Katibawasan Falls is the tallest waterfall in Camiguin and is a picture-perfect single-drop cascade into an emerald pool of water below. It’s a beautiful place to relax or go for a swim.
Katibawasan Falls Complete Guide
Katibawasan Falls is 70 meters tall and is by far the tallest waterfall in Camiguin.
Despite its height, the falls have a gentle flow that contrasts with the more powerful cascade of Tuasan Falls.
The area around Katibawasan Falls is well-developed and has souvenir and snack shops located near the entrance.
After entering through the gate, you’ll descend a long staircase to reach the waterfall’s base. The pool below has been built out to create a shallow swimming area making it safe to swim and cool off.
The area surrounding the waterfall has benches and rentable tables or huts, if you’re looking to enjoy a laid-back day by the falls.
Katibawasan Falls Fees:
- Motorbike Parking: 15 pesos
- Entry: 75 pesos per person
How to get to Katibawasan Falls
Katibawasan Falls is located in the mountains above Mambajao, just a 15-minute motorbike ride from the town. The journey to the waterfall takes you through forested roads shaded by a canopy of towering trees.
Upon arrival, you’ll find a parking area to the left—this was the only site we visited in Camiguin that charged a parking fee.
The map location below for Katibawasan Falls is accurate and can be used to navigate to the waterfall.
Katibawasan Falls: Our experience
We visited Katibawasan Falls in the morning. We rode up from Mambajao and enjoyed the scenic ride up the winding road. As we went higher into the hills, the road became increasingly shaded and surrounded by dense forest, making it feel like we were venturing deep into nature.
We arrived at the waterfall entry area and parked our motorbike in the designated area. After paying our parking and entrance fees, we went through the gate and immediately caught sight of the waterfall from afar.
We paused for a moment to take it all in. The waterfall was much taller than we had imagined. It was a long drop as it cascaded down the fern-covered cliffside. As I stood there, I couldn’t help but wonder what it must feel like to be at the top of the falls, looking down from the cliff’s edge!
We turned our attention to the base of the waterfall, where a long staircase led down the cliffside to the pool below.
As we made our way down, we noticed several families enjoying the pool at the base of the falls. They were all having a good time, laughing and splashing around.
The surroundings of the waterfall, however, felt more developed than we had anticipated. The area around the falls was paved with concrete, though it was somewhat busted. The area felt more like a man-made cold spring rather than a completely natural waterfall setting.
Where to Stay in Camiguin
Most accommodations in Camiguin are located on the north side of the island near Mambajao. This is convenient because Mambajao is the biggest town in Camiguin and has the island’s only airport, making getting to and from Camiguin much easier.
Here’s where we would stay if we visited Camiguin again. It’s a place called Nypa Style Resort. We actually found this place because we had dinner at their restaurant one night, and their staff was kind enough to give us a tour of some of their vacant rooms. This place is set near Mambajao with beautifully kept grounds and immaculately clean rooms.
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Camiguin.
What to Pack for Camiguin
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Camiguin.
- Crocs: During our time in Camiguin, I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when exploring rocky terrain and chasing waterfalls. They are the ultimate shoe in the Philippines for a reason – many Filipinos wear them too!
- Snorkel: With all the amazing snorkeling spots in Camiguin, it helps to have your own snorkel set like this one if you plan to do some underwater activities! Plus, you won’t need to worry about renting a snorkel, which may be of… questionable quality.
- Sunscreen: For some reason, sunscreen is expensive in the Philippines and I’ve even encountered places selling fake sunscreen that doesn’t work! So I recommend bringing your own sunscreen to Camiguin.
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures, I was so glad to have a dry bag to keep all my things safe from the elements!
- Travel Towel: In my opinion, a travel towel like this one is super necessary for a trip to Camiguin! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Camiguin Google Maps Locations
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Are You Following Our Camiguin Blog Series?
We spent 8 days in Camiguin and found so many things to do there—from waterfalls to beaches, cold springs, and coral reefs. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Start planning your trip here: Camiguin Travel Guide
- Our Ultimate Guide to Camiguin: 16 Awesome Things to Do in Camiguin
- How to plan your Camiguin trip: 3 Days in Camiguin: The Perfect Camiguin Itinerary
- Our favorite place to snorkel in Camiguin is The Sunken Cemetery
- Our favorite day trip in Camiguin is Mantigue Island which is just a short boat ride away
- Camiguin’s best beach is at White Island
- Our favorite waterfall in Camiguin is Tuasan Falls
- If you want to walk through the mangroves on a web of boardwalks check out Katunggan Park
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Katibawasan Falls in Camiguin! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions! 🐸
