When We Chased Watefalls in Iligan City

Day 0 - 29 January 2016

Chasing waterfalls is a bit of  a trend today as most of travel junkies know. When we decided to do a side-trip to Iligan City upon booking our CDO trip, excitement filled me. I made a research and discovered that Iligan has more than 20 unique waterfalls. Thinking of visiting each waterfalls, I tried to do a research about most of the visited ones and made notes for reference.

We arrived in Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan De Oro around 9:00AM and immediately looked for the Super Five shuttle to Iligan. This was the shuttle service that was recommended by our colleague that we reliable and safe. Once you step out of the arrival area of the airport, the different shuttles are very visible. There are vans going to CDO, Agora Market, Iligan City, etc. So, we spotted the the Super Five shuttle to Iligan which cost 150php including a bus transfer.

When we entered the bus, it was spacious and there were a few people on board. (Tip: Seat on the right side to have a view of the sea along the Butuan - Cagayan De Oro - Iligan Road). The ride took us 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Intergrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal was the drop off in Iligan. Having not known the exact ride to our inn, we rode a "taxi" hailed by one of the porter at the terminal. This taxi looked like a private car and has no air condition and has a fixed rate of 100php within the city. In less than 10 minutes, we're at the Staylite Suites where we had a reservation.

The "Reception"

The good thing about Staylite Suites, there are no deposits for reservations. You can just pay upon check-in. We paid 600php for 1 room with a large bed, a bathroom, a small desk and cable TV. That's it.

Forgive me, this shot was taken after our stay and we were no longer able to fix the bed thoroughly. But the bed was prepared neat and clean for us on our arrival.

Anything that you will request has additional charges. Like extra towel, drinking water, etc. They have their list and menu on every room. But if you are just looking for a place to sleep in, this is good enough in a city.

We decided to start our trip after lunch and we decided to just visit 2 waterfalls since we only have the afternoon to wander. We walked a few minutes to the main street to wait for a jeepney (7php) to the city center. From the city center, we rode another jeepney going to Buru-un (11php). Just advise the driver that you will be going to Maria Cristina Falls and they'll drop you at the jump off. (Tip: Seat at the right side of the jeep to have a view of the sea. Landmark is a steel bridge and the entrance is on the left side of the road.)

Entrance to the Nature Park

The jeepney driver dropped us across the road going to Maria Cristina Falls which is inside the National Power Corporation's Nature Park. We paid 45php per person and 50php for our group for the shuttle since they said that the waterfalls is quite far from the entrance,

The shuttle

We stopped by the Botanical & Zoological Gardens first to explore. They have an ostrich, a monkey, birds and a butterfly house plus some plants here. There are also a few patios where you can take a rest and breathe fresh air. After exploring the gardens and taking some pictures. we headed back to the waiting area where our shuttle driver dropped us. We thought that he was the only driver that time for he was also assisting other guests around the park. We waited for about 20 minutes, I guess, until we were fetched. And so, we have reached the viewing point of Maria Cristina Falls and there was a program on-going which was a bad timing. Anyway, seeing the falls gave me a literal "WOW" on my face. The one that I have only read in books is now in front of me. It was massive and the waters coming from above was so strong! No doubt it provides hydroelectric power to almost 70% of Mindanao. Indeed, the second highest waterfalls in the Philippines is Majestic.

The shuttle picked us up at the parking space. As we passed by the waiting shed near the Botanical Gardens, and the guards offered us a ride to Tinago Falls. We grabbed their offer for 75php per person. Well, I can say that this price is reasonable enough because Tinago Falls is quite far from Maria Cristina Falls.

From the main road, the motorcycle turned left leading to a small road towards our destination. (TIP: Your landmark is the small stores like a small market). Once you arrive at the jump off leading to Tinago Falls, you will be welcomed by tour guides that will offer their services. However, as long as you can read signs, you no longer need a guide.

On our case, we were surprised that our guide said that it was mandatory to get a guide. Two of them walked with us to approximately 500 steps down to reach the falls. Be careful because these steps are steep and can be slippery when wet. The number of steps is worth it once you have witnessed the beauty of Tinago Falls.

According to legend, there was a Sultan who lived with his wife. The Sultan's wife, while being pregnant, met a diwata who pretended to be a beggar who asked for help. The wife did not entertain the beggar which made the diwata curse the couple and their child to be ugly. So it came true and the child was named Tin-ag and the couple hid their child inside a cave due to embarrassment. Later on, Tin-ag grew up and met this diwata again and offered her to become something beautiful. She accepted it and from there, she became the Tinago Falls.

Till our next adventure!