I am a small town girl who had a few trips with either family or school trips outside the city I was born and raised but set foot further on my own. So finding and falling in love with Tinago Falls with some of my college friends was the start of the itch on my feet that did not go away so quickly. I don’t think it ever will. The site for Star Cinema’s Forever & A Day movie by KC Conception & Sam Mibly wasn’t Ma. Cristina Falls but this other beauty.

Thirteen point eight kilometers away from the city proper this hidden gem is accessible through two points, Brgy. Buruun, Iligan City and its neighboring municipality the Linamon, Lanao Del Norte. Tinago is the local word for hidden. Aptly called so because it is hidden in a deep ravine and to get to it, one has to put his legs muscles to good use with over 400 steps of stair steps. Tinago Falls used to have a resort, mini zoo, playground and vast developed land area for a vacation one would truly enjoy with the family. Unfortunately, the resort has closed down and what is now left is a rundown buildings and cottages structures.

But Tinago Falls is still accessible and open for the public through the old resorts property. You can ask any locals for directions and even be accompanied through overgrown grasses and bushes of the old resorts to the makeshift entrance area for an agreed price or for free!

It’s a 5-10minutes walk through the property and, trust me when I say that you MUST, call a 5-10minute break, before descending down the stair. Trekking down through the side of the mountain requires an approximate of 500 descending steps called the winding staircase. I actually counted them, my count was 425 steps. Unless I missed or counted 1 for two or three. It is worth every sweat drop you’ll have as the falls just simply takes your breath away. 

A required life vest can be rented for fixed price, coming in a colorful hot pink, bright orange and green colors.  You must bring with you your own provisions, there won’t be any stores that may sell anything that you might need. So if you’re planning for a meal, pack one, and pack a good amount of it to satisfy you and your company. When down in the ravine, the signal for cellular connection is weak, from Globe, Smart, Suncellular, and their partner networks. So do make your calls or send texts messages to important people that you may be out of reach for a couple of hours. Pack you cameras with waterproof cases and tripods. The view will definitely take your already breathless breath away.

  • Swim across the water basin to a small cave at the side of the falls. In good weather condition, the current is not strong. But for safety purposes have a couple of strong swimmers with you if you do so.
  • Hop on the bamboo raft for a fixed price to get you near the waterfalls, and have someone with good zoom in lenses to take the pictures of you for printed memories if you do not have waterproof camera.
  • Always observe courtesy all the time, to locals and to what locals believe.
  • If you brought a lot of food with you to consume, share it to the ones who watches over the property. There is this guy and some kids who stay there and make a living keeping you safe. 

DIRECTIONS | How to get to Tinago Falls, Iligan City


Here is location of Tinago Falls on the Google map: Tinago Falls Map

  • From Iligan City Proper to Tinago Falls:
    • Public Jeepney: Brgy. Buru-un Line
      • Fare: ~15Php/person one way
    • Take the Habal-Habal/
      • Fare: 35Php/person one way
    • Public Utility Vehicles: Taxi
      • Fare: 250-350Php, depends on agreed rate with the driver

Other Fees and Expenses:

  • Regular: None.
  • Life Jacket Rental (required): 25Php
  • Cottages/Tables: 50Php
  • Bamboo Raft Ride Fee: 10Php/person

*****Post Date: June 2011; Updated: March 2014
*****Fees may change depending on approved rates

Other waterfalls you might want to check out while in Iligan City:

Seeing the Majestic Ma. Cristina Falls of Iligan City 
Finding Adventure in Tinago Falls
The Breathtaking Limunsudan Falls
A Familiar & Humble Mimbalot Falls
The Graceful Hindang Falls Hindang Falls
Unexpected Hike to Kalubihon Falls Kalubihon Falls
Lunch hike to Dodiongan Falls
Somewhat Secret Pampam Falls
Small And Simple Dalipuga Falls Dalipuga Falls