Cebu: Inambakan, Kawasan, and Mantayupan Waterfalls Tour

Cebu’s southern waterfalls give you three different moods in one long day: quiet mountain pools at Inambakan, famous turquoise water at Kawasan, and a dramatic 98-meter drop at Mantayupan. You get a private air-conditioned car, hotel pickup, entrance fees, and swimming time at each stop.

I like the mix of scenery and activity. You can swim instead of simply taking photos, and the bamboo raft at Kawasan lets you approach the falling water. I also like the personal service: guide Marlito kept a solo guest company throughout one recent trip, while Clinton was praised for being proactive and friendly.

The main concern is timing. This is a demanding three-waterfall day with long road transfers, and Kawasan Falls has reportedly closed on the third Wednesday of the month. Confirm the operating date before you go, or you could miss the tour’s best-known stop.

The day at a glance

• Three waterfall stops: Visit Inambakan in Ginatilan, Kawasan in Badian, and Mantayupan in Barili.
• Private transport: Ride in an air-conditioned car with hotel pickup and drop-off from several Cebu areas.
• Swimming at every waterfall: Bring swimwear and a towel, since each stop includes time in the water.
• Kawasan bamboo raft: Rent a raft locally if you want to get closer to the falling water.
• 98-meter Mantayupan Falls: Finish at Cebu’s tallest waterfall, with walkways and cool pools.
• A flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later.

Why three waterfalls make sense in one day

One waterfall alone can make a fine half-day outing. Three give you a better sense of Cebu’s southern coast and mountain country, but the trade-off is time in the car. The tour includes about 90 minutes at each waterfall, plus a 30-minute lunch stop, so you should expect an early start and a full day.

I like this format for visitors who want variety. Inambakan feels more secluded, Kawasan is the famous photo stop, and Mantayupan brings the tallest drop. None of the three is treated as a quick roadside viewpoint. Each includes a guided walk, safety briefing, sightseeing, and swimming time.

Your pickup can begin from Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Moalboal, or Oslob. That range is useful if you are already moving around Cebu, but it also means the exact pickup time depends on your starting point and the day’s ticketing cutoffs.

The provider asks you to wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup and to check your email or contact the company near the date of travel. Take that seriously. Pickup times can change, and a late start could reduce time at one of the falls.

Inambakan Falls, a calm first stop in Ginatilan

Inambakan Falls is the quietest part of the route. It is described as a five-tiered waterfall in the mountains of Ginatilan, with a main cascade dropping into a clear pool. The setting is thick with greenery and feels less like a major attraction than a mountain swimming hole.

You reach the falls on foot with a guide. The walk is part of the experience, so wear shoes that can handle a wet or uneven path. The exact walking distance is not specified, but the stop lasts about 90 minutes, including the safety briefing, views, and swimming.

The main pool is the place to cool off. You can swim, sit near the water, or simply take in the sound of the cascade. If you want a slower start, Inambakan gives you that chance before the more famous Kawasan stop.

The practical limit is that this is not a dry sightseeing visit. You may get wet on the walk or near the pool, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Non-swimmers are also listed as unsuitable for the activity, even though you do not have to spend every minute in the water.

Kawasan Falls and the turquoise pools

Kawasan is the headline stop. Its turquoise-blue water and tiered pools have made it one of Cebu’s best-known natural attractions. The water, tropical setting, and falling streams create the kind of scene that looks almost too polished in photographs.

You get about 90 minutes here for a guided walk, a safety briefing, sightseeing, and swimming. A bamboo raft can be rented if you want to move closer to the cascade. That raft is an extra expense, since food and other personal costs are not included in the $102 tour price.

I would treat the raft as an optional splurge, not a required part of the outing. Swimming from the pool gives you the main Kawasan experience, while the raft adds a closer view of the falling water. Ask about the current local raft fee before committing, because that cost is not stated in the tour details.

There is one important warning. A recent booking on December 19, 2025, found Kawasan closed because it was the third Wednesday of the month. The guest said the transport and guide were good but was disappointed that the closure had not been explained in advance. Contact Cebu Double A Travel & Tour before departure and specifically ask if Kawasan will be open on your date.

If Kawasan is closed, the value of this particular tour changes. Inambakan and Mantayupan are worthwhile, but Kawasan is the stop most people expect when they book a three-waterfall day. Get the answer in writing if possible.

A short Badian lunch break

The schedule allows 30 minutes for lunch in Badian between Kawasan and Mantayupan. Food is not included, so bring cash or be ready to pay for your own meal. The short break is useful, but do not expect a long restaurant visit or a leisurely meal.

This is also a good moment to refill your water bottle and dry off before the final stop. You should not rely on the tour price to cover snacks, lunch, drinks, raft rental, insurance, or other personal expenses.

Because the lunch break is brief, keep your order simple. You do not want to spend your waterfall time watching the clock, and the day already includes several transfers.

Mantayupan Falls, the big finish in Barili

Mantayupan Falls is the final stop and the most dramatic from a height perspective. Its drop is listed at 98 meters, making it the tallest waterfall in Cebu. Dense jungle surrounds the fall, while cool mist and a pool below create a quieter ending than you might expect from such a large cascade.

