Destinations
Baras Rizal a hidden gem
Baras Rizal is a simple little place only about a one hour drive from Quezon City. Here is where you will find Palo Alto Falls. Palo Alto Falls are actually located in the Palo Alto Leisure and Residential Estates. This is a 200 hectare prime residential and commercial estate.
From the parking area, there are 249 concrete steps to get to the actual foot of Palo Alto Falls. The falls are about 300 metres up from the parking area. However, don’t be alarmed as the path is fully concreted/paved and only takes about 10-15 minutes. Along the way, you’ll walk through thick forests split by a small stream, with water gently trickling down through the rocks.
The grounds are beautifully landscaped and have been well thought out, making it a safe and easy place to visit and enjoy. The waterfall itself is a natural waterfall. As part of the landscaping effort, the rock pool into which the water cascades has been paved so that it’s easy to walk around in. This is great for bare feet!
Relax in comfort
There are also a number of cabanas around the rock pool which make for a great way to chill out for the afternoon with a picnic and a few drinks with family and friends.
Palo Alto Falls is still a relatively new part of the Palo Alto Leisure and Residential Estates development, so it isn’t really a well-known place for locals, let alone foreigners. As a result, it doesn’t have that real touristy feel about it. In a way, you feel like you’re in a giant backyard!
Avoid going there during the summer months (March to May) as the stream that feeds Palo Alto Falls has a low volume of water, so the waterfall is barely a trickle.
The peaceful stream that runs beside the walking track that takes you up to Palo Alto falls. Luckily the walking path to the main falls is paved with steps and is a fairly easy walk.
One of the most unique waterfalls I have been to in the Philippines. The water from the falls cascades into the paved pool with the flow of the water being controlled downstream.
You can walk all the way to the waterfall in relative comfort due to the paved floor of the pool. A very refreshing experience to be surrounded by nature in a relatively man-made and safe environment.
Some of the cabanas around the rock pool where you can relax with a picnic. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of Manila.
Fees:
Entrance fee: P100 (free if not swimming)
Hut/Cottage: P700, Chairs & Tables: P300
