siquijor travel blog

SIQUIJOR TRAVEL GUIDE with Sample Itinerary & Budget

“It’s safe here,” our tricycle driver shared proudly. “You can leave your luggage in the tricycle. No one’s gonna take it.”

That would have been comforting, except he added, “They’re afraid of the needle .”

And just like that, my friend Grace was overtaken by fear. LOL. By reputation, Siquijor is a land of witchcraft and black magic, something that my companion was awfully aware of. But I have traveled long enough to know that a place’s reputation doesn’t always match reality, a view I have explained thoroughly to my friend to blow her doubts away.

But five minutes into this trip, our trike driver filled her mind with images of mysticism. “It’s real,” he said. “I can even take you to a village here so you could meet one.” He was probably referring to the faith healers.

Any other day, I would have said yes as it is something that has always tickled my curiosity, but Grace was quick to steer the conversation away from the topic. “Let’s stick to the beaches!”

Ah beaches. Yes, like many other remote corners of the Philippines, Siquijor too is bursting with something equally magical — natural beauty. This travel guide will allow you to explore beachy side of the province, not much the witchy side. (Sorry if that’s what you’re after. LOL.) And to be honest, that’s probably the only sorcery you’re gonna need.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING SIQUIJOR

When the Spaniards first set foot in the island, they were captivated by fireflies swarming around molave trees, hence the nickname “Isla del Fuego” (Island of Fire). As one of the first provinces reached by the clutches of Spain, Siquijor has Roman Catholicism deeply rooted in their history and culture. In fact, most of the island’s manmade attractions are religious structures.

In terms of land area and population, Siquijor is the third smallest province in the country. It’s so small, you can see most of its key tourist spots in one day or two, although we urge you to stay longer.

• Language : Cebuano. English is widely understood.
• Currency : Philippine peso (PhP). PhP100 = USD2, EUR 1.65, KRW 22000, JPY218
• Mode of payment : Cash. There are a few ATMs in the island so if you’re coming from Dumaguete or Cebu, it would be more convenient to withdraw money before your visit.

WHERE TO STAY IN SIQUIJOR

If you’re strapped for cash, you’ll find several accommodations for less than P1000 a night, with some going as low as P300, especially at town centers and port area. However, note that many of them are basic fan rooms with barely any amenities.

But if you want more comfort, you can stay at a guest house. If you have more funds, staying at a beach-front resort would be ideal. The following are the top options on Agoda, ranked by reviews. Here are the top rated properties on Agoda.

Top Guesthouses in Siquijor

• Swaki-Han Guest House. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Serbab Guesthouse. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Stella’z guesthouse. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Zosimo’s. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Top Siquijor Resorts and Inns

• Infinity Heights Resort. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Coco Grove Beach Resort. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Tropicasa Siquijor. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Tropical Fun Ta Sea Rentals. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Aquamare Beach Camp Resort. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Search for more Siquijor Hotels!

HOW TO GET TO SIQUIJOR

Siquijor doesn’t have its own airport, but it is easily accessible from Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental. Access from ferry is also possible but it takes hours.

MANILA TO SIQUIJOR

If you’re coming from Manila, you have to fly to Dumaguete or Cebu first. Between the two, Dumaguete is the faster, cheaper, and easier option.

• Fly to Dumaguete City . Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air carry passengers from Manila to Dumaguete in about 1.5 hours. You can look for flights at Traveloka.com .
• Take a tricycle to Dumaguete Sea Port (near the boulevard). Travel time: 15-30 minutes. Fare: P120-150.
• Buy a ticket and board a ferry to Siquijor . Travel time: 1 hour. Fare: P136 to P360, depending on the destination port, class, and liner. Several shipping lines ply this route so you’re sure to find one every 2 hours. Options are fewer on Saturdays, though. You also have to pay the terminal fee, P25.

Note : The island has two main sea ports, though: one in Siquijor (the town) and the other in Larena. Choose the one near your resort or hotel.

CEBU TO SIQUIJOR

If you’re in Cebu or you want to visit Siquijor as part of your extended Cebu trip, here’s how to get there.

• Make your way to Cebu South Terminal . If you’re coming from Mactan airport, board the myBus outside the domestic terminal to SM City. There’s a bus leaving the Mactan Airport every 30 minutes from 7am-11am, and every 20 minutes from 11am-9:30pm. Fare: P25. Then take a cab to the South Bus Terminal. Outside these hours, you may take a cab, Uber or Grab straight to the bus terminal. Fare is between P230-P300, depending on traffic.
• Hop into the bus bound for Liloan (in Santander Municipality). Travel time: 4-5 hours. Fare: P162 (ordinary), P200 (air-conditioned).
• Board the ferry bound for Sibulan (in Negros Oriental). Travel time: 20-25 minutes. Fare: P50 (ticket) + P10 Terminal Fee + P2 Municipal Fee.
• At Sibulan Port, ride a jeepney or pedicab to Dumaguete City . Jeepney fare is P12. Pedicab is P10 per person.
• Once in Dumaguete City, take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port . Fare: P10.

HOW TO GET AROUND SIQUIJOR

Upon disembarking at either Siquijor or Larena Port, you will be greeted by tricycle and multi-cab drivers, enticing you to get their services. These are legit. (At least most of them are.) Not only can they take you to your resort, they can also tour you around.

Transportation options are very limited in the island. If you can’t drive a motorcycle, you have two main choices:

• Tricycle Tour : P1000-P1200 per tricycle. Up to 3 pax.
• Multi-cab Tour : P1800 per vehicle. Can accommodate 15+ pax.

According to our trike driver, the following are also available, although we never really saw any rental places.

• Van Tour : P2500 per vehicle
• Motorcycle rental : P350 per vehicle

In our case, we began our tour right away and decided to just drop our luggage at the reception of our resort along the way. This way, we get to maximize our day.

The itinerary isn’t fixed. Although your guide/driver will have their recommendations, you also get to choose where you want to go. For example, Kagusuan Beach isn’t part of the usual tricycle route but our driver agreed to take us there at no extra cost.

If you enjoyed your first day tour, hire your guide-driver for your second day so he could pick you up at the resort.

PLACES TO VISIT IN SIQUIJOR

There are two main tours in Siquijor: Coastal Tour and Mountain Tour. The Coastal Tour will show you around the island, making stops at beaches and churches among others. The Mountain Tour will take you deeper inland to Cantabon Cave and Bandilaan Park.

To maximize your time, choose your stops well. Siquijor has a lot of wonderful spots to offer, but to be honest, there are some that can be a bit underwhelming. For example, the Old Balete Tree and Capilay Spring Park can feel like tourist traps at first glance and they pale in comparison to Aurora’s greater balete tree and Camiguin’s hot springs respectively. But here’s the thing: they are legit attractions among locals , who were the original patrons. Context. But feel free to skip them if you feel like you’re not into them. This way, you can have more time for other sites.

Coastal Tour (aka Land Tour)

• Salagdoong Beach . Perhaps the most popular beach on the island. Great for cliff-jumping. Entrance fee: P30. Parking Fee: P40.
• Kagusuan Beach . A short stretch of sand concealed in between rocks.
• Cambugahay Falls . A small, three-tiered waterfall. Perfect for a quick freshwater dip and a mandatory Tarzan rope swing (jk, it’s not mandatory). Entrance Fee: P10. Unli-Swing: P20. Parking Fee: P20.
• Lazi Church and Convent . More formally known as San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, a Baroque structure which was declared a National Cultural Treasure.
• Siquijor Church . Aka St Francis de Assisi Church. Standing right next to the port.
• Capilay Spring Park
• Enchanted Balete Tree. Entrance fee: P10.
• Paliton Beach
• Guiwanon Spring Park

Mountain Tour

• Cantabon Cave . Great for spelunking newbies. It’s not that challenging, but there are curious rock formations and refreshing pools inside. This was the highlight of our stay in Siquijor! Tour Fee: P500 for 3 pax, including guide fee and rental of helmet and flash lights.
• Mt. Bandilaan Park . Perched atop a hill, offering a walking trail and a view of the province and nearby islands.

SAMPLE SIQUIJOR ITINERARY

Below is a sample overnight itinerary with cost breakdown for a group of three. You may pattern your own itinerary after this. Just adjust it according to your needs.

