Cambugsayay Falls: Siquijor's Hidden Multi-Tiered Waterfall and Rope Swing

The trail drops steeply through coconut trees and banana leaves for about ten minutes, and then you hear it - a sound like heavy rain on a tin roof, but steady, coming from below. The path turns, the trees open, and you see the first tier: a wide curtain of white water falling about 4 metres into a pool so clear you can see the sand on the bottom through 3 metres of water. This is Cambugsayay Falls, and if you have already been to Cambugahay Falls earlier in the day, the first thing you will notice is the silence. There is nobody here.

Cambugsayay (pronounced cam-boog-sigh-ahy) is the lesser-known waterfall on Siquijor. Most tourists go to Cambugahay, which is bigger, more developed and has the famous three-level rope swing. Cambugsayay is smaller, harder to reach, and has no paved path, no concrete steps and no crowds. What it does have is three tiers of falls, a deep natural pool, a rope swing that the local kids maintain, and a setting so enclosed by jungle that you feel like you have walked into a valley that nobody else knows about.

Where Is Cambugsayay Falls

The falls are in the municipality of Lazi, on the southern side of Siquijor Island. They sit inland from the coastal road, about 4 kilometres up a dirt road from the town proper. The turn-off is not signposted - you turn inland at a small cluster of houses and follow a rough track through coconut plantations until you reach a small clearing where motorbikes are parked. From there it is a 10-minute downhill walk on a dirt trail.

How to Get There

By Motorbike

The easiest way. Rent a scooter in San Juan or Lazi (PHP 250-400 per day) and drive the coastal road to Lazi. At the barangay marker for Talingting, turn inland. The dirt road is passable on a scooter in dry weather but becomes muddy and difficult after rain. Ask a local for directions if you are unsure of the turn - there are no signs.

By Tricycle or Habal-Habal

If you do not drive, hire a tricycle from Lazi (PHP 200-300 one way) or a habal-habal (motorbike taxi, PHP 100-150 one way). Most drivers know the falls and can wait for you or come back at an agreed time. A full-day island tour including Cambugsayay, Cambugahay Falls, Salagdoong Beach and the Old Balete Tree costs PHP 800-1,500 by tricycle.

As Part of a Tour

Most standard Siquijor island tours do not include Cambugsayay - they go to Cambugahay instead. If you want Cambugsayay specifically, ask for a custom tour or hire a private driver. Some drivers will suggest it as an alternative if Cambugahay is crowded.

What You Will Find

Tier One - The Main Pool

The first and largest tier is a 4-metre curtain fall dropping into a pool about 8 metres across and 3-4 metres deep. The water is fresh, cold and very clear. There is a rope swing here - a thick rope tied to a tree branch above the pool. You swing out over the water, let go, and drop about 3 metres into the deep section. The local kids who maintain the rope will show you how if you ask.

Tier Two - The Upper Pool

Climb up the side of the first fall (there is a worn path on the left) and you reach the second tier, a smaller cascade dropping about 2 metres into a shallower pool. This is where families with children tend to swim. The pool is about 1.5 metres deep and the water is calmer.

Tier Three - The Hidden Pool

Above the second tier, another short climb leads to the third and smallest tier. This one is easy to miss because the path is faint. The pool here is small - maybe 4 metres across - but it is the most secluded. If you want to swim alone in a jungle pool with nobody else around, this is the one.

Entrance Fees

There is a small collection point at the trailhead where a local attendant charges an entrance fee of PHP 20-50 per person. The fee goes to the barangay for trail maintenance. There are no formal facilities - no toilets, no changing rooms, no food stalls. Bring everything you need and take all your rubbish with you.

Best Time to Visit

Visit during the dry season from March to May for the clearest water and easiest trail. After heavy rain the waterfall is much larger and more dramatic, but the dirt road becomes impassable on a scooter and the trail is slippery. Go in the morning (before 10:00am) for the best light and the fewest people. You may well have the entire falls to yourself.

Cambugsayay never gets crowded. Even on a busy day in peak season, you might share it with 5-10 other people. This is its main advantage over Cambugahay, which can have 50+ people waiting in line for the rope swing.

What to Bring

• Swimwear worn under clothes - no changing facilities.
• Water shoes or old trainers - the trail is dirt and the rocks around the falls are slippery.
• Towel - leave it at the trailhead, not at the pool edge.
• Water and snacks - no vendors here.
• Dry bag - useful if you are on a motorbike.
• Insect repellent - this is jungle, not beach.
• Cash - for the entrance fee and to tip the rope swing attendant if you use it.

Safety

The rope swing is maintained by local kids, not by a professional operator. Test the rope before swinging - pull on it hard from the ground to make sure the branch and knot are solid. Do not swing if the rope looks frayed. The drop is about 3 metres into water that is 3-4 metres deep, which is safe for adults but not for young children.

Do not jump from the top of the first fall. The pool looks deep but there are submerged rocks on the sides. Jump only from the rope swing platform where the locals indicate it is safe.

The trail down is steep and can be muddy. Take it slowly, especially on the way back up. If it has rained in the last 24 hours, the trail is slippery enough that flip-flops are dangerous.

Cambugsayay vs Cambugahay

People ask which waterfall to visit on Siquijor. The honest answer is both, if you have time. Here is the difference:

• Cambugahay is bigger, more developed, has concrete steps, a three-level rope swing, and is included in every island tour. It is also crowded, especially from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Entrance: PHP 50.
• Cambugsayay is smaller, undeveloped, has a dirt trail, a single rope swing, and is rarely visited. You will likely have it to yourself. Entrance: PHP 20-50.

If you only have time for one and you want the classic Siquijor rope-swing photos, go to Cambugahay. If you want quiet, natural and uncrowded, go to Cambugsayay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can children visit Cambugsayay Falls?

Children who can walk a 10-minute downhill trail and swim can visit. The second tier pool is shallow enough for kids. The first tier rope swing is for adults only. Keep children away from the edge of the first pool, where the drop-off is sudden.

Is there mobile signal at Cambugsayay Falls?

Signal is weak to none at the falls themselves. There is usually signal at the trailhead. If you are hiring a driver to come back at a specific time, agree on the time before you descend.

How long should I spend at Cambugsayay?

1-2 hours is enough. The walk down and up takes 20 minutes total, and most people swim for 45-60 minutes. If you are doing a full Siquijor island tour, this fits well as a 1-hour stop.

Is the road to Cambugsayay passable after rain?

Barely. The dirt road turns to mud and is passable only by habal-habal (motorbike taxi) or on foot. If you are on a rented scooter and it has rained heavily, park at the barangay road and walk the last 1-2 kilometres rather than risking a slide.

Last checked 2026-08-25. Written by PANA.PH Visayas Desk for PANA.PH.