Cebu: Dao, Inambakan, Kawasan and Mantayupan Waterfalls Trip

Cebu’s southern waterfalls give you four very different nature stops in one long, energetic day. You’ll hike through forest, swim in cool pools, and see Kawasan Falls’ turquoise water, along with the less famous Dao, Inambakan, and Mantayupan falls.

I like the private format, which gives you a local guide and hotel pickup rather than a fixed meeting point. I also like the range: Dao feels quiet, Kawasan brings the famous scenery and cliff-jumping option, and Mantayupan offers one of Cebu’s tallest cascades. The catch is the road time. From Cebu City, pickup can be as early as 4:30 a.m., and a vehicle may feel cramped after hours on the road.

Key points at a glance

• Four waterfalls in four Cebu towns: Visit Dao in Samboan, Inambakan in Ginatilan, Kawasan in Badian, and Mantayupan in Barili.
• A private day with a local guide: Pickup and drop-off are available at hotels in Cebu City, Mactan, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu City, and Talisay.
• Swimming is central to the day: Bring swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, and water shoes for the natural pools.
• Kawasan is the headline stop: Expect turquoise water, tropical scenery, hiking, and the option of cliff jumping.
• The schedule is road-heavy: You may need a very early start, especially from Cebu City.
• Lunch is not included: Pack food and drinks, or plan carefully for the 30-minute lunch stop in Badian.

Four waterfalls, one very full day

This is not a slow countryside outing. It is a waterfall circuit that links four southern Cebu sites, with sightseeing, hiking, swimming, and long stretches in the vehicle. The reward is variety. You are not visiting the same kind of cascade four times.

The tour costs $117 per person. That price includes a private tour, English-speaking local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, water, and entrance fees at all four waterfalls. Meals, insurance, and airfare are extra. For a private full-day trip with four admissions and transport, the value is reasonable, especially if you are splitting the experience with family or friends.

The tradeoff is time. A day like this works best if your priority is seeing a lot of Cebu’s south in one outing. If you prefer one waterfall with a relaxed lunch and plenty of time in the water, this schedule may feel too ambitious.

Leaving early for Samboan and Dao Falls

The day begins with pickup from your hotel. Available pickup areas include Cebu City, Mactan, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay, Maribago, Cordova, Badian, Moalboal, Oslob, and Dalaguete. Your exact pickup time depends on your location, but the long drive from Cebu City can mean a start around 4:30 a.m.

That early departure is the main practical issue. You gain more time in the south, but you lose part of your night. I would treat the previous evening as a quiet one, with clothes, towels, snacks, and camera gear packed before bed.

Your first stop is Dao Falls in Samboan, where the schedule allows about two hours for sightseeing, hiking, swimming, and views along the way. Dao is presented as the quieter opening stop, surrounded by forest and natural scenery. It gives you a chance to get moving before the busier parts of the day.

Wear shoes you can use on wet ground. The trip information specifically recommends water shoes, waterproof shoes, and trekking gear. That is useful advice for a day built around paths, pools, and changing clothes.

Inambakan Falls brings a calmer forest setting

The next stop is Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan, with about an hour for photographs, sightseeing, hiking, and swimming. This waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and has the feel of a natural pool area rather than a quick roadside photo stop.

The shorter time here means you should keep your gear simple. A waterproof camera or phone case is useful, but do not bring anything you cannot protect from spray and wet hands. You will want a towel and a full change of clothing later, not just a spare shirt.

Inambakan helps break up the day nicely. Dao gives you the first substantial stop, while Inambakan offers another chance to swim and take photographs before the itinerary moves to the best-known waterfall.

Kawasan Falls is the big scenic payoff

Kawasan Falls in Badian receives about an hour and a half, including a guided visit, hiking, sightseeing, and swimming. This is the stop most closely tied to Cebu’s famous waterfall image: clear turquoise water, tropical vegetation, and pools suitable for a refreshing swim.

The area also offers scenic trails and the option of cliff jumping for people who want more action. That option should be treated as a choice, not an obligation. You can enjoy the setting and swim without turning the visit into a stunt session.

Because Kawasan is a major highlight, the time can pass quickly. I would keep your belongings to a minimum and decide in advance what you want most: photographs, a swim, a short hike, or cliff jumping. Trying to do everything can make the stop feel rushed.

The guide is especially useful here. A local guide can help you follow the route and understand what is available, while you focus on keeping your footing and your belongings dry. The English-language guiding is included.

Lunch in Badian, with food on your own

After Kawasan, the schedule includes a 30-minute lunch stop in Badian. Lunch is not included in the $117 price, so bring food and drinks or be ready to buy something during the stop.

Thirty minutes is enough for a straightforward meal, but not for a leisurely restaurant break. I would carry snacks from the start, especially if you are swimming and hiking through the morning. Water is included, but the information also advises bringing food, drinks, and extra snacks.

This is one place where planning matters more than appetite. Wet clothing, a long road day, and early rising can leave you tired. A simple meal and a dry shirt will do more for your comfort than a heavy, slow lunch.

