Kawasan Falls

Fields of nipa (a type of palm used as a building material) line the roads through the barangay of Matutinao. Kawasan Falls is the highlight of Matutinao, which is located in the town of Kawasan, municipality of Badian, and province/island of Cebu. Admission (as of January 2007) was only 10 PhP (about 20¢ US). A 30-minute hike along the riverbank leads to the base of the falls. The three-tiered waterfall cascades cool spring waters into heavenly turquoise pools. Volcanic rock formations make up the swimming holes, which are surrounded by lush, green rainforests. The magical landscape of Kawasan Falls is a veritable tropical paradise.

Rugged hiking trails and bamboo bridges provide visitors access between the various levels of the falls. “Cottages” (i.e., picnic tables and seating covered by a roof of nipa) can be rented by the day and provide a peaceful, sheltered place to eat and relax during the afternoon rains. There are camp-style cooking facilities too available, so pack cooler and remember to bring your cookware. Food can also be purchased onsite at several indoor-outdoor restaurants. Numerous shops and vendors sell a menagerie of items such as tee shirts, souvenirs, and costume jewelry. Rooms can even be rented for overnight stays.

Visitors can hire large bamboo rafts, capable of accommodating sizable groups, to float around the pools and catch a shower under the falling water. Dropping into the chilly water off the end of the rope swing at stage three is a fun and popular activity. Likewise, the rock ledges and cliffs rising from each terrace are ideal for climbing and those daring enough are free to take a plunge from various heights. For anyone less comfortable in deep water, lifejackets can be rented for a few pesos.

At the highest accessible point, the source can be found. It’s crystal clear water rushes from a small cave and pours over the stones and boulders below forming natural whirlpool baths where one can sit under the massaging waters at the climax of an extraordinary day.