Pagsanjan Falls
Pagsanjan Falls
4.5
Monday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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4.5
324 reviews
Excellent
165
Very good
112
Average
32
Poor
7
Terrible
8
Bernard C
2 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
Last 11-27-2022 we went to pagsanjan falls, but the boat ride didn't reached the natural pool and pagsanjan falls. We just reached the First falls, coz. The boatmen says the water is big and too risky. I think they are hiding something. I think the Cavinti falls is own by someone else. That's why they were not allowed to enter for tourist. 1,250. Plus 100 is not worth it.
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karla M
4 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
I’m not sure I could choose a favorite part. It was great from the time we got on the boat until we left the boat at the end. It was so cheap to go too. I think we paid 1500 pecos per person. The trip up the river to the falls was so beautiful and exciting. There were small rapids that were fine for a person not very brave in the water. I would go over and over again. The entire trip was probably 2 1/2 to 3 hours. We ate at the place we entered when we returned. It was very good.
Advice - be prepared to get wet. I wore a swim suit. Be prepared to sit down in the bottom of a boat. I’m 64 with RA. It was hard to get up and down but the men helped me and it went fine.
Advice - be prepared to get wet. I wore a swim suit. Be prepared to sit down in the bottom of a boat. I’m 64 with RA. It was hard to get up and down but the men helped me and it went fine.
Written 18 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
achidz
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia240 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had such a good morning. Stayed at Casa Del Rio and they sorted the boat for us. 1250pp seems expensive but is definitely worth it. The scenery is stunning and we saw plenty of wildlife too, monkeys, kingfishers, and a woodpecker. Easy to do on your own. We got the HM liner bus from Cubao for 166php each. Jeepney from Santa Cruz to Pagsanjan. Cheaper than some of the tours advertised, even with a night in Casa Del Rio.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bradley G
76 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Joannah and Red, both really great people, took me to a boat where the hardworking boatman pushed us up river to the falls. Then we took a raft through the falls and Joannah captured the experience on camera for me! So much fun! We fed the fish and cooled off in the water then headed back for an authentic lunch of pancit bahon, sisig, shanghai, sinigang, and calamansi. We also stopped on the way to try bibingka, yum! I will remember this trip for a lifetime! Joannah is so knowledgeable about everything and explains it all so I’m so happy I got to have her as my tour guide!
Written 8 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marisa R
10 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
This was one of the best experience I’ve ever done. The boat ride up and back has breathtaking views. The boatmen work extremely hard to get you there, so make sure you tip them well! I’ve read bad reviews of people pushing for tips, but they’ve stopped all of that. Not once was I asked for money or pushed to buy something. Honestly the raft was fun, but not the best part. The best part was the most gorgeous scenery. Not recommend for young kids, but teenagers are fine. I will definitely do this again!
Written 8 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ManilaExpatMom
Manila40 contributions
Nov 2012 • Family
I've been looking for good day trips from Manila that would entertain kids of a range of ages, and this really fit the bill. I read a lot of really negative reviews about forced tipping, so I was worried about that aspect of the trip, but it wasn't a problem. A woman approached us on a boat to sell us water, but when we politely declined, she said thank you and paddled away. There is a stop about halfway also where you can stop and buy food. We brought our own, and shared fruit with the boatmen. At the end, they did ask us to consider a tip, but it was politely handled and I didn't feel pressured to do so. They did a great job, and I tipped them each.
Regarding the falls as a day trip, some information I couldn't find on other postings: it took us 1.5 hours to get to the falls from Manila on a public holiday. So, largely empty roads were balanced by 2 congested towns on the way there.
They take passengers of any age, so you can take kids, as long as you are comfortable with them in the boat with you. Regarding lifejackets for kids, the company we used did have kids' lifejackets and adjustable plastic helmets that fit our children's heads.
Also, we didn't take a camera with us, as it's not waterproof and we knew we'd be getting wet. But, the way the trip works is that you have a boat ride upstream, then stop where the rocks essentially block off the river, and you walk about 100m across the rocks along a path, and then get onto the bamboo raft to go under the falls. We noticed that quite a few people didn't go under the falls, but just watched. And, of course, you could leave your camera with your boatman while you go under the falls (with the raft man) and it would stay perfectly dry. There is some splashing while you paddle up the river, but otherwise your things can stay dry easily while you are on the boat.