Mantayupan Falls closes the circuit in Barili

The final waterfall is Mantayupan Falls in Barili, with about an hour for a guided visit, sightseeing, hiking, swimming, and views. At around 98 meters, Mantayupan is described as one of Cebu’s tallest waterfalls. Its two-tiered cascade creates a strong final scene, with a natural pool at the base for swimming.

Mantayupan gives the tour a different ending from Kawasan. Kawasan is known for its turquoise pools and lively adventure options, while Mantayupan impresses through height and the shape of its two-level fall. If you still have energy, the pool offers one last cool swim. If not, the viewpoint and surrounding greenery still make the stop worthwhile.

By this point, you will likely feel the day in your legs. The one-hour visit is long enough to see the site without adding another major block of time. Afterward, you return to your selected drop-off area.

The private vehicle is useful, but comfort matters

Private transport is one of the best reasons to choose this experience. You do not need to arrange separate rides between Samboan, Ginatilan, Badian, and Barili, and pickup is available at many hotel areas. You also avoid the problem of finding your way back after swimming and hiking.

The vehicle size deserves attention. A group of four adults found the vehicle uncomfortable for the number of hours spent on the road and felt a more spacious option would have been better. That does not mean every group will have the same issue, but it is a fair warning. If you are booking for four adults, ask about vehicle space before confirming.

The private setup also gives you more control than a large shared excursion. You can keep your own bags together, travel with your own group, and have a guide focused on your party. The downside is that the schedule remains ambitious, so privacy does not turn this into a leisurely day.

What to pack for four wet stops

Pack for repeated swimming, not just one dip. You will want swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, and footwear that can handle wet or uneven paths.

Useful items include:

• Water shoes or waterproof shoes
• A waterproof camera or protected phone
• Trekking gear suitable for hiking
• Snacks and drinks
• A dry bag or other waterproof storage
• A small amount of clothing that dries easily

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Baby strollers and baby carriages are also not allowed. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, babies under one year, people with high or low blood pressure, people with altitude sickness, or people with a low level of fitness.

The wheelchair-accessible designation is included in the activity information, but the day also includes hiking and swimming at four waterfall sites. If you need step-free access or specific mobility support, confirm how that applies to each stop before booking.

Is $117 a fair price?

For $117 per person, you receive a private full-day outing, an English-speaking local guide, hotel transport in a wide set of Cebu areas, water, and entrance fees at Dao, Inambakan, Kawasan, and Mantayupan. The number of included stops makes the cost easier to justify than a single-site excursion.

The price is strongest for a small group that wants convenience. You are paying for transport between distant towns and for someone else to handle the route. It is less attractive if you are already based near one waterfall or only want a short swim and a quiet morning.

Remember the extra costs. Meals, snacks, insurance, and airfare are not included. You should also budget your energy. A cheaper independent plan may be possible, but arranging four waterfall visits in one day would require more transport planning and would leave you responsible for entrance fees and timing.

Who should book this waterfall circuit?

I would recommend it to active visitors who want a packed day and do not mind an early start. It suits people who want to see several parts of southern Cebu rather than spend the day at one site.

It is also a good fit for private groups, couples, and friends who value hotel pickup and a local guide. The range of swimming, photography, hiking, and cliff-jumping options means you can shape each stop around your own comfort level.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone with low fitness, anyone who dislikes long drives, or anyone who needs a relaxed schedule. The combination of early pickup, four waterfall visits, wet clothing, and road time is demanding. Families with very young babies should also choose another outing.

The strongest part of this experience is its variety. Dao offers forest calm, Inambakan brings another scenic swimming stop, Kawasan delivers the famous turquoise pools, and Mantayupan ends with height and a two-tiered cascade. The main weakness is not the waterfalls. It is the amount of time needed to connect them.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if four waterfalls in one day sounds exciting rather than exhausting. You get the major scenery, entrance fees, hotel transport, and a local guide without having to organize the southern Cebu route yourself.

Skip it if you want a slow day, dislike pre-dawn starts, or need generous time at each waterfall. Before booking, confirm your pickup time and vehicle space, especially for four adults. Pack lunch, water shoes, a towel, and dry clothes, and you will be prepared for the parts that matter most.

FAQ

How long does the waterfall tour last?

The activity lasts one day. It includes visits to four waterfalls, transport between locations, hiking, swimming, sightseeing, and a lunch stop.

Which waterfalls are included?

The tour includes Dao Falls in Samboan, Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan, Kawasan Falls in Badian, and Mantayupan Falls in Barili.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Cebu City, Mactan, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay Cebu, and several other listed areas.

What language does the guide speak?

The live local tour guide speaks English.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for Dao Falls, Inambakan Falls, Kawasan Falls, and Mantayupan Falls are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The schedule provides a 30-minute lunch stop in Badian, and you should bring food, drinks, or snacks.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is included at the waterfall stops, and the itinerary specifically lists swimming at Dao, Inambakan, Kawasan, and Mantayupan.

Is cliff jumping included?

Kawasan Falls offers cliff jumping for those who want the activity. The tour also includes sightseeing, hiking, and swimming, so you do not need to cliff jump to take part.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, a camera, waterproof camera protection, food, drinks, snacks, water shoes or waterproof shoes, and trekking gear.