Malabsay Falls, Naga City. A falls in the city.

Naga City is the center of commerce in Camarines Sur. This is also known as the heart of Bicol. Naga city is an urban center sprawling with different businesses and different people from the nearby towns and cities. But despite its being urbanized, there is still a place in the city where you can enjoy the beauty of nature. Naga City is at the foot of Mt. Isarog and there are several waterfalls located at the Naga City side of Mt. Isarog National Park. If you’re looking for a place to relax and just feel the cold breeze, green scenery and cool mountain waters, then you’ll need not to look far, because there’s a waterfalls just one ride from the city center.

Malabsay Falls

Malabsay Falls is located in the upper barangay of Naga City. It is located in Barangay Panicuason. This barangay is at the foot of Mt. Isarog National Park. It is about 30 minute jeepney ride from the city center. Barangay Panicuason has several waterfalls but the more famous is Malabsay Falls. There’s also Yabu falls, and Nabuntulan falls. There is also a hotspring near Malabsay Falls. So if you’re tired of swimming from the cold water of Malabsay Falls, then you can go to the hotspring and enjoy its warm water.

Malabsay falls resident

So how do you go to Malabsay Falls? If you don’t have a car then you can ride a jeepney bound for Barangay Panicuason. The jeepney terminal is located near the Naga public market. It is near Metrobank and BPI at Padian Street. The jeepney ride from the city center to Barangay Panicuason is 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Tell the driver that you’re heading to Malabsay Falls and they will drop you off at the Girl Scout camp. If there are only few passengers going to Malabsay Falls, then they will just drop you off at the Mt. Isarog Welcome signage which is a 30 minute walk to the Girl Scout camp. From the Girl Scout Camp you’ll need to hike for about an hour to reach the gate of Mt. Isarog National Park. Of course this will also depend on your phase. Kung mabagal kayo at madalas kayo magpahinga kagaya ko, then more than an hour ang paglalakad nyo.hehehe! There are no guides going to Malabsay Falls, but at the Girl Scout camp there are kids who are more than willing to serve as your guide. They don’t have a rate for their service, so it’s up to you how much you will pay for those kids’ service.

the pool at Malabsay Falls

Anyway, upon reaching the gate of Mt. Isarog National Park, you will need to register and pay an entrance fee of 10 pesos. Sometimes, the gatekeeper is staying at a house near the GSP camp so you’ll be ask to pay even before reaching the gate. You might sometimes think that they are extorting you kasi tatawagin ka lang nila at sasabihin na magbayad ka ng 10 pesos. But don’t worry, they are legal, and to make sure that they are also the legal collector ask for a receipt, usually they will give you this small stamp-like paper with the face amount of 10 pesos with the naga city seal. You can also ask for their ID’s since they always wear there IDs.

Malabsay Falls

So after paying the fee at the gate, you turn right to go to Malabsay Falls. If you go left, that’s the trail to the summit and to Nabuntulan Falls. There are concrete staircase leading to Malabsay Falls but most of it are already damaged. The walk from the gate to Malabsay falls is about 15 to 20 minutes. Again, it depends on your phase. Siempre kasama na jan ang pagpapapicture at sightseeing so malamang aabutin kayo ng more than 30 minute sa paglalakad.heheh! The waters at Malabsay Falls is ice-cold. It’s very cold that if you’re not used to swimming in a cold water, you’ll be experiencing muscle cramps. Please be also aware that the pool in Malabsay Falls are deep so if you’re not a good swimmer, better stay at the shallow part of the pool or better cling like a monkey to that mossy rock.hahaha! There are no facilities at Malabsay Falls, no cottages and no store to buy foods so better bring your own food before going to the falls.

Santan flower

After swimming at the falls, if you still have time, how about go to the hotspring nearby. The hotspring is about 2 hours of walk from Malabsay Falls. This is located near the Mt. Isarog welcome signage. Jeepneys pass at the entrance gate when you’re going to the GSP camp and Malabsay Falls. Oh, by the way, on your way to Malabsay Falls, you’ll also pass a resort near the GSP camp. It’s called the Stonehouse Resort. You will mistakenly identify that as a resthouse but it is a resort, however, you’ll need to call and make a reservation at the resort before going there.  The last trip of jeepney going to downtown Naga City is 4pm so better leave Malabsay Falls before 3 pm so that you’ll be able to make it to the last trip of the jeepney. So this summer season, may you enjoy the beauty and coolness of Naga City’s Malabsay Falls.

If you’re coming from Manila:

There are daily flights from Manila to Naga. The plane lands at Naga Airport which is located at the Municipality of Pili. The airport is about 30 minutes bus ride to Naga City. There are also regular bus trip from Manila to Naga City. The travel time for bus is 8 to 10 hours. The PNR train also serve the Manila-Naga City route. The travel time is 12 hours. Upon arrival at Naga City, just tell the driver that you’re going to the Panicuason jeepney terminal. The minimum tricycle fare is 8 pesos.  If you’re coming from Naga City Bus terminal or SM Naga, the fare is also 8 pesos.