Other notes- we arrived in Pagsanjan and knew that the price was 1,250 per person but were nonetheless charged 1,375, so we asked if we could pay 1,250, and they agreed cheerfully enough! After we arrived in town, we picked a hotel (there were no hawkers along the road as we'd seen in previous years), and were in the water within about 10 minutes. The whole ride takes about 2 hours. The scenery is breathtaking, and there were a few other boats, but generally we felt like we had the river to ourselves. It was an absolutely beautiful day, and everyone in the family, young and old, loved the trip. The ride back is much faster, and it's more fun riding down the rapids than up them. The whole system seems to be well run, as the boatmen are licensed, and the barangay checks each of the boats that goes down the river, so we felt quite safe.
After we finished the boat ride, we got back in the car to head back to Manila, but stopped at Isdaan Floating Restaurant for a late lunch, which the kids loved. We also stopped to a do a little roadside shopping for local produce. That made it a great day trip, and we arrived back in Manila in the early evening. I would highly recommend this as a day trip from Manila with guests and with families.
Regarding the falls as a day trip, some information I couldn't find on other postings: it took us 1.5 hours to get to the falls from Manila on a public holiday. So, largely empty roads were balanced by 2 congested towns on the way there.
They take passengers of any age, so you can take kids, as long as you are comfortable with them in the boat with you. Regarding lifejackets for kids, the company we used did have kids' lifejackets and adjustable plastic helmets that fit our children's heads.
Also, we didn't take a camera with us, as it's not waterproof and we knew we'd be getting wet. But, the way the trip works is that you have a boat ride upstream, then stop where the rocks essentially block off the river, and you walk about 100m across the rocks along a path, and then get onto the bamboo raft to go under the falls. We noticed that quite a few people didn't go under the falls, but just watched. And, of course, you could leave your camera with your boatman while you go under the falls (with the raft man) and it would stay perfectly dry. There is some splashing while you paddle up the river, but otherwise your things can stay dry easily while you are on the boat.
Other notes- we arrived in Pagsanjan and knew that the price was 1,250 per person but were nonetheless charged 1,375, so we asked if we could pay 1,250, and they agreed cheerfully enough! After we arrived in town, we picked a hotel (there were no hawkers along the road as we'd seen in previous years), and were in the water within about 10 minutes. The whole ride takes about 2 hours. The scenery is breathtaking, and there were a few other boats, but generally we felt like we had the river to ourselves. It was an absolutely beautiful day, and everyone in the family, young and old, loved the trip. The ride back is much faster, and it's more fun riding down the rapids than up them. The whole system seems to be well run, as the boatmen are licensed, and the barangay checks each of the boats that goes down the river, so we felt quite safe.
After we finished the boat ride, we got back in the car to head back to Manila, but stopped at Isdaan Floating Restaurant for a late lunch, which the kids loved. We also stopped to a do a little roadside shopping for local produce. That made it a great day trip, and we arrived back in Manila in the early evening. I would highly recommend this as a day trip from Manila with guests and with families.
Written 3 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
potcommitted
Manila, Philippines8 contributions
Jan 2012
As has been said, this is a great little adventure, the gorges and waterfalls are beautiful. However, sadly, the constant pushing to make you disburse extra monies just after you paid top $$$ at your departure point is most unpleasant. The 9000 Pesos I paid for our group of seven should be more than enough to handsomely compensate the six boatmen for two hours of hard work. Remember that in the Philippines qualified workers like masons or carpenters work 8 hours for 500 Pesos... If the boatmen do not get their fair share of the money, too bad, but it can't be blamed on the tourists, it only means that the Mayor and the hotels are ripping them off, so they should bring it out on them, not on us. I think I saw on some document that out of the 1250 that one person pays for the trip, 700 goes to the boatmen (two boatmen per boat and two or three passengers per boat). So for two hours of work, this is very good by Philippines standards. But it also means that 550 goes to people who do very little to earn the money...
