The little town of Alegria in South Cebu has quite a few waterfalls to its name, including the very tall and impressive Montpellier Falls. Despite being so big, Montpellier Falls is one of the most low key waterfalls in the area, which is great for people like us who prefer hidden gems. It’s definitely more of a “local” waterfall, but even then, we had the place all to ourselves the entire time.
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES
HOW TO GET TO MONTPELLIER FALLS CEBU
We’re surprised Montpellier Falls isn’t more popular with tourists, since it’s pretty easy to get to. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Moalboal, which is where more tourists stay when they’re in South Cebu. You can just punch Montpellier Falls into Google Maps or follow our map below, then drive up to the Montpellier Barangay Hall where you can park your bike/car and ask for a guide or directions. They were working on a new path just downhill from the Barangay Hall when we went at the start of 2021, so it wasn’t sign posted yet, but it looked close to completion.
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 MONTPELLIER FALLS CEBU
Prepare for your trip to Montpellier 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)
HIKING TO MONTPELLIER FALLS IN ALEGRIA
We started our hike from the Barangay Hall and walked down the road a hundred metres or so until we reached the new path. We wound our way through tropical jungle and young mahogany trees, slowly making our way downhill.
There are clearings that offer views of the towns below, all the way out to the neighbouring island of Negros Oriental which you can see on a clear day. We weren’t so lucky with weather, but we could still faintly see Negros.
After a little while the new path meets the old path which runs through a local guy’s house, and he ended up joining us to Montpellier Falls. If you go without a guide, hopefully this guy is home to give you directions. If not, just follow the path behind his house until you reach the falls. The whole hike only took around 15 minutes.
OUR EXPERIENCE AT MONTPELLIER FALLS
Our first impression of Montpellier Falls is that it was a lot bigger than we expected! It’s a single stream of water that crashes into the enormous boulder below, with a vibrant blue pool that we’ve come to expect of the waterfalls in South Cebu. It then flows downwards into a smaller series of mini falls and into the river below.
We were blessed with a very strong stream of water thanks to rainy season, but not a lot of sunlight so it was actually pretty cold and windy. The edge was as far as Zowie went, but of course the boys jumped in.
Our friend and guide Joseph is an Alegria local, so he swam across and climbed up onto the boulder. Even with a very strong stream, it wasn’t so bad that he couldn’t pass through the waterfall.
There are multiple spots to dive and jump off, just don’t forget to check the water depth first. You can climb up the rocks on the left side of the falls using the makeshift ladder, but we use the term “ladder” very loosely here. It was more like a bamboo pole with some wobbly foot pegs sticking out of it that had been left to rot, so probably not the safest activity. If you do manage to get up there, it’s a good height for flips.
Montpellier Falls is an awesome spot for the adventurous, and also for those just wanting to chill out next to a beautiful waterfall. Aside from the bridge crossing the river, it was virtually untouched and natural, which is just how we like our waterfalls! If you’ve got time, you can pair it with Cancalanog Falls which is only 20 minutes away (click for our guide to Cancalanog Falls).
READ: 23 BEST WATERFALLS IN CEBU
READ: 28 BEST TOURIST SPOTS 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
MORE CEBU TRAVEL GUIDES
Cancalanog Falls Alegria
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
