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Shooting the Rapids to Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna

Pagsanjan, famous for shooting the rapids of Pagsanjan Falls, is separated from Tutubi's hometown Paete by the towns of Lumban, famous for barong (formal wear of Filipinos), and the sleepy town of Kalayaan. The town got it's name from the word Pinagsangahan which means "a place where branch off" due to the town's location of the branch of theroad going to Lumban to the left and Luisiana (Cavinti and Lucban) to the right.

These information and tips on this world-famous destination close to his home for the cheapest tour of Pagsanjan Falls if you're allergic to usual travel packages offered by travel agencies-- the best guide you'll see on the Internet for this famous tourist spot.

Picture of Pagsanjan Falls (right) used with permission from Barok (hey, thanks)

The true name of Pagsanjan Falls is Magdapio Falls and actually located in Cavinti town.

There is a cave behind the waterfalls named Devil's Cave

The river is called Bumbungan river that cuts through a gorge lined with lush vegetation and various small waterfalls.

The 1979 movie Apocalypse Now winner of 1979 Academy Award, Cannes Palme d'Or and Golden Globe winning American film set during the Vietnam War. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starred Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Dennis Hopper, and Robert Duvall. (The surfing scenes were shot on the beaches of Baler, Aurora)

The upstream boat ride takes about an hour while the return trip is just around 45 minutes.

Each boat (banca) sits 4 people, two boatmen with paddles who jump from rocks on the way to steer the boat, and two tourists.

Video of Shooting the rapids from Youtube posted by Botchok27 (apprently from Living Asia Channel) also featuring the town's annual Bangkero Festival

Cost of Pagsanjan Falls boat ride rate:

PhP800.00/head standard rate for local and foreign tourists
P90 to board the raft that'll take you to the falls itself

*There are also "optional" tips asked by boatmen and the ones manning the raft at the waterfalls (that gives you some sort of spa/hydro massage treatment)

fare as of April 2009:
P130.50 fare from Cubao to Sta. Cruz (HM Transport)
P123.00 fare from Taft/Gil Puyat to Sta Cruz (Green Star)

P7.50 jeepney fare from Sta Cruz to Pagsanjan
P50 tricycle fare from Sta Cruz to Pagsanjan should you not take the jeepney

Commute time from Cubao to Pagsanjan via air-conditioned buses and the short jeepney ride is around 3 hours.

Map of Pagsanjan is available here

Important Telephone Numbers:

Pagsanjan Police Station +63.49.808.4045; +63.49.821.0422
Tourism & Cultural Development Office +63.49.808.3544

Christian General Hospital +63.49.808.4051
Dr. Guillermo Chin Medical Clinic +63.49.808.4812
Pagsanjan Medical Clinic, Inc. +63.49.808.4228

Banks, ATM and Money changers:

There are no ATMs in Pagsanjan, the nearest ones are those in neighboring Sta. Cruz town, a short jeepney ride away.
Money changers at resorts/hotels or Pagsanjan Rural Bank and Rural Bank of Paete near the town plaza.

Some resorts and hotels accept Visa, Mastercard credit cards.

Fiesta and Festival:

Town Fiesta is on December 12 in honor of of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the town's patron while there's also the annual Bangkero Festival, schedule varies in April, with boat race, street dancing and other activities.

Tourist Traps and Travel Tips:

You may opt to bring waterproof cameras, or casing to protect your gear. An alternative is to buy disposable film cameras (also waterproof) for less than a thousand pesos. Memories are better preserved in print than nothing at all.

Should you take the bus to Pagsanjan from Cubao or Pasay/Taft, there are times when a man will approach you inside the bus and offer to take you to a resort via a tricycle. Nothing unusual or wrong with this. Tutubi has seen it many times particularly with foreign tourists, usually Koreans. Stiff competition from thousands of licensed boatmen is to blame for incidents like this.

There are large billboards on the highway leading to Pagsanjan reminding you of the standard rates (PhP800 all in) for the boat ride with inclusions plus warnings and important telephone numbers.

Book only with resorts and inns to be safe from "enterprising" people. Don't talk to people offering rates other than the standard price for the boat ride.

Most of the time, you don't need to book a room or check in at a hotel/resort. There are cheap places where you can just rent a locker for a minimal amount that comes with use of a shower after shooting the rapids.

Beware of people offering you boat ride to Pagsanjan Falls far from Pagsanjan. There have been reports of people forced to cough up more money in addition to the standard rate.