There are signs all over requesting to report forced tipping to the mayor office, but obviously the boatmen do expect tips and they keep making it very clear all along, which unpleasantly makes you feel like a cash cow. In my opinion, tipping should simply be banned altogether, and also the practice of force selling food and drinks along the river at inflated prices "for your boatman". It is glaringly obvious that the boatmen get a cut of the profit.
Compared to this, if you spend a day at the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, you can get a motor boat (gas included) good for your whole group and two boatmen for the entire day of island hopping all for 1500 Pesos. And the guys don't bother you all day about their tip or requests for food and drinks. We simply invited them to join our meal (without them asking), and we tipped them 300 each at the end of the day (without them asking). They said thank you and that was it. No drama.
This being said, tips and tricks you won't find in most guides:
- try to get there early and, if you can, avoid weekends and holidays
- from Manila use the South super highway to get to Calamba. Then head to Los Banos and Pagsanjan. There will be traffic all the way to Los Banos, a little less after. When you return you can use the East Manila Road to Antipolo, which has some pretty sights along the way, but it takes more time because of the traffic (even on a Sunday).
- ignore the "pushers" on motorbikes or displaying signs along the road
- before you enter Pagsanjan, you will see a tourist police / tourist office station. You can stop there to enquire about the current set price and they will direct you to hotels and resorts who act as intermediary for the trip (as far as I know, you can't bypass the hotels and get it cheaper). The hotel will provide you with changing rooms, bathrooms, helmet, life jacket and cushion.
- the price is 1250 Pesos per head as of this writing. No discount for children. You should not pay more than that. If they try to charge you more than the set price ("for parking", "entrance fee" or whatever), complain to them and the tourist office. The hotel I used didn't take credit cards so be sure to bring enough cash.
- if you have children size life jackets, bring them because they don't have children size.
- bring a change of cloth for after the trip as you WILL get wet. Also dress in clothes that you do not mind getting wet on the boat.
- bring suncream, shades and hats on the boat
- bring a plastic bag for your camera and stuff you want to keep dry (car keys etc). For the camera, much better to bring a splash proof disposable camera, or even better, bring your waterproof housing if you have one.
- secure everything you can't afford to loose just in case your boat rolls over
- buy cold drinks and snacks just before you get there. Handy way to bypass the forced drink/food selling "for your boatman", and spares you to pay the inflated prices for your own.
- best way to avoid the forced tipping/selling is to not bring any money at all on the boat. Best excuse to not pay anything is to have no money, uh? You have your own food and drinks and you will only be out there for two hours. Keep making it clear to everyone that you have no more cash.
- other than that, travel light: the boats are small and unstable, it is inconvenient and useless to have a ton of stuff to handle on there.
- boats are unstable (shallow, narrow rounded hull and no outriggers). This is necessary to pass through the small rapids (class 2 whitewater I would say), although a kayak-shape design would be better. When you step on the boat to get in and out, be sure to step on the middle part. Balance your weight with your hips and butts when riding.
- keep your hands, knees, legs, toes, elbows and whatever well INSIDE the boat. The boats keep touching and sliding along eachother and you or your children could easily loose a few fingers if misplaced, or gain scratches and bruises.
- you start the trip upcurrent. A motor boat will tow a set of paddles boats to the first rapids, then it is all manhandled upcurrent and up the small rapids (paddling, pushing and pulling). The boatmen are very skilled and it is impressive to watch them work.
- once you get to the main waterfalls, you can board rafts that will take you to the cavern behind the falls. You can also jump in the hip deep water in the cavern and take some pics there if you have a wet-proof camera.
- after that is travel downcurrent and down the small rapids, back to the hotel.
- do not yield to the pressure of forced tipping as you disembark. Make the point that the hotel has taken all the money you had, and if they want extra cash they should ask the hotel for it...
It would be nice in my opinion to be allowed to swim all the way back down the river. Maybe you can try to ask a special authorization to the City Hall first. Otherwise, if you are adventurous, just do it. They're not gonna shoot you for it I guess (hopefullY). Just equip yourself properly with white water swimming gear.
