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First stop of our Northern Mindanao tour in 2016 with Team Basti!



Stepping onto the rim overlooking Tinago Falls is like entering a hidden amphitheater carved by nature.


A 500-step zigzag staircase—shaded by towering dipterocarp trees—leads you deep into a moss-clad ravine.

At the bottom, the falls burst forth in a semicircle of veils, each curtain of water cascading from 73 m above into a jade-green basin so still it mirrors the cliffs. 


My heart raced at the sight: the water’s surface shimmered under shafts of sunlight, and a fine mist hung in the air, cooling our heated climb down.

Below are the essentials to plan your own adventure, plus a handful of nearby gems worth exploring.


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Entrance & Rental Fees


Entrance fee: ~ ₱10–65 per person (subject to updates)

Cottage/table rental: ₱100–300

Life jacket rental: ₱10–50

Bamboo raft (optional): ₱15–20

Parking (motorcycle): ~ ₱20


Bring small bills—fees are collected at different stations.




How to Get to Tinago Falls

Tinago Falls is located in Barangay Ditucalan, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. It's an easy drive or commute away from the city proper.

Even if you have your own van (as we did), here’s the usual route:

Cagayan de Oro to Iligan City:
  • Bus/van: ₱120–150, ~ 2 hours.
  • Private vehicle: Take the coastal highway west toward Iligan.

Iligan City proper to Barangay Buru-un:
  • Jeepney: ₱20–25, get off at the Maze Resort junction.

Maze Resort to Tinago Falls:
  • Habal-habal (motorbike): Round-trip ~ ₱100.
  • Walk: You can also trek the final 1 km on foot, watching the forest canopy deepen.


From Linamon, the road is even smoother if you prefer that approach. Total travel time from CDO: about 3 hours including transfers.



Things to Do at Tinago Falls


Swim in the emerald pool: The basin is surprisingly deep; life jackets are mandatory for non‐swimmers.

Cliff jumping: Our friend took the plunge from a sandstone ledge on the left—heart-pounding fun!

Bamboo rafting: Drift toward the base of the cascade and let the mist envelop you.

Photography: Every angle reveals a new cascade or hidden nook—sunlight through mist often yields rainbows.

Nature meditation: Sit on a riverside boulder and simply absorb the roar of water and birdsong.





Nearby Tourist Spots


Maria Cristina Falls
The iconic “Twin Falls” powering Iligan’s hydroelectric plant; an easy 10 min drive from Tinago.

Timoga Cold Springs
A series of man-made basins with glacial-cold water, perfect for cooling off on the way back.

Mimbalot Falls
A multi‐tiered cascade hidden in lush woodland; less crowded and about 20 km northeast.

Binangawan Falls
A secluded twin waterfall spot north of Iligan, great for picnics and shallow swimming.


Tinago Falls remains one of my most vivid travel memories—its emerald basin, cavern echo, and the sheer scale of cascading walls. Whether you arrive by van or public transport, be ready to surrender to the falls’ raw beauty and to carve out your own hidden-falls story. Enjoy every step of the journey down… and even more, the splash when you hit that cool jade water!


Team Basti in Northern Mindano

This is part of our Northern Mindanao Trip in 2016. Here are the major destinations we visited during our 4-day trip to the region:

TINAGO FALLS: A Hidden Gem in Iligan City


First stop of our Northern Mindanao tour in 2016 with Team Basti!



Stepping onto the rim overlooking Tinago Falls is like entering a hidden amphitheater carved by nature.


A 500-step zigzag staircase—shaded by towering dipterocarp trees—leads you deep into a moss-clad ravine.

At the bottom, the falls burst forth in a semicircle of veils, each curtain of water cascading from 73 m above into a jade-green basin so still it mirrors the cliffs. 


My heart raced at the sight: the water’s surface shimmered under shafts of sunlight, and a fine mist hung in the air, cooling our heated climb down.

Below are the essentials to plan your own adventure, plus a handful of nearby gems worth exploring.


Loading...

Entrance & Rental Fees


Entrance fee: ~ ₱10–65 per person (subject to updates)

Cottage/table rental: ₱100–300

Life jacket rental: ₱10–50

Bamboo raft (optional): ₱15–20

Parking (motorcycle): ~ ₱20


Bring small bills—fees are collected at different stations.




How to Get to Tinago Falls

Tinago Falls is located in Barangay Ditucalan, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. It's an easy drive or commute away from the city proper.

Even if you have your own van (as we did), here’s the usual route:

Cagayan de Oro to Iligan City:
  • Bus/van: ₱120–150, ~ 2 hours.
  • Private vehicle: Take the coastal highway west toward Iligan.

Iligan City proper to Barangay Buru-un:
  • Jeepney: ₱20–25, get off at the Maze Resort junction.

Maze Resort to Tinago Falls:
  • Habal-habal (motorbike): Round-trip ~ ₱100.
  • Walk: You can also trek the final 1 km on foot, watching the forest canopy deepen.


From Linamon, the road is even smoother if you prefer that approach. Total travel time from CDO: about 3 hours including transfers.



Things to Do at Tinago Falls


Swim in the emerald pool: The basin is surprisingly deep; life jackets are mandatory for non‐swimmers.

Cliff jumping: Our friend took the plunge from a sandstone ledge on the left—heart-pounding fun!

Bamboo rafting: Drift toward the base of the cascade and let the mist envelop you.

Photography: Every angle reveals a new cascade or hidden nook—sunlight through mist often yields rainbows.

Nature meditation: Sit on a riverside boulder and simply absorb the roar of water and birdsong.





Nearby Tourist Spots


Maria Cristina Falls
The iconic “Twin Falls” powering Iligan’s hydroelectric plant; an easy 10 min drive from Tinago.

Timoga Cold Springs
A series of man-made basins with glacial-cold water, perfect for cooling off on the way back.

Mimbalot Falls
A multi‐tiered cascade hidden in lush woodland; less crowded and about 20 km northeast.

Binangawan Falls
A secluded twin waterfall spot north of Iligan, great for picnics and shallow swimming.


Tinago Falls remains one of my most vivid travel memories—its emerald basin, cavern echo, and the sheer scale of cascading walls. Whether you arrive by van or public transport, be ready to surrender to the falls’ raw beauty and to carve out your own hidden-falls story. Enjoy every step of the journey down… and even more, the splash when you hit that cool jade water!


Team Basti in Northern Mindano

This is part of our Northern Mindanao Trip in 2016. Here are the major destinations we visited during our 4-day trip to the region:
Iligan City Lanao Del Norte Nature Philippines Team Basti Tourist Spot Travel Waterfalls Wow

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