Cebu: Inambakan, Kawasan, and Mantayupan Waterfalls Tour

Water, jungle, and a long day out. This private Cebu tour links Inambakan, Kawasan, and Mantayupan Falls in one packed day, giving you three very different waterfall settings without arranging separate transport. I like the mix of swimming and sightseeing, and I like that the tour includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned car, waterfall entrance fees, and guides at each stop.

The main concern is timing. You cover a lot of ground, and the three waterfalls each receive about 90 minutes. Also, Kawasan Falls can close on the third Wednesday of the month, a detail that caused one recent booking to miss the tour’s main attraction. Confirm the operating date before you go.

Key things to know before booking

• Three waterfalls in one day: Inambakan, Kawasan, and Mantayupan offer different settings, from a quiet mountain cascade to Cebu’s famous turquoise pools and a dramatic 98-meter drop.
• Private transport is included: Pickup and drop-off are available from Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Moalboal, and Oslob.
• Swimming is part of the plan: You can swim at all three waterfalls, so bring swimwear, a towel, water, and sunscreen.
• Kawasan has a bamboo raft option: A raft can take you closer to the falling water, but the provided details do not confirm that raft rental is included in the $102 price.
• The day is active: Expect walking, safety briefings, changing clothes, and time in cool water. This is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or non-swimmers.
• Lunch costs extra: There is a 30-minute lunch break in Badian, but food and other personal expenses are not included.

What the $102 price really covers

At $102 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a waterfall in Cebu. It is a private, full-day service rather than a simple entrance ticket. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned car, transport between all three sites, a live English-speaking guide, and entrance fees at the waterfalls.

That package can make good sense if you are traveling alone, with a partner, or in a small private group and want the day arranged for you. Cebu’s waterfall areas are spread across the southern part of the island, so having one driver handle the route saves you from arranging several rides and negotiating transport at each stop.

The price is less attractive if you are focused only on Kawasan Falls. In that case, a shorter local trip may cost less. This tour earns its value by adding Inambakan and Mantayupan, not by offering an especially long stay at any one waterfall.

Food is not included, and you should also set aside money for lunch, drinks, and possibly the Kawasan bamboo raft. Insurance is not included either. Those are ordinary add-on costs, but they matter when comparing the total price with a cheaper group outing.

Starting early and managing a long Cebu day

Pickup is available from six areas: Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Moalboal, and Oslob. The exact pickup time can change because of ticketing and cutoff rules, so you should message the provider and check your email near the tour date.

You are asked to wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup. That small detail matters. With three waterfalls on the schedule, a late start can shorten your time at the final stop.

The tour is private, which gives you more control than a large group trip. You can ask the guide for help with the walking routes, swimming areas, and safety instructions. Still, private does not mean slow. The schedule allows about 90 minutes at each waterfall, plus a 30-minute lunch stop in Badian and the road time between sites.

Expect a full day in an air-conditioned vehicle, followed by several active stops. Bring a dry change of clothes if you dislike sitting in damp swimwear between waterfalls.

Inambakan Falls: a calm first stop in Ginatilan

Inambakan Falls is the tour’s quieter opening act. It is described as a five-tiered waterfall in the mountains of Ginatilan, with a main cascade dropping into a clear pool surrounded by thick plant life.

The appeal here is the setting. Inambakan feels less like a famous landmark and more like a natural swimming place reached through the hills. You get a guided walk, a safety briefing, scenic views on the way, and time to swim or sit beside the water.

The 90-minute stop should be enough to see the main cascade and enjoy a swim without turning the visit into a long hike. You will want comfortable shoes, even though the reward is time in the pool. Slippery surfaces and wet paths are common concerns around waterfalls, so take the walking portion seriously.

I like placing Inambakan first because it offers a gentler start to the day. You can get used to the water, the footing, and the pace before reaching the more famous Kawasan site.

Kawasan Falls: turquoise pools and the tour’s main draw

Kawasan Falls is Cebu’s best-known stop on this route. Its turquoise-blue pools, layered cascades, and tropical surroundings make it the place most people will be waiting for.

The schedule gives you about 90 minutes here, including a guided walk, sightseeing, swimming, and a safety briefing. That is enough time for a refreshing swim and photographs, but it may feel brief if you want to linger or take part in several activities.

A bamboo raft is available for a closer look at the falling water. This is one of the more distinctive ways to enjoy Kawasan, especially if you would rather float than climb around the rocks. The tour details do not say that raft rental is included, so ask the guide about the price before stepping aboard.

The biggest practical warning concerns closure dates. Kawasan Falls is closed every third Wednesday according to the information provided, and one booking in December 2025 was affected because the closure had not been explained in advance. The driver, Clinton, was praised for being friendly and proactive, but the missed Kawasan visit was still a major disappointment.

You should confirm that Kawasan will be open before paying or, at minimum, before the pickup day. Ask what happens if the waterfall is closed and whether the route changes. This is especially important because Kawasan is likely to be the reason you choose this particular tour.