It would also be nice to be allowed to bring your own kayak and do the trip by yourself, but there you would definitely need an authorization or the coast guards will stop you on your way up the river, or you would get in trouble with the boatmen,
Although I am no expert, looks to me the area also has serious potential for rock climbing. The sheer vertical cliffs of the gorges are impressive indeed.
There are signs all over requesting to report forced tipping to the mayor office, but obviously the boatmen do expect tips and they keep making it very clear all along, which unpleasantly makes you feel like a cash cow. In my opinion, tipping should simply be banned altogether, and also the practice of force selling food and drinks along the river at inflated prices "for your boatman". It is glaringly obvious that the boatmen get a cut of the profit.
Compared to this, if you spend a day at the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, you can get a motor boat (gas included) good for your whole group and two boatmen for the entire day of island hopping all for 1500 Pesos. And the guys don't bother you all day about their tip or requests for food and drinks. We simply invited them to join our meal (without them asking), and we tipped them 300 each at the end of the day (without them asking). They said thank you and that was it. No drama.
This being said, tips and tricks you won't find in most guides:
- try to get there early and, if you can, avoid weekends and holidays
- from Manila use the South super highway to get to Calamba. Then head to Los Banos and Pagsanjan. There will be traffic all the way to Los Banos, a little less after. When you return you can use the East Manila Road to Antipolo, which has some pretty sights along the way, but it takes more time because of the traffic (even on a Sunday).
- ignore the "pushers" on motorbikes or displaying signs along the road
- before you enter Pagsanjan, you will see a tourist police / tourist office station. You can stop there to enquire about the current set price and they will direct you to hotels and resorts who act as intermediary for the trip (as far as I know, you can't bypass the hotels and get it cheaper). The hotel will provide you with changing rooms, bathrooms, helmet, life jacket and cushion.
- the price is 1250 Pesos per head as of this writing. No discount for children. You should not pay more than that. If they try to charge you more than the set price ("for parking", "entrance fee" or whatever), complain to them and the tourist office. The hotel I used didn't take credit cards so be sure to bring enough cash.
- if you have children size life jackets, bring them because they don't have children size.
- bring a change of cloth for after the trip as you WILL get wet. Also dress in clothes that you do not mind getting wet on the boat.
- bring suncream, shades and hats on the boat
- bring a plastic bag for your camera and stuff you want to keep dry (car keys etc). For the camera, much better to bring a splash proof disposable camera, or even better, bring your waterproof housing if you have one.
- secure everything you can't afford to loose just in case your boat rolls over
- buy cold drinks and snacks just before you get there. Handy way to bypass the forced drink/food selling "for your boatman", and spares you to pay the inflated prices for your own.
- best way to avoid the forced tipping/selling is to not bring any money at all on the boat. Best excuse to not pay anything is to have no money, uh? You have your own food and drinks and you will only be out there for two hours. Keep making it clear to everyone that you have no more cash.
- other than that, travel light: the boats are small and unstable, it is inconvenient and useless to have a ton of stuff to handle on there.
- boats are unstable (shallow, narrow rounded hull and no outriggers). This is necessary to pass through the small rapids (class 2 whitewater I would say), although a kayak-shape design would be better. When you step on the boat to get in and out, be sure to step on the middle part. Balance your weight with your hips and butts when riding.
- keep your hands, knees, legs, toes, elbows and whatever well INSIDE the boat. The boats keep touching and sliding along eachother and you or your children could easily loose a few fingers if misplaced, or gain scratches and bruises.
- you start the trip upcurrent. A motor boat will tow a set of paddles boats to the first rapids, then it is all manhandled upcurrent and up the small rapids (paddling, pushing and pulling). The boatmen are very skilled and it is impressive to watch them work.
- once you get to the main waterfalls, you can board rafts that will take you to the cavern behind the falls. You can also jump in the hip deep water in the cavern and take some pics there if you have a wet-proof camera.
- after that is travel downcurrent and down the small rapids, back to the hotel.
- do not yield to the pressure of forced tipping as you disembark. Make the point that the hotel has taken all the money you had, and if they want extra cash they should ask the hotel for it...