There are reports about "optional" tips from boatmen who have their own standard rate. This is bad for tourism in the long run. those boatmen are only thinking about a day's money not knowing such practice can kill the thriving tourism industry just like years ago when "shooting the rapids" was de-listed by the Department of Tourism due to the presence in the past of pedophiles, mainly foreigners, looking for "naked boys swimming" in the area.

If your travel agency has a van waiting for you in Sta. Cruz, chances are there are also police escorts to accompany you to Pagsanjan. It seems local tourism officers pamper tourists but in the process disregard traffic rules thereby relegating ordinary citizens to mere spectators watching policemen blatantly disobey traffic rules just to please foreign tourists.

Where to Stay: Pagsanjan falls Resorts Inns, Lodges, and Hotels:

Pagsanjan falls is just a day tour for most people but if you want to stay for the night, there are many resorts from pricey hotels to cheap inns in town from simple and affordable Bonanza Resort to touristy La Corona de Pagsanjan Hotel. Telephone numbers of resorts and hotels below:

Pagsanjan Rapids Hotel +63.49.808-4181
Pagsanjan Falls Lodge and Summer Resort +63.49.808.4209; +63.49.808.4251
Pagsanjan Garden Resort +63.49.808.4451
La Corona de Pagsanjan Resort Hotel +63.49.808.1752
Pagsanjan Paradise Resort +63.49.808.5494; +63.49.808.5493
La Vista Pagsanjan Resort and Landing Area +63.49.808.1229
Magdapio Hotel, Inc. +63.49.808.4128
Bonanza Landing Area and Restaurant +63.49.821.0409
Camino Real Lodging House +63.49.821.0051; +63.49.821.0016
Tropical Inn and Restaurant +63.49.808.4697; +63.49.808.5677
Rio Vista Lodge Resort +63.49.808.2210
Fresh & Green Lodging House +63.49.808.4498
818 Lodging House +63.49.821.0409
Wendy's Resort +63.49.821.0283
Monetevel Resort & Restaurant +63.49.808.6403

*call the numbers or visit official websites for room rates. No information on cheap accommodations; pictures to follow also.
Source: Pagsanjan Local Government

Where to eat in Pagsanjan:

The ultimate Pagsanjan Restaurant is Jollibee at Pagsanjan Public market on the highway :P
Seriously, mostly on the mainroad, there's 83 Gallery, Binalot sa Dahon Bar and Restaurant, Pansitan sa Plaza Restaurant Dura-Fe Restaurant, Aling Taleng's Halo-halo Since 1933, Calle Arco Cafe and Restaurant, Hana Japanese Restaurant, Yellowbell Deco's Bar Grill and Restaurant Barrio Ihaw-ihaw Restaurant and Videoke, Hidden Garden Restaurant, Ningning's Fastfood Bulalohan, Forplay Bar and Restaurant.

There's also Exotik Restaurant in Kalayaan town or Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Bay.

Tutubi's tip: Look for the matamis na calamansi (sweetened Philippine lemon) at Aling Emma's Kakanin in front of Step Rite footwear store near Pagsanjan church. It's said to be a favorite of the late actor Fernando Poe, Jr. but unknown to most people of Metro Manila.

Other Interesting places to See near Pagsanjan:

Old Churches of Mabitac, Pakil, Paete, Longos (Kalayaan), Cavinti, Majayjay, Pila, Luisiana, Liliw, Magdalena, Nagcarlan.

Old houses and historic square in Pila, Underground Cemetery in Nagcarlan, paper mache and Wood Carvings in Paete, Barong in Lumban, Tsinelas in Liliw, Caliraya Lake, Japanese Garden in Cavinti, kesong puti (white cheese) factory in Sta. Cruz

How to get to Pagsanjan Falls:

Commute: Board a HM Transport bus, with terminal on EDSA, Cubao near Victory Liner, going to Sta. Cruz/Calamba (fare: P130.50) or Green Star Express with terminal on Taft Avenue near corner Gil Puyat (Buendia) and LRT Gil Puyat station (fare: P123.00)
then drop off at the terminal in Pagsanjan. Board a jeepney bound for Pagsanjan, Lumban, Paete or Siniloan then alight at your destination resort or inn.

Driving Directions from Makati: from SLEX take Calamba exit then head straight to Calamba. turn right at Calamba junction and follow this road and highway until you reach Pagsanjan (after Los Banos, Bay, Victoria, Pila, Sta Cruz towns). There's parking inside the Pagsanjan patio or inside your resort/inn of choice.

