The Mesmerizing Beauty of Kawasan Falls in Cebu

With this scorching hot weather, all will agree that the best thing to release the unwanted heat was to go out. Oops, I don’t mean to say go out and kill yourself with the heat. What I mean is to go out and to enjoy yourself swimming on the beach or lounging at the pool. But that’s old news already. One great thing to do in this unbearable heat is to dip yourself on one ice-cold refreshing water. And since it’s too expensive to go to Antartica and swim with the Penguins, and taking a bath with a pail full of iced-water is too cheap, why not go swimming on a falls! And speaking of falls, your trip in Cebu will never be complete if you haven’t been or even heard of Badian’s mesmerizing Kawasan Falls. Haven’t been there? Then I pity you because you’ll miss half of your life. Oops, that sounds mean, but seriously, Kawasan Falls is one enchanting destination that you should never miss while you’re traveling here in Cebu.

Kawasan Falls is a peaceful natural place where you can enjoy many waterfalls of natural spring water located near the southern tip of Cebu. A gentle hush of rushing ice cool water, and pooof! Those uncomfortable and sticky feeling because of the hot weather will instantly disappear.

Before delving more about Kawasan Falls, here’s four things you need to prepare before you visit there:

Eyes: The trail to Kawasan Falls may take almost 30 minutes (less than if you walk too fast, haha), but be warn because the road that will lead you to the enchanting falls will make your eyes go gaga, how much more if you see the falls itself.
Feet: As said above, you need to hike not more than 30 minutes to reach your destination, so make sure to wear a comfortable foot wear.
Endurance and courage: With the falls’ enchanting beauty, get ready to exhaust yourself swimming in its ice cool water.
Courage: This one isn’t necessary at all, but since you’re already at this enchanting place, why not do cliff jumping and make your experience more fulfilling eh?

HOW TO GET THERE?

The first step is to get yourself at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT). If you’re not a local and isn’t familiar with the place, I suggest you take a taxi for convenience. As of 2016, the flat rate is Php40 , but there’s a Php10 deduction on your overall fare. But if you want more adventure or have limited budget, then you can ride a jeepney which is only Php6.50 each person. *Each jeepney has a corresponding numbers for each destination they traverse so I suggest you ask the driver or the jeepney conductor if they will pass CSBT.
Upon arriving at CSBT, take a Ceres Bus bound for Bato via Barili which passes by the jump-off point to Kawasan Falls. Travel time is approximately 3 hours, so I suggest you start traveling early morning to avoid traffic and tourist/commuter rush. A 3 hours trip might sound boring but with the scenic mountain and seaside views, you will feel nothing of it. While heading there, you might also want to try out some of those delicacies from the town you will pass by.Some suggestions:
- Car-car Chicharon
- Barili’s Otap
- Mantalungon’s Bibingka

You’ve been traveling for almost 2 hours now, but how will you know when and where to stop? You will have to stop at Matutinao Badian Church. If you’re not sure if it’s “the” drop off, then try to ask assistance from the bus conductor or even the driver because they are very accommodating and would be happy to help you.
When you get off the bus, you will be swarm with locals offering guiding services which is not necessary at all. The road that will lead you to the falls is safe and so easy to trail so you have nothing to worry about. But if you unintentionally got lost (which is 1% possible), you have nothing to fret about because you can ask the people living there for direction. As said above, you need to hike for 30 minutes to get there but if you’re too excited or even too lazy to walk, then there’s a habal-habal (motorbike) that will be happy to take you there for Php20 per person only. If you are taking a vehicle (e.g. van) with you, I’m afraid you can only park it at Matutinao Badian Church for the road is too narrow for any 4-wheeled vehicles but just wide enough for a 2-wheeled vehicles.

While walking, you will feel enjoyed by the fresh, cool, rejuvenating sound of the fresh cold flowing water while the birds sing at the background. Sounds like heaven eh?

Entrance Fee: Php20.00

The Mesmerizing Beauty of Kawasan Falls, Cebu | Blushing Geek

And after the 3 hours of traveling like an excited kangaroo, you’ll finally witness the mesmerizing beauty of Kawasan Falls. The Kawasan Falls has three ideal water falls to check out. The first one is best for picture taking because of its clear blue water. The second falls, (which I actually stayed when I was there) is the best place to do cliff jump and ofcourse swim your heart out. And lastly, the third falls, which is the best place if you want to try the “tarzan rope” jump and ofcourse to try their refreshing water. Try, which I mean drink!! You see those black tube at the back of my mom in the picture below? (ofcourse, my mom has to pose haha lol) That is where you can safely drink the water. It’s cold and will instantly quench your thirst.

If you didn’t bring any food with you, you have nothing to worry because there’s different food stalls at the place. There are also some souvenir shops where you can buy shirts, memorabilia, shorts, etc.

RENTALS

Cottage: Starts at Php300.00 (+-) which actually depends on the size.
Life Jacket: Php30.00
Overnight Rooms: Php800 – Php2000.00 (+-)
Bamboo Raft: Php400 (Php30.00 per person)

TRAVEL TIPS

If you want to make your Kawasan Falls memorable, I suggest you try their canyoneering package which is Php1500 each person with gears and free lunch.
The second falls have only 1 public CR but if there are too many tourists, I recommend you to try their rented CR which is only Php10 each. More private and cleaner.
Do not settle for less. Check all the falls whether how small or big it is. You’ll never know when you’ll be back so it’s safe to experience and see all of them while you’re there.
Before you plan a date, make sure to check if there are any celebrations on the town that you will pass by while going to Badian. Because if you encounter one, get ready to be stuck on a heavy traffic. (Done that during this trip, so learn from my experience *enk)
On summer season, it is best not to go there on a weekend because that’s the time there are lots of tourists. There are still quite a number of tourists on weekdays, but it’s better than on weekends.
Foods are a bit pricey there so if you could, then take your own foods with you. But make sure not to take too much for you still need to hike for almost 30 minutes, remember?

Here’s another photos from Kawasan Falls