It would be nice in my opinion to be allowed to swim all the way back down the river. Maybe you can try to ask a special authorization to the City Hall first. Otherwise, if you are adventurous, just do it. They're not gonna shoot you for it I guess (hopefullY). Just equip yourself properly with white water swimming gear.
It would also be nice to be allowed to bring your own kayak and do the trip by yourself, but there you would definitely need an authorization or the coast guards will stop you on your way up the river, or you would get in trouble with the boatmen,
Although I am no expert, looks to me the area also has serious potential for rock climbing. The sheer vertical cliffs of the gorges are impressive indeed.
Written 30 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StrandRider
Ventura, CA108 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
This is a great canoe trip up a river through lush-green forrest and amazing water falls, but the province which controls the tourism needs a better system of payment to make the trip really worth it. In all honesty I can not imagine a local who doesn't make a lot of money being able to visit these falls as the price is geared for tourists who have money.
Our trip started in a Taxi from Makati, which cost us 3000 pesos round trip to get to Laguna, not including the tolls which were another 500 pesos. The local government has a monopoly on the price for the boat rides and it costs 1500 pesos per person, and there were two of us, so another 3000 pesos. I asked our Taxi driver and he said the boatmen get about 500 pesos each from this price, the hotel gets a little and the government gets the rest. This is pretty ridiculous considering a one week fee for Yosemite Park in California will cost you 15 US dollars or about 700 pesos.
The day we went in early December was sunny, but there was still too much water on the river and we were only able to get to the first major fall. I asked if they give a discount since half of the trip was basically gone due to the amount of water, and they said there was no discount. Don't get me wrong, there was still a half dozen other smaller falls running down the sides of the cliffs, and the experience of being canoed up the current was amazing. The two boatmen really work hard, but it was a turn-off for them to beg for a tip once we got to the main waterfall. The boatmen basically said I need to give them each 500 pesos, and I replied that they aren't even doing the full trip since we could only go to the first major fall. He begged again, and said he has a bad back, and they should not have to go into this dramatic act if the government had set up a better payment system.
If I compare it to the boatmen who give me rides to outer reefs in Siargoa to surf, they charge 400 pesos and stay with you as long as you surf. These guys are begging for 500 pesos on top of the 500 they are already getting, and the trip was only an hour or so long. These guys definitely work hard to get you upstream, and they deserve a tip, but they shouldn't have to beg for one if the payment system was setup better.
As well, at 1500 pesos per person this is going to keep a lot of locals who cant afford the trip from ever visiting, and that is unfortunate. There is no place you can just drive and stop to see the falls, you definitely have to take a boat and the government is capitalizing on this. One last bit of advice to the tourism board, take down the commercialized sign in the middle of the river saying Welcome to Caviti falls, because it takes away from the natural look.
Our trip started in a Taxi from Makati, which cost us 3000 pesos round trip to get to Laguna, not including the tolls which were another 500 pesos. The local government has a monopoly on the price for the boat rides and it costs 1500 pesos per person, and there were two of us, so another 3000 pesos. I asked our Taxi driver and he said the boatmen get about 500 pesos each from this price, the hotel gets a little and the government gets the rest. This is pretty ridiculous considering a one week fee for Yosemite Park in California will cost you 15 US dollars or about 700 pesos.
The day we went in early December was sunny, but there was still too much water on the river and we were only able to get to the first major fall. I asked if they give a discount since half of the trip was basically gone due to the amount of water, and they said there was no discount. Don't get me wrong, there was still a half dozen other smaller falls running down the sides of the cliffs, and the experience of being canoed up the current was amazing. The two boatmen really work hard, but it was a turn-off for them to beg for a tip once we got to the main waterfall. The boatmen basically said I need to give them each 500 pesos, and I replied that they aren't even doing the full trip since we could only go to the first major fall. He begged again, and said he has a bad back, and they should not have to go into this dramatic act if the government had set up a better payment system.
If I compare it to the boatmen who give me rides to outer reefs in Siargoa to surf, they charge 400 pesos and stay with you as long as you surf. These guys are begging for 500 pesos on top of the 500 they are already getting, and the trip was only an hour or so long. These guys definitely work hard to get you upstream, and they deserve a tip, but they shouldn't have to beg for one if the payment system was setup better.
