Casaroro Falls: Embracing The Unscripted And Unfiltered Moments

The Universe sometimes feels like a mischievous child who constantly messes up your plans. You think you’ve everything figured out. You have polished your itinerary, charged all your batteries, and even prepared snacks for your trip. But then, in a strange poetic way, the Universe flips your script, turning a well-planned trip into something unexpected and uncomfortable. And that’s where the real adventure begins. And as we explored Casaroro Falls, I was reminded of how fascinatingly wild and unpredictable travel can be.

Casaroro Falls was, by far, the highlight of our recent Dumaguete trip. 

With its enchanting scenery and impressive size, Casaroro Falls in Valencia left me speechless and in awe.

Furthermore, getting to this waterfall was the epitome of a pleasant surprise and an unexpected adventure.

But before I chronicle my journey to this hidden waterfall, let me take you to the near end of my quick weekend adventure.

My Casaroro Falls adventure 

Day 2 at 10:30 AM: Bound for Cebu

Dumaguete was an absolute blast.

From the serene lakeshores of Balinsasayao to the candy-colored buildings of Tierra Alta, this quick weekend trip was filled with jaw-dropping sights.

And how can I forget the insanely fun hike to Casaroro Falls, Negros Oriental?

After a quick bus ride from Ceres Terminal, we boarded a ferry in Tampi that would take us to Bato, Cebu. 

And it was like any Sunday morning in the Philippines.

It felt slow-paced, sunny, and somewhat relaxing.

Everything seemed to be going well on our way to Cebu.

I thought it would all be naps, recalls, and laughter on our way back to my home city.

But I was wrong.

The Universe had other plans, and boy it did test the patience of some people on our bus ride to Cebu.

And somehow, it reminded me of our Casaroro Falls, Dumaguete adventure.

Day 1 at around 7 AM: Dumaguete 

I made some changes to our Dumaguete itinerary.

A day before our trip, I asked our guide to include Casaroro Falls and Balinsasayao Twin Lakes in our tour.

I don’t mind missing a couple of selfie spots or souvenir stores on any tour.

But mountains, lakes, and waterfalls?

I wouldn’t miss them for the world.

These natural wonders are therapeutic and are food for my soul.

They have a magical way of lifting my spirit and calming my mind. 

Every time I explore a natural wonder, it feels like my mind gets a breather from the chaos and constant noise of modern life.

The green spaces, stunning views, and fresh air always pull me into the moment, melting all my worries and stress away.

And the best part is, studies show that Mother Nature’s masterpieces lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and boost your mood.

After meeting our guide at the Dumaguete Boulevard, we wasted no time, and headed straight to the first stop of our Dumaguete tour: Balinsasayao Twin Lakes.

The road to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes was long, scenic, and a bit steep.

Along the way, we were amazed by the gorgeous views of Negros Island’s neighbor, Cebu.

Afterward, we explored the stunning lakes of the area and went to a unique museum with an intriguing collection of vintage items.

Soon after, we took a trip to the next stop of our day tour in Negros Oriental: Casaroro Falls.

Day 2 at 12:31 PM: Somewhere in Oslob 

I don’t get a lot of sleep these days.

The daily pressures and stress of modern life have f*cked up my already poor sleeping patterns.

And long bus rides like this are a treat for me since they amazingly give me time to rest and catch some of z’s.

I relished every minute of our downtime as we traveled from Bato, Cebu.

I was in dreamland, reliving some of the glorious moments of my recent adventures across the Philippines.

It was all smooth and calm, until…

Bang!

What the f*ck was that?

What on earth just happened?

My friend said an accident happened.

So, I opened my eyes, with my vision still blurry and hazy.

I took a peek outside to see if my initial assumption was right.

There was nothing.

I couldn’t see any debris, fallen motorist, or any sign of a vehicular accident.

Then, I heard a series of loud beeps, as our bus rider furiously pounds on the horn.

Everyone looked pissed and worried.

And I can’t blame them.

Some have flights later that day, and others have other commitments in Cebu City.

We were stuck, but somehow, the wait felt familiar, like a déjà vu of Casaroro Falls. 

The waterfall had tested our patience just as this unexpected delay was doing now. 

Travel loves to flip your script. 

It reminds you that you’re not always in control, and that’s where the adventure begins.

I looked over at my niece, who hadn’t even frowned during the chaos. Maybe she was learning, like I once did, that these hiccups are the seasoning of every trip. 

They push you, humble you, and ultimately teach you something new. 

And in the end, they’re the moments you’ll talk about the most.

Proud, I faced her, and said, “Embrace these unexpected moments, Child. They are the spice and seasoning to every adventure.”