You can book a tricycle or multi-cab tour of the island as soon as you arrive in the island. If your resort is along the way, you may ask the driver to make a quick stop there to check in and leave your bags at the reception before continuing your tour.

The Island Tour mentioned below would take you to key tourist spots in Siquijor including Cambugahay Falls, Salagdoong Beach, Lazi Church and Convent, Siquijor Church, Ecnchanted Balete Tree, and Capilay Spring Park.

Day 1: ARRIVAL + COASTAL TOUR 09:00 am – ETD Dumaguete Port – P25 Terminal Fee 10:00 am – ETA Siquijor Port – P250 Fare 10:20 am – Start Tricycle Tour – P334 (P1000/3pax) 12:30 nn – Lunch – P150 02:00 pm – Continue Island Tour, Total fees: P100 05:30 pm – Back at the resort, rest 07:00 pm – Dinner – P200

Day 2: CANTABON CAVE SPELUNKING 07:00 am – Begin Mountain Tour – P400 (P1200/3 pax) 07:30 am – Cantabon Cave Spelunking – P167 (P500/3 pax) 10:30 am – Bandilaan Park 12:00 nn – Lunch – P150 01:50 pm – ETD Siquijor Port – P250 02:40 pm – ETA Dumaguete Port

The itinerary above will cost you P2100 (USD 42, SGD 57, EUR 37) excluding airfare and accommodations.

If you’re a group of 3 and you have P1500 hotel budget, prepare to shell out P2600 .

Note that we also allotted P150-P200 per meal. That’s more than enough if you decide to eat at cheap eateries around town centers. (That’s what we did.)

Most travelers visit Siquijor as part of a bigger Negros Oriental-Siquijor journey, which also includes Dumaguete City, Apo Island, and sometimes Manjuyod Sandbar. We’ll be providing a sample itinerary for that soon so be sure to check back.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is the best time to visit siquijor.

January to May is the best time to visit Siquijor.

Weather-wise, the months of February to May are the driest, which means there’s very little chance that unexpected showers would ruin your itinerary. However, it is also considered high season (peaking during Holy Week)!

Is Siquijor safe?

Yes, Siquijor is generally safe.

But it’s always best to keep an eye on your belongings and don’t leave them just anywhere.

What type of power plug / socket is used in Siquijor?

Electricity Info: 220V, 60Hz. Plug and socket Type A.

What is the tipping custom in Siquijor?

Just like in other places in the Philippines, tipping is not mandatory in Siquijor. Restaurants at resorts usually include a service charge but it does not always go to the servers.

If you enjoyed the service, feel free to tip. A tip of 5-10% of the bill is generally well-appreciated.

Are there ATMs in Siquijor?

There are a few ATMs in the island so if you’re coming from Dumaguete or Cebu, it would be more convenient to withdraw money before your visit.

Updates Log

2020 March 8 – Added newly implemented entrance fees

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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SIQUIJOR Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary) 2019

by thepinay solobackpacker | May 27, 2019 | Itinerary , Siquijor , Travel Guide | 26 comments

The unassuming province of Siquijor has rose to fame in recent years.  This largely uncharted region is oozing with pristine beaches     and gorgeous diving spots.  It is comprised of towns with idyllic coastal charm.  Here’s a travel guide blog to help you plan your trip to the Island of Fire – Siquijor.

TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS

SIQUIJOR ISLAND PRE-TRIP PLANNING

When is the best time to visit Siquijor:  The best time to visit Siquijor Island is during the summer season, from March to May.  You may also travel to  Siquijor from November to February but try to avoid the months of  June to October due to the rainy season and possible storms.  Best to check the weather updates for your safety.

What to bring in Siquijor:

Bring reef-friendly sunscreen and mosquito or insect repellent.

Wear aqua shoes when swimming.

Mobile signal in Siquijor:  Mobile signal is available in Siquijor.

Internet in Siquijor: Some resorts and hotels in Siquijor have free Wi-Fi, mobile data is also available but signal is generally intermittent.

Siquijor Electricity: Electrical socket is type A. 220V and 60 Hz.

Mode of payment in Siquijor: Everything is on cash basis.

ATM in Siquijor: There are only 3 ATMs in Siquijor, best to stack up cash and withdraw in Dumaguete.

Language in Siquijor: Cebuano is widely spoken, but locals know how to speak English.

Safety in Siquijor: Siquijor is pretty safe for tourists even for solo female travelers, but as in any place, don’t leave your bags and important things unattended. There have been reports of theft at Cambugahay Falls before. During my visit here once, there were foreign tourists complaining about theft to the local police.

SIQUIJOR TRAVEL GUIDE

How to get to siquijor island, manila to siquijor.

Estimated Total Travel time:  3 hours

Estimated Total Fare (one way): PHP 345

1.Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have daily flights to Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental).  Travel time is about an hour. SEARCH FOR FLIGHTS HERE

2. Once you arrive in Dumaguete Airport, follow the Dumaguete to Siquijor instructions below.

Dumaguete to Siquijor

Estimated Total Travel time:  1.5 hours

Estimated Total Fare (one way): PHP 235

2. From Dumaguete City airport (Sibulan Airport), you can charter a tricycle to take you to Dumaguete Port. Standard fare is PHP 100 and transit time is roughly 30 minutes. 

Alternatively, you can walk outside Dumaguete Airport and hail a jeepney to Dumaguete City. Fare is around PHP 10. In Dumaguete City, you can walk or take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port.

3. At Dumaguete Port buy ferry (Roro) or fast craft ticket to Siquijor.  Arrive a couple of minutes before your intended departure.  There are several ferry and fastcraft from Dumaguete Port to Siquijor starting at 5:45 AM to 7:00 PM and departs roughy every 2 hours.   One way ferry fare to Siquijor starts at PHP 120 and travel time is almost 2 hours.  A faster alternative is a fastcraft, one way ticket starts at PHP 210 and transit time is roughly 1 hour.

SEE FERRY SCHEDULE HERE

4. Pay the PHP 25 terminal fee in Dumagute Port.

5.  Board the ferry or fastcraft to Siquijor.

6. Upon arrival in Siquijor, you can take a habal-habal (motorcycle) or ride a tricycle to your hotel or resort.

Cebu to Siquijor

Option 1 (Cebu to Dumaguete)

Estimated Total travel time: Roughy 6-7 hours

Estimated Total fare (one way):  PHP 548

1. From Cebu City , go to South Bus Terminal.  Taxi and Grab are available in Cebu, and most taxi drivers  there use the meter.

If you are coming from Cebu Airport in Mactan,  you can take a taxi  or Grab straight to South Bus Terminal, fare is roughly PHP 350.   A cheaper alternative is the MyBus  to SM City right outside the Domestic Terminal. Fare is PHP 25.  The Mybus leaves every 30 minutes 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and every 20 minutes from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM.  From SM City Cebu, you can take a taxi or Grab to South Bus Terminal, fare is around PHP 200 +.

2. Once you are in South Bus Terminal, take a Ceres bus to Dumaguete. Fare is PHP 260 + ferry fare for PHP 70.  The bus will board the ferry in Bato, Cebu. Total fare is around PHP 330.  Travel time is around 4-5 hours. 

3. The Ceres bus will stop in Ceres Bus Terminal in Dumaguete.  Take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port, fare is PHP 8 per person.

4. At Dumaguete Port, buy ferry of fastcraft ticket to Siquijor. There are several ferry and fastcraft from Dumaguete Port to Siquijor  every 2 hours from 5:45 AM to 7:00 PM.   One way ferry ticket to Siquijor starts at PHP 120 and travel time is almost 2 hours.  Meanwhile, one way ticket for fasctcraft starts at PHP 210 and transit time is roughly 1 hour.

5. Pay the PHP 25 terminal fee at Dumaguete Port.

6. Board the fastcraft or ferry.

 7. In Siquijor Port, you can take a tricycle or habal-habal (motorcycle) to your resort or hotel.  Fare is around PHP 100 (good for 2 persons).

IMPORTANT: Buses from Cebu to Dumaguete are limited, so if you miss this bus, follow Option 2 below. 