As well, at 1500 pesos per person this is going to keep a lot of locals who cant afford the trip from ever visiting, and that is unfortunate. There is no place you can just drive and stop to see the falls, you definitely have to take a boat and the government is capitalizing on this. One last bit of advice to the tourism board, take down the commercialized sign in the middle of the river saying Welcome to Caviti falls, because it takes away from the natural look.
Written 6 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elirhp
Makati355 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
You can reach the waterfall via shooting the rapids which costs 1,350php per head that includes life vest, boat ride with 2 boatmen (3 people per boat), entrance fee, and the water raft ride to devil’s cave. Just get ready for chances that boatmen will charge you an exorbitant tip, usually 200 and up which according to them is for their hardwork in controlling the boat from the rapids. Since we’re on a budget and can’t spare thousand of pesos for just a day trip, we ended up taking vertical way to Pagsanjan falls. It can be done through trekking and rappelling from the starting point in Pueblo El Salvador Natures Park & Picnic grove at the town of Cavinti. However, before taking the Pagsanjan falls via Cavinti way make sure that you are in good shape, without medical condition such as heart problem or asthma, ready to face long walk to almost 500 steps of steel and two times rappelling since it’s the same way you will pass through back to Pueblo.
The trek to the falls takes an hour or two depending on your speed. Along the way you will be greeted by lush greenery and tall trees that can somehow alleviate your sweat. After 30 minutes of trekking down the quite muddy path we reached the statue of El Salvador del Mundo, a mark that the next pace will be 600 steel steps down and two times rappelling. From here you will be equipped with safety harness. After sweating out and challenging our endurance, we finally see what we’re looking for. The magnificent Pagsanjan falls.
Tour to Pagsanjan falls is not complete without experiencing the raft ride. Tourists will be asked to board the bamboo rafts and rafters will pull the rope up to the big falls.
After the thrilling raft ride, we rested for few minutes and prepared ourselves for another tiring climb back to Pueblo. We then asked some boatmen if they can take us to Pagsanjan town because we want to experience shooting the rapids but they charged us 1250php per boat which is equivalent to 400+ per head (3 pax per boat). For the reason that it’s out of our budget we decided to take the route up and since it’s a one way track to Pueblo we need to wait for our turn to go up as tourists coming down consecutively. Otherwise, use your convincing powers here so people-in-charge on the harness will prioritize you to ascend.
The trek to the falls takes an hour or two depending on your speed. Along the way you will be greeted by lush greenery and tall trees that can somehow alleviate your sweat. After 30 minutes of trekking down the quite muddy path we reached the statue of El Salvador del Mundo, a mark that the next pace will be 600 steel steps down and two times rappelling. From here you will be equipped with safety harness. After sweating out and challenging our endurance, we finally see what we’re looking for. The magnificent Pagsanjan falls.
Tour to Pagsanjan falls is not complete without experiencing the raft ride. Tourists will be asked to board the bamboo rafts and rafters will pull the rope up to the big falls.
After the thrilling raft ride, we rested for few minutes and prepared ourselves for another tiring climb back to Pueblo. We then asked some boatmen if they can take us to Pagsanjan town because we want to experience shooting the rapids but they charged us 1250php per boat which is equivalent to 400+ per head (3 pax per boat). For the reason that it’s out of our budget we decided to take the route up and since it’s a one way track to Pueblo we need to wait for our turn to go up as tourists coming down consecutively. Otherwise, use your convincing powers here so people-in-charge on the harness will prioritize you to ascend.
Written 6 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
monicasexon
Paranaque, Philippines23 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
This is a treat for those who live in concrete jungle and not used to dirt, soil, and free flowing water. The boat ride towards the entrance of the falls is relaxing, with a view of the city slowly transitioning to nature. Keep your hands inside the boat at ALL times, as the boat gets really close to the rocks and once you are midway the pace gets really fast. The place looked clean, with a few though forgettable graffiti seen on some rocks.
