I’ve wanted to visit the spectacular hot spring of Cebu, for it is so rare to have something like this here. Considering that there are no active volcanoes visible anywhere in Cebu, it really gives you the question, “how?” But since there was a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that shook Bohol and Cebu last October, the hot spring pool was damaged and was closed for the meantime.
However, it still didn’t stop my desire to try it out. I also just discovered that there’s a not-so-known waterfall below the spring, and the good thing is that I recently had this kind of bucket-list-thing to visit all (though not really all) falls in Cebu province.
So together with my friends, off we went to explore Catmon!
Located in Catmon, northern province of Cebu, let’s visit Esoy Hot Spring and the Ka-tingo Falls.
How to Get There?
Take a bus in North Bus, either for Daan Bantayan or Hagnaya. Either way, you’ll pass Catmon anyway. Just tell Mr. Konduktor to drop you off at Catmon’s Municipality and shwala—you’re there.
Take a habal-habal for 25 pesos and ask the driver to take you to Esoy Hot Spring; they’ll surely know what to do next.
The photo says it all: NO BOOKING, NO ENTRY! Entrance fee below:
- 350 pesos/pax for below 10 pax
- 150 pesos/pax for 10 pax and above (Pinoys only)
The entrance fee, by the way, includes a tour guide (for trekking to the falls).
Just a tip: bring your own food because they serve expensive meals.
Once you reach the place, it will depend on you if you want to start with the hot spring or start trekking immediately. In our case, we went trekking first since it was our main goal in Catmon.
Before starting to trek, you’ll have to wear a life vest for safety purposes since the water you’ll have to traverse is so effin’ deep.
You’ll also have to cross the hanging bridge, which is literally hanging, unlike other hanging bridges that don’t even hang.
But don’t worry because Ian, our guide, will go with you throughout the journey.
It was fun, though scary at first. Anyway, if there’s any chance you’ll fall, take the opportunity to dive into the 20-ft deep water below. Hahaha.
And so the trekking begins…..
Sweating makes me so happy!
The trek will take 5–10 minutes depending on how fast you climb up those gigantic boulders. In our case, it took us 15 minutes or more since I enjoyed taking some photos using my GoPro. Who wouldn’t want to document this kind of beauty, right?
We already heard the sound of the waterfalls, but before reaching the big basin, you’ll have to swim through 15–20 ft deep water twice. Don’t be afraid because the life jacket is there to save your life. LOL.
And tsaaaaaaaaaaadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! We reached the falls already.
FYI: Ka-tingo falls is 150ft deep!! So that explains the life vests.
The first thing we did was feed the fish. Yep, you read that right. We fed some fish in the waterfalls, and you’ll really enjoy it because they’re not afraid of people! Just stand in the water and throw some bread and they’ll go for it in just a second.
We weren’t able to take photos of all the fish, but there’s one fish that’s so big it will really make you panic a little every time it approaches to eat the bread! Hahaha.
After fish feeding, Ian asked us to go to the “mini” cave, which is located just behind the falls. And again, you’ll have to swim.
Off to the mini cave…
And here we are….
And then we started playing under the falls….
After all the fun, the guide said to jump from the falls and I was so excited that everything inside me started to freak out from happiness! heuheuheu
BUT of course, it’s not that easy. First, you’ll have to climb up the cliff for you to get to the mouth of the falls.
It looks so easy but no it’s not. You’ll have to climb a cliff at a nearly 90-degree angle, and all you can hold onto are roots and stones. However, it doesn’t take as long as Budlaan.
Then you’ll have to climb down…
On your way to the mouth of the falls, you’ll also encounter mini falls. Brian was enjoying it way too much. Look at all the drama on his face. Nyahehehe, peace Bri.
And so the moment of truth is here ….. *drum roll* to try cliff/waterfalls jumping.
So it was almost lunchtime, and our rumbling stomachs reminded us. We decided to say goodbye to this mystical place and head back to the starting point.
While dipping into the spring, we we’re also enjoying chatting with our 2 bottle of RH beers.
FYI: The reason for the hot spring is obviously because of the volcano. The good thing is that it’s inactive. However, no one knows exactly where it is located. There are also 2 hot springs in the southern province of Cebu.
After an hour of dipping into the hot water, we decided to go home and call it a day.
Tired but had super fun.