The site has well-maintained walkways, which should make the final visit easier after two earlier stops. You still receive a guided walk and safety briefing, and swimming is available. If you have already spent the day in the water, you can use this stop mainly for views and photos.

I like placing Mantayupan last. Inambakan introduces the day with a peaceful pool, Kawasan supplies the famous blue water, and Mantayupan gives you scale. The three stops do not feel identical, which helps justify the long route.

As with the other waterfalls, bring a towel and dry clothes. There is no reason to assume you will be completely dry after the first two stops, and the air-conditioned car may feel cold if you sit in wet swimwear.

What the $102 price actually covers

At $102 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Cebu’s waterfalls. The value rests in the private setup and the number of costs already covered. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned car, transportation between the sites, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, and guided visits to all three waterfalls.

For a solo guest, that convenience can matter. You avoid piecing together separate rides and entrance tickets, and you have a driver and guide with you through a long day. Marlito was specifically praised for keeping a solo guest company, while Clinton was described as friendly and proactive in showing the attractions.

For two or more people sharing the private vehicle, the price may feel more reasonable because you are buying door-to-door transport and a fixed itinerary rather than a simple entrance ticket. The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick look at one waterfall or if you are already staying near one of the sites.

The price does not include lunch, insurance, bamboo raft rental, drinks, or other expenses. Budget for those separately. The tour also lists free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which helps if your Cebu schedule is still changing.

Private car, guide, and the long-road trade-off

Private transport is the practical heart of this experience. You are not waiting for a large group at every stop, and hotel pickup is available from six areas. The car is air-conditioned, a welcome feature after swimming and walking in warm weather.

The exact group size is not stated, but the tour is sold as private. That usually matters most during transfers and at the start of the day, when a guide can focus on your pace. It does not mean the waterfalls themselves will be private. Other people can still be present at popular sites, especially Kawasan.

The guide speaks English and leads the walks and safety briefings. Local guides may also assist at the falls, as happened on one private visit where Marlito brought a guest to each site and a local guide led the walk up to the water.

Pickup times can shift because of ticketing and cutoff rules. Message the company for the final time and location, then wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes early. If you are being collected at the airport, make sure the pickup instructions are clear before booking, since airport arrivals often need more careful coordination than hotel pickups.

Who should book this waterfall tour

You are a good match if you want to see several of Cebu’s major waterfalls without arranging separate transport. It suits nature lovers, confident swimmers, solo guests who prefer company, and couples or small private groups who value a car and guide.

It also works well if you want a balance of swimming and sightseeing. You can get into the pools at all three stops, but you can also spend time taking photos, walking, and enjoying the sound of the water.

This is not a good choice for children under six, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or non-swimmers. The day includes walking, wet areas, and repeated access to natural pools. Comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, and drinking water belong in your day bag.

Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. That matters at natural sites where the quality of the place depends on visitors treating the water and surrounding forest with care.

How to prepare for a smoother day

Start with a small, practical bag. Carry water, sunscreen, dry clothes, and a towel, but avoid bringing anything you cannot protect from spray or rain. A camera is listed as a recommended item, though a waterproof phone pouch would also be sensible if you already own one.

Wear comfortable shoes rather than flip-flops alone. The tour includes guided walks at every fall, and wet paths can be awkward in loose footwear. Keep your belongings compact, since you will move between the car, walkways, pools, and lunch stop.

Ask two questions before the day begins: What is the confirmed pickup time, and will Kawasan be open? The second question is especially important because a closure on the third Wednesday previously left a guest without the central attraction.

Finally, leave room in the budget for lunch and the Kawasan raft. The provider includes waterfall entrance fees, but not food or extra activities. Knowing that in advance makes the $102 price easier to judge.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full Cebu waterfall day with private transport, an English-speaking guide, and swimming at three distinct sites. The strongest points are the variety, the included entrance fees, and the personal attention that guides such as Marlito and Clinton have provided.

Think twice if you dislike long road days, need a relaxed schedule, or mainly want Kawasan and nothing else. Most important, confirm the date of operation before paying, especially if your visit falls near the third Wednesday of the month.

For the right person, this is a convenient way to trade one busy day for three very different water settings. Just pack for wet paths, pay for your own lunch, and verify Kawasan before you set out.

FAQ

How long does the waterfall tour last?

The activity is valid for one day. Each waterfall stop is scheduled for about 1.5 hours, with a 30-minute lunch break in Badian, plus travel time between pickup, the waterfalls, and drop-off.

Which waterfalls are included?

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

Is swimming included?

Swimming opportunities are provided at all three waterfalls. Safety briefings are also included at each stop.

Is the bamboo raft at Kawasan included?

No. A bamboo raft can be rented at Kawasan, but the rental cost is not included. Food and other personal expenses are also separate.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Mandaue City, Moalboal, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Oslob, Cebu City, and Lapu-Lapu City. You should contact the provider for the confirmed time and location.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and water. You should also plan to pay separately for lunch and any optional extras.