Samboan: A Hidden Waterfall Paradise in the Philippines
Samboan, located on the southern tip of Cebu Island in the Philippines, is a hidden gem that’s still off the beaten path for most tourists, even though it’s only an hour down the road from Moalboal.
While most travelers flock to more well-known Cebu destinations, this quiet coastal town offers an incredible waterfall paradise, with four breathtaking waterfalls—Aguinid, Binalayan, Dao, and Hidden Falls—all within a short 5-20 minute drive of each other.
Whether you’re up for a canyoneering adventure or just want to relax in a jungle pool, each waterfall has its own unique charm.
Samboan is an off-the-beaten-path destination that deserves a spot on every adventurer’s itinerary!
Where is Samboan?
Samboan is a small coastal town on the southern tip of Cebu Island, Philippines. It’s about 150 km (93 miles) from Cebu City, which takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours by bus or car.
If you’re coming from Moalboal, another popular adventure spot in Cebu, Samboan is only about 60 km (37 miles) away, making it an easy 1.5 to 2-hour drive along the scenic coastline.
Known for its stunning waterfalls and laidback vibes, it remains an off-the-beaten-path destination compared to the more tourist-heavy spots in Cebu, making it perfect for those seeking nature and adventure without the crowds.
Why visit Samboan?
✔ Multiple waterfalls in one trip – You can visit 2-3 waterfalls in a single day.
✔ Something for everyone – Whether you want canyoneering, cliff jumping, swimming, or relaxing, there’s a waterfall for you.
✔ Fewer crowds – Unlike other popular Cebu spots, Samboan’s waterfalls remain peaceful and unspoiled.
✔ Scenic hikes – Many of these waterfalls require short treks through lush jungles, rivers, and rock formations, adding to the adventure.
Samboan is a waterfall paradise, with several stunning falls all within a short distance of each other. Whether you’re looking for adventure, a peaceful swim, or breathtaking scenery, the waterfalls in and around Samboan offer something for everyone.
If you love chasing waterfalls, Samboan is the ultimate hidden gem in Cebu! 💦✨
1. Aguinid Falls – Samboan’s Ultimate Canyoneering Adventure
Aguinid Falls is one of the most unique and exciting waterfalls in Samboan, Cebu, offering not just stunning views but also a canyoneering-style adventure.
Aguinid Falls is a series of cascades, with eight levels in total. Each level has its own unique formations, pools, and small waterfalls. This multi-tiered waterfall requires climbing up limestone formations using ropes and natural rock grips to reach the different levels.
The climb is exciting but not extreme, making it suitable for beginners as long as you’re comfortable with getting wet and a little adventurous!
Entrance Fees & Tips
💰 Entrance Fee:  ₱350 per person
Guides are mandatory here—you can’t explore without them. However, the entrance fee only covers admission, and the guides aren’t salaried, so they rely entirely on tips.
While they don’t outright say it – tips are expected for the guides, so please budget for this. Even with a nice tip, it’s still less than half the price of canyoneering at Kawasan falls!
They’ll show you the best spots for swimming and cliff jumping, and they’re basically your personal photographers—our guide carried my phone the entire time, capturing tons of amazing photos and videos for us.
If you’ve been to Kawasan Falls, you know how busy it can get. As one of Cebu’s most famous waterfalls, it’s often packed with tourists. While it’s undeniably beautiful, the crowds can take away from the serenity of the experience.
That’s what made Aguinid Falls so much better for us. It wasn’t until we were almost at the end that a father and son duo caught up with us, but other than that, we had the entire waterfall to ourselves.
No waiting, no crowds!
 If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path alternative to Kawasan Falls, Aguinid Falls is the perfect spot!
2. Binalayan Falls
Binalayan Falls, also known as Hidden Falls or Triple Drop Falls, is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Samboan.
With its three-tier cascade, a deep natural pool, and a jungle backdrop, this waterfall is a perfect blend of adventure and beauty.
The main attraction is the tallest cascade, where thrill-seekers can jump from ledges into the deep pool below.
Entrance Fees & Tips
💰 Entrance Fee:  ₱150 per person
Guides are mandatory as well at Binalayan Falls, and they rely entirely on tips, as the entrance fee doesn’t cover their service. Since tourism here is low, those tips really matter.
That said, the guides are great! They show you the best spots for jumping and photos, and double as personal photographers—our guide carried my phone and took tons of great shots.
The main pool at the base is deep enough for jumps, with a few ledges for different heights. The guides will show you where you can climb up and jump from.
The path to the falls is easy and enjoyable. A 15 to 20-minute walk through the forest and past smaller waterfalls along the way.
3. Dao Falls
The tallest waterfall in Samboan – the massive, single-tier cascade drops from a dramatic limestone cliff into a powder blue pool.
Tucked inside a narrow canyon, the 20-30 minute hike to reach it is an adventure itself, requiring a walk through a turquoise river, limestone formations, and bamboo bridges before reaching the breathtaking falls.
The trek to Dao Falls is longer than other waterfalls in Samboan, but it’s not too difficult.
You’ll walk alongside a turquoise-colored stream, cross bamboo bridges, and pass through rock formations before reaching the falls. The canyon walls and smooth limestone rocks create a unique atmosphere.
The pool at the base is refreshing but not too deep, perfect for cooling off after the trek.
Entrance Fees & Tips
💰 Entrance Fee:  ₱200 per person
💰 Parking Fee: ₱30 per bike
Guides are again mandatory at Dao Falls since the trail involves river crossings, bamboo bridges, and some tricky spots.