What I didnt appreciate was when a motor boat approached our boats (family of 4, 2 riding per boat) and tried to trick us by saying my husband and daughter (on the boat ahead of mine) bought drinks and tried to charge me for it. My husband and I brought our own drinks (and drinks for our boatmen) so there was no reason for us to buy more. This behaviour is such a shame, and it comes out more often when I travel with my foreign husband. So bring your own drinks, and calibrate should you decide not to take the bait of buying ridiculously overpriced ones.
In addition, it wouldve been a great experience if only the boatment werent so shameless in asking for tips. They even passed some comments when we handed them our tip AND some food. The tourist board in this area must somehow remind these people that their behaviour ruins the experience of visitors. My review (along with several others) is proof as instead of writing about the beauty of the place, what makes a lasting impression is the people who run it.
What I didnt appreciate was when a motor boat approached our boats (family of 4, 2 riding per boat) and tried to trick us by saying my husband and daughter (on the boat ahead of mine) bought drinks and tried to charge me for it. My husband and I brought our own drinks (and drinks for our boatmen) so there was no reason for us to buy more. This behaviour is such a shame, and it comes out more often when I travel with my foreign husband. So bring your own drinks, and calibrate should you decide not to take the bait of buying ridiculously overpriced ones.
In addition, it wouldve been a great experience if only the boatment werent so shameless in asking for tips. They even passed some comments when we handed them our tip AND some food. The tourist board in this area must somehow remind these people that their behaviour ruins the experience of visitors. My review (along with several others) is proof as instead of writing about the beauty of the place, what makes a lasting impression is the people who run it.
Written 3 August 2015
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Julianne B
Italy
I am currently in Quezon City North of Manila.
Were do I go to begin the tour?
How do I get to the place where I will be picked up for the tour.
Is there parking?
I read that pick up is at a motel . What is the hotel we drive to? Is there parking?
Written 9 April 2024
hi . where did you booked for this tour thanks
Written 30 January 2023
Monique Louise O
Taguig City, Philippines
Hello just want to ask pwede po ba mga walk in sa pagsanjan falls? No need reservation for boat and activity just DIY for 7 pax? Thankyouuu
Written 2 August 2022
We would like to travel to Pagsanjan Falls by public bus/taxi from Pasay. We are travelling in late December. Does the Tourist Bureau arrange the trip to the falls? (I can't find an email contact for them) Is it easy for tourists to organise the trip for themselves, without involving tour operator? Is it possible to do the canoe/raft trip all day - many people seem to go there early in the morning, but I am assuming that it might be quieter in the afternoon. If you do the trip by yourself, where do you leave your belongings? Grateful for any advice. Tom
Written 21 October 2019
Hi darwin,
yes, it is easy for tourist to organize the trip ofr themselves. First thing to do is find a place, I prefer hotel along the river of cavinti town proper and at the counter you may ask how to go to the falls. Im sure they are willing to help you and might recommend someone to guide you going to the falls. Your belongings will be safe at their place.
Written 5 November 2019
Does Tony have a email address that we can contact him before we get to the Philippines? About how much did your total trip cost and how many people went on it. We are only 2 persons. Thank you. Kaylene
Written 8 June 2019
We were also just 2pax when we went to Pagsanjan Falls. We booked our trip through TRIPinas, which offers different packages (just google its website). We opted for their non-pick up, non-lunch package which cost us Php 1400/pax. We took the public transportation to get to Pagsanjan, Laguna (roughly a 3-hour bus ride from Cubao with air-conditioned MH busline costing Php 380/pax one-way). Meeting time was at 10:00am at Pagsanjan Falls Lodge. Each boat to the falls could accommodate only 2-3 guests plus 2 boatmen. I hope my answer helps. Enjoy!
Written 9 June 2019
Hello, it’s the good season to do this activity ? I read that it was better from August to October ... But we are passing so is it possible?
Thank you !
Written 22 February 2019
I just came back (last week) weather was great not too hot and not crowded.
Written 23 March 2019
Could you tell me how much is the price for everything? And is there another transport beside taxi?
Written 29 November 2018
Is the kayak very low?
Is it okay for a person with lower back pain? Does it strain your back?
Written 5 August 2018
I agree. It’s a beautiful tour but you do sit for long periods of time and you have to keep still to balance the canoe.
Written 15 August 2018
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