Inambakan Falls in the tiny town of Ginatilan is one of the most popular waterfalls in South Cebu, and for good reason. It’s made up of five turquoise blue cascades in the middle of a tropical jungle, and it’s easily accessible to just about anyone. It’s a natural playground and is visited year round by locals and tourists alike.
Our trip in early 2021 was a little different from the usual Inambakan Falls visit. Despite just about every other waterfall in the area being reopened to local tourism, Inambakan Falls remained closed for reasons that made little sense. We had a very clear goal for our Cebu trip though – do everything before tourism restarts so we can create our guides. Inambakan Falls is part of that everything, so we went on an incognito mission to get as many photos as possible. Don’t try this at home.
WHERE IS INAMBAKAN FALLS
Inambakan Falls is towards the southern tip of Cebu island, in the town of Ginatilan. It’s a good 3.5 hours from Cebu City, which is not impossible. However, if you want to make things easier, we recommend spending a few days in Moalboal and driving from there instead. It’s only 1 hour from Moalboal, and you can hit up dozens of other sites while you’re in the area. Check out our South Cebu series here for some inspo.
The drive to Inambakan Falls is pretty cruisey for the most part, as you just stick to the coastal highway until you reach Ginatilan town proper. From there you cut inland and follow Google Maps to Inambakan Falls. We took our car but most people take scooters, and you can drive all the way up to the entrance.
INAMBAKAN FALLS CEBU ENTRANCE FEE
You’ll need to pay a ₱50/$1 USD entrance fee per person and another ₱10 for parking. Normally, you can opt for a guide who can take you to all five levels of Inambakan Falls, and you should tip them at least ₱50. If you do get a guide, make sure you tell them you want to go to all the levels. The first time Carson went his guide only showed him the first few so he missed out. We obviously didn’t get a guide this time around as the falls were closed but we did pick up a couple dogs who stayed with us the whole time.
WHAT TO BRING TO INAMBAKAN FALLS GINATILAN
Prepare for your trip to Inambakan 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)
Water shoes: DOUSSPRT Men’s Water Shoes (click for pice), DOUSSPRT Women’s Water Shoes (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)
HIKING TO INAMBAKAN FALLS GINATILAN CEBU
It’s less of a hike and more of a 10 minute leisurely stroll to Inambakan Falls. From the parking area it’s an easy downhill climb along concrete steps until you reach the river, and from there you take the path upriver to the first level. The river walk is beautiful, with gatorade blue water and lush tropical rainforest.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT INAMBAKAN FALLS
The first level of Inambakan Falls is the tallest and most powerful waterfall, with a large swimming area. Since we made our trip as quick as possible, we didn’t get to enjoy a swim, but after standing on that rock for 5 minutes Zowie came out drenched from the waterfall spray.
From the main waterfall we climbed up some steps to the second level, and although we didn’t have a guide, our dogs were more than happy to show us the way. It was clear they’ve really missed having tourists around to play with and get food from.
The second level was very rough and rugged, with no man made structures in sight (just how we like it). If you’re looking to have a comfortable picnic then the first level is best since it has cottages, but if you just want to bask in unadulterated nature then we recommend you keep on climbing.
Since we were trying to be stealthy, we decided not to stick around for too long, but we couldn’t leave without busting out the drone. We hiked back the way we came from (with our dogs) so that we weren’t technically at Inambakan Falls anymore and snapped a few aerial shots that show the cascading beauty of the falls. Mission accomplished.
Check out the 23 most epic waterfalls in Cebu
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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
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