:00 and sets between 17:30 and 18:00.
Heads up: Cambais Falls close on the first Monday of every month for maintenance.
What to expect at Cambais Falls – Things to do
Now you know how to get to Cambais Falls, their price and opening hours—how about we take a dip together?
Once you leave your motorbike or car in the parking area, you only need to cross the road to start the trail that leads you to Cambais Falls. As we mentioned above, it’s a very easy path where you’ll pass different crop fields. As a curiosity, along the sides of the path you can see little okra plants, which are widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine.
After about 10 minutes on foot, you’ll reach a small booth where you’ll pay the entrance fee. If, for whatever reason, you feel unsure, you can hire the services of a guide or rent a float. Many Filipinos don’t know how to swim, so at almost all the waterfalls in the country it’s possible to get one. They also sell drinks and snacks there.
Walk a minute more and you’ll be rewarded with the glorious view of the first tier of Cambais Falls, which, in our opinion, is the most impressive.
Level 1
The first thing that will catch your eye is that this tier of Cambais Falls has two waterfalls. In the middle is the tallest one, around 10 meters high, which feeds a beautiful Gatorade-colored pool surrounded by moss, ferns, and other lush vegetation. Don’t hesitate to swim toward it, as you can peek into the caves behind by holding on to the rocks.
By the way, unlike the sea, here you’ll find cool, refreshing water—perfect for a dip after the walk.
The more adventurous can climb up the left side and jump from 7/10 meters. There’s a rope to hold on to. Do pay attention to where you land, as the pool isn’t very deep and you could hurt yourself. We were lucky enough to see some kids jump—possibly they’d been doing it their whole lives—and then a couple of travelers.
If you look to the right, you’ll find a fairly large rock from which a little water also falls. Halfway between the first and second tiers, from here you’ve got a fun jump of about 3 meters in height that’s safer than the previous ones. If you don’t feel like it, you can also slide down what looks like a natural slide.
Level 2
To get to the next tier, head to the right side of the waterfall. Here you’ll need to climb using a rope, but don’t worry—it isn’t difficult.
The second part of Cambais Falls will surprise you with a somewhat more intimate and sheltered pool. The quirky bamboo and wooden bridge will catch your eye—it gives you access to the third tier. From there, carefully, you can also jump into the turquoise pool.
Level 3
Don’t stop—cross the bridge and you’ll arrive at the photogenic third tier. Even smaller than the previous ones and with exuberant vegetation, you’ll find two more waterfalls here. The larger one is on the left, and we recommend swimming toward it, as you can easily climb onto the rock and have a look behind.
If you come with water shoes, you can also climb the rock on the right and jump, or continue to the natural slide that forms when there’s more flow. In short, if you feel like it, you could spend half an hour monkeying around at this third tier of Cambais Falls in Cebu.
Tips and useful info for visiting Cambais Falls
- The best time to visit Cambais Falls is the rainy season—from July to November—since that’s when they carry the most water. However, you’re also more likely to get caught in a downpour on the way or while you’re there. It’s rare for these waterfalls to be dry at any time of year, so if you’re not traveling in the Philippines during those months, don’t worry—you’ll enjoy them just the same.
- What to bring? Bring water shoes or comfortable footwear for walking in the water. It’ll be much easier to reach the different tiers or, if you want to climb to jump, get up wherever you like.
- What’s the best time of day to visit Cambais Falls? Try to time your arrival for around 11 a.m.–12 p.m. That way the sun will be high and you’ll have more light.
- They’re not particularly popular waterfalls, but if you can, plan your visit to Cambais Falls for a weekday. Saturdays and Sundays are popular with locals.
- How much time do you need to visit Cambais Falls? Plan on about an hour to enjoy the waterfalls. While they’re not as big as Kawasan Falls, they’re photogenic and pleasant enough to spend an hour or two.
- Bring some food and drinks: once you leave the main road you’ll barely find any restaurants. You will see sari-sari stores to buy snacks or drinks.
- Bring a dry bag like this one, so your valuables and electronics are safer.
- As for photography gear, if you want cool shots from the water, we recommend a Gopro. You can also bring your regular camera—just be careful when moving between tiers, as it can get wet. You’ll find more information in What to pack for the Philippines.
- If you have time, Cambais Falls are on the same road that takes you to Osmeña Peak. It’s an amazing spot—a series of pointy mountains with wonderful views. You can also combine Cambais Falls with canyoneering at Kawasan Falls or Lambug Beach.
- Watch your step. Some areas are a tad slippery and the bamboo bridge isn’t the most stable in the world.
Travel safe in Cebu
It’s extremely important to travel the Philippines with good travel insurance, especially if you’re planning adventurous activities like visiting these waterfalls. Unfortunately, we’ve had to use ours more than once. Besides being assisted in our language, this has saved us over €20,000 in accidents.
Cebu is an island full of magical corners. You’ve got waterfalls, roads surrounded by spectacular greenery, reefs for snorkeling and diving, mountains to climb, a river for canyoneering… you name it! That’s why it’s essential to travel protected. Here you’ll find information about the one we use: Best travel insurance for the Philippines.
By clicking the banner below you’ll get a 5% discount for coming through us:
Where to stay to visit these waterfalls
As we mentioned, we reached Cambais Falls from Moalboal, specifically from Panagsama Beach. From here it’s approximately an hour’s drive. In Where to stay in Moalboal you’ll find plenty of recommendations, but here are two of our favorites:
- Tongo Hill Cottages: these little cabins are the most Instagrammable in Moalboal. You’ll fall in love not only with how pretty and comfortable they are, but also with the kindness of the owners, who prepare breakfasts that will blow your mind. They’re not in the very center of Panagsama, but they’re away from the noise and ideal if you want to get around by motorbike.
- Maayong Hostel: if you’re traveling solo or as a backpacker in the Philippines and want to meet people, this is one of the newest hostels in Moalboal. Comfortable beds, a good vibe, and a café attached to it that you’ll love.
Another idea is to stay a little closer to Cambais Falls and focus on the south of Cebu, where you have loads more waterfalls such as Aguinid Falls, Inambakan Falls, or Montpellier Waterfall. Good suggestions:
- Eskapo Verde: want to immerse yourself in incredible nature? This hotel–hostel is located next to mangroves in a wonderful setting. Its rooms are made with traditional materials but have every comfort and are decorated with great taste. You can choose between double cabins or a bed in a shared dorm. If it has a 9.6 on Booking, there’s a reason.
- Villa Alessandra Homestay: located closer to Cambais Falls, this homestay is almost right on the seafront. Super clean, with modern and comfortable rooms, it’s a pleasant base for visiting all the waterfalls in the area.
Finally, although it’s quite far, you can consider visiting Cambais Falls as a day trip from Cebu City. In that case, don’t miss our article Where to stay in Cebu for the best recommendations.
So, are you up for discovering Cambais Falls on your next visit to Moalboal? We hope so! Remember you’ll find more information about this area of Cebu in our Moalboal Guide.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
