Hinulugang Taktak
A small waterfall with a big place in Filipino song and memory, close to Manila.
Quick answer
- Where: barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo, Rizal, about an hour east of Manila.
- The name: the place where the bell was dropped, after a legend of a church bell thrown into the falls.
- Fame: celebrated in the old folk song Tayo na sa Antipolo.
- Protection: a national park from 1990 and a protected landscape from 2000.
- Today: a restored park with viewing decks, trails and a swimming pool beside the falls.
Why it is a wonder
Generations of Filipinos know Hinulugang Taktak from a song. The folk tune “Tayo na sa Antipolo” invites listeners to go to Antipolo and bathe in its famous falls. The name means “the place where the bell was dropped”, from a legend about a church bell thrown into the waters.
For decades the falls were a favourite picnic spot for Manila families, before pollution from the growing city fouled the river. It became a national park in 1990 and a protected landscape in 2000, and rehabilitation has brought back a green park with viewing decks, trails and a pool beside the falls. It is a small waterfall, but one with a big place in the country’s memory.
Beat the crowds
- Visit on a weekday; the park is closed on some days, so check before you go.
- Combine it with Antipolo’s other sights.
Getting there
From Manila, jeepneys and vans run from Cubao and other terminals to Antipolo, about an hour depending on traffic. A tricycle takes you to the park on Taktak Road. Pair it with the Pinto Art Museum.
A perfect day
- Morning at Hinulugang Taktak.
- Visit Antipolo Cathedral.
- Afternoon at the Pinto Art Museum.
- Snack on suman and mangoes, as the song suggests.
Through the seasons
- Rainy months (June to November): the falls are at their fullest.
- Dry months: a gentler flow.
Respect the place
Don’t throw anything into the river, keep to the paths, and support the long effort to keep it clean.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swim at the falls?
Not in the falls themselves. Pollution closed them to swimmers years ago; the park has a separate pool.
Why was the park closed?
For rehabilitation over the years, after pollution damaged the river. Work has included a sewage treatment plant.
What else is in Antipolo?
The Antipolo Cathedral, a famous pilgrimage church, and the Pinto Art Museum.
How do I get there?
Jeepneys and vans run from Cubao and other parts of Manila to Antipolo; then take a tricycle to Taktak Road.
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We checked this guide against the 3 sources listed below. Last updated 14 November 2026. Basis: researched from official sources. Written and edited by Delfin, with AI-assisted research (how we work). Prices, hours and rules change, so confirm before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
