Mimbalot Falls: The Art Of Finding Joy In The Simple Things

How does a waterfall this gorgeous stay a secret? And how can something so easy to find feel so undiscovered? Mimbalot Falls is one of those places that seem like a world away. Even though it’s pretty accessible, it somehow feels untouched and like a local secret.

Before we arrived at the parking lot of Mimbalot Falls, I expected a busy, chaotic scene.

After all, it’s arguably the most accessible waterfall in the “City of Waterfalls”. 

I even thought it had that typical public beach-like vibe, with rows of vendors and karaoke machines playing Michael Jordan highlights.

But I was wrong.

The moment I arrived at Mimbalot Falls, I instantly felt like I was in a place of solace.

There were no boisterous teenagers and no drunk uncles singing Parokya Ni Edgar songs.

All I could hear was the sound of the flowing water.

So, what makes Mimbalot Falls different from the larger and more enchanting Tinago Falls?

And why does it feel like the kind of place I never want to leave?

My Mimbalot Falls experience 

I came to Mindanao on that beautiful Saturday for one reason only: to see Marawi and learn more about Maranao culture.

But as always, I was open to exploring other places that would release my endorphins and serotonin.

So, I let our tour guide, Pul Jeh, handle our itinerary for our quick and out-of-nowhere Mindanao adventure.

Unlike my younger years, I don’t spend a lot of time planning my trips. 

I don’t create detailed itineraries, and I just roll with the punches and go with the flow.

And besides, I prefer an open itinerary because it’s flexible and leads to surprises.

I mean.

Who doesn’t love a surprise?

After our Marawi visit, Pul Jeh suggested a couple of waterfalls, Tinago Falls and Mimbalot Falls.

I know all about Tinago Falls, and I’ve heard many fascinating stories about it in recent years.

But Mimbalot Falls?

That was something new on my radar.

Without hesitation, I said yes to these suggestions and ventured into these postcard-worthy natural wonders in Iligan City.

Tinago Falls: First Stop in Iligan 

The word “Tinago” in Filipino means “hidden”.

And as we drove from Marawi to this natural wonder, I quickly learned why it was called Tinago Falls.

Although the road was smooth and well-maintained, it felt like a world away from the bustling city life in the Philippines.

It felt mysterious, enchanting, and fascinating.

But as soon as we arrived at the parking lot, Tinago’s magic slowly faded away.

I saw many cars, motorcycles, vendors, and stalls selling towels, snacks, and souvenirs.

There was nothing wrong with this picture. 

Tinago Falls is a popular and iconic natural wonder, meaning it’s drawing tourists and helping the local economy. 

The vendors, guides, and small businesses all benefit from the consistent stream of visitors. 

And that’s absolutely a good thing since it’s helping create jobs and support more people.

But somehow, it felt like Tinago Falls wasn’t for me.

I don’t know.

Maybe my timing was off or it didn’t fit my personality or mood at the moment.

From the parking lot, we set foot inside the facility and paid our dues.

Afterward, we started walking toward the stairway and were greeted by local tour guides.

A young lady shared some interesting facts about the waterfall and mentioned we need a guide in Tinago Falls.

Earlier, Pul Jeh mentioned that we could negotiate and let them know we didn’t need a guide since we were only taking photos.

But I still chose to get one.

At least, we could in a small way help the guide and share the blessings.

So, we started our hike, and followed the concrete stairway to Tinago Falls.

Even from above, I could hear the roaring sound of crashing waters.

When we arrived at the base of the waterfall, I was blown away by its size and beauty.

It’s, no doubt, one of the most majestic waterfalls I’ve ever seen.

It’s the kind of place you see on postcards, magazines, and books, and the kind of place travel influencers love.

Unfortunately, it was crowded, and it started to overwhelm me.

We tried to look for a spot where we could sit down, relax, and enjoy the scenery.

But as expected, there was no room for us to do what we wanted to do.

I didn’t feel like prolonging our stay in Tinago Falls.

We quickly took photos, and began the tough and heart-pumping climb back to the base through the seemingly endless steps.

Damn!

I hate stairways whenever I’m outdoors.

It reminded me of my adventures in Mount Amuyao and Mount Kitanglad.

Afterward, we arrived at the parking lot and instantly made our way to our next stop: Mimbalot Falls.

Exploring Mimbalot Falls

I was amazed by how quickly and easily we arrived at Mimbalot Falls from Tinago Falls.

I thought we’d have to go through a long and winding road to get to this under-the-radar waterfall in Iligan.

Guess what?

Mimbalot Falls was only around 500 meters from the highway.

So, I was expecting a busy crowd at this attraction in Iligan.

Surprisingly, though, it was nowhere as crowded and noisy as Tinago Falls.

From the parking lot, we made our way to the registration area where we were informed about the rates.

I found out that Mimbalot Falls was free for anyone who just wanted to take pictures and do some sightseeing.

They, however, accept donations of any amount for those who aren’t planning to do some sightseeing.

Quite a treat I must say.

We then walked closer to Mimbalot Falls to admire its simple yet picturesque beauty.

And unlike Tinago Falls, the trail in Mimbalot Falls is short, easy, and a little flat.

Soon, we got a close-up look of this small-sized waterfall.

Mimbalot Falls is nowhere as massive and stunning as its cousin, Tinago Falls.

