Pagsanjan

Pagsanjan is a town in Laguna province in the Philippines.

Understand
Pagsanjan (pronounced "pag-san-HAN") is on a river of the same name.

Get in
You can take a bus from the Buendia bus terminal in Manila to Santa Cruz. It takes about 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. The buses leave very frequently, and the bus fare was ₱140 as of January 2009. A cab driver in Manila should be able to direct you to the correct bus terminal. The last bus returning from Santa Cruz to Manila leaves at 7PM.

Once you arrive in Santa Cruz, you can take a jeepney to Pagsanjan for ₱10 per person (as of March 2008).

Take the jeepney to the tourism office -- they will direct you to the river and find you a boatman.

Alternatively, you can take a motorized tricycle direct from the bus terminal to the boating station for ₱20 per person (as of January 2009), saving the walk from the tourism office to the falls. You can now buy tickets directly at the boat stations.

Do
The trip up-river to the falls is the main attraction here. There is a standard fare for a boat ride, regulated by the tourism office. It is ₱800 per person plus ₱100 compulsory insurance, as of January 2009. At the end of March 2009, the price is due to increase to ₱1000 plus insurance. Tipping is optional, but a small tip for each boatman (there are two per boat) is expected.

Recommended outfitters:


 * Pagsanjan Falls Tour : This package includes round trip A/C van transfer from Manila, round trip boat ride for shooting the rapids, raft ride to fully experience Pagsanjan Falls (aka Magdapio Falls), refreshments on board, lunch at resort, free use of shower facilities in the resort. For more information email [mailto:tripinas@gmail.com tripinas@gmail.com].
 * Pagsanjan Floating Station and Restaurant. A package (including transportation from Manila) can be booked through AVA Sightseers, +63 917-648-8382. Ask for Alex or Angel. If you wish you also can have a dinner on the river (included in one of the packages).

Buy
The newly opened BDO (Banco De Oro) has an ATM and accepts major cards. Traveler's checks might be accepted at the PNB, but expect a long wait and you'll need a photocopy of your main passport page.

Eat
Half-way through the boat ride, there is a stop where you can buy food on the river. Chicken, eggplant, rice, beer, buko juice, and drinks are for sale.