Maria Cristina Falls - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

Maria Cristina Falls is situated within a canyon, and the water plunges into a pool below. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iligan City. It is also a source of hydroelectric power for the city's industries, being harnessed by the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant. The falls are best seen from the viewing deck, which offers a panoramic view of the falls and the canyon.

The waterfall is regulated by the National Power Corporation (NPC). NPC has developed a National Power Nature Park in the connecting area of the waterfall. The park has spaces to picnic by the river with views to the fall, a botanical and zoological garden that has some animals like monkeys, ostrich, and crocodiles, a Zipline and a tree-top canopy walk.

There are two local legends surrounding the name of Maria Cristina Falls.

The legend of twin sisters

Once upon a time in the city of Iligan lived the beautiful twin sisters Maria and Cristina who fell in love with the same man. The man also fell in love with both the sisters and couldn't choose whom to marry. Because the twin sisters loved each other so much, both were ready to sacrifice their lives to give way for the other to marry the man. Maria, the youngest went to the falls and jumped to her death hoping that her sister could marry the man. Hearing the news, Cristina also committed suicide at the falls owing to her pain of losing her sister.

The man buried the sister's bodies under the falls and decided not to get married to anyone. He also named the falls in honour of his two loves.

The curse of the witch

The second legend of Maria Cristina Falls is about a beautiful maiden named Maria Cristina. She was taken away from her family when a Sultan’s army raided Maria Cristina’s area. Her father fought for her but died in battle.

The Sultan adopted the girl and treated her like his own child. When she grew up, she fell in love with the Sultan's son and they decided to get married. One day, a witch who was envious of Maria Cristina's beauty and her fate with the prince told the couple that the wedding would not happen.

A day before the wedding, Maria Cristina remembered her mother whom she had never seen after the raid. She felt sad and cried her heart out near a river. The witch saw her and cursed her into a mountain and told her that her tears will never stop flowing.

On the wedding day, Maria Cristina didn’t show up. People tried to look for her and they noticed a new mountain in the village as if it was crying. The witch told the villagers that it was Maria Cristina and they will never see her again.

The waterfall is in its grandest view during the wet season from June to October. The falls never go dry though.

1. Only a small part of the falls is open to the public due to the sensitive nature of the hydroelectric power plant that sits near the waterfalls. To get access to the observation decks at most times of the week, you will have to speak to security.
2. Swimming in the fall is strictly prohibited. The currents can become unexpectedly and uncontrollably strong.
3. Before visiting, make sure to contact NPC to confirm whether the falls is open for viewing.

1. Maria Cristina Falls is the primary source of energy since the 1950s to the city of Iligan.
2. The flow of the water is separated by a rock at the top of the falls, hence it is sometimes called the "twin falls".
3. Iligan City, where the waterfall is located is nicknamed the City of Majestic Waterfalls, due to the presence of more than 20 waterfalls in the city.

It will take about 1 to 2 hours to explore the falls and the nearby nature park set up by the NPC.

From Iligan City centre, ride a jeep bound for Buru-an / Linamon and inform the driver to drop you off at a corner going to Maria Cristina Falls. From there, ride a motorcycle (habal-habal) to the Agus River which costs about P60 to P80.

The entrance fee is P50.

The fall is open to public viewing only on Sundays and special holidays when the powerplant is shut for an hour or so, allowing the river to return to its full flow. There’s a viewing deck on the 3rd floor of the NPC building, from where you can catch a great view of the falls, even if they are not in full flow.