HAGIMIT FALLS OF THE ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL

Location: Penaplata District, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, Philippines

Hagimit Falls of the Island Garden City of Samal

I started my day waking up from a soundly sleep in Homitori, a very affordable and clean accommodation in Davao City located at F. Bangoy Street corner Sta. Ana Avenue, Poblacion District. Imagine, I only paid P220 per night for my stay. (Note: rates may change without prior notice and thus, it is important to contact them prior to your booking reservation). Male and female accommodations are in separate buildings. Included in what I paid were the breakfast which is served from 6:30 – 10:00 A.M.; common study and dining room; guests lounge to watch TV or entertain visitors, spacious comfort rooms and bathrooms with 20 cubicles; free use of the gym, Wi-Fi, laundry and drying room and locker. There are two double beds in every room with a maximum capacity of four persons. I was lucky that I only have one roommate in my room.

The catch basin which serves as the swimming and diving area

In going to Hagimit Falls, I just walked from Homitori because the Island City Express Bus Terminal is just three blocks away and it is also along F. Bangoy Street. I boarded the bus and it took us around 10 minutes to reach Sasa Wharf where vehicles and buses board a ferry boat to cross to Samal Island. It could have been faster, if I board a jeepney going to Sta. Ana wharf and take a motorized boat to cross to Samal island for 10 minutes and from there take a habal-habal ride to the drop-off point of Hagimit Falls. Another habal-habal (single motor cycle) can take you to Hagimit Falls entrance for registration. You have to haggle for the fare rate. I find the habal-habal drivers honest.

The drop-off point to the falls

Our group of three: Teresa Corpuz, Anamarie Supremo and I, actually boarded an Island City Express Bus and included in our fare is ferry boat fare in crossing from Sasa Wharf to Samal Island. From the drop-off point, we decided to just walk which took us around 15 minutes to the resort's entrance.

The resort's entrance

We paid P50 per head for entrance fee as adults, while senior citizens are charged P40. On the other hand, kids ranging from 3 to 7 years old are charged with P25 entrance.

The concrete trail going down to the water falls

From the entrance, one has to walk for around 5 minutes. The trail is concrete and flat. However, as you almost reach the falls, the trail consisting of concrete steps is already descending.

One of the local food sold inside the resort: steamed cassava local puto

There are a lot of variety of cold drinks, snacks and packed meals you can buy at the resort but I preferred to buy the local delicacies which I showed here as described in four pictures.

pounded steamed sweetened cassava with a margarine topping

Rice cakes (bibingka), sliced buco pie and empanada

Suman cassava or Iraid in Waray dialect

Visitors can also bring their food and they do not have to pay for corkage. There are also carts selling food near the cottages around the swimming area.

Tall trees serve as a canopy giving shade to the visitors

Obviously, the area has been developed already for you can see a few parts of it are concrete. However, as a whole, its natural beauty in the midst of forest paradise is still there.

The trail connecting to the swimming area

The resort's marker

Just one of the swimming areas

Standing along cascading low-level water falls

CHEAPEST BUT CLEAN AND AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION IN DAVAO CITY

Homitori
Contact Number(s):
Landlines: +63(82)295-2969 |+63(82)295-2971
Mobile: +63(922)8994646 |+63(922)8541127
Email Address: homitoridvo@gmail.com
Website: Homitori
Facebook: Homitori FB

HOW TO GO THERE

Using a reference point of Manila, the following are the options on how to get there.

Manila (Pasay) to Davao City trips, have the following common options:

1. Philtranco Airconditioned bus is P2,675 per head while Non-Aircon is P2,265. It is a 2 day trip and you will pass by at least 13 provinces in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. The bus boards a ferry ship from Matnog (Sorsogon) still a part of Luzon and another in Liloan Port of Panaon Island in Southern Leyte to Lipata Port in Surigao City

2. Taking an airplane by promo airfare from Manila to Davao City will be more convenient for one hour and 10 minutes only.

3. Take a Superferry from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City, and from there take a bus going to Davao City.

4. Travel 2Go Passenger ship to Cebu City and avail of the promo airfares from Cebu City to Davao City.

Davao City to Hagimit Falls

You can take a jeepney from the airport and ask to be dropped off in front of the Bureau of Fire Protection where you can wait for a bus that can take you directly to Samal. Fare for the bus includes the barge/ferry fee. Upon arriving in Poblacion Penaplata, ride a habal-habal that can take you directly to Hagimit Falls. From that drop off point, motorcycles are also available for hire for a higher price. It takes at least 10 minutes until you reach the entrance of the falls.

If you decide to take the taxi, ask the taxi to drop you off at the Sasa Wharf. From there, ride the barge that will bring you to then in Babak, ride a bus going to the city proper of Samal. And when you arrive at the city proper, you can now rent a habal – habal or a motorcycle that can take you to Hagimit Falls.

The transport we used to Hagimit Falls is different because we originated from Homitori in Sta. Ana where it is just a walking distance from the Island City Express Bus Terminal, only 10 minutes drive to Sasa Wharf.