Day 1 at around 11:00 AM: Entrance to Casaroro Falls

Go at your own risk.

That was what the receptionist told us as we inquired about the fees for Casaroro Falls.

She informed us that we would have to cross raging streams three times and that the water levels were high and strong. 

Moreover, she told us that the footbridge was recently destroyed due to the typhoon that passed by the country a day ago.

Proud and slightly arrogant, I said to myself, “Is that all? I have survived the top 5 highest mountains in the Philippines. I’m sure a short waterfall hike wouldn’t be much of a problem.”

Despite all the warnings the receptionist said, we were all willing to push through with our Casaroro Falls hike.

There was no hint of hesitation at all.

What could go wrong?

If everything the lady said was true, then this short trip would be one satisfying adventure.

I know it was a little risky.

But isn’t that what adventure is all about?

Risks and unexpected moments are the spices for every trip.

They turn any ordinary trip into an extraordinary adventure.

Truthfully, we weren’t prepared to take a challenging and exhilarating river expedition. 

But, we didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

So, from the entrance, we followed another receptionist down the spiraling staircase.

As we followed the receptionist, I immediately noticed getting back would be a pain in the ass.

335 steps.

That’s how many steps you need to take to get back to the base from the rocky river banks near Casaroro Falls. 

Along the way, we saw the aftermath of the recent typhoon, including a massive tree trunk blocking the way.

Afterward, we arrived at the rock river banks near Casaroro Falls. 

At first, everything was a breeze.

Sure, we had to cross a stream, but it wasn’t slippery and the water was mild.

Moments later, I saw a bunch of foreigners cross the river on a massive tree trunk without any railing.

And the waters?

They were full of fury and rage.

I’ll be honest. 

I didn’t want to cross that temporary bridge.

Although I’m no longer as strong and athletic as I once was, I still have a lot of juice left in me.

But balancing has always been my weakness and Achilles’ heel.

With my experience in navigating, I tried to look for other routes. 

But there was none, and we had to cross this bridge.

Sh*t!

Still, I wasn’t passing up this opportunity to see the majestic beauty of Casaroro Falls. 

This was an unexpected experience, but as I’ve always said, these things are the spice to every adventure.

Day 2 at 2:00 PM: Somewhere in Oslob 

Two hours have passed by, and there was still no progress.

I peeked out the window and saw the drivers and Ceres officials arguing.

One of the passengers said this argument would take a lot of time, and even though the police had arrived, there was still a lot of paperwork to do.

Some of the passengers eventually exited the bus and boarded other vehicles.

I didn’t want to step out of the bus and look for other options.

I was already comfortable.

The seating was perfect, and I was already snoozing before this vehicular accident happened.

But nothing would happen if I remained in this position.

There would be no progress and no hope of getting back home early if we stayed.

So, we exited the bus, asked for a refund, and waited for another bus to arrive.

Soon after, another bus arrived, and we immediately hopped aboard.

We sat at the back of the bus, and it was the least comfortable seating position.

 But it was a minor hiccup.

At least, we were getting back home without scratches, bruises or injuries.

Day 1: The tough and slippery route to Casaroro Falls

Nothing grows in your comfort zone.

You’ve probably heard this quote thousands of times in your life.

And I practice it and have experienced the perks of stepping out of my comfort zone.

I wouldn’t be where I am right now if I didn’t take risks.

As I was about to cross this makeshift bridge, I kept saying these words inside my head.

I removed my shoes and took a long, deep breath.

Then, I slowly and meticulously crossed the tree trunk, and I instantly could feel my stomach drop.

I saw the raging water below me, and for some reason, felt scared.

I’ve been in more frightening situations than this, but this was strangely different.

Why was I scared?

Have I lost my mojo or my sense of adventure?

Suddenly, I could feel the tides in me turning.

Slowly, I was becoming the old version of me: the adventure seeker.

At the start of the trip, my mindset was just to relax, have fun, and enjoy the beauty of Negros.

That’s the reason why I was scared to cross the makeshift bridge.

As my personality began to change, I became more comfortable with the terrain and bridge.

And because I adapted to the situation, I successfully crossed the bridge without any help.

Even though risky thrills weren’t part of the original plan, I successfully crossed this perilous bridge because I was flexible.

And flexibility is one of the best things travel can teach us.

The thing is, travel isn’t always scenic views and delicious food.

It’s also the missed flights, challenging routes, language barriers, and risky situations.

But these unexpected moments will teach you how to be resilient and flexible.

You’ll learn how to roll with the punches, laugh off the setbacks, and even discover skills you’ve never thought you had.