Directions by car from Quezon City, it's faster to take the Rizal route by going to Marcos Highway, turn right at the junction Masinag Wet and Dry Market, on reaching Antipolo intersection turn left going to Baras (straight ahead leads to Antipolo Church while a right turn leads to Hinulugang Taktak) where you'll pass by Teresa, Morong, Baras, Tanay, and Pililla towns of Rizal province before reaching Laguna towns of Mabitac, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban then finally Pagsanjan. Follow only the highway in getting there where you'll pass the zigzag road of Manila East Road withgreat views of the shimmering Laguna de Bay.

From Lucena and Lucban, Quezon: there are jeepneys plying the route Lucena to Sta. Cruz that pass by Pagsanjan, Cavinti and Luisina. Jumbo jeeps that go to Lucban, Quezon terminal at Pagsanjan town plaza.

Commuting from Cavite: board the Pagsanjan or Sta. Cruz vans at Pala-pala terminal in Dasmarinas, Cavite (near Robinsons Dasmarinas and SM). Board a jeep for Pagsanjan (or Lumban, Paete, Siniloan) or a tricycle to your destination resort.

Bus Companies:

Green Star Express
Terminal: Taft Avenue near corner Gil Puyat, Pasay City (accessible from LRT Buendia)
Route: Pasay Taft/LRT to Sta. Cruz/Calamba, Laguna
Telephone Number: +63.49.808.3172; +63.49.808.3701
First Trip is 4am and last trip at 10pm with trips depart about every 20 minutes (there's no fixed schedule). There's no advance or ticket reservation, just show up at the terminal

HM Transport
Terminal: EDSA Cubao, Quezon City near Victory Liner terminal
route: Cubao, Quezon City to Sta. Cruz/Calamba, Laguna
Contact Number: +63.49.821.0531
First Trip is 4am and last trip at 10pm with trips depart about every 20 minutes. There's no advance or ticket reservation, just show up at the terminal

HM Liner route: Alabang, Muntinlupa to Sta. Cruz/Calamba, Laguna
(note: ordinary buses only)

Bus terminals of the three is in Brgy. Pagsawitan, Pagsanjan, Laguna
(jeepney drivers call the terminal Jam, after Jam Transit. Jam Transit is also the company behind Laguna Trans.)

UPDATED: April 19, 2009

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Southern Tagalog, Travel Guides, Waterfalls

posted by backpacking philippines @ 10:20 PM,

26 Comments:

At 11:22 AM, J said...: wao! this is like the directory of Pagsanjan! i've got a better idea, bring us there yourself =)
At 2:59 PM, Photo Cache said...: wow you changed your format. well, i think there is a need for this now since more and more people can afford to travel.
At 8:58 PM, tutubi philippines said...: ei J, if i can find the time for that.i prefer to explore other places i've never been to :P

photo cache, what format are you referring to?
At 10:24 AM, orange said...: galing! all the things and info for a Pagsanjan escapade are here already :)
the video clip is helpful in getting a glimpse of how enjoyable Pagsanjan trip is going to be.
At 11:31 AM, Sidney said...: Very useful and informative post.

I went once, as a newbie in the Philippines (this was 15 (?) years ago), to a boat ride there.
It was a nightmare... my brother had the same bad experiences a few years later.

Honestly, I will probably never try a boat ride again in Pagsanjan (EVER). By the way, I still see large groups of people jumping at my car if I show the slightest intention to stop in Pagsanjan.

Of course, I am almost a local now ;-) and they would have a hard time to cheat me. Anyway I was there for the Bangkero Festival and I made peace with the people of Pagsanjan;-)
I don't know how it historically grew but those "fixers" and "boat men" are probably the most aggressive in the country.

I won't elaborate too much but I will tell you a funny story.
Fifteen years ago I took the bus from Manila. At the same time a young man boarded the bus. He asked to sit next to me and he started a conversation. Of course I talked to him. When we arrived in Pagsanjan he asked me 500 pesos because I hired him (sic)to be his official guide to Pagsanjan.
And that was just the beginning of my long long nightmare in Pagsanjan...
I could write a novel ! ;-)
At 1:10 PM, tutubi philippines said...: orange, pagnsanjan falls is more of the journey and less of the destination

