Maria Cristina Falls

Maria Cristina Falls is not only beautiful, it is beneficial to the people of Mindanao too.

OVERVIEW MAP NEED TO KNOW STAY TIPS & HACKS GALLERY NEARBY

OVERVIEW

Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City | Image Source

With a height of 321.5 feet, Maria Cristina Falls is recognized as the second highest waterfall in the country. It is located in Iligan City which is dubbed as the City of Majestic Waterfalls. Maria Cristina Falls is a sight to behold. The mighty waterfall is surrounded by lush vegetation and its flow is separated by a rock at the brink of the waterfall hence the nickname “twin falls”.

Maria Cristina Falls is not only pleasing to the eye, it is also beneficial as it supplies more than 70% of Mindanao’s electricity, harnessed by NPC’s Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant located just a few meters from the foot of the falls. NPC (National Power Corporation), which manages the falls, developed a park for tourists to enjoy activities such as rock climbing, trekking, and zipline. A viewing deck can be found on the third floor of the NPC building so you can feast your eyes and take photos of this imposing beauty. The park also has a bat cave, butterfly garden, crocodile farm, koi pond, lagoon, and orchidarium as well as a souvenir shop and cottages.

Maria Cristina Falls is located 9.3 kilometers away from the city center and is supplied by the Agus River, just like Tinago Falls.

Fast Facts

Attraction:

Maria Cristina Falls and NPC Nature’s Park

Type of Attraction:

Waterfalls

Address:

Iligan City, Lanao del Norte

Website:

None

Phone:

+63 (063) 221-3987 | +63 (063) 221-3988 | +63 (063)-221-9032

Hours:

Saturday and Sunday, or depending on the status of the falls and the power plant.

Closed:

Monday to Friday

Best Time to Visit:

June to October

Food & Drink:

YES

FREE WiFi:

Cost:

Cost per Person: $1-5

Payment Type:

Cash

Fees:

50 pesos ($1 USD) Entrance Fee

Notes:

Entrance to the park and access to the falls depend on the status of the falls and the power plant. It is best to contact the administration before visiting.

FLying of drones is prohibited.

Swimming is strictly prohibited due to the water’s unpredictable current.

MAP

This attraction is located on Mindanao Island in Iligan City.

NEED TO KNOW

How to Get to Maria Cristina Falls?

From Cagayan de Oro by land

From Bulua Integrated Bus Terminal in Cagayan de Oro City, ride a bus to Iligan City. Travel time is approximately 2 hours.
From Iligan City center, ride a jeep to Buru-an/Linamon and inform the driver to drop you off at a corner going to Maria Cristina Falls. From there, you can ride a habal-habal (motorcycle) or a taxi to Agus River. Motorcycle fare ranges from P60 ($1.2 USD) to P80 ($1.6 USD).

From Manila by Air

Take a domestic flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, the airport nearest to Iligan City. Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.
From Laguindingan Airport, you can ride a taxi to take you direct to Iligan City or you can proceed to Laguindingan Bus Terminal where you can ride a bus to Iligan City. Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.
From Iligan City center, ride a jeep to Buru-an/Linamon and inform the driver to drop you off at a corner going to Maria Cristina Falls. From there, you can ride a habal-habal (motorcycle) or a taxi to Agus River. Motorcycle fare ranges from P60 ($1.2 USD) to P80 ($1.6 USD).

From Cebu City by Sea

Take a ferry from Cebu Port Pier 3 to Cagayan de Oro City Port. TransAsia has ships departing for CDO from Cebu at 8:00 PM from Monday to Saturday. Travel time is 9.5 hours.
From Cagayan de Oro Port, ride a jeepney to Bulua Bus Terminal where you can ride a bus to Iligan City. Travel time is approximately 2 hours.
From Iligan City center, ride a jeep to Buru-an/Linamon and inform the driver to drop you off at a corner going to Maria Cristina Falls. From there, you can ride a habal-habal (motorcycle) or a taxi to Agus River. Motorcycle fare ranges from P60 ($1.2 USD) to P80 ($1.6 USD).

The airport closest to Maria Cristina Falls?

Laguindingan Airport (CGY) in Misamis Oriental is the airport closest to Maria Cristina Falls. It serves the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Philippines AirAsia have multiple flights to Laguindingan Airport from Manila daily.

Labo Airport (OZC) in Ozamiz Oriental approximately 2 hours away from Iligan City by bus, however, the bus will have to board a ferry.