Southern Cebu is home to some of the most impressive waterfalls, rivers and swimming holes in all of the Philippines, and Cancalanog Falls in Alegria is one that you should definitely visit. Sometimes referred to as Cangcalanog or Cangkalanog Falls, what makes this spot so magical isn’t the actual waterfall but rather the sparkling blue lagoon. We’ve put together this ultimate guide to Cancalanog Falls so you know just what to expect when visiting this beautiful destination.

HOW TO GET TO CANCALANOG FALLS & ENTRANCE FEE

Cancalanog Falls is located in the mountainous region of Alegria in Southern Cebu. About 45 minutes from Moalboal, the easiest way to get there is to take your own scooter or car. The road through the mountains has some gnarly potholes but was still doable in our soccer mum car. You can follow the map below or click here, just take note that on Google Maps it’s labeled as Cangkalanog Falls. Once you arrive, there’s a $1 USD (P50) entrance fee, not bad for a tropical oasis.

In order to control the amount of people visiting the Alegria waterfalls during the pandemic, the Provincial Government of Cebu requires all tours to be booked online via their tourism portal, Discover Cebu (click here for more info).

WHAT TO BRING TO CANCALANOG FALLS

Prepare for your trip to Cancalanog 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)
Action camera: GoPro HERO9 Black (click for price)
GoPro dome: TELESIN Dome Port Lens for GoPro Hero 9 (click for price)
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (click for price)

OUR EXPERIENCE AT CANCALANOG FALLS

The hike from the parking area to Cancalanog Falls was all of 5 minutes on a dirt path that started on a ridge and cut through a mahogany plantation.

The path leads directly to a clearing where the river flows down into Cancalanog Falls. Like we said, the waterfall isn’t the main attraction, it’s not that big and hardly merits the title “waterfall” but the lagoon is pure magic. The water was rushing quite rapidly after some heavy rainfall and was very turbulent at the drop zone, but leveled out in the pool area.

We visited Cancalanog Falls when it was overcast and the water was still a striking blue hue. It’s plenty deep enough to dive from multiple spots along the wall and even a diving platform, so it’s definitely a fun cliff jumping spot.

There’s a big two-storey hut, some picnic tables and bamboo bridges to make the place a little more visitor friendly, but aside from that Cancalanog Falls is still wonderfully natural. We went on a weekday in the middle of the pandemic so there was no one else, but we can easily see this place being packed with locals on the weekend. Our best advice for anywhere in the Philippines is to avoid weekends if you don’t like crowds.

It’s easy to spend as little as an hour to all day at Cancalanog Falls, depending on your plans. We had a really fun time jumping, swimming and taking photos, and would recommend it to anyone looking for an easy-to-get-to spot.

Some other epic waterfalls in the area well-worth visiting are Binalayan Falls and Balaygsawa Falls both in the neighbouring town of Samboan. Keep reading for more Cebu travel guides, our top accommodation picks and don’t forget to save this to Pinterest for later!

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

Binalayan Falls Samboan
Balaygsawa Falls Samboan
Sumilon Island
Oslob Whale Shark Experience
Smooth Cafe Moalboal
Chef Marquin’s Burgerhouse Moalboal
Kugita Seafood & Charcoal Grill Moalboal