And sometimes, these situations will remind you that you’re strong and capable of handling all the sh*t life throws at you.

Day 2 at around 2:30 PM: En route to Cebu City 

Finally, we were back on track.

While we didn’t get any naps on this bus ride, at least, we’ve got plenty of stories to share. 

And mostly, these stories were about mishaps and unexpected moments.

That’s the beauty of the unexpected moments in travel.

They make every travel story more interesting and fun.

Nobody wants to hear stories about how everything went exactly as planned.

Just imagine a fairytale story where the princess dreams of marrying a prince, meets him at a planned tea party, and marries him.

Would that be as interesting as Cinderella or  Frozen?

I know it’s frustrating when things go sideways, but learning to adapt is an underrated skill that makes life and travel a lot more enjoyable. 

People want to listen to the off-script, messy stories on your trips.

They want to hear the times you’ve missed flights, met a weird stranger, or tried a dish you couldn’t identify.

Day 1: The last crossing to Casaroro Falls 

I thought the makeshift bridge was the last challenging part of our Casaroro Falls experience.

Once again, I was wrong. 

To get near Casaroro Falls, we had to cross the raging stream across an uneven and rocky river bed.

It was probably more challenging than the bridge. 

But this time, I was warmed up and ready to face any challenges along the way.

So, I crossed the river and got wet up to my chest.

I also helped my niece who wasn’t wearing clothes fit for this adventure.

And yet, she was excited and was in a state of bliss.

Once we’ve all crossed the stream, we went on with our hike and were treated to a stunning view of Casaroro Falls.

One of the guides said we couldn’t get closer to the waterfall.

The downstream was strong, and we could even feel the mist from afar.

Nevertheless, it was a sight to behold.

And by just staring at Casaroro Falls, all my stress and worries melted away.

I paused for a while, just admiring the raw and unfiltered beauty of Casaroro Falls.

One of the things I love about traveling is having unfiltered experiences. 

When you travel, you see the raw and unguarded version of the place, seeing it exactly as it is.

There are no photo filters, rehearsed moments, and perfectly timed shops.

It makes you feel like you’ve really experienced a place rather than just skimming it.

Day 1: Post Casaroro Falls hike 

The streams and makeshift bridge were surprisingly easy to cross.

We had no troubles at all, and we kept laughing and talking about our unexpected experience in Casaroro Falls.

But there was one more to do before we could officially end our Casaroro Falls adventure: climb the stairs.

And it was a bit of a backbreaker to climb all the 335 stairs.

In some way, it reminded me of my hikes in Mount Amuyao and Mount Kitanglad, two of the tallest mountains in the Philippines.

Of course, it also gave me flashbacks of my hike in Mount Talinis.

After that, we went on with our hike, exploring many different places in Valencia and Dumaguete.

All those places were awesome, but Casaroro Falls was indeed the undisputed highlight of our adventure. 

Day 2 at around 4 PM: Pit Stop in Argao

While taking a break in Argao, I realized that this trip wasn’t about reaching Casaroro or getting home in one piece. 

It was about surrendering control, about facing the unexpected and letting it shape the journey. 

Casaroro Falls taught me that the real adventure is in those messy, unpredictable moments that test your patience, that leave you both laughing and a little humbled.

I learned that every unexpected hiccup is a chance to grow. 

You discover patience, resilience, and maybe even a bit of humor in the chaos.

Both the hike and the accident taught me patience and acceptance. 

Sometimes, the journey imposes its own rhythm, and all we can do is adapt.

When our pit stop was done and we began to move, I also realized that both experiences were intertwined lessons. 

Casaroro Falls and the unexpected delay both reminded me that travel isn’t just about reaching a destination. 

It’s about embracing the journey, with all its unpredictability, and finding value in every moment.

Because it’s these messy, off-script moments that turn a trip into a story worth telling.

How tall is Casaroro Falls?

Casaroro Falls is approximately 100 feet (30 meters) tall, making it one of the most stunning and tallest waterfalls in Negros Oriental.

How do I go to Casaroro?

The best and most convenient way to get to Casaroro Falls is to hire a tour guide. I recommend LaagniJoelboy. If you prefer a DIY version, take a jeepney or tricycle to Valencia from Dumaguete. From Valencia, you can hire a motorcycle (locally called a “habal-habal”) or a tricycle to take you to the entrance of Casaroro Falls. 

What is Casaroro Falls known for?

Casaroro Falls is known for its enchanting views and seemingly endless stairs.

How much does it cost?

You’ll need to pay PHP 20 for the environmental fee. You’ll have to pay a guide fee of PHP 250 (good for 1 to 3 people).