Lubong Nangoloan Falls: Hidden Gem of San Felipe, Zambales

The coastal town of San Felipe in Zambales is known for surfing, but did you know that there is also a beautiful waterfall that you can visit here not far from the town proper? Yes, I’m talking about Lubong Nangoloan Falls!

Lubong Nangoloan Falls is a local swimming hole that is currently being promoted as another tourist attraction in San Felipe. It is also known as Anghalo Falls, which is derived from a legendary giant who knelt down to drink on top of the waterfalls and left his imprints in the bedrock.

I visited here as part of DOT’s Surf and Glamp tour. Here’s our guide to Lubong Nangoloan Falls in San Felipe, Zambales.

Our visit to Lubong Nangoloan Falls

From Camp Haven Resort, we drove for several minutes and stopped by a road that serves as the jump-off point to Lubong Nangoloan Falls.

I was told that there are 2 ways to get to the waterfall: you can walk for 15-20 minutes or go on a carabao ride for 15 minutes. We did the latter of course. The carabao ride was fun and it felt like the inner child in me was awakened. The road was sometimes bumpy, but the ground was mostly dry so we were safe and secured.

We got off from the carabao rides and then past the registration to the cottage area. There, we watched an aeta cultural dance called talipi. Aetas dance the talipi for enjoyment, and it is supposed to mimic their everyday life as well as the animals around them.

Afterwards, we headed to the waterfall! Lubong Nangoloan Falls has 3 levels. The first level features a wide and deep basin where you can swim and cool off. The water was so refreshing, it’s no wonder this place is a locals’ favorite.

You need to climb a set of 58-step stairs to the second level, where you can see the footprints from the folk legend and a view of the pools flowing downstream.

The third level of the waterfall is a bit challenging, since you need to climb steep rocks. I do not recommend going here without a local guide. Our videographer assisted us and showed us the holds in the rocks. It was slippery too, so I decided to remove my slippers and go on barefoot.

Our reward was another stream with a wider basin. You can climb to the sides and jump from there. There are checks and crosses that are meant to indicate which spots are safe for jumping. Personally, I prefer that they keep it untouched but I understand that safety always comes first.

After enjoying the waterfall, we came back to the cottages and enjoyed a boodle fight which includes their own version of longganisa. So good!

Overall, visiting Lubong Nangoloan Falls was a really fun side trip. I particularly enjoyed the carabao ride and the cool water of the waterfalls. The area was also clean and seemed well managed. Make sure to visit here the next time you’re in San Felipe, Zambales!

How to get here

Lubong Nangoloan Falls is located in San Felipe, Zambales. It is about 5-6 hours from Manila.

Here are the commute directions:

• From Manila, ride a bus bound for Iba, Zambales. Get off at San Felipe Market and then ride a tricycle to the jump-off point.
• From there, you can either walk or ride a carabao cart to the waterfall. Either option takes around 15 minutes.

This waterfall is about 20-30 minutes away from most resorts in Liwliwa. If you are staying there, ask your accommodation if they are offering transport or simply charter a tricycle.

If you are bringing a car, there are plenty of parking spaces in the jump-off point with a minimal parking fee.

Lubong Nangoloan Falls Rates

Here are the current rates (Updated as of 2022)

Entrance fee	Tourist – P20 / Resident of San Felipe – free
Eco-tourism fee	P 30 for adults / P20 for children
Optional	Carabao ride – P150 per ride (good up to 6 people) Rent for bamboo table – P100 / cottage – P350

Travel Tips

Here are important reminders and tips when visiting Lubong Nangoloan Falls.

• When to visit: Like other waterfalls in the country, the best time to visit Lubong Nangoloan Falls is during the rainy months, from July to November. During summer, the waterfall stream can dry up to mere trickles. Operation times: It is open daily from 5AM to 6PM, with cutoff for visitors at 5PM.
• What to bring: Bring your swimming attire and a change of clothes. You should also bring your own food and water.
• What to expect: There are cottages and tables where you can leave your items, rest, and eat. There are also bathrooms; however, they are limited so I suggest washing up back in your resort instead.

Have you been to Lubong Nangoloan Falls (or Anghalo Falls) in San Felipe, Zambales? If you have questions, let us know in the comments section below!

What to read next:

Traveling to Zambales? Check out our guides:

• BEST Zambales Tourist Spots + Things to Do
• Surf and Glamp Guide to Zambales
• Lubong Nangoloan Falls

Here are the best resorts in Zambales:

• Best Zambales Beach Resorts and 13 Private Resorts in Zambales
• Best Beach Resorts in Liwliwa
• Best Beach Resorts in Subic
• Kwentong Dagat in Liwliwa
• The Glamp Zambales in Liwliwa
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