Your Guide to Visiting Pagsanjan/Cavinti/Magdapio Falls (2019)

Having the opportunity to personally visit Pagsanjan Falls (Indigenous Name: Magdapio Falls) is a great experience. You get to see, explore, and enjoy one of the World-renowned wonders. But rarely do people know that this is also called Cavinti Falls as this is actually situated in the Municipality of Cavinti, not in Pagsanjan.

How to Get There

There are two ways to get to Cavinti Falls – via boat ride or trekking. The former is a better option if you think you don’t have enough stamina and energy for a trekking adventure.

From Manila, ride a bus going to Sta Cruz, Laguna (Php 166). For us, we rode HM Transport INC. because this is located in Cubao, near Victory Liner just behind Mang Inasal. It takes around 2.5 hours before you reach the last bus stop, which is in Pagsanjan/Pagsawitan. From there, ride a jeepney bound to Cavinti and tell the driver to drop you in Cavinti/Pagsanjan/Magdapio Falls intersection. From there, ride a tricycle going to the Boating Station or to Pueblo El Salvador.

Boat Ride: (Php 1200+)

Head to the Boating Station in Pagsanjan. From there, bangkeros will take you to and from Cavinti Falls. One boat can accommodate up to 3 pax only. Accordingly, it takes an hour before you will reach the falls. (I apologize for having little knowledge about this route because we chose to stretch our legs and lose some weight thru trekking.) You can check this out though - https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/04/14/14/watch-shooting-rapids-pagsanjan

Trekking Adventure: Pagsanjan/Cavinti Falls via Pueblo El Salvador (Php 285/Php 645)

Instead of going to the boating station, head to Pueblo El Salvador Nature’s Park and Picnic Grove. If you choose this route, prepare yourself to trek 2km going down where you will be passing through 586 metal ladders and rappelling thru 2 30-ft vertical metal ladders. Take note that some metal ladders are too narrow so you have to get down facing it while holding onto the rails to ensure your safety. But after passing thru these narrow metal ladders, viola! Witness the refreshing breeze of Cavinti Falls.

But wait there’s more! The adventure also includes a Balsa experience wherein you will ride a Balsa (Bamboo raft) going to the falls. Behind the falling water is a small cave where you can swim and rest for a while. As you raft back to land, the balseros/guide will pass you under the falling water. Brace yourself for its impact, especially if you are visiting during the rainy season or early in the morning when there’s too much water – it can be painful.

Getting out of Cavinti Falls

If you chose to go to Cavinti Falls via riverboat ride, your exit route is automatically thru boat ride also. But if you chose the trekking adventure, you can either trek back to where you came from or shoot the Rapids going to the boating station.

If you are used to walking, running or hiking, trekking back to Pueblo El Salvador may be easy. Besides, you can take advantage of their promo, which is an Unlimited Rest. If not, you might want to consider riding a boat. Do not force yourself to hike if you think your body can’t take the pressure – you can get dizzy or even lose consciousness if you insist. Just inform your tour guide so he can contact a boat for you.

Other things to consider when choosing your exit route is the accessibility of public transport and your next destination. If, for instance, you are heading back home or going to another tourist destination, a boat ride is a better option because the boating station is along the National Highway. As for the trekking adventure, no public transportation is passing thru Pueblo El Salvador. The only way you can get to Cavinti town proper is by riding a tricycle. Inform the staff if you are ready to head out so they can contact a tricycle for you.

For us, we hired a tricycle to take us back directly to our hotel, which is in Caliraya Resorts Club, primarily because we did not bring extra clothes.

Things to Bring

• Waterproof bag for your valuables
• Dry clothes
• Drinking water and/or Snack
• First Aid Kit

Important Tips

• Use a small bag so you won’t have trouble getting down/up the vertical ladders.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Bring only what you need.

Entrance Fee and Inclusions

Trekking Adventure: 285/pax

Trekking, Rappelling Tourguide, Balsa Experience, Lifevest, and Cavinti Falls experience

Trekking + Boatride: 645pax

Trekking, Rappelling, Tourguide, Balsa Experience, Lifevest, Cavinti Falls experience, boatride, and shooting the rapids going to the Boating Station