Date of trip: February 13, 2016
Date of trip: February 13, 2016

Within the Mounts Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape, another paradise , the enchanting Bukal Falls, awaits people who are longing to escape from the pressures of their daily activities. The waterfalls is given the name bukal (Tagalog word for spring) since it is located in Barangay Bukal in Majayjay, Laguna. Although there are some claims that the waterfalls is located within the boundaries of the municipality of Liliw, where it is called by the locals as Kilangin or Maimpis Falls, you could actually confirm that it is indeed within the jurisdiction of the local government of Majayjay by plotting its coordinates in Google Earth.

Along the start of the trail, you can see various kinds of crops planted by the locals, such as tomatoes, and bitter gourds. As you go along the trail, you will notice that the vegetation cover is still pretty good in spite the fact that there is an increase in the number of people visiting the area.

When we went to the area, we were able to reach the location of the waterfalls in just around 30 minutes. Since it was our first time to visit the area, we were really captivated by its magnificence. The whole place was really like a playground of fairies; the water was bluish in color, the boulders were covered with mosses, and the whole place was covered with thick vegetation. Just like in Taytay Falls, which is within the same municipality, the water here is really cold, which makes the place perfect for a summer get away.

Since we wanted to visit Taytay Falls as well, we opted to stay in Bukal Falls for just around an hour. Also, the crowd was getting thicker. So, after we took some Instagram-worthy photos, we decided to head to Barangay Taytay.

When we left, we took nothing but pictures, we left nothing but memories.

Additional notes:

  • Camping is not allowed near the waterfalls.
  • Comfort room is not also available within the area of the waterfalls, but it is available at the barangay hall (registration area).
  • The locals built a bamboo bridge so that visitors can cross the river without getting their feet soaked in water.
  • Food stalls and sari-sari stores are available near the registration area.
  • The trail is established, however, there are portions that are slippery, especially during wet season.
  • Since the trail is easy, you could actually visit other nearby tourist destinations such as Taytay Falls (READ: Taytay Falls in Majayjay, Laguna: An Escape from Heat) and go tsinelas buying in Liliw (READ: Liliw, Laguna: More than A Tsinelas Capital).
  • Pls follow the instructions given by the guides; it is for your own safety.
  • Always be reminded of a simple rule: garbage in, garbage out. Help in protecting and conserving our environment.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to send my sincerest gratitude to the people who were with me during this trip.

My Majayjay chasing waterfalls buddies
My Majayjay chasing waterfalls buddies

 

Travel Guide    
Route Mode of Transportation Estimated Travel Time
DLTB/HM Bus Terminal (Cubao) to Sta Cruz, Laguna (Pagsawitan*) Bus (Sta Cruz Bound)* 3 hours
Pagsawitan to Majayjay (Poblacion) Jeep (Majayjay Bound) 45 minutes
Poblacion to Bukal (Barangay Hall/ Registration Area) Tricycle 15 minutes
Barangay Halls to Bukal Falls Foot 45 minutes

 

Estimated Budget (in Pesos)  
Transportation (one-way)  
Cubao to Sta Cruz, Laguna (Pagsawitan*) 149
Pagsawitan to Majayjay (Poblacion) 35
Poblacion to Bukal (Barangay Hall/ Registration Area) 25
   
Registration Fee 20
   
Tour Guide 300
   
Parking fee 30

 

Here are some photos during our Bukal Falls adventure:

the Barangay Hall of Bukal that serves as the registration area
the Barangay Hall of Bukal that serves as the registration area
one of the barangay officials that take care of the registration of the visitors
one of the barangay officials that take care of the registration of the visitors
a very humble house along the trail
a very humble house along the trail
start of our walk, just few steps away from the registration area
start of our walk, just few steps away from the registration area
start of the non-concrete portion of the trail
start of the non-concrete portion of the trail
tomatoes wonderfully planted
tomatoes wonderfully planted
the trail is starting to get narrow at this point
the trail is starting to get narrow at this point
going deeper into the forest
going deeper into the forest
be sure to be extra careful when walking along the slippery portions of the trail
be sure to be extra careful when walking along the slippery portions of the trail
one of the small waterfalls along the trail
one of the small waterfalls along the trail
posing with mini waterfalls
posing with mini waterfalls
crossing the river through the bamboo bridge
crossing the river through the bamboo bridge
a very clear water flowing in the river
a very clear water flowing in the river
be sure to be extra careful when walking along the slippery portions of the trail
be sure to be extra careful when walking along the slippery portions of the trail
large roots that enveloped a boulder
large roots that enveloped a boulder
IMG_1953
Bukal Falls at a glance
the natural pool that look ed like a public swimming pool because of the thickness of the crowd
the natural pool that look ed like a public swimming pool because of the thickness of the crowd
the waterfalls from a different perspective
the waterfalls from a different perspective, still with many photobombers
on our way back
on our way back
IMG_1952
Date of trip: February 13, 2016