Option 2 (Cebu to Liloan to Dumaguete)

Estimated Total fare (one way):  PHP 484

1. At South Bus Terminal in Cebu City, ride the bus to Liloan in Santander town.   Travel time is about 4-5 hours depending on traffic condition. Fare is about PHP 162 / USD 3.22  for ordinary bus and roughy PHP 200 / USD 3.98  for air-conditioned bus.

2. At Liloan Port in Santander, buy your fastcraft ticket to Sibulan (Negros Oriental) for around PHP 50 +  PHP 10 Terminal Fee + PHP 2 Municipal Fee = PHP 62. Travel time is less than 25 minutes.

3.  In Sibulan port, ride a jeep bound for Dumaguete City. Fare is about PHP 12/ USD 0.24

4. At Dumaguete Port there are several ferries bound for Siquijor. Travel time is roughly 1 hour. One way fare for fast craft starts at PHP 210, transit time is about 1 hour.  Ferry is slower, about 1.5 hours and one way fare is PHP 120.  See the ferry schedule  here.

5. Pay the PHP 25 terminal fee.

6. Ride the ferry or fastcraft to Siquijor.

7. Upon arrival in Siquijor, you can take a habal-habal (motorcycle) or ride a tricycle to your hotel or resort. Standard rate is around PHP 100, good for 2 pax.

Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Siquijor

There is a ferry  that  runs between Tagbilaran in Bohol and Siquijor.  You can book tickets through the link below. Here’s the ferry schedule:

Bohol to Siquijor : Daily 10:20 AM

Siquijor to Bohol: Daily 12:30 PM

RESERVE FERRY TICKET HERE

Dapitan to Siquijor

1. Take a tricycle to Dapitan Pier.

2. At Dapitan Pier there are several ferries bound for Dumaguete City. Travel time is approximately 3 hours. Fare is PHP 350 / USD 6.96.

3. In Dumaguete City Port, look for ferries en route to Siquijor.

Iligan City to Siquijor

There is a ferry that leaves from Iligan City to Siquijor. Check the SIQUIJOR FERRY SCHEDULE HERE. 

Getting around Siquijor

From Siquijor town proper to San Juan (we stayed in San Juan on our first day) we were charged PHP 150 / USD 3 for a special trip.

If you are alone and you want to save a few bucks, there are also jeepneys bound for San Juan, fare is roughly PHP 15 / USD 0.30, however, it only leaves once full.

How to Tour Siquijor

By motorbike.

You may charter a motorcycle for touring Siquijor. Many foreigners prefer this, as the tourist attractions are far from each other. Standard rate is PHP 300, you need to fuel the motorcycle.  Basically, it is full tank when you rent it and you need to fuel upon return.

BY TRICYCLE

Alternatively, you may hire a tricycle for touring around Siquijor. Rate is PHP 1,000 / USD 20 to PHP 1,200 (good for 3 persons). Rate is around PHP  1,000 / USD 20 – PHP 1,500 / USD 30 for tricycle tour around Siquijor. The tricycle drivers usually have a map to show you where they will take you.

The standard tricycle tour in Siquijor usually includes a visit to the following attractions: Paliton Beach, Capilay Hot Spring, Balete Tree (fish spa), Hapitanan Cafe and Restaurant (witch broomstick riding photo op), Lazi Church and Convent, Cambugahay Falls (Tarzan swing), Church of Our lady of Divine providence in Sta. Maria,  Salagdoong Beach, San Vicente Ferrer Parish Church, Guiwanon Spring Park, Pasalubong Center, St. Francis Asisi Church and Bell Tower and Welcome to Siquijor marker.

BY MULTI-CAB

If you are traveling with a group, you may hire a multi-cab, rate is around PHP 1,800 for a whole day tour, good for 15 persons.

BY TOUR PACKAGE

If you have limited time but you want to do a Siquijor day trip, you can avail of a hassle-free Siquijor Tour Package 2018  from Dumaguete.  You can book through the links below:

Siquijor Tour : Cambugahay Falls and Heritage Day Trip : RESERVE HERE

 Siquijor Tourist Attractions

There are a couple of tourist attractions in Siquijor, 1-2 days should be enough to cover them.  Here’s a list of  top attractions in Siquijor that is usually included in the Siquijor tricycle tour or multi-cab tour.

ALSO READ:   Siquijor Tourist Spots

1.capilay hot spring .

Situated in San Juan town in Siquijor Island, Capilay Hot Spring is like a public pool where locals usually swim and hang out.  It has beautiful, deep green water.

2. Balete Tree

This gigantic, age old Balete Tree is a fave tourist spot for fish spa.  You will also find locals doing their laundry here the traditional way.

Entrance Fee: FREE

3. Hapitanan Cafe and Restaurant

This restaurant rose to fame because of it witch broomstick for photo op.  Tourists usually drop by here to ride the famed broomstick.

4. Lazi Church

The 18th century San Isidro Labrador Church, known as Lazi Church, is one of the most fam0us tourist spots in Siquijor.  It is a National Historic Shrine.

5.  Lazi Convent

Fronting the Lazi Church is the massive, ancient Lazi Convent declared as a National Historic Shrine.  It is dubbed as the biggest convent in the country.

6. Cambugahay Falls (Tarzan swing)

Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor is known for its emerald-green water and a famous spot for Tarzan swing.

Entrance Fee:  PHP 7

Parking fee : PHP 20

7. Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence 

The eerie looking Our Lady of Divine Providence in Sta. Maria town, is another usual stop for the tricycle tour in Siquijor.  The image of this sad-looking, female saint is wearing black.

Entrance Fee:  FREE

8. Salagdoong Beach 

This beach is known for its turquoise water and cliff jumping.   There are also cottages and accommodations here.

Entrance Fee: PHP 75

Parking Fee: PHP 40

9. St. Francis Assisi Church, Bell Tower + Siquijor Marker 

This church is located in Siquijor poblacion and probably the first tourist spot that you’ll see in town together with its bell tower.  Nearby, you’ll see a Siquijor Marker, a popular photo op spot for tourists.

10. Guiwanon Spring Park

Another stop of the Siquijor tricycle tour is the Guiwanon Spring Park fringed by mangrove forest.

11. Mt. Bandilaan Park

This jungle-fringed mountain is littered with fan palm and trees.  There’s a tower here where you can climb and witness the view of the Siquijor island below.

12. Faith Healing

Siquijor is known as the land of faith healing.  The province celebrates Faith Healing Festival during the Holy Week (Black Saturday) when faith healers cook their concoctions.  Tourists can even buy love potion in Siquijor.  If you want to witness a traditional healing in Siquijor,you can rent a tricycle and take you to one of the villages there. One popular traditional healing is called bolo-bolo where an old woman chants a a prayer and blows the water with a black stone through a stick until it become murky.

Other Siquijor Tourist Attractions:

Paliton Beach : A serene palm-fringed beach with powdery sand.

Kagusuan Beach: Another famous beach in Siquijor known for its rock formations.

Cantabon Cave:  Spelunking tour fee is PHP 500, good for 3 persons.  This rate includes helmet rental, flash light and guide fee.

Where to Stay in Siqujor

There’s a wealth of resorts and hotels in Siquijor for all types of budget.  Best to book ahead in advance especially if you are visiting on a holiday, weekend and summer months.  Here’s a list of top-rated accommodations in Siquijor.

BUDGET SIQUIJOR RESORTS AND HOTELS

• Toris Backpacker Paradise (San Juan, Siquijor) :   CHECK ROOM RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
• Good Vibes Siquijor  (San Juan, Siquijor) :  CHECK ROOM RATES HERE  
• James Homestay (Catican, Siquijor) : CHECK ROOM RATES
• Isla Inn (Dumajog, Siquijor) : CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
• Treasure Islands Bungalow (San Juan, Suquijor): CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

MID-RANGE SIQUIJOR RESORTS AND HOTELS

• Glamping Siquijor by the Beach (San Juan, Siquijor): CHECK ROOM RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
• Toris Paradise (Dumanjog, Siquijor): CHECK ROOM RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
• The Bruce Luxury Private Cottage (San Juan, Siquijor) : CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
• Gold View Beach Resort (San Juan, Siquijor): CHECK ROOM RATES HER E OR RESERVE HERE
• Andoyo Cove Resort (San Juan, Siqiuijor): CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

HIGH-END RESORTS IN SIQUIJOR AND HOTELS

• White Villas Resort (San Juan, Siquijor): CHECK ROOM RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
• Kalachuchi Beach Resor t (Brgy.Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor): CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
• Aloha Seaside Resort (San Juan, Siquijor) : RESERVE HERE

SIQUIJOR ITINERARY

DUMAGUETE-SIQUIJOR ITINERARY 3 DAYS/ 2 NIGHTS

This sample Siquijor Itinerary is good for a solo traveler, could be cheaper if you have travel buddies.  Feel free to adjust this depending on your travel schedule and budget.

