Tarzan Swings and Enchanting Cascades – Cambugahay Falls

March 20, 2020July 29, 2021 Rex Lim Lim BLOG, CAMBUGAHAY, SIQUIJOR, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE, WATERFALLS

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A pocket of paradise awaits you in Cambugahay Falls of Siquijor, find out why here!

The Land of Faith Healing: strange as it seems, travelling to the island of Siquijor will raise eyebrows once mentioned because of its reputation for the black arts. Even the older generations still practices and believes in witchcraft and sorcery; although at present time it is still practiced in a less prevalent scale.

Let Transit Pinas take you on a journey of unveiling what hides behind the peculiar stories and legends surrounding the mystic island of Siquijor and why you should start packing your bags and discover for yourself what awaits inside the Isla Del Fuego.

Cambugahay

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Adding an even more mystical reputation to the island of Siquijor is the enchanting cascades of Cambugahay Falls in Lazi. Known for its three tiered cascade, blue waters and the Tarzan Swing. We ventured out even further from the town proper to witness this famous attraction.

From the Lazi Church and Convent we traveled for another twenty more minutes before reaching a busy mountain pass filled with vehicles. Tricycles and vans with its drivers are all waiting for their passengers.

Filling the air with aromatic yet smoky scent of a nearby makeshift eatery selling barbecues. Our stomachs found refuge in just enough servings of local home cooked meals and grilled chicken. The heat of the afternoon made us stop for a minute and have our lunch break. We descended half an hour later.

The Cascades

Some 138 steps going down, the sound of gushing waters already emanated as we carefully tread down the stone steps. A little bit more further down and the hint of greenish to turquoise green waters welcomed us. It is not as blue as we expected it to be. They said that it rained the night before causing the greenish hue of the water.

The three tiered cascades is not as grand as the other falls in the country. To add, it is just several meters high, and even more smaller in the upper cascades. It is also not as wide as you think it is. But it has its own unique and enchanting beauty that it is impossible for one not to take a dip as soon as one lays eyes on it.

This waterfall further drains from this area down to some three kilometers to the Lazi Bay. What is even more interesting is that although quite a number of people were in the falls that day, there are hardly any litter to be found. The only eyesore I’ve noticed is the loosely hanging spare tires in the Tarzan Swing.

Tourists flocked the area since it was a Sunday afternoon, a thing that a tourist/traveler like me don’t like as much. The serenity of the place is often disturbed by the crowd that has settled – the booming music from several Bluetooth speakers, the incessant shouting, and the loud noises that makes it chaotic. So it is always better to plan on weekdays to spread the impact.

SPLASH!!! we turned our heads immediately after hearing a lady screaming like crazy. She plunged down into the last and largest basin of Cambugahay Falls. Realized it was the Tarzan Swing that we came to visit. We got ecstatic upon seeing the actual thing itself with a number of tourist already lining up to try the swing for themselves.

So we had our guide hold our stuff for us and climbed the rickety makeshift bamboo platform. It was around two-stories high where the jump deck is located. For 20php, the thrilling swing ride, with the rop tied to a higher tree branch above, will be unlimited and it is entirely up to you how many times you’ll do it.

Swing, Swing Time

The smaller platform where another swing is located is at the rear of the basin where one can sample the jump before proceeding to the even higher one where we were standing at the moment.

When it was my turn, the excitement suddenly shifted to nervousness, as I tightly gripped the handle, a little bit of a short three second countdown, and a sudden jolt of courage. I jumped from the platform, launched and propelled myself away from the bamboo deck.

But then the hardest part, I guess, is knowing when to hold on or to eventually let go (of the rope?).

At the same exact time when my thoughts seemed to wander, I let go of the rope before splashing feet first into the water. I resurfaced triumphantly. So, it happened seven more times, until I felt that I should still reserve more energy for the Salagdoong Cliff jump later that afternoon.

We then visited the upper cascades after, and it is also good for swimming if you want to just relax and spend the lazy afternoon by the river. We packed up and ascended back to the jump-off point to visit the famous attraction of Maria, Siquijor; the Salagdoong Beach.

How To Get There

This is part of the Siquijor Tricycle Day Tour hosted by Kuya Raul Gom-os (09355965465)
- Siquijor Circumferential Rd, Lazi, Siquijor
- Entrance Fee:
- Tricycle Tour: 1000php Standard Rate/Day Tour

Demystifying Isla del Fuego: From Black Magic Maria, love potions, Voodoo Dolls, broomstick rides, century old churches and convent, up to the stunning waterfalls and beaches. Let Transit Pinas take you on a day trip across SIQUIJOR as he uncovers the brighter side beyond the esoteric and peculiar charm of the province. Follow this adventure series into the Land of Faith Healing, as I ventured into my 56th province last September 09, 2018. Umari kamo niing matahum nga dapit!