Pagsanjan Falls: A ‘Shower’ to Cherish
Located around 70 km southeast of Manila, Pagsanjan Falls is one of the Philippines’ most memorable waterfall experiences. The attraction is not just the waterfall itself, but the journey through a narrow, lush gorge in a traditional boat, followed by the thrilling experience of riding a raft directly beneath the falls.
Getting to Pagsanjan Falls
Pagsanjan Falls can be visited as a day trip from Metro Manila.
We travelled by bus from Pasay to Santa Cruz, a journey of around 1½ hours. From Santa Cruz, we took a local tricycle to the riverside, where the boat journey to the falls begins.
The tricycle is an experience in itself—a motorcycle fitted with a covered sidecar, carrying passengers along the local roads.
The Boat Ride to the Falls
At the riverside, we were assigned a boat and a guide, Manalo. The boat cost us PHP 1,350 per person, including the return journey and safety gear such as a life jacket and plastic helmet.
The initial section of the journey was relatively calm, with a motorboat pulling us upstream. Soon, however, the river became narrower and rockier, and the motorboat disappeared.
That is when the real adventure began.
Our guide had to get out of the boat, climb over the rocks and push the boat upstream. In some sections, the boats had to squeeze through narrow gaps between the rocks, while in others they had to be lifted and maneuvered along metal rods.
The journey upstream took around two hours.
Through the Gorge
The route to the falls is one of the highlights of the trip. The river winds through a narrow gorge surrounded by dense greenery and rocky cliffs.
Halfway through the journey, we stopped at a small riverside restaurant for lunch. A freshly prepared barbecue chicken lunch, accompanied by the sound of rushing water, made for a memorable break.
After lunch, the gorge became narrower and more dramatic before we finally reached Pagsanjan Falls.
The Pagsanjan Falls Raft Experience
The waterfall itself is not particularly large. Instead, its appeal lies in the experience of getting right underneath the falling water.
We left our cameras and belongings with our guide and climbed onto a bamboo raft. Each raft carries several visitors and is taken directly beneath the waterfall.
As the raft approaches the falls, the sound of rushing water increases and the spray becomes intense. Within seconds, you are underneath a powerful wall of water.
It is an exhilarating experience—and you will definitely get wet!
Behind the waterfall is a small cave where visitors can briefly get off the raft before returning for another ride beneath the falls.
Swimming and the Return Journey
After the raft ride, we spent some time in the water around the falls before beginning our journey back.
The return boat ride was considerably easier because we were travelling downstream. Once back at the riverside, we changed into dry clothes and took a tricycle back towards Santa Cruz.
We caught the 7 PM bus back to Metro Manila, ending the day with dinner at New Bombay restaurant.
Pagsanjan Falls: What to Expect
Duration: Full-day trip from Metro Manila
Distance: Approximately 70 km southeast of Manila
Boat cost: PHP 1,350 per person at the time of our visit, including return journey and safety gear
Boat journey: Around 2 hours upstream, followed by a shorter downstream return
Main experience: Boat ride through the gorge and raft ride under the waterfall
What to carry: Change of clothes, waterproof protection for valuables and comfortable footwear
Is Pagsanjan Falls Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, especially if you enjoy experiences rather than simply sightseeing.
The waterfall is only one part of the attraction. The boat journey through the gorge, the skill of the boatmen, the raft ride under the falls and the chance to get completely drenched make Pagsanjan Falls a memorable day trip from Manila.
Just remember to keep your valuables protected—you are almost guaranteed to get wet!
