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In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know to plan an independent adventure to Tumalog Falls in Oslob in 2025.
Many people visit Oslob just to see the whale sharks (and this is a pretty epic experience, so we get it), but it is a shame to visit this area and not see something as impressive and magnificent as Tumalog Waterfalls! Seriously – we have seen many amazing waterfalls in Asia – and Tumalog is definitely up there on our list.
Tumalog Falls is situated in Oslob, a short drive from the whale sharks. So, if you’re planning to swim with whale sharks, you may be able to fit in a visit to Tumalog Falls as well. You only need an hour or two to see Tumalog – (especially if you’re wise enough to read our article and get organized!)
In this article, we will include all of the key information you need to plan your trip, such as transport info, prices, what to expect, facilities, and how to get the best photos. We will also share the BEST place to stay nearby and an amazing hidden gem coffee shop too! So read this article carefully to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
This article is based on our own first-hand experience and research. We really enjoyed visiting Tumalog Falls and highly recommend a visit if you are able to fit it into your itinerary.
DON’T MISS THIS NEED TO READ GUIDE – Everything you need to know about the Whale Sharks in Oslob
LOOKING FOR A CONVENIENT OPTION? Why not book a tour that includes the Whale Sharks & Tumalog Falls? No need to mess around with taxis or rentals. Just relax and enjoy the tour.
Is it worth visiting Tumalog Falls in Oslob?
In our opinion, it is well worth visiting Tumalog Falls. This is a spectacular, panoramic, and beautiful waterfall. Not only is this a very beautiful waterfall, you can also take a dip in the shallow plunge pool. Having visited many waterfalls around Asia over the years, we genuinely found Tumalog Falls very impressive. If you are planning to visit Oslob to see the whale sharks, a visit to Tumalog Falls will not add a lot of time to your itinerary (particularly if you have your own transport), so if you can afford the time, we definitely recommend a visit to Tumalog Falls.
In our opinion, Oslob is one of the nicest areas to stay in Cebu, and many people make the mistake of only visiting as a day trip or only staying for one or two nights. If possible, we recommend spending a few days in Oslob (this will allow plenty of time to visit Tumalog Falls and also explore the beautiful South East Coast of Cebu). Oslob is a surprisingly underrated destination; many people only come to see the whale sharks.
Looking for a place to stay?
If you’re looking for a place to stay in the area, we highly recommend checking out Sascha’s Lodge Oslob. Not only does this offer some of the best value accommodation in the area, it is also located on a stunning section of coastline with beautiful ocean views, sunrises, and sunsets in this area (the picture above is the sunrise at Sascha’s Lodge). They also offer spacious family rooms and have private parking on site. Sascha’s Lodge Oslob has an outdoor swimming pool, and it is also a very short walk from plenty of lovely places to eat. We really enjoyed staying here and highly recommend it. You can book Sascha’s Lodge on Both Agoda and Booking.com.
How much does it cost to visit Tumalog Falls?
If you visit Tumalog Waterfall independently, there is a small entry fee. Entrance to the waterfall costs 50 pesos (around £0.80 or $1.00). There is a ticket office situated at the bottom of the road just before you enter the waterfall area. You may also wish to pay 50 pesos for a return motorbike journey from the top of the hill to the bottom of the hill.
What are the opening hours at Tumalog Waterfall?
Tumalog Waterfall is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tumalog Waterfall does not get too busy at any time of the day because this is a relatively remote location. Furthermore, the panoramic and impressive nature of this waterfall means that even during busy times, it is still very impressive. Tumalog falls is closed every 3rd Wednesday of the month for a clean up.
Can you swim at Tumalog Waterfall?
Yes, you are allowed to swim at Tumalog Waterfalls. There is a beautiful plunge pool at the bottom of the waterfall. It is a relatively shallow and pretty safe. The waterfall cascade is not too strong, so it is safe to swim in the plunge pool. Entrance to the water is easy; you just need to walk down some steps. As you would expect, the water is cold and refreshing. In most areas of the plunge pool, it is not more than waist deep. It is important to be aware that swimming in waterfalls can discolor swimming clothes, so don’t wear anything expensive or light colored.
What is the best way to get to Tumalog Falls?
FULL GUIDE – How do you travel from Cebu City to Oslob?
Here is a super handy map of the area (click on the pins for more details)…
There are several different ways to get to Tumalog Waterfalls. Firstly, it’s important to recognize that there are no public transport links to the entrance of Tumalog Waterfalls. If you are traveling by public transport, you will need to stop at the bottom of the road and take a taxi to the entrance of Tumalog Falls. You will see motorbike taxis waiting around this junction (This is the junction of the coast road – Natalio Bacalso Avenue and the Tumalog Falls road). It is around 2km uphill to the Tumalog Falls junction, so we do recommend a taxi.
