rainbow at tinago falls

“Tinago” in Filipino literally means hidden. As the name implies, Tinago falls is concealed. Though standing at 240 ft, one cannot simply just look above the skies to perceive it. Instead, he needs to look down and descend at least 300 steps.

So far in my Philippine travels, I found the Tinago falls the most serene and beautiful of all the waterfalls I’ve seen. I’ve been to Iligan’s Maria Cristina falls, Pagudpud’s Kabigan falls, Samal’s multi-tiered Hagimit falls, Camiguin’s Katibawasan falls, Siquijor’s Kambugahay falls, Bohol’s tiny little falls at the end of the Loboc river and none of them compared to the enigma brought by Tinago falls. Unlike the usual crystal-clear, greenish water of most waterfalls, the water is dark blue. With its deep, blue water, it is almost frightening to swim. Nobody is allowed to swim unless he wears a life vest. Local inhabitants told me that the water is so deep that some English researchers were unable to measure its depth because of its underneath funnel-like shape structure.

tinago falls and the fan-like drops

According to some folklores, a calm water with no leaves atop the water means that a victim would be sucked down and be killed by a sea monster living below. I suppose this tale is true especially if the “victim” is swimming without any life vest. For sure, he’d drown. I have tried to swim in it and it was frightening. If you put your face under and looked below the water, all you could see is darkness… darkness so deep that I thought it would consume me. Oh yeah I’m not claustrophobic but I’m a bit hydrophobic. I’m afraid of water especially if I was unable to step on anything under the water. Swimming in this falls might be more enjoyable if you’re not hydrophobic.

Furthermore, the site is developed as a tourist spot but not to the point where environment is ruined. Although the steps down the falls are cemented, there is a slight possibility that you might encounter wild animals along the way. Though I haven’t encountered any, there are some snakes in the area. Don’t take it as a sign not to visit this falls. Wild animals usually don’t attack. Instead, they stay away from humans, so they are harmless.

Tinago falls is located in Bgy. Ditucalan, Iligan City. Entrance is P10 (2007). Lifevest costs P25.