Yet, I loved it more than Tinago Falls.

Don’t get me wrong.

Tinago Falls is a thing of beauty, an enchanting wonderland, and a masterpiece crafted by nature herself.

But not all places are meant for everyone. 

Not all situations are ideal for everyone.

And that’s okay.

Not all beautiful things are meant for you.

Trust me, I know a lot about finding beauty in the wrong places and time.

I had quite a few ex-girlfriends, thinking beauty was all that mattered.

But Mimbalot Falls, the small yet powerful and gorgeous waterfall, was the right fit. 

At least, for me.

There was something about its simplicity and rawness that made me feel so at peace and happy.

It’s not as massive as Tinago Falls, as beautiful as Casaroro Falls, or as iconic as Lake Sebu’s 7 Falls.

It was a humble, unpretentious cascade, flowing freely, untouched by commercialism and chaos.

And it also made me realize one thing.

Just because something is popular, hyped, or adored by everyone else, it doesn’t mean it’s meant for you. 

We chase places, people, and dreams thinking they’ll bring us joy. 

Then, we eventually realize they don’t align with who we are. 

And that’s perfectly fine. 

So, find something and someone that resonates with you.

I sat on a rock, letting the cool mist kiss my face. 

Afterward, I admired the cool, and crystal-clear water flowing on the massive rocks.

It wasn’t putting on a show. 

It wasn’t demanding attention. 

It just flowed, content in its own existence.

I guess that’s why I felt so drawn to it.

Somewhere between the noise of the world and the rush of chasing one adventure after another, I forgot what it was like to be still. 

I forgot to appreciate something for its simplicity. 

And I forgot to sit, breathe, and enjoy the small and simple moments.

As I soaked the serenity of Mimbalot Falls, another thought came into my mind.

Not everything has to be grand to be beautiful. Sometimes, the simplest moments hold the most meaning.

Perhaps Mimbalot Falls, in all its simplicity, was a reflection of how I want life to be.

Uncomplicated.

Genuine.

Free.

The thing is, society has always taught us to chase big things. 

Ever since childhood, we have been encouraged to chase big dreams, big adventures, and big investments. 

They say you can only attain happiness when you have big houses, lavish vacations, and sparkling new cars.

The more, the bigger, the better.

They say you’re not successful if your house doesn’t have at least three floors and rooms that look like they belong in a 5-star resort.

They’d make you believe you’re not “living the dream” if you’re not vacationing in Boracay, Palawan or any expensive destination. 

And they always tell you your happiness is directly proportional to the number of zeroes in your bank account.

But they will never say the smallest, quietest moments are the ones that leave the biggest impact. 

They won’t tell you that happiness hides in the everyday ordinary moments.

It’s in the moments that don’t need a grand reveal, a reservation, or a hefty price tag.

They won’t say that joy can be found in the simple things, like the warmth of the morning sun or the sound of flowing water.

And they won’t tell you that peace doesn’t come from the biggest house, but from the laughter that fills whatever space you call home.

Like Mimbalot Falls, not everything has to be loud and grand to be beautiful.

At that moment, I realized why I loved this place so much. 

Mimbalot Falls reminded me that life isn’t a race to the biggest or best things. 

It’s not about ticking off the most destinations, collecting the most expensive travel gear, or chasing the most Instagram-worthy adventures.

And here was another thing I learned at that moment. 

We’re always looking forward to the next big thing, the next milestone, and in my case, the next destination. 

But what if happiness isn’t waiting somewhere else? 

What if it’s right in front of us, in the quiet moments, in the laughter of our children, in the sight of flowing water?

What if we only have to be more appreciated and content with our lives?

Leaving Mimbalot Falls

We spent some time in Mimbalot Falls just soaking in the atmosphere. 

There was no agenda and no plans.

We just let time slip by without a care. 

A couple of locals arrived, but there was still no fuss or noise.

The only people in here were those in the swimming pool area.

For the first time in a while, I didn’t feel the need to capture everything with my camera. 

I didn’t feel the pressure to snap the best picture of Mimbalot Falls. 

I just existed in the moment, letting the sound of the water drown out all the noise in my head.

Afterward, I checked the clock, and decided to call it a day. 

As we were leaving, I noticed the cool water flowing on the trail.

And it made me realize that people should flow like the water.

The thing is, water doesn’t resist. 

It flows, adapts, and finds its way through massive obstacles.

That’s how we should live, too. 

Instead of forcing things, we should learn to flow, embrace change, and move forward without fear.

As I was about to enter the car, I glanced back one last time. 

The waterfall was still flowing and still unbothered by the world around it.

So, I made a silent promise to myself: I should be more like Mimbalot Falls.

How much does it cost to go to Mimbalot Falls?

The entrance to Mimbalot Falls is free for anyone who wants to take pictures and do some sightseeing. However, you’ll need to pay 100 pesos if you want to go swimming.

How many falls are in Iligan City?

There are over 30 known waterfalls in Iligan City. And the best part is, many are still untouched and undiscovered. 

How to get to Mimbalot Falls?

Getting to Mimbalot Falls is fairly easy for locals. If you’re not from the area, I recommend getting a private tour to Iligan and Marawi City. It’s affordable, convenient, and lets you travel at your own pace. Furthermore, you can customize your trip based on your preferences.