SIQUIJOR TRIP BUDGET

Here’s a sample Siquijor trip budget if you follow the sample itinerary above, minus the expenses in Dumaguete.

GRAND TOTAL : PHP 3,327 

If your are a party of 2, estimated budget is PHP 2,727 per person if you follow the above itinerary.  The fare in Dumaguete and tour is not included.

DAPITAN TOURIST SPOTS

Things to do in dumaguete, bohol travel guide, cebu: swimming with the whale sharks.

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SAN JUAN BATANGAS TOURIST SPOTS + THINGS TO DO (2024)

26 comments.

Nice guide! planning to follow this itinerary on a tight budget. i hope prices are still the same. any tips on budgeting? 😀

Hi how much is your hotel?

Hello! Where did you check-in in Siquijor?

Hi. Good day! I would like to ask if in their public beach we can use a tent in their public beach? Thank you

Not sure about in Salagdoong, but there are other public beaches in Siquijor where that’s probably allowed.

Hi! Just wondering if july is a good time to go to siquijor? Is it typhoon season during this time?

Summer is the best time (March to May). Yes, rainy season is around this time until October.

How much does the tricycle tour for the entire day cost?

I mentioned it above

Hi! I’d like to ask if there is still a ferry/route from iligan city to siquijor? Thanks 😁

Not so sure about that

God bless all your journey in life 🙂

Thank you so much

May i ask where’s the best place to stay in Siquijor if we would like to travel fast to Salamoodong beach and Cambugahay Falls? Would it be Siquijor or San Juan? Thanks!

Meron po. Cokaliong Shipping Lines.

meron cebu to siquijor, but not in siquijor port ata. i remembered it was to a port in larena, siquijor.

Will be checking Siquijor by may. This guide will really help. Thank you.

Maayo Shipping Lines

Lilo-an, Santander, Cebu to Larena, Siquijor every 10:00 A.M.

Larena, Siquijor to Lilo-an, Santander, Cebu every 5:00 P.M.

Is there a ferry, cebu to siquijor? or cebu to larena, siquijor?

best to reserve ahead

tricycle is good for 3 persons, not minimum of 3 persons po

Hello Gael!

Do you have any contact no. for multicab rental for Siquijor day tour? Thank you!

No, I’m sorry.

Do you have a contact number for multicab rental for Siquijor tour? Thank you!

No, I’m sorry

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3 Day Siquijor Itinerary – The Ultimate Guide

When planning your Siquijor Itinerary, there are many awesome things to do and see including epic waterfalls, white sand beaches, awesome cliff jumps, and more !

I have put together this easy-to-follow 3 Day Siquijor Itinerary which includes all of the best tourist spots around the island.

Also, at the bottom of this post, I’ve included useful information on how to get to Siquijor, where to stay, how to get around, and the best time to visit.

Table of Contents

OVERVIEW – SIQUIJOR ITINERARY

Below is an overview of an ideal 3 Day Siquijor Itinerary  in this exact order.

• Paliton Beach
• Lugnason Falls
• Century-Old Balete Tree
• Lazi Church
• Lagaan Falls
• Cambugahay Falls
• Tubod Marine Sanctuary
• Man-Made Forest
• Talisay Beach
• Salagdoong Beach
• Butterfly Sanctuary
• Quisol Mountain View
• Apo Island day trip

SIQUIJOR ITINERARY – DAY 1:

Paliton beach.

The first thing that should be on the top of your itinerary is to hit the beach!

Paliton Beach is rated as one of the best beaches in Siquijor for its glistening white sands and palm tree fringed shoreline.

It’s located in the main tourist area of San Juan, so you’ll be within walking distance if you book your stay in this area.

There are a few oceanside cafes and beach bars dotted along Paliton Beach serving up cold brews and delicious meals.

Most have happy hour between 4 pm and 6 pm, so make sure to get there around this time if you want to score some cheap drinks and watch the sunset!

If you visit Paliton Beach during the day it’s just as good. You can find a number of tree swings tied to bent palms where you can swing out over the water’s edge!

Apart from that, there isn’t a whole lot more to do other than go swimming in the ocean, lay in a hammock underneath the coconut palms, or read a book by the beach.

Full Blog Post → Paliton Beach Siquijor

LUGNASON FALLS

Lugnason Falls, also known as Zodiac Falls, is one of the top 3 waterfalls in Siquijor .

Lugnason Falls is located in the main tourist area of San Juan. From Paliton Beach, it’s approximately a 15-minute drive inland to reach this popular tourist spot.

The entrance is free though you may be asked to pay a small parking fee of 10 pesos.

From the jump-off point, it takes around 15 minutes to walk along a dirt trail through the forest to reach Lugnason Falls.

Lugnason Falls features a 5-meter waterfall and a large spring filled with blue Gatorade-colored water.

It’s an adventurer’s playground and reminded me of the blue-ass water that I found at Kawasan Falls in Cebu .

Lugnason Falls is a great spot to hang out and go swimming under the falls to cool off. For thrill-seekers, jumping from the top of the falls into the catch basin below is a lot of fun too!

Don’t end the adventure here as there are more unique spots to be found in the same valley as Lugnason Falls.

Follow the jungle trail downstream where you will find man-made aqua ducts and an epic cold spring perfect for swimming!

Full Blog Post → Lugnason Falls

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CENTURY-OLD BALETE TREE

The Century-Old Balete Tree is one of the most visited tourist attractions on the island and it’s easy to see why!

This 400-year-old tree is worthy of a quick stop during your stay.

Century-Old Balete Tree is located in Lazi on the south coast. From San Juan, it’s approximately a 20-minute drive to reach this ancient tree and the entrance fee is only 10 pesos.

The 400-year-old  Enchanted Balete Tree in Siquijor has a very mystical and spiritual background.

It’s a place that local shamen use for sacred rituals, however, I didn’t see any witchcraft when I visited.

At the base of the Century Old Balete Tree is a small freshwater pond filled with fish that will nibble the dead skin off the soles of your feet if you dip them in.

Enjoy your fish foot spa while marveling at the thick canopy and huge vines that hang from the Old Enchanted Balete Tree.

Next to the Century-Old Tree in Siquijor, there is a restaurant where you can grab a meal with drinks and also a souvenir store selling all sorts of gifts.

Find All →   Hostels / Resorts / Hotels in Siquijor

VISIT THE LAZI CHURCH

Lazi Church, also known as San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, is a popular stop on most people’s Siquijor itinerary.

The Lazi Church is the oldest, largest, and most significant Roman Catholic Church on Siquijor Island Philippines.

Must Read: 21 Best Travel Accessories For Any Trip

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church is located in Lazi on the south coast. From San Juan, it’s approximately a 20-minute drive to reach this tourist attraction.

The construction of Lazi Church was completed in 1884 and was built mainly with stone and hardwood.

The bell tower attached to one side of the church was built one year later which is the most dominant feature on the outside.

Next to the church, you can also find a silent convent that acts as a museum that holds many old artifacts and antiques. The entrance fee at the museum is around 20 pesos.

Lazi Church also plays home to large masses and it’s possible to take a tour inside this century-old church with a priest.

LAGAAN FALLS

Lagaan Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Siquijor and a must-see during your visit!

Swimming holes, rope swings, rock jumps, and small caves are just some of the things you can expect to find at these falls.

But before you get to the falls, don’t forget to pack your Quick-Dry Travel Towel .