Lunch in Badian: a short break, not a full meal stop

After Kawasan, the schedule allows 30 minutes for a break and lunch in Badian. Food is not included, so you pay for your own meal.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick meal, but not for a long, relaxed restaurant visit. Treat this as a practical pause between waterfall stops. You may prefer to carry water and a small snack as well, since the supplied information only confirms a lunch stop, not a set menu or restaurant.

This is also a good time to dry off and change if needed. You still have Mantayupan Falls ahead, so do not pack away your swimwear or towel too soon.

Mantayupan Falls: a dramatic finish in Barili

Mantayupan Falls closes the day with the biggest single drop. At about 98 meters, it is described as the tallest waterfall in Cebu. The height gives this stop a different mood from Kawasan’s pools and Inambakan’s mountain setting.

The water falls through a jungle setting into pools below, with cool mist around the base. Well-maintained walkways make the area easier to explore than a rough backcountry route, though you still need comfortable shoes and care around wet surfaces.

The 90-minute visit includes a guided tour, sightseeing, walking, a safety briefing, and the chance to swim. After two earlier stops, you may be ready for a slower final swim rather than a strenuous activity. Mantayupan works well as a finale because you can spend time appreciating the height of the fall and the surrounding plant life without needing to rush through another major attraction.

The one drawback is simple: three swimming stops in one day can become tiring. If you want the deepest possible visit at Mantayupan, you may find the overall schedule too tight. If you enjoy variety, the three-stop design is the point.

Guides, drivers, and the private-tour advantage

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, and local guides may meet you at individual waterfalls. This arrangement can be useful because the driver may not lead every section of every site.

One solo traveler had a particularly positive day with Marlito, the driver and guide. Marlito provided company throughout the private trip, helped with the waterfall visits, and coordinated with a local guide at the falls. For a solo visitor, that personal attention can make a private day feel more comfortable and less awkward than joining a large group.

Another driver, Clinton, was praised for being friendly and proactive when showing the attractions. The good personal service does not remove the need for you to confirm closure dates, but it suggests that the human side of the trip can be a strong part of its value.

Because the tour is private, you can ask for help with the route, swimming, and timing. Do not assume that every optional activity is covered by the base price. Ask directly about raft rental, lunch, and any other local charges.

Who will enjoy this Cebu waterfall tour?

I would recommend this outing to someone who wants a simple way to see several southern Cebu waterfalls in one day. It is especially useful if you are staying in one of the listed pickup areas and do not want to arrange a private car, entrances, and local guides separately.

It also suits solo visitors who value company and door-to-door transport. The experience with Marlito shows how a kind driver can make a long day feel easier, particularly when you are moving between several sites alone.

You should be comfortable walking and swimming. The tour specifically excludes non-swimmers, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, and children under six. Those limits are worth taking seriously because every stop involves walking near water, and the day includes repeated changes between the vehicle and the falls.

This is less suitable if you want a slow, quiet day at one waterfall. It is also not ideal if you dislike early starts, long road transfers, or changing in and out of wet clothes.

What to pack for three waterfall stops

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Comfortable shoes with a secure fit
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Drinking water
• A camera or phone
• A dry change of clothes
• Money for lunch and optional expenses

Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are not allowed. Take care of your belongings around the pools, and follow every safety briefing. The water may look calm, but waterfall areas can have slippery rock and changing conditions.

Cancellation and planning flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. The tour is valid for one day, with starting times based on availability.

The flexible payment terms are helpful while you are building a Cebu itinerary. The more important planning step is confirming the pickup time and Kawasan’s operating date. Pickup times may change, and the provider asks you to contact them by email or message for the latest details.

The overall rating supplied for the experience is 3.7 from three reviews, so I would treat this as a promising but not flawless service. The strongest praise concerns the waterfalls, the refreshing swimming, and the friendly personal attention from drivers such as Marlito and Clinton. The clearest warning is the failure to communicate the Kawasan closure.

Should you book this waterfalls tour?

Book it if you want three Cebu waterfalls in one private day, with transport, entrances, and guiding handled for you. At $102 per person, the value is reasonable for a private service that includes an air-conditioned car and pickup from a wide range of locations.

Before booking, confirm three things: the exact pickup time, that Kawasan Falls will be open, and whether the bamboo raft costs extra. If you want a relaxed visit to one famous waterfall, choose a shorter outing instead. If you want variety and do not mind a busy schedule, this tour gives you a well-rounded look at Cebu’s mountain waterfalls, with Kawasan’s blue pools and Mantayupan’s 98-meter drop providing the biggest visual rewards.

FAQ

How much does the Cebu waterfall tour cost?

The tour costs $102 per person. It includes private transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned car, waterfall entrance fees, and guided visits to all three waterfalls.

Which waterfalls are included?

The route includes Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan, Kawasan Falls in Badian, and Mantayupan Falls in Barili.

Can I swim at all three waterfalls?

Yes. Swimming opportunities are included at Inambakan Falls, Kawasan Falls, and Mantayupan Falls.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. The schedule includes a 30-minute lunch break in Badian, but food and other personal expenses are not included.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Moalboal, and Oslob.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and water. You should also bring money for lunch and any optional expenses, such as a bamboo raft at Kawasan Falls.