Cambais Falls is a tropical oasis deep in the jungle of Alegria, South Cebu. This multi-level waterfall is a natural playground, seemingly made for people who enjoy jumping off waterfalls as much as they like looking at them. We spent several hours at Cambais Falls exploring each level and having a ball with the locals as they jumped, dove and flipped into the turquoise blue water.
Not as well-known as many other waterfalls in Cebu like Kawasan Falls or Aguinid Falls, Cambais Falls is very much underrated but well worth the visit if you’re looking to check off all the best South Cebu tourist spots. If you’re preparing to visit Cambais Falls, our guide will answer all your questions like how to get there, how much it costs and what to expect.
HOW TO GET TO CAMBAIS FALLS
Cambais Falls is in the little town of Alegria in South Cebu, about an hour from the main tourist town of Moalboal. We recommend staying in Moalboal and exploring all the South Cebu tourist spots from there, rather than travelling to and from Cebu City in one day as it’s at least 3 hours one way.
From Cebu City, you can get a public bus going to Moalboal from the Cebu South Bus Terminal. It’s the cheapest option if you’re on a budget and will cost you around ₱150-200 (USD $4) one way. From Moalboal you’ll then want to rent a scooter to get to Cambais Falls in Alegria, which you can usually find for around ₱400 (USD $8).
CAMBAIS FALLS ENTRANCE FEE
Cambais Falls is one of the cheaper falls in South Cebu with a small ₱50 (USD $1) entrance fee. There were also some kids, no older than 10, playing in the river near the car park. We gave them ₱20 each to keep an eye on our car which was totally unnecessary but they insisted, and they were good kids so we played along.
WHAT TO BRING TO CAMBAIS FALLS
Prepare for your trip to Cambais Falls with our must-have travel essentials.
Waterproof backpack & phone case: Earth Pak 35L or 55L Heavy Duty Backpack, IPX8 Waterproof Phone Case Included (click for price)
Quick-dry microfiber travel towel: Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Travel Towel (click for price)
Insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle (click for price)
Hiking Sandals: Teva Women’s Hurricane Hiking Sandals (click for price), Teva Men’s Hurricane Hiking Sandals (click for price)
If you’re interested in photography and/or videography this is the gear we can’t live without:
Professional camera: Sony a7iii (click for price)
Action camera: GoPro HERO9 Black (click for price)
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (click for price)
BEST CEBU TOUR PACKAGES
HIKING TO CAMBAIS FALLS CEBU
From the parking area, it’s around a fifteen-minute hike to Cambais Falls on mostly flat terrain. You’ll pass through the jungle before coming to the river’s edge where the occasional wooden house has been built. The water is already a vibrant blue in the river along the way.
Just before we reached the official entrance to Cambais Falls, we passed the friendliest women washing their clothes in the river. They were so happy to see tourists after the pandemic had all but destroyed Cebu tourism for over 12 months. If you’re worried about people washing their clothes in the water, fear not, it’s all downstream.
ARRIVING AT CAMBAIS FALLS CEBU
A colourful bamboo building marks the entrance of Cambais Falls. This is where you’ll pay the ₱50 entrance fee and get suited up in your life jacket and helmet, which for the most part is totally unnecessary but at least we could take it off for photos. Cambais Falls isn’t the kind of Cebu waterfall where you’ll be doing much climbing and canyoneering so the PPE is a little redundant, but what can ya do.
CAMBAIS FALLS – LEVEL ONE
The first level of Cambais Falls is only a minute or so from the ticketing building. It’s made up of a huge turquoise blue swimming area and several waterfalls, surrounded by dense tropical foliage and moss-covered rocks. There are several spots where you can cliff jump from up to about 10 metres, as well as dive off partially submerged boulders. The tallest waterfall was still only a gentle stream despite there being quite a lot of rainfall in the days prior.
There are two ways up to the second level of Cambais Falls. You can either scramble up the smaller waterfall using a rope, then wade through more pools and climb a wooden ladder until you’re at the bottom of the second level, or you can hike around.
This trail is a new addition to Cambais Falls, so we decided to take this route, especially since we had a lot of camera gear and the smaller waterfall was quite strong from all the rainfall. It’s only a short trek through farmland for around 5-10 minutes.
CAMBAIS FALLS – LEVEL TWO
Hiking up and around will take you to a vantage point overlooking the second level of Cambais Falls. From here there are a few options to get down, but the quickest (and most fun) way is to jump! It’s only around a five-metre jump, and the water is deep enough for you to flip. To climb back up there are ropes and tyres to help you clamber up the rainforest terrain.
One of the coolest things about Cambais Falls is the rock pool in the waterfall. Unfortunately, the water was so strong the day we visited that we weren’t able to climb up onto this spot, but Carson had been a few years back and had some snaps from that trip. If the conditions allow it, you should definitely check this spot out.
Just a little ways downstream is a course of wooden bridges and ladders. These are in place if you decide to hike and swim upriver from level one to level two, rather than hike around like we did. From level two, you can still follow them downstream to the next blue swimming hole.
MORE ALEGRIA CEBU TOURIST SPOTS
Check out the 23 most epic waterfalls in Cebu
PIN IT FOR LATER
WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTH CEBU
Southern Cebu is where all the adventure is at, from waterfalls and whale sharks to island hopping and diving. When visiting anywhere in the south, the best place to stay is Moalboal. It has the most accommodation options, and is a fun little town with dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars. Check out our top four picks below for where to stay in Moalboal.
BUDGET/HOSTEL: CHIEF MAU
Right on the main strip of Panagsama Road you’ll find Chief Mau, a fun and social hostel that dubs itself the chillest place in town. Clean, modern and affordable, boasting a restaurant, bar and billiards, Chief Mau is a favourite amongst backpackers
MIDSCALE: ADAM’S VIEW HOTEL
Simple but with all the amenities and facilities you need – including a massive pool – Adam’s View Hotel is our top pick for those looking for a little more luxury than a backpackers. Located in the main town, Adam’s View Hotel is right next to Gaisano Mall, but still close enough to the action of Panagsama Beach to remain convenient.
LUXURY: TURTLE BAY DIVE RESORT
If you have deep pockets and an appreciation for the finer things in life, Turtle Bay Dive Resort is the place for you. Tucked away on a private cove in the quieter part of town, this luxury resort is perfect for couples looking for a little exclusivity.
AIRBNB: LRS APARTMENT
We can personally attest to how great LRS Apartment is, having spent two weeks there. Aside from a beautiful private pool, the apartment itself is modern, well furnished and spacious enough for a couple. (And a cat!) It’s just a 5 minute drive from the hustle and bustle of the restaurants and bars along Panagsama Road, but far enough away to offer a little peace and quiet. We can’t recommend LRS Moalboal enough!
SEARCH ALL HOTELS & RESORTS IN MOALBOAL
MORE CEBU TRAVEL GUIDES
Alegria Canyoneering
Badian Canyoneering
Inambakan Falls Ginatilan
Kabutongan Falls Malabuyoc
Kawasan Falls Badian
Montpellier Falls Alegria
Cancalanog Falls Alegria
Binalayan Falls Samboan
Balaygsawa Falls Samboan
