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Tanap-Avis Falls — A Hidden Waterfall Gem in Northern Philippines
Stories: Tanap-Avis Falls — A Hidden Waterfall Gem in Northern Philippines; Undás — How Filipinos Celebrate All Saints’ & All Souls’ Day
KGM Resorts
October 28, 2025
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Hello and Mabuhay!
Welcome to Finding Utopia — your trusted guide to exploring the wonders of the Philippines and beyond.
In this edition, we bring you inspiring stories and essential travel insights to fuel your next adventure:
Tanap-Avis Falls — A Hidden Waterfall Gem in Northern Philippines
Undás — How Filipinos Celebrate All Saints’ & All Souls’ Day
Wherever you're dreaming of going next, we're here to guide you closer to your utopia.
Enjoy the read!
— The Finding Utopia Team
Far from the crowds and well-worn trails, the cascade at Tanap-Avis Falls in Burgos, Ilocos Norte invites you into a quieter kind of discovery. Turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, and a short trek combine to make this hidden gem perfect for travellers who crave nature, pause, and a little off-beat adventure.
Why Tanap-Avis Stands Out
Limestone & Turquoise Magic
Set in Barangay Tanap, the falls plunge into a clear basin surrounded by pale limestone rock and lush green forest. The vibrant colour of the pool is its hallmark— “crystal turquoise against white limestone” one reviewer describes it.Short Trek, Big Reward
Accessing the falls involves a brief 30- to 40-minute walk (or tricycle ride + short trek) from the jump-off point in Burgos. The trail is manageable even for beginners—but the reward, when you arrive, is far beyond a routine stop.
Off the Mainstream Map
While northern Ilocos is often linked with wind farms and rocky coasts, Tanap-Avis hides in its green interior. Fewer crowds, fewer streetside stalls—just nature and a chance to slow down. A blogger writes: “If you really want to do some cost-cutting… the only cardinal rule is follow the water system upstream.”
How to Visit & What to Expect
Getting There
From the Laoag City or Pagudpud area, head toward Burgos municipality and Barangay Tanap. From the plaza a tricycle or motorbike can take you to the trailhead. From there it’s a short walk to the falls.Trail & Safety Notes
The trail is fairly gentle, though there are rocks, roots, and damp patches. Wear sturdy shoes or water-friendly footwear especially if you’ll wade or swim in the basin. Water shoes are strongly recommended.
What You’ll Do
Arrive and you’ll find a tranquil pool perfect for a dip, ledges for light cliff-jumping (with caution), and picnic spots on flat rocks. The ambient sound: rushing water, birds, and forest hush. One visitor described the jump as “exhilarating” when they dared to leap.Best Time to Visit
Mid-dry season gives clearer water and good access. Rainy periods may swell the current and make the trail slippery. Go early for lighter crowds and softer light for photos.
Why Tanap-Avis Belongs on Your Itinerary
If you’ve seen the famous windmills, iconic lighthouses, and beach sands of Ilocos Norte, Tanap-Avis offers a fresh layer—a retreat into forest, water, and whispering cliffs. It’s not about the busiest route; it’s about an intimate moment of nature.
For travellers who love to discover, not just do, this waterfall offers time to breathe, listen, and reflect. It’s an unhurried pause where you are surrounded by rock, water, and forest instead of traffic and tour groups.
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Undás — How Filipinos Celebrate All Saints’ & All Souls’ Day
Every year, as autumn begins to whisper in the Philippines, another season stirs: the season of remembrance, family return, and the sacred crossing between life and what lies beyond. Known as Undás—an umbrella term for All Saints’ Day (Nov 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov 2)—this deeply rooted Filipino tradition weaves together faith, ancestry, culture, and the enduring importance of memory.
What Undás Looks Like in Practice
Cemetery Visits & Grave Care
Families travel home from the cities, clean and repaint ancestral tombs, lay fresh flowers, and light candles. It’s a collective home-coming of the living and the departed.Feasting with the Departed
Some families bring food, drinks and hold all-night vigils at the cemetery or nearby homes. This isn’t just about mourning—it’s about togetherness.Paglilimi and Offerings
Indigenous and folk practices remain: in some regions, rituals like átang (food offering) are made to invite returning souls, honour ancestors, or ask for peace.Community, Pause & Reflection
Undás isn’t simply a day off—it’s a pause. Schools and offices may close; traffic flows toward provincial highways; a quiet reverence spreads across towns and cities.
Why Undás Matters: More Than a Holiday
Connection Across Generations
Undás reminds Filipinos that life and death are part of a circle—not separate but connected. When grandchildren walk among tombs of ancestors they never met, culture and memory find a bridge.Faith & Ritual in Everyday Life
Despite influences of modernity, the rituals remain alive—whether via church services, novenas at gravesites, or simply gathering to pray and remember.Cultural Identity & Community
In the bustle of urban life, Undás grounds people. Families unite, barrios rededicate communal plots, local economies—flowers, candles, ceramic reliefs—pulse with tradition. Then there are the informal revivals of folk customs like pangangaluluwa, where songs and sweets mark the night before.
Tips for Visiting or Participating Respectfully
Visit early in the day: cemeteries grow crowded and night visits can make travel and safety more complex.
Bring candles, flowers, or personal mementos—but always leave only footprints behind.
If you stay overnight, do so quietly. Many families sleep near tombs; respect the atmosphere.
Tell someone you’re visiting: roads can be packed, and travel times extend significantly.
Experience local customs: share a pat-pat (rice cake) or join a communal meal—it isn’t intrusive, it’s welcome.
Undás is a tapestry: threads of devotion, legacy, community and place. The candles, the laughter, the stories at midnight—they’re all train-rails in a journey where lives meet, memories live on, and tomorrow’s hopes rest gently among the stones of remembrance.
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