Wawa Dam
Wawa Dam things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Description
outdoor
adventure
family friendly
Wawa Dam is a gravity dam constructed over the Marikina River in the municipality of Rodriguez in Rizal province, Philippines. The slightly arched dam is situated in the 360-metre high Montalban Gorge or Wawa Gorge, a water gap in the Sierra Madre Mountains, east of Manila.
attractions: Pamitinan Cave, Pamitinan Protected Landscape, Karugo Falls, Mount Pamitinan, restaurants:
Ratings
Description
Wawa Dam is a gravity dam constructed over the Marikina River in the municipality of Rodriguez in Rizal province, Philippines. The slightly arched dam is situated in the 360-metre high Montalban Gorge or Wawa Gorge, a water gap in the Sierra Madre Mountains, east of Manila.
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Just recently, we dropped by this place on a sunny Saturday afternoon around 3 PM. The folks around were genuinely warm and accommodating, although most of them were stall vendors situated near the entrance of Wawa. If you didn't bring your baon, variety of foods are available, from classic Pares, Shawarma, Fishballs, and Isawan. Upon arrival, the barkers were courteous enough to guide us to our parking spot. They charge a reasonable fee of 20 pesos per vehicle or motorcycle, covering your entire stay in the park. Even if I didn't bring a bike initially, vendors informed us you could still bring it inside for an additional 20 pesos. Moving on, we each had to shell out 20 pesos for a one-time entrance fee since it's an eco-park. Upon entering, we had to pass through a tunnel. Wawa awaited us downstairs, but caution was necessary while navigating the rocky terrain. I opted for rubber shoes since swimming wasn't on our agenda; we were merely showing our company visitor around. At the initial section of Wawa, where the falls are located, cottages were conveniently set up for picnics. If you're feeling adventurous, you can venture further. On the opposite side of the falls, you can rent a boat. They offer two options: a 20-minute ride for 400 pesos, where they'll tour you around nearby campsites, or a longer tour lasting up to 45 minutes for 700 pesos, as advised by the boat attendants. We opted for the shorter ride since we weren't dressed for swimming. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable, allowing us to capture picturesque moments in between. By the way, the boats are motorized for easier navigation. However, it's essential to exercise caution as there are no life vests, although the attendants assured us that the water isn't deep. Overall, the attendants were incredibly friendly and accommodating. During our boat tour, we spotted numerous campsites and rental houses for overnight stays. I'm unsure if they offer Wi-Fi, as the signal wasn't great for both Smart and Globe networks. Cottages were also available along the campsite for those who wished to swim, making it even more convenient. What's even better is that you can bring and cook your own food there, just remember to bring your own utensils and cooking wares. Access to the campsites is only possible via boat rental, making boat rides also serve as transportation. However, if you're daring enough, I noticed other visitors wading through the waters to reach other parts of the campsites. Overall, it was a pleasant stay with friendly locals in a beautiful setting perfect for family picnics and swimming. I hope their hospitality remains consistent for years to come and continues to improve for the better.
MaddiMaddi
20
We made use of our own transportation to get to the destination, so I may not have extensive details about the specific route. I recommend using Waze for navigation purposes. Please note that there is available parking at the location, but there is a parking fee of 100 pesos. For our meal, we purchased a whole lechon manok and rice from a carenderia. Before arriving at Wawa Dam-Marikina River, we observed that the water was discolored and not clean; nevertheless, the location itself is truly remarkable. The entrance fee is quite affordable, approximately 20 pesos from what I recall. There are trash bins and signage in place throughout the area. I suggest starting your visit by exploring the surroundings, as hiking offers a great opportunity to discover the village, see various campsites, abundant trees, fruits, and local stores. Upon reaching the end of the road, we proceeded to take a boat trip and enjoyed a riverside lunch. The boating experience was the highlight of our visit, providing us with the opportunity to marvel at the upper Wawa Dam, for which we paid 300 pesos for the round trip.
Domingo Gaces Samontina, Jr.Domingo Gaces Samontina, Jr.
00
Don't get me wrong, the place looks great, the nature and the surrounding area is worth the trip. Just go there early and leave early before what made me give this a one star review happens. Because what happens when you decide to stay and swim a bit longer in the afternoon is that you will find yourself not only surrounded by other visitors but surrounded by garbage. Yes, you'll be swimming in a river with plastic cups, containers, bags in it... People were just throwing things in the river like it's a trash bin, some were doing it in front of kids (what an example...) so even though we tried our best to remove as much plastic as we could from the river, there was always more being thrown in. So we decided to leave the place, totally disgusted by what we saw there. It's sad because the place was lovely...
Eric BEric B
60
"Secret River" You won't find it on Google Maps, but the "Secret River" is located beyond the forest in the heart of the mountain; few people know it exists, but it looks amazing and wonderful and is well worth the effort. Don't worry, the river is not that high; it is doable to pass. Also, after you pass the river, go beyond the forest. When entering, you will encounter a flood area, which is the only place where you can walk. Don't be afraid; the flood is not that high and that flood goes into the secret river too. After that, pass the rocky road, which is slippery because of seaweed. Be careful with that. Go further and you will see the lake inside the mountain and the tent area can be seen too. Now enjoy your journey and jump into the stone, which is fun to do.
Francess GonzalesFrancess Gonzales
00
Dropped by here for a bit, first time in Montalban, didn't realize there's this great scenery here of Wawa Dam and nothing expensive to pay for to get inside. We had lunch at a carinderia, yummy food, paid for environmental fee lang, maybe 20 pesos each or less, i forgot sorry.. then we just parked our motor outside. There were others who actually walked with their motorcycles straight inside to see the view, but it would be too inconvenient and crowded if everyone does that lol. Amazing sound of nature, there were groups of people and friends who went downhill to soak themselves at the bottom of the falling water, can't really swim there, so babad lang hehe
Diana Limin (D!)Diana Limin (D!)
00
It was a great experience. It's easy to locate the site. For public vehicle transportation, there is available ride (bus, jeepney, and tricycle). Plenty of goodies from freshly picked fruits and vegetables, also souvenir shops are available and delicious foods inside the location. Has floating cottages and non-floating, boating is also available. Also has a safety watchers/guardian for visitors and tourist. For more assistance, the barangay officials are open to the public anytime. The resort/attraction is open 24hrs. They also offers assistance for mountain climbing. So, what are you waiting for, come and visit Wawa Dam at Montalban, Rizal.
Takashi SugaTakashi Suga
30
Nearby Attractions Of Wawa Dam
Pamitinan Cave
Pamitinan Protected Landscape
Karugo Falls
Mount Pamitinan

Pamitinan Cave
4.7
(142)Click for details

Pamitinan Protected Landscape
4.8
(60)Click for details

Karugo Falls
4.6
(47)Click for details

Mount Pamitinan
4.7
(42)Click for details