Pagsanjan Falls Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Pagsanjan Falls. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Tagaytay | Taal Volcano Sightseeing | Pagsanjan Falls (2 in 1)

• Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic Filipino Lunch Plus Transfers from Manila*

• Pagsanjan Falls - Taal Volcano - Tagaytay Ultimate Day Tour frm MNL

• Pagsanjan Falls & Hidden Valley Springs: a Spectacular Combo Tour

• Pagsanjan Falls Adventure from Manila

It’s free to hike to the top of the Pagsanjan Falls, but the boat trip upriver, which is the star attraction for most people, costs 1,500 Philippine pesos per person (excluding tips). Many travelers streamline logistics by booking a tour from Manila; expect to pay from around US$150 for a small group trip with lunch.

Yes, the Pagsanjan Falls are well worth visiting. The river that boat trips travel on was a key filming location for Apocalypse Now, and the beauty of the gorge still impresses. The waterfall itself is spectacular; riding a bamboo raft through cascades so powerful you need a safety helmet and entering Devil's Cave is a highlight for many. Given that the falls are more than a 3-hour drive from Manila, many travelers opt for the simplicity of an organized tour with a guide,

Per one customer who booked the Amazing Pagsanjan Falls With Authentic Filipino Lunch Plus Transfers From Manila* tour, "Joannah and Red were so wonderful!  We took a trip in a boat and the hardworking boatmen pushed the boat up river! Then we went on a raft through the waterfall and Joannah recorded it for me! It was so fun!  We fed the fish there and then went back for an authentic lunch of pancit bihon, shanghai, sisig, sinigang, calamansi, and rice (of course!). We also stopped along the way to try bibingka! Masarap!"

Yes, visitors can swim in the pool beneath the Pagsanjan Falls, but only in this area. Much of the journey to see the Pagsanjan Falls involves navigating rapids, which requires an experienced boatman to be done safely. Lake Yambo is an alternative for those keen to swim.

June to August is generally the best time to visit the Pagsanjan Falls, which is the start of the wet season. At this time of year, the boatmen are able to navigate the river, which is easier when water levels are low, but there’s also enough water to ensure the waterfall looks impressive.

The hike to Pagsanjan Falls takes about one hour each way. Along the hike, some sections are only accessible via ladders, so reasonable mobility is essential to get through these parts.

Safety is always considered when operating tours to the Pagsanjan Falls during the rainy season. If there’s too much water, tours might limit the route taken—avoiding the cave beneath the waterfall and the upper sections of rapids. If safety is a concern, tours may be canceled.

In the area around Pagsanjan Falls, visitors will find several other waterfalls, such as the Hulugan Falls and Aliw Falls to its south. To the east, travelers can head below ground to explore the Cavinti Underground River and Cave Complex. If you head west there are various lakes where you can swim, such as Yambo Lake.

Make sure you bring waterproof clothing and something to protect your belongings. You will need cash to pay and/or tip the boatmen. If you hope to swim below the waterfall, you’ll also need a towel and swimwear.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Pagsanjan Falls. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Manila:

• Fort Santiago

• San Agustin Church and Museum

• Intramuros

• Casa Manila

• Taal Volcano

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Manila.