sidney, thanks for the "short" comment. it's really bad some people think only of the day and not tomorrow by being pesky to tourists.
At 9:57 AM, geri a.k.a. raredog said...: Galing ng site mo bro! Very informative. I will be there at Pagsanjan this coming May 19 at mejo nagre-research then this site comes up. Nice post.
At 12:11 PM, tutubi philippines said...: geri, thanks. hope you enjoy your trip to pagsanjan. do also drop by to my hometown :P
At 5:27 PM, jehan said...: thank you for this wonderful site... my soon to be korean husband is actually nagging me for weeks now about seeing pagsanjan falls-- he heard a lot about it daw from fellow koreans... i kept on telling him i dont know how to get there but he'd often say ""research"".. haha.. thanks a lot...
At 11:55 AM, jehan said...: hi! we went to pagsanjan last saturday and we really had a great time... medyo naturn-off nga lang kami when we got back to the resort coz since foreigner yung kasama ko, we were expected to give a generous tip. however, the companions of our boatmen were forcing us to give more... it was even posted in any wall the local could post that forced tipping is illegal... sa mga foreigners, di naman uso ang tip talaga coz for them, a price is a price... but my fiance has been generous already... but he's still happy coz we really had a great time together...
At 9:16 PM, tutubi philippines said...: jehan, glad to be of help. it warms my heart for you to come back here and leave another comment plus your gratitude.i created this blog just for this purpose
At 3:01 PM, Marvin Alvarez said...: I went to Pagsanjan Falls and it was also a great experience!

The pesky flaggers and boatmen were a nuisance! The boatmen were asking 200 pesos each. Apparently, this has been happening for so long already. I don't think it will be going away anytime soon.
At 7:59 PM, tutubi said...: marvin, those people worry more about day to day earnings but not the damage their "tips" do to the future of their tourism initiatives. turn offs for other people
At 11:42 AM, Richiel said...: hi there! im new in this site..me and my husband want to visit pagsanjan as well..do you guys have any idea how much is the house rent in laguna? like in calamba or bay area? is there a lease like 6 months contract or advance deposit to rent a apartment over..please response..thank you
At 9:22 PM, backpacking philippines said...: richiel, in paete, you can get a nice house with 2 rooms for P2.5k/month but i don't know the rate in calamba, probably more expensive.
At 12:29 PM, Anonymous said...: is lunch included in P660 boat fare?
At 8:38 PM, backpacking philippines said...: anonymous, last week I passed by the town again and saw on the billboard that Pagsanjan falls rates for banca ride is now PhP800.00 per head. And no, it does not include lunch nor your resort/accommodations
At 6:29 PM, Anonymous said...: hi.....

very very informative..... helpful to me who plans to visit overnight May 10.....

we will be coming from villa escudero..... how do i get to pagsanjan???? and travel time please?

thanks

jean
At 10:23 PM, backpacking philippines said...: jean, i suppose you have your own vehicle. to get there, it's best to pass by San Pablo via Calauan town then turn right on the highway going to Sta Cruz then pagsanjan. not much traffic there so i guess around 2 hours is conservative. if you don't have your own car, ride a jeep to san pablo city, transfer to a sta cruz-bound jeep then another short jeepney ride to pagsanjan. 3 hours probably for jeepneys are so unpredictable
At 9:11 PM, D_A said...: Hi..Nice post you have there..What do you think is a better alternative to pagsanjan since i've been seeing a lot of bad feedback about it..
At 8:05 PM, backpacking philippines said...: D_A, i don't know of others like the thrill of it. try white water rafting but that's a different category. Tip really is to get to accredited resorts and hire your boatmen from there. Complain if you found boatmen to overcharge you. Pagsanjan thru Mayor Ejercito should really crack the whip on abusive boatmen or risk tourists avoiding their town
At 8:13 AM, Anonymous said...: This website is really worthwhile. During my college summer vacation at the University of the East in Manila, I used to spend my vacation in Pagsanjan every year. I have the chance to see the Pagsanjan Falls in 1976 and thattime the boat fare was really affordable, around P100.00 and the tip was already included. My late grandmother used to live in front of the church and beside the Pagsanjan River. I want to see the Falls again when I go in July of this year.
Thanks for all the information and comments posted.
At 11:39 PM, Anonymous said...: thank you for this post very helpful!
At 4:30 AM, sherryl miyake said...: hi!i read this site and its very informative!i think someone can help me out,,on june 7,my 4 japanese friends and i are going to hidden valley resort located at alaminos,laguna.its just a day trip and we are planning to stay a night in any hotel near pagsanjan because we wanna experience the shooting the rapids boat ride early in the morning.i checked the la corona de pagsanjan resort but unfortunately they will close the resort starting this june,im really having hard time to book to any acrredited resort near pagsanjan because they dont have their own website,i also called the numbers written from pagsanjan.org but they are all not in service,,can u introduce me to someone who can help me to have a reservation near pagsanjan or any useful contact numbers..kindly response..thanks!
At 4:39 AM, Anonymous said...: can someone help me out?
At 10:35 PM, backpacking philippines said...: sheryl, i'll ask my sister in paete if she can ask around for updated phone numbers. keep your fingers crossed :P

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Shooting the Rapids to Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna

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