Lagaan Falls is located in Lazi on the south coast. From the main tourist area of San Juan, it’s approximately a 30-minute drive to reach the falls.

The entrance fee is 30 pesos and parking is free. Local guides will offer to take you down to the falls at the entrance, but this is not necessary as the trail is clearly marked.

However, I visited these falls on my own and decided to take a guide for good company and he asked for 50 pesos for his services.

It takes around 15 minutes to walk along a dirt trail underneath a dense rainforest canopy to reach t he first level of this Siquijor waterfall.

Some of the features you will find here are a large swimming hole, rope swings, small caves, rock jumps, and a wide set of falls. 

Don’t forget to follow the jungle trail upstream where you will find small freshwater rock pools and natural jacuzzis.

You could easily spend a few hours here jumping from pool to pool and swinging from the tree swings and not get bored.

Full Blog Post → Lagaan Falls

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CAMBUGAHAY FALLS

Cambugahay Falls is arguably the best waterfall in Siquijor that is most famous for its tiered levels and freshwater cascades that are surrounded by lush rainforest.

Cambugahay Falls is located in Lazi which is approximately a 30-minute drive from San Juan to reach the falls and the entrance fee is 20 pesos.

From the jump-off point, it takes around 5 minutes to walk down a set of concrete steps to reach the first level of Cambugahay Falls.

These epic falls feature a large natural swimming hole and some man-made structures including rope swings, bamboo rafts, and a wide set of falls. 

Besides the bottom swimming hole, there are a few more levels of the falls to explore.

Make sure not to forget your Waterproof Phone Case , it would be a shame not to take amazing photos on the way!

Follow the trail upstream and across the bamboo bridges where you will find more freshwater swimming holes, flowing rock pools, and several cliff-jumping spots.

Full Blog Post → Cambugahay Falls

SIQUIJOR ITINERARY – DAY 2:

Tubod marine sanctuary.

Day 2 of this Siquijor itinerary begins at Tubod Marine Sanctuary, a protected reef that is rated as one of the best snorkeling and dive sites on Siquijor.

Explore the beautiful underwater world that this location has to offer.

Tubod Marine Sanctuary can be found in front of Coco Grove Resort and just off the shore from Tubod Beach in San Juan.

From Paliton Beach, it’s approximately a 10-minute drive to reach Tubod Marine Sanctuary.

Must Read → 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary

Colorful corals and an abundance of marine life flourish within this protected marine sanctuary so you are in for a real treat!

You can bring your own mask and snorkel with you or rent one from the resort and it’s a short-distance swim out to the reef.

There are minimal currents and waves at Tubod Marine Sanctuary and the waters are incredibly clear.

I recommend setting aside at least one hour of your day to enjoy snorkeling at this location.

MAN-MADE FOREST SIQUIJOR

The Man-Made Forest in Siquijor is similar to the Bilar Man-Made Forest in Bohol , though on a smaller scale.

A visit to this tourist attraction is worthy of a quick stop for a photo during your adventures around the island.

The man-made forest can be found in Maria on the southeastern corner of Siquijor Island. From San Juan, it is approximately a 45-minute drive.

This enchanting stretch of road is around 2 km long and lined with beautiful mahogany trees between the towns of Minalulan and Liloan.

When you enter this parallel tunnel of trees, you’ll feel like you’ve just entered another realm.

You will also notice the temperature drop drastically as you drive through the man-made forest because the canopy above almost completely cuts out the sun.

There is also a nearby beach just before you arrive at the man-made forest that is worth checking out for a quick photo.

TALISAY BEACH

Talisay Beach Siquijor is not as crowded and popular as Paliton Beach which is why you should definitely find the time to visit this underrated beach.

Talisay Beach can be found between Lazi and Maria which is also in the same direction as Salagdoong Beach.

There is no official entry point for Talisay Beach, you can just park your scooter on the side of the road and follow one of the dirt trails down to the shoreline.

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Emerging out of the jungle trail, you’ll step foot onto a white sand and coral cove that is stunning, to say the least.

Talisay Beach is best visited at high tide when the water comes right up to the palm-fringed shoreline, making it easier to go for a swim.

At low tide, you will have to walk across the rocky reef to find deeper water for a refreshing dip.

Click here to check the tide times in advance.

Talisay Beach is also a renowned spot for snorkeling in Siquijor, so make sure to bring a mask and snorkel set with you down to the beach.

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SALAGDOONG BEACH & CLIFF JUMP

Salagdoong Beach is hands down one of the best beaches in Siquijor, which is most famous for snorkeling around the colorful reefs, relaxing on the secluded beaches and epic cliff jumping!

Salagdoong Beach is attached to Salagdoong Beach Resort on the far east corner of Siquijor Island in the town of Maria.

From San Juan, it’s approximately a 50-minute drive to reach Salagdoong Beach and the entrance fee is 30 pesos per person plus an additional 20 pesos for parking.

Salagdoong Beach boasts two beautiful coves lined with coconut palms and white sand shorelines.

Just off the shore is a colorful reef that is great for snorkeling and swimming. 

I would have to say the slippery slide and cliff jumping at Salagdoong Beach is the main attraction and one for thrill-seekers!

Make sure you must visit during high tide to do these activities.

The cliff jumps at this beach were definitely up my alley! There are two diving boards here, one is around 5 meters and the other is 10 meters.

I recommend spending around 1 or 2 hours at Salagdoong Beach before continuing on to explore the rest of the island

Full Blog Post → Salagdoong Beach & Cliff Jump

SIQUIJOR BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY

The beautiful butterfly sanctuary in Siquijor was one of my favorite stops during my Siquijor trip and I recommend checking it out for yourselves.

The Siquijor Butterfly Sanctuary is located close to the highest point on the island at Cang-apa village between Lazi and Larena. From San Juan, it is approximately a 40-minute drive.

The butterfly park is run by a local man who welcomes guests to walk around the gardens and interact with the butterflies and other bugs inside his sanctuary.

It’s worth a quick stop to have a poke around and grab a fresh buko (coconut) before continuing on to the next spot!

QUISOL MOUNTAIN VIEW

Quisol Mountain View boasts one of the best panoramic viewpoints which overlooks Siquijor Island and its pristine coastlines.

This epic viewpoint is an off-the-beaten-path adventure that is easy to find and far away from the crowds at other tourist spots.

Quisol Mountain View is located at the top of the hill between Lazi and Larena.

It is approximately a 40-minute drive from San Juan to Quisol Mountain View. Here is the exact pin location on Google Maps.

There is no official parking lot or tourist desk at this location, so you will have to park your scooter on the side of the road and find the entry point which isn’t too hard to find.

You will see a large sign with the words ‘Quisol Mountain View’ written on it and make-shift stairs cut into the land leading up to the viewpoint. See the image below for reference.

It takes around 5 minutes to walk to the top of the mountain, and you’ll be rewarded with extensive views of Siquijor Island.

Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy on the day I visited, but on a nice clear day, you will be able to see the neighboring islands of Cebu , Negros, and Bohol .

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SIQUIJOR ITINERARY – DAY 3:

Day trip to apo island.

On the last day of your Siquijor itinerary, I highly recommend heading over to the incredible Apo Island , a volcanic island located 30 km off Siquijor’s southern coastline.

Notorious for its dive sites and snorkeling, an Apo Island day trip is one of the top-rated things to do.

To book an Apo Island Tour you can pop into one of the many dive shops and resorts located along Paliton Beach in San Juan and organize your trip through them at least one day in advance.

The Apo Island tour is an entire day of snorkeling with sea turtles, fish, sea snakes, and hundreds of colorful corals.

There are also a few small mountain peaks on Apo Island that you can hike.

Related Article → Dumaguete Travel Guide

WHERE IS SIQUIJOR ISLAND?

Siquijor Island is located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines.

Click here to see the location on Google maps.

Siquijor is very close to the neighboring islands of Cebu, Bohol, and Dumaguete which can be easily reached by plane or ferry.

HOW TO GET TO SIQUIJOR

There are two ways of getting to Siquijor, one is by plane and the other by ferry.

BY PLANE: 

There are weekly flights to Siquijor connecting domestic travelers coming from Manila, Cebu, and Dumaguete.

