Pagsanjan Hotels

Staying at a hotel in Pagsanjan, Laguna means more than just spending a calming vacation close to the famous Pagsanjan Falls. This municipality also offers nature adventures and the warm hospitality of its locals. Read up on the spots you shouldn’t miss when you visit the place.

Pagsanjan in Laguna, Philippines is well-known for the falls that bears its name. Just a few short hours from Manila, this lush weekend destination offers a clean, quiet air that will clear your mind of the city’s noise and the worries of urban living.

How to Go

By land transportation

Pagsanjan is just a three- to four-hour bus ride from Manila, depending on the traffic. From Cubao or Buendia, you can take a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Once you’re there, simply take a jeep to Pagsanjan.

Getting Around

Tricycles are the main mode of transportation in town. But if you’re planning to visit Pagsanjan Falls, you have the option of going by boat from Pagsanjan or taking a jeep and a tricycle to Cavinti and rappelling/trekking your way down to the famed body of water.

Tourist Attractions

The celebrated Pagsanjan Falls is actually located in Cavinti, but the most popular way of accessing it is by ‘shooting the rapids’ from Pagsanjan. This route requires a boat and 2 skilled boatmen and costs about P1,250 per person. That amount covers a round-trip boat ride, entrance fees, and the use of life vests. A cheaper alternative would be taking a jeep to Cavinti, then a tricycle to Pueblo El Salvador Nature Park and Picnic Grove, and finally descending to the falls from there.

While the waterfall is certainly the town’s most famous destination, it is not the only tourist magnet in the area. Pagsanjan Falls is surrounded by a lush forest with rich flora and fauna. In addition to that, you can also take pictures at the town’s historic arch, Pagsanjan Arch, which is made of adobe, lime, and carabao milk. Near this structure is the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church, so you might as well swing by to pay your respects and take pictures.

Top Things to Do

If you believe that it’s the journey that matters in the end, then you’ll have a great time going to Pagsanjan Falls. Taking the boat to the falls allows you to explore the canyon formed by the river and the green forest that surrounds the said canyon. Also, reaching the falls by boat is very relaxing, and passing through 14 rapids on your way back to the drop off point can give you quite a thrill.

But if you’re on a budget, the land route from the Cavinti drop off point will suit you better. This path offers lush sights, too, but it’s more physically demanding than jumping on a boat and watching your boatmen paddle upstream. The Cavinti way includes trekking and rappelling down steep ladders and stairs. Also, you have to take note that the most challenging part of your journey will be climbing up the same stairs once you’ve had your fill of the falls.

Regardless of the route you plan on taking, the road to Pagsanjan Falls is filled with lovely sceneries that will serve as perfect backdrops for videos and selfies.

Where to Eat

It is important to know that there are no snack bars or restaurants near the falls, so you better eat your fill before your excursion. Pagsanjan’s town center has fast food outlets where you can eat your favorite guilty pleasures. Before you leave the municipality, make sure you also try Laguna delicacies like espasol, buko pie, and bibingka de macapuno. These sweets are not only good for snacking; they also make for perfect souvenirs that you can give to your loved ones back at home.

Nightlife

Pagsanjan is a pretty quiet place and there’s not a lot to see here after sunset. Your best bet for an exciting night out would be to book a Pagsanjan hotel with an in-house bar and restaurant.

Where to Stay

Most of the hotels in Pagsanjan offer rooms with no frills, which can be quite nice if you’re only in the area to experience the majestic Pagsanjan Falls. For a convenient weekend R&R, choose to stay at Casa Del Rio Resort and enjoy easy access to the resort’s bar, spa, pool, karaoke, and tour services. 818 Lodging House, on the other hand, offers a more basic accommodation for as low as P800 per night for 2 persons.

Travel Tips

• Prepare to get wet. Make sure that your gadgets have waterproof casing so you can use them to take pictures while at the falls or during the boat ride.

• Pack a bit of food before you head to the falls, but make sure pick up all your trash before you leave.

• If you’re considering using the Cavinti route, make sure you’re fit enough to rappel and trek down steep stairs and ladders.