The entrance fee only covers waterfall access, and the guides rely on tips. They make sure you’re safe, help with tricky sections, and will take awesome photos for you.
4. Inambakan Falls
Inambakan is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area, featuring a towering cascade with an impressive 100-foot main drop that plunges into a deep, turquoise pool.
Thanks to the limestone formations, the water has a stunning blue hue that looks like gatorade.
It’s an easy and scenic hike – A short 10-15 minute walk through lush jungle and small river crossings leads you to the falls.
The first level features a majestic 100-foot waterfall cascading into a vibrant blue pool, ideal for swimming. Beyond this, the upper levels offer additional pools, smaller waterfalls, and opportunities for cliff jumping.
Entrance Fees & Tips
💰 Entrance Fee: ₱200 per person
💰 Parking Fee: ₱60 per bike
If you haven’t caught on yet, guides are again mandatory and also rely on tips. (This is pretty standard around the Philippines.)
That being said, our guide was great, and took a million photos and videos for us.
How do I get to Samboan?
To get to Samboan from Cebu City:
1. By Bus (Most Affordable & Common Option)
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Head to Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) – Located near Elizabeth Mall (E-Mall) in Cebu City.
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Take a bus to Bato via Barili – Look for a Ceres Liner bus heading to Bato (via Barili). This route passes through Moalboal, Badian, and Alegria before reaching Samboan.
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Travel time: Around 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic and stops.
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Fare: ₱250-₱350 (air-conditioned bus)
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Drop-off: Tell the driver you’re going to Samboan, and they’ll drop you off in the town center. From there, you can take a tricycle to your accommodation.
2. By Private Car or Van (Fastest & Most Comfortable Option)
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You can rent a car or hire a private van with a driver.
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Route: Take the Cebu South Road and follow the Barili–Moalboal–Badian–Samboan route.
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Travel time: Around 4 hours, depending on traffic.
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Cost: Varies (private van rental is usually ₱3,500-₱5,000 per day).
For budget travelers, the Ceres Liner bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal is the best option. If you want more comfort and speed, renting a private car or van is the way to go! 🚗💨
Getting to Samboan from Moalboal is easy and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Here are your options:
1. By Bus (Most Budget-Friendly Option)
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Go to the Moalboal Bus Stop (along the main highway).
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Take a Ceres Liner bus heading to Bato (via Barili)—this route passes through Badian, Alegria, and Malabuyoc before reaching Samboan.
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Buses run every 30 min, if you want AC or don’t want to stop an extensive number of times, take the bus with the windows closed and usually with a lot of tourists on it.
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Travel time: Around 1.5 to 2 hours.
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Fare: ₱120 per person
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Drop-off: Ask the driver to drop you off in Samboan town proper, then take a tricycle to the waterfalls or your accommodation. We stayed at Banaba Tree House and the bus dropped us off right in front of it (it’s along the main road).
2. By Private Car or Bike Rental
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If you have a rental car or motorbike, take the coastal highway heading south through Badian, Alegria, and Malabuyoc until you reach Samboan.
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Travel time: Around 1.5 hours.
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Road condition: Generally good, with some winding coastal roads.
If you’re on a budget, the Ceres Liner bus is your best bet. If you want more speed and comfort, a van or private transport is ideal. 🚗💨
Where to stay in Samboan?
There isn’t a lot of accomodation options in this area, but I can highly recommend The Banaba Tree House.
We were able to rent a whole house with our own private plunge pool, for under $100!
This prime location allows guests to explore the natural beauty of Samboan with ease. All 4 waterfalls are within a 5-20 minute drive from the house.
Amenities:
- Air conditioning
- Fully equipped kitchen
- 2 bedrooms + living room
- Private bathroom​
- Garden and terrace​
- Bike rentals​
- Personal plunge pool with sun loungers​
- Within walking distance to the ocean
Trip Resources:
Here’s some resources I used to book and coordinate my itinerary through the Philippines along with some recommendations:
Hostels
If you’re a budget traveler or looking for an easy way to meet others,  Hostelworld is the best place to search.
Hotels
We pretty much exclusively used Booking.com to book all of our hotels in the Philippines. It has the most options and usually the best price.
On occasion we also used Agoda.com to book a few hotels, as they sometimes had different availability or better pricing.
Flights
International flights to The Philippines are typically cheapest into Manila and Cebu City. Both of these cities in my opinion should only be a stop over before flying domestically or taking a bus or ferry to another destination.
Personally, I like to use Google Flights to find options, then I always try to book my flights directly on the airlines website. This saves a lot of hassle should you need assistance with your flight later on.
BUSES/Ferries/& more
The easiest ways to search for ways to get around the Philippines are with 12GoAsia and Klook.
Both platforms show various options (ferries, buses, flights, etc.) so you can compare option and prices in English.
Check 12GoAsia out here and check out Klook here.
Insurance
Travel insurance is a must for every trip to ensure you’re covered in unexpected situations.
My recommendations are WorldNomads or Safety Wing, which are made for backpackers and digital nomads.
Tours & Experiences
Tours can be booked online through GetYourGuide or Klook, or through your local accommodations or travel agencies.
Blog Posts
Check out my other Philippines blog posts for helpful trip planning!
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links that I may receive a small commission from. This is at no additional cost to you. By clicking and/or booking through affiliate links found on this site you are helping to support this website and helping make it even better.
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