The only airport on the island is Siquijor Airport.

Search All: F lights To Siquijor

By ferry: .

Dumaguete to Siquijor ferry

One of the most common routes is the ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor, which takes approximately 1.5 hours and the cost is around 500-600 pesos depending on the star rating of the ferry.

There is also an additional 20 pesos terminal fee.

There are daily ferries departing from Dumaguete Port in Negros Oriental and arriving at Larena Port in Siquijor.

Book Now: Dumaguete To Siquijor Ferry

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Cebu to Siquijor ferry

If you happen to be in the very south of Cebu and heading to Siquijor from here, there are only two ferry departures per day leaving from Liloan Port in Cebu at 7 am and 7 pm, bound for Larena Port in Siquijor.

The ferry from Cebu to Siquijor takes approximately 1-2 hours and the cost is around 200 pesos.

You can purchase your tickets at the Liloan Port at least one hour before departure.

Book Now: Cebu To Siquijor Ferry

Bohol to Siquijor ferry

The ferry from Bohol to Siquijor is also a common route for travelers and this is the exact route that I took.

The cost for this journey is around 900 pesos plus an additional 20 pesos terminal fee.

There are daily ferries departing from Tagbilaran Port in Bohol and it takes approximately 2 hours to reach Larena Port in Siquijor.

Book Now →  Bohol To Siquijor Ferry

WHERE TO STAY IN SIQUIJOR

Siquijor has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.

See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:

Luxury:  Aloha Seaside Resort

Mid Range:  Nakabalo Guesthouse & Restaurant

Budget:  JJS Backpackers Village

FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY,  SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM

Getting around siquijor island.

There are a few different methods of transportation for getting around the island and they are by scooter, habal habal, tricycle, or Jeepney.

You can rent a scooter for as little as 250 pesos per day and make your way around Siquijor Island at your own pace.

When you arrive on the island by ferry, you’ll find that there are half a dozen scooter rental stores located at the Larena ferry terminal which is super convenient.

You can pick up a set of wheels for the time you plan to spend on the island.

Suppose you are not confident driving a scooter, the other option is to hail down a Jeepney, tricycle, or habal habal (motorbike taxi) along the main road in Larena and get a ride to San Juan, the main tourist hub on the island.

The cost depends on how good your bartering skills are, though for a 40-minute drive from Larena to San Juan in a Jeepney should be around 100 pesos, in a tricycle 500 pesos and habal-habal 350 pesos.

Note that these prices are rough estimates.

BEST TIME TO VISIT SIQUIJOR

Weather-wise, the best time to visit Siquijor is between April and July when temperatures are hot and barely any rainfall.

This is also high season in Siquijor, so expect to see many tourists during these months.

I recommend visiting on the shoulder months of the high season between November and March, which sees a bit of rainfall but usually only lasts for a couple of hours and the rest of the day is sunny.

Try to avoid the typhoon season in Siquijor which is between August and October.

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES

When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you.

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Click the button below to view all articles related to the Philippines!

FINAL THOUGHTS – 3 DAY SIQUIJOR ITINERARY

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about this Siquijor Itinerary, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

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Home » Southeast Asia » Philippines » Siquijor

Siquijor Travel Guide – The Philippines’ Mystical Island

Witchcraft, black magic, love potion, sorcery, faith healings…

These are some of the things that most people associate with Siquijor, an island province in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. While there is so much to do and see here – which is why I wrote this Siquijor Travel Guide – the tales of sorcery and black magic are what truly drew me there.

Different explanations have been given on why the Philipines’ mysterious Siquijor island earned such a unique reputation but the most obvious would have to be that faith healers do exist here. Irrespective of tales of sorcerers and wizards of old, my trip to the Philippines and Siquijor’s mysteries showed me…

Magic still exists in our world.

Siquijor Island, Philippines: What I Discovered

Top things to do in siquijor, siquijor travel guide: where to stay, siquijor travel guide to getting there and around, the siquijor travel guide: conclusions.

During my research, I found out that these faith healers come in two types – those who heal and those who inflict harm. Some may be quick to point out that these can be one and the same person but apparently they have ‘areas of specialization’ similar to doctors.

Their powers are believed to be so powerful and effective that even those from nearby provinces would go to the island of Siquijor to avail of their services.

Most Siquijor neighborhoods have succumbed to a bit of modernization, so faith healers have remained on the outskirts. If you want to consult with one, you have to know the right people who just might help you. These are also the reasons why – for a long time – it is not been as popular as staying in Bohol or Cebu.

If there is anything good from it not being flocked by visitors, it’s that its beauty has remained intact for future generations to appreciate. Although it is slowly becoming a favourite among local and foreign tourists, Siquijor did not give in to the demands of full modernization. It maintains its mystique all the while bewitching first-time visitors to return to its turquoise waters and century-old churches.

I happen to be one of those first-time visitors in August 2015. An airline was having a ticket promo, and I wanted to go somewhere that wasn’t fast-paced, a place where I can spend the day without rushing from one tourist spot to another. Siquijor has always intrigued me, and I wanted to debunk the reputation that many have believed to be true.

I’ve seen photos of its hidden gems that I just had to see for myself. I left all my apprehensions at home, packed my bags, and allowed Isla de Fuego (‘Island of Fire’) to blow me away. I hope my Siquijor Travel Guide inspires you to do the same!

Related:  Check out our Backpacking Philippines Travel Guide for more awesome information on this magnificent country!

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There are plenty of awesome things to do in Siquijor, depending on how long you’ll stay in each place. For tours around Siquijor’s tourist spots, you may charter a tricycle for at least 1,000 PHP ($21 US).

Based on my experience, all of the tricycle drivers in Siquijor offer tours as this seems to be a huge source of their income. Chances are, your tricycle driver from the port to the hotel will also offer you his services.

Depending on which municipality you are staying, your driver will take you to the following points of interest.

1. Enchanted Balete Tree

For those who want to have a taste of Siquijor’s mysterious side, drop by the centuries-old balete tree along the highway of Lazi . What makes this unique from all the other balete trees in the country is the cold spring found at its base, the source of which is unknown according to locals.

Small fishes have made this spring their home, and you can dip your feet into the water for a fish spa. There are also some stalls that sell snacks and souvenirs, including ‘mild’ love potions. The stronger ones, according to a vendor I asked, are only available upon request from faith healers.

2. San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent

More commonly referred to as Lazi Church , the San Isidro Labrador Church is the oldest on Siquijor island. It has a neoclassical style and is made of sea stones and wood, with its floors still in its original form.

It was declared as a National Historic Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 1984 and recently named a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2012. Right across from the church is the convent, which now functions as the Siquijor Heritage Museum.

The ground floor has been converted into classrooms, and during our visit, we saw some kids practising for a school presentation. The convent was once the largest in Asia.

3. Cambugahay Falls

From the highway, a 10-minute walk along concrete steps will lead you to this three-tiered waterfall. You can already see the lowest tier halfway through your descent, and you will be mesmerized by its clear blue waters.

The water level in this area is not deep which is why most visitors enjoy here. There is also a rope tied to a tree for those who want to swing and jump into the water!

4. Salagdoong Beach

Salagdoong Beach may have simple facilities, but whatever it lacks in infrastructure, it makes up in its natural beauty. Anyone who has been here would agree that its water – layers of deep greens and light blues – is the main attraction.

Add to that the cliff diving area with platforms for 20ft and 30ft jumps, and you have the best activity for the adrenaline junkies. The beach also has a restaurant, and this is where we had lunch before swimming and admiring the view.

5. Guiwanon Spring Park

Guiwanon Spring Park is mainly a mangrove forest with elevated walkways made of wooden planks for visitors to walk on. It’s a good stop for those who prefer something more peaceful but still with a bit of adventure.

You can find a few wooden houses in some trees available for rent for those who want to stay overnight. At the end of the walkway is a big hut that can be rented for meetings and conferences. If you arrive there before sunset, you will have an amazing view of the Bohol Sea.

6. St. Francis of Assisi Church

You will not miss St. Francis of Assisi Church when you arrive and leave Siquijor as this will be the first and the last landmark you will see. It has the iconic ‘Welcome to Siquijor’ sign that most visitors never miss having a photo with. I mean, I didn’t when writing this Siqijor travel guide anyway…

Made mostly of coral stones, this church was built in 1793 and completed in 1831. Unlike San Isidro Labrador Church, St. Francis of Assisi Church’s interior seems to have gone through various renovations and has a more modern feel.

7. Go diving or snorkelling at Apo Island

Apo Island is one of the best ecotourism destinations in the Philippines! Once threatened by irresponsible fishing practices, which have since ceased, Apo is now a marine success story. The diving here is spectacular and it makes one feel good knowing that this was all saved because people cared.

Note that you will need to travel back to Dumaguete and then arrange a water transfer to get to Apo. If you don’t want to deal with transfering, then talk to a local resort on Siquijor about day trips.

Diving all around Siquijor is absolutely fantastic anyways, so you’re destined to greatness wherever you end up. Check out this EPIC video by our friends at Diving Squad for a sneak peek 😉

There’s good news for backpackers and budget travellers: Siquijor just might be the perfect destination in the Philippines.

Budget accommodation is abundant on the island, to the point that most of them are right next to each other. Some are even located along the beach, offering breathtaking views of the sea.

We stayed in Lorna’s End of the World during our trip. It’s a popular choice among backpackers and it is usually fully booked during peak season.

At  500 PHP ($9.50 US) a night for two persons, we had the basics like a bed, toilet, and bathroom, plus a fully functional kitchen that allowed us to cook our own food. Just a few steps from our door is the beach, so the room was definitely a steal.

There are just so many amazing hotels and hostels in Siquijor . My other top choices that are worth checking out are Tropical Fun Ta Sea Rentals , RhenMart Inn , Casa Paliton , Wild Ocean Ecolodge , and Goldsky Seaview Beach Houses .

If you are willing to splurge on your accommodation, Coco Grove Beach Resort is a popular choice among tourists. It has a beachfront location, three fully-equipped restaurants, and cultural events and activities exclusive to in-house guests only. Rooms are priced for as low as 2700 PHP ($52 US) per night for two persons.

Consider it the choice for a romantic weekend away… May as well put those love potions to good use!

The Best Places to Stay in Siquijor

Are you wondering  which is the best part of Siquijor to stay in?  Well, let me give you a few suggestions.

Not only is Maria Town one of the best places to stay in Siquijor for first-time visitors, but it’s also the ideal destination for travelers who’d like to experience authentic, Filipino-style living!

Larena Town

Traveling on a budget? Then the best area to stay in Siquijor is no doubt Larena Town, a thriving seaport and commercial center.

Siquijor is a pretty small island, so it doesn’t have a super vibrant night scene like you see in hostels in Cebu or Manila, but San Juan town does have a few bars and nightclubs. I would advise you to visit San Juan during the weekend for a lively ambiance.

Siquijor Town

Surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches in Siquijor, Siquijor Town is an absolute gem of a place that lends itself super well to families!

Let’s end our list of best areas to stay in Siquijor with another one of my favorites! Lazi Town is easily among the coolest neighborhoods on the island, mainly because of its unvarnished beauty.

There are no direct flights to Siquijor island. Even if there is an airport on the island, it does not cater to any commercial flight.

The main gateway is Dumaguete area , the capital city of nearby Negros Oriental . Siquijor used to be part of this province before it was granted independence on September 17, 1971.

If coming from the country’s capital Manila , your best choice would be to fly to Dumaguete City. From Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport, hail a tricycle (a ride quite similar to Thailand’s infamous ‘tuk-tuks’) and tell the driver to bring you to the Dumaguete Port or Pier , which is around 15 minutes away. The fare is at least 150 PHP ($2.90 US).

You will be dropped just outside the port compound’s gate as vehicles aren’t allowed inside. Once inside, proceed to the counters selling ferry tickets.

Numerous shipping lines have trips all throughout the day, so buy the ticket for your preferred time. Depending on the type of ferry you will ride, travel time to Siquijor can be as short as 45 minutes or as long as two hours.

Also, take note that there are two ports on the island, Siquijor , and Larena . These are two different municipalities, so it’s important to know where your ferry will dock especially if you have transportation arrangements with your accommodation.

Siquijor can also be reached from different points in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Cebu , Bohol , Dapitan City , and Iligan City are some of the places that provide access to the island.

I haven’t tried any of these routes, but you may enquire about the schedule and fare in their respective ports.

Travelling around Siquijor

Tricycle is Siquijor’s main mode of transportation. As the country’s third-smallest province measuring only 327 square kilometres, the entire island can be toured in a day, usually by chartered tricycles.

Motorbikes are also available for rent for solo travellers. Public jeepneys also ply the main highway, but these usually leave only when full. So if you are in a hurry and wouldn’t mind spending a bit more on transportation, then the tricycle is the better option.

There are so many beautiful places and islands to visit in the Philippines but let’s not kid ourselves: finding your own island paradise away from the tourists isn’t as easy as it used to be…

Times change, faith healers disappear to village outskirts, and beach resorts to take their place. If you want to truly find the magic that remains, you gotta go looking. Enter Siquijor…

If you are looking for an enchanting escape away from the typical tourist route, look no further than the mystical Siquijor island. Here, you can lounge on the beach, go cliff jumping, swim in rivers among waterfalls, learn more about the mystical healers, and so much more!

Find yourself a healer, buy a strong love potion, and then smuggle it back home to woo your ideal spouse. Now that’s a journey!

About the Writer: Michelle Caligan

Named after a Beatles hit song, Michelle Caligan is well versed when it comes to scoring cheap airline tickets, dubbing herself as a “ seat sale slave “. This acquired skill has taken her to many places and exposed her to various cultures and tradition. She is also an occasional solo traveler and an active Couchsurfer.

Michelle has contributed to hotel, restaurant, and tour reviews as well as travel guides to various travel blogs. She is currently based in Manila, Philippines, where she manages the Instagram page, GoProjectPH .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Ana Pereira

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I like that Siquiqor isn’t the usual destination for travelers. It’s part of the mystique vibe the island has. I’d love to go back there in a heartbeat.

From Sibulan Airport – Dumaguete Port/Pier, the fare should not be Php150 (US$2.90). I highly suggest not to ride with tricycles parked at the airport. Rather, ride a tricycle in the national highway, the fare should be around Php50 per person only.

Hello! Nice post. ? Just like to ask something about the transpo. We will be in siquijor next week. And we plan to do it in a trisikle tour. Just like to ask is it possible that 5persons could fit in the vehicle? ? Hoping you could respond. Thank you!

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9 x Best Things To Do in Siquijor (Travel Guide)

Siquijor is a beautiful, small, and somewhat off-the-beaten-path island in the Philippines located right under Cebu. White beaches, crystal clear waters for swimming, majestic waterfalls, super friendly locals, and stunning drives are all that you can expect traveling here. Drive around the entire island’s coastline via the main road within two hours by motorbike and explore all the tourist attractions Siquijor has to offer.

Things To Do in Siquijor

Siquijor has to be on your Philippines Travel Guide . Despite the island’s small size, there are a lot of great things to do on Siquijor. Plan on spending 3 days visiting these stunning tourist attractions.

1. Cambugahay Falls – best Siquijor tourist attraction

A stunning waterfall is divided into three levels here, all including an enormous pool. The main pool has a couple of rope swings that will make it even more fun to spend some hours here.

Swing an unlimited amount of times for 50 PHP (0.89 USD). There is also an entrance fee to the falls, which costs 20 PHP (0.35 USD). You won’t need a guide to get to the waterfall; it’s about 150 steps on a well-made stair. Because it is a popular tourist attraction in Siquijor, we recommend you visit in the morning (opens at 8 AM).

Here are all your hotel options in Siquijor.

2. Paliton – Best Siquijor Beach

The most beautiful beach in Siquijor is called Paliton Beach. It is well known among travelers and locals but doesn’t get too crowded besides the weekends. The white sand beach, clear water with starfish, and palm trees make it a great place to spend the afternoon and watch the sunset. Paliton Beach is located very close to San Juan town.

Tip: Take a bag with you and do a little beach clean up while you tan.

3. Butterfly Sanctuary Siquijor

One of the most surprising Siquijor tourist attractions is the Butterfly Sanctuary in the center of the island. Hop on a motorbike and drive a stunning route up the hills. The butterfly park is a sanctuary started by a man who releases butterflies from his garden weekly. Due to new buildings and deforestation, fewer butterflies can be found in the wild.

Visit his garden with huge, beautifully colored butterflies, drink coconut, and help the owner to maintain his project.

4. Lugnason Falls

Different from Cambugahay Falls, the Luganson Waterfall is hidden and not on every traveler’s list of things to do in Siquijor. A beautiful 5-minute hike down the jungle hill brings you to a silky blue waterfall.

Swim, swing, or climb at the waterfall, and before you know it, you’ve spent a couple of hours relaxing and playing around. There is no entrance fee, and the locals hanging around are there to have a good time with you.

Hotels in Siquijor 😴

5. Tubod Beach – Relaxing thing to do on Siquijor

Want to spend some time on the beach? Tubod is a long, calm, sunbathing beach in front of the Coco Grove Resort. There is a marine sanctuary in front, so we don’t recommend swimming here. The corals are too close to shore, no matter if it’s high or low tide. We have seen people standing on top of or hitting the corals, and that shouldn’t be the case!

If you do swim near the corals, please be aware of the sea urchins and, sometimes, jellyfish. Good to know: Siquijor is not a party island but mainly to relax.

Also read the ultimate Philippines travel guide

6. Salagdoong Cliff Jump

Drive down the scenic coastline on Siquijor towards Salagdoong Beach Resort. Salagdoong cliff jump point is located on top of a rock reaching a height of 10 meters and is a cool thing to do on Siquijor. The nearby white beach is great to relax. Parking is 80 PHP.

Good to remember is that this tourist attraction in Siquijor is only accessible during high tide.

7. Churches

Siquijor is home to many beautiful old churches. While arriving in Siquijor town by ferry, you immediately notice the old church called the San Isidro Labrador church. Drive around the island, and you will see a new one in every town. Some are open to enter and see from the inside.

8. Old Enchanted Balete Tree

The 400-year-old Balete Tree is a popular quick stop on your way to one of the other Siquijor tourist attractions. At the bottom of the tree lies a freshwater base, and the story goes that the tree is enchanted. Tours are offered to this location, but we wouldn’t say that’s worth your money.

9. Climb to the viewpoint

On your way to the butterfly park, make sure to stop at a sign that says ‘ Quesol Mountain View ’. It’s a 5-minute walk up a hill that gives you a great view of the area.

Travel Tips for Visiting Siquijor, Philippines

Getting money on Siquijor isn’t a problem. There are a couple of working ATMs around the island. You can easily ATM in Google Maps to find them.

Good to know: During rainy season, power cuts occur more than usual.

Staying connected via WiFi on Siquijor is challenging. Most larger restaurants offer a slow connection, just enough to email or WhatsApp. It’s best to buy a SIM card in advance, which seems to work across the entire island.

Motorbike Rental

Different from other islands in the Philippines, Siquijor’s main transport is a motorbike. While arriving at the harbor, you can directly rent a motorbike. This should cost 350 – 500 PHP (6.20 – 8.80 USD) per day, depending on the season. Driving around by motorbike is one of the best things to do on Siquijor.

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Best restaurants on Siquijor

In San Juan town are a handful of good restaurants. We ranked them by our yummy (♥️) rating.

• Luca Loko ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
• Baha ♥️♥️♥️♥️
• Tomato & Basil ♥️♥️♥️
• Sunset restaurant ♥️♥️♥️

How to get to Siquijor

Due to Siquijor’s position near Dumaguete, Cebu, and Bohol, it isn’t that hard to reach the island. There are no flights, but it is easily accessible via ferry.

It is best to take a ferry from Dumaguete (40 min) or Bohol (90 min). Both locations are easy to reach by airplane. From Cebu City would require a bus trip (4 hours) down the island to the ferry point in Lilo-an. Please note that while departing, you have to pay a terminal and luggage fee.

Find your boat / bus tickets online . We recommend OceanJet.

Where to Stay

Siquijor, Philippines, offers a diverse range of accommodation options, from cozy beachfront bungalows and boutique resorts to budget-friendly hostels, making sure every traveler has a comfortable stay for their budget and preference.

The Best Time to Visit

Siquijor has the best weather from November to May. The best time to visit is from December to March. The hottest months are from April to June and are best to avoid.

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Canyoning in cebu: jump off waterfalls in the philippines, whale sharks in the philippines: things to know before you go.

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Hi. Love your article. Went to Cambugahay Falls yesterday and there is actually an entrance fee of 20pesos

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SIQUIJOR TRAVEL GUIDE 2024: Budget, Itinerary, How to get there and More

Your travel guide to the mystic island of siquijor.

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The Ultimate 2024 Travel Guide to Siquijor Island

Table of Contents

Siquijor has always been known as The Mystical Island . Siquijor is believed to have magic potions, shamans, sorcerers, and witches, and because of these superstitions, many Filipinos avoid visiting this beautiful island.

This Siquijor Island Budget Travel Guide offers basic travel information on things to do, where to stay, how to get there, recommended tour guide, DIY Tips, Itinerary, expenses, and other contact information that will help you on your next visit to the Magical Island of Siquijor.

Siquijor Travel Guide: The Mystical Island of Fire

Also known as the 3rd smallest province in the Philippines, this island was discovered by the Spaniards hundreds of years ago. These pioneers named it “Isla del Fuego” or “Island of Fire” and since then the mystery of Siquijor has deepened, to entice the curiosity of many international visitors just like the Spaniards.

The island is located a few kilometers off Negros Oriental, Siquijor boasts some 72 kilometers of beautiful coastline. There are 10 declared marine sanctuaries and one marine reserve that contains abundant species of fishes, corals, seagrasses, and other water life. Everyone who visits Siquijor gets captivated by the island’s breathtaking panoramic views.

How to get to Siquijor Island

The province has 3 big seaports strategically located in Larena, Lazi, and Siquijor. The port in Larena is the main entry point of the province. With the recent entry of fast crafts to Siquijor, Larena port is becoming a hub of travelers in the province. The port links Siquijor to Iligan and Plaridel in Mindanao, and the cities of Cebu, Dumaguete, and Tagbilaran.

From Manila

• Fly to Dumaguete City. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offer daily flights to Dumaguete City. It takes about an hour to reach Dumaguete City from Manila by air.
• From Sibulan Airport aka Dumaguete Airport, take a tricycle or jeepney ride to the port. Fast Craft ride usually takes an hour to reach the island of Siquijor.
• From the port of Siquijor, you can take a tricycle or habal-habal ride to reach your accommodation just in case a hotel pick-up is not available.

From Dumaguete

• By Fast Ferry : Delta, Weesam Express and Oceanjet Fast Ferry have a daily schedule to Siquijor. Read : Dumaguete to Siquijor Ferry Schedule and Fare Rates
• By Ship: Jaylann II and Delta Car have a daily schedule to Siquijor
• By Motorized Boat : Prima, Jaylann I, and Siqujior Princess had daily boat schedules.
• Make your way to Santander in Southern Cebu by Bus. Multiple Bus Companies offer this route at South Bus Terminal. Travel time from the Bus terminal to Santander is about 3 hours.
• Upon reaching the town of Santander, go to Liloan port and pay for your ferry ticket and terminal fee to Sibulan Port. Travel time is about 30 Minutes.
• From Sibulan port, ride a jeepney to Dumaguete City.
• From Dumaguete Port, book your ferry ride to the island of Siquijor. It takes about an hour to reach the island of Siquijor.
• Ocean Jet Fast Craft has a daily morning ferry schedule from Tagbilaran Port to Siquijor. Travel Time 3 to 3.5 hours.

Bohol-Siquijor OceanJet Ferry Ticket Price (One Way)

Experience hassle-free booking and a fast ferry ride between Bohol and Siquijor.

From Iligan City

• MV Siquijor Island and Orlines Sea-Land Transport offer ferry trips to Lazi Port in Siquijor.

Getting around Siquijor

• Hire a motorbike for around 350 pesos daily (cheaper for long term). Available from Siquijor town and