Of all the waterfalls I’ve visited on Bohol, Camugao Falls is up there with the most impressive purely because of its huge amphitheater and size!
HOW TO GET TO CAMUGAO FALLS
Mag-Aso Falls are in Balilihan on Bohol. Most people who visit Bohol will stay on a small island in the south-eastern corner called Panglao. Here you will find hundreds of hotels, beaches, and restaurants. Most tourists only leave Panglao on a day-trip to visit the Tarsiers or Chocolate hills and other tours. However, there is so much to explore Bohol like Camugao Falls and other waterfalls.
To get to Camugao Falls from Panglao takes about an hour and you can access it by car or by motorbike. There may be tours that include Mag-Aso Falls but it wouldn’t be a commonly sold option at the tour offices. I’ve attached a map below that shows the pinned location for you.
MY EXPERIENCE AT CAMUGAO FALLS
When you arrive at Camugao Falls you genuinely will question if you are in the correct place. There are a few huts and a gravel parking lot but no real sign of a waterfall. That’s because it is pretty much beneath the parking lot in a huge canyon. The entrance and parking fee was about $1 USD.
The walk down to the falls takes about 10-15 minutes and is really beautiful. Along the way, we passed some carabao and there were lots of birds playing in the thick forest. It is quite steep but very short so most people are capable of making it down to the base of the falls. You can get a good look of the falls if you stay at the top but only if you own a drone. Otherwise, there is no great vantage point from above that I know of due to the thick trees surrounding the canyon rim.
Once you reach the cauldron or amphitheater you will realize just how high the walls of this area are. It is quite a unique spot as you feel quite isolated within the walls in all directions. It was more than a waterfall it was the entire cauldron that you got to experience with different things to see in each corner.
We set our belongings to the right of the waterfall where we found a group of young boys. They were a cheeky bunch sharing cigarettes, some rum and coke and taking turns to jump into the pool of water. I joined them and they loved when we sent a few backflips into the pool. As a reward, they offered me some Tanduay rum in a half-cut soda bottle. Welcome to the Philippines. I always love when the locals are hanging out in the nature of their neighborhood and it isn’t just overrun by gawking tourists.
\The waterfall itself is quite high and during the rainy season can be very impressive. When we visited in February, it was a bit of a dribble but I’ve seen photos when it has been hammering down into the huge pool below. The pool is great for swimming as it gets quite deep although it can be a bit chilly, a refreshing cool-off from the heat of the Philippines.
There are lots of little huts and places to sit beneath the falls, which make this spot a great place to relax for a few hours before visiting other waterfalls in the region such as Mag-Aso Falls.
WHERE TO STAY ON BOHOL
Save money in Bohol by staying at an Airbnb! Get a FREE $40 Airbnb Coupon by using my code when you book! I use Airbnb on about half of my travels and find you always get more value than a hotel.
Read my full blog post: BEST AREA TO STAY IN BOHOL
Bohol Beach Club – Luxury: It’s everything you would expect from a luxury resort in a tropical location. It’s beachside with amazing pools, bars, and chill-out areas. Right near the restaurants, bars, and action of Alona Beach but hidden away so that you can relax after a day of island-hopping or adventures.
Venezia Suites – Value: The Venezia Suits present the best value on Bohol. If you are looking for luxury but only want to spend mid-range often you need to get lucky. Venezia will hook you up with a beautiful suite that comes with a pool and living space. It’s a damn good deal and located right near all the action of Panglao so you are in a good spot.
HM & B Backpackers Inn: As a backpacker generally you check the price, location, and cleanliness. HM & B ticks all those boxes as one of the cheapest hostels near Alona Beach but also maintains good reviews, cleanliness and is pretty cheap compared to everything else near Alona Beach.
If you want to have a look for yourself you can click here to jump over to Booking.com to check out all of the accommodation options for Bohol.
ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH MY BOHOL SERIES
I’ve been to Bohol twice and both times I explored extensively on my motorbike to the popular tourist spots and to locations many people have never heard of. I document it all in my BOHOL TRAVEL GUIDE: 27 Awesome Things To Do
Are you a waterfall chaser? I’ve put together a list of My Favorite Waterfalls and Cave Pools on Bohol with detailed directions and photos.
Maybe you are an adrenaline junkie like me and want to find out the Best Cliff Jumping spots on Bohol.
The popular tourist area where most people stay is Panglao Island. I’ve put together a blog post guide about the Best Things to do on Panglao Island
If you aren’t quite sure whether you want to stay on Panglao Island or venture north to Anda, I’ve written a blog post about the Best Places to Stay on Bohol, which helps you decide what region is best for you depending on your preferences.
One of the best activities on Bohol is the island-hopping to Balicasag and Virgin Island. I’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know about the adventure here: Virgin Island and Balicasag Island Hopping Tour Review