Kulture Kaiwa

Discover how to explore the picturesque beauty of Tumalog Falls with this guide on how to get to Tumalog Falls, what to bring, and what to expect. Escape the tropical humidity and spend some time taking a dip in the beautiful turquoise waters of this Cebu waterfall.

Unlike Inambakan Falls, Tumalog isn’t an overly adventurous waterfall to visit. Instead, it is there to be enjoyed by those who appreciate a nice morning or afternoon of rest and relaxation. With its picturesque blue waters and flourishing flora, Tumalog Falls definitely earns its place on my list as the most beautiful waterfall in the Philippines.

How to get to Tumalog Falls

Tumalog Falls is located in the province of Oslob, just a 20-minute drive from the beach where you can go swimming with whale sharks. You can easily catch one of the public buses running from Cebu City to Oslob daily, or rent a car like we did so that you can explore the south of the island at your leisure.

From the main coastal road, simply journey down the aptly named Tumalog Falls Road for about 10 minutes until you reach the main falls car park. If you don’t have a car, you can rent a scooter in Oslob to drive yourself to the falls. The road leading to the falls from the car park is super steep but it makes for a fun and scenic walk down with epic views of the mountain and cliffs that make up the waterfall. If you’re not keen on trekking it by foot, you can hire one of the guys offering their habal-habal service to drive you down and back up for about 50PHP. It’s a simple 15-minute downhill walk, but since the trek back up can be pretty calf burning you can opt to walk down then pay for someone to drive you back up.

What to expect at Tumalog Falls

The general entrance fee to the falls is 50PHP per person and you can stay for as long as you like between the hours of 7am to 4pm.

Walking the path toward the falls is a floral feast for the eyes, with native flora planted strategically around the edges and walkways to create a truly serene atmosphere. There are change rooms and toilets located in huts at the bottom of the falls to prepare yourself for entering the pool, which is the crystalline blue hue that Cebu’s falls are famous for.

There’s a large mound to the left of the pools where you can sit upon a bamboo bench and take in the full glory of the falls. Take some rest here amongst the bamboo or snap some shots of the waterfall from the higher vantage point.

Head back down to the water for a relaxing dip. Fair warning though, the temperature of the water here is very chilly. You can think of it as a nice relief from the relentless humidity of the island – just be prepared to tense your abs as you slide yourself in. The pool itself is quite shallow so there’s no need to worry about your swimming ability, and at the right time of year it’s deep enough for a tranquil float. We visited in October, which meant plenty of water plunging down the cliff into the pools below. So much so that standing underneath the falls became a test of strength as heavy drops turned into painful pelts against our head and shoulders. This made for a hilarious experience with my cousins as we spent time screaming and laughing under the playful brutality of the waterfall.

What should you bring to Tumalog Falls?

Be sure to bring cash to pay for your entrance fees and a habal-habal ride if you need it. Comfortable, waterproof shoes are also an asset here as the ground surface of the pool is made up of millions of little rocks that will be painful to step on. Wearing shoes in natural pools is generally recommended when travelling to avoid cuts and potential infections.

I recommend packing a beach towel as well as a spare dry set of clothes to change into – though the weather is warm my clothes didn’t dry after getting back into the car and lets just say it wasn’t a pleasant drive back to our hostel. Use the change rooms provided to get comfortable again once you’ve had your fun in the water.

We spent a good 1 – 2 hours enjoying the beautiful sights of Tumalog Falls. It was an excellent way to refresh and rejuvenate after a morning of hiking through Inambakan Falls, and allowed us to regain the energy for the climb back up the steep road that was deceptively easy on the way down. Again, prepare for your thighs to burn if you opt to walk, or save yourself the workout out and catch a ride back up.

The best times to visit Tumalog Falls

Generally, the recommended times for visiting Cebu are during the dry season between December and June to avoid having your plans be rained on or completely halted during typhoon season. However, I would actually recommend visiting Tumalog Falls during the rainy season, around September to November, as the collected rain makes for a more grand waterfall experience versus the less impressive trickle you might be left with in the drier months. You may also want to avoid visiting Tumalog Falls in July-August as this is when the rains are at their worst.

Is it worth visiting Tumalog Falls?

100% yes! Not just for the astoundingly beautiful views, but also to relive the child-like fun of frolicking in freezing cold waters and watching your company endure some mild pain under the waterfall. With such easy access, low fees, and essential facilities, Tumalog Falls is a place to add to your Cebu visit for sure.

Looking for more waterfalls? Head here for Inambakan Falls: A must visit waterfall in Cebu, Philippines