Take a taxi
If you’re staying in Oslob you can arrange a taxi to and from Tumalog falls for around 300 – 500 pesos. The price will depend on your driver and the waiting times. Many guest houses and hotels have connections with local drivers and can help you arrange your trip. Just make sure that you agree on a price and waiting times before you go.
Car and bike rental
The most convenient way to get to Tumalog Falls is to have your own transport. If you’re traveling with kids, we recommend using a rental car. Car rental in the Philippines is relatively expensive (at least compared to other countries in Southeast Asia); it is very difficult to find a car rental in Cebu for anything less than 1,000 pesos per day (this is around £14 or $18). Alternatively, motorbike rental in the area starts at around 350 pesos per day (this is roughly £5 or $6). Motorbike rental is a fun, exhilarating, and convenient way to travel around. However, be aware that the roads around Cebu can be very fast and intense. Drive carefully; it is much better to have a little experience if you’re planning to ride a motorbike around Cebu.
Getting to the entrance of the waterfall
If you have your own transportation, it is possible to drive to the junction situated above Tumalog waterfall. From this point, private vehicles are allowed down the road. It is possible to park at this junction and walk down the road to the entrance of the waterfall. Parking in this area is free of charge; there is no official car park. You need to park at the side of the road. Be aware that the road is pretty steep, so remember to engage your handbrake and leave your car in gear.
There is a steep downhill walk of around 500m to get to the waterfall (the ticket office is situated at the bottom of this road). If you do not wish to do the walk, you can get a motorbike taxi to the entrance of the waterfall. At the junction where you park, you will see a few shops selling gifts, drinks, and snacks, and you will also see some guys waiting around with motorbikes. This is where you can get your motorbike taxi. It is a standard price of 50 pesos (this is a fairly cheap price, so it’s probably not worth bartering).
50 pesos is for a two-way journey. The motorbike rides down the road is fast and exhilarating (you will probably not be surprised to discover that they do not include bike helmets, so this ride is at your own risk). If you have paid for a motorbike taxi, you will be able to request your return journey (the guy sitting at the bottom will call the motorbike taxi when you are ready to depart).
How do you get the best photos at Tumalog Falls?
If you haven’t taken an epic photo, have you really been to an epic waterfall? If you’re hoping to get a stunning shot for your Insta (or you just want an awesome photo for your memory), there is a fantastic photo spot situated to the left-hand side of the waterfall. You will see a large rock; this is a great spot to stand and pose for a photo. The best way to get a photo at this spot is low down, shooting up towards the rock with the waterfall in the background. This will give you a stunning photograph, including yourself and the magnificent Tumalog Waterfall. You will probably need to get a portrait picture here due to the sheer height of Tumalog.
What facilities are available at Tumalog Waterfall?
Tumalog Waterfalls is a relatively remote and wild location; however, there are some reasonably good facilities. There are a couple of shops selling drinks, snacks, and gifts. This is situated at the junction close to the motorbike taxi stand. There are also public toilets situated at the waterfall; the toilets are located to the right, just after you have passed through the ticket office. (It is not possible to visit the toilets without paying for entry to the waterfall.)
There are also some picnic tables in the area, so you can bring your own food and enjoy a bite to eat amongst the amazing scenery.
When is the best time of year to visit Tumalog Waterfalls?
Tumalog Waterfalls is a tall and impressive waterfall; however, it does not have a particularly high flow rate. If you are hoping to see this waterfall at its highest flow volume, then the best time of year to visit is between the months of June and November. According to locals, the waterfall is particularly impressive during these months, and especially after periods of strong rain.
Don’t miss this amazing coffee shop nearby
AND finally, if you have time in your itinerary, we highly recommend a visit to Luka Coffee Oslob. This coffee shop is an absolute hidden gem (we actually drove past a few times before discovering this one!)
Luka Coffee is situated on the coast road very close to the junction of the Tumalog Waterfall junction. This is genuinely one of the best coffee shops we have visited. The prices are very reasonable. It has large windows with magnificent ocean views, a very tempting selection of cakes and treats. Best of all, the coffees are absolutely outstanding. Luka Coffee Oslob has comfortable seating and a calm, cool atmosphere with air conditioning. This is a perfect place to relax and unwind after a visit to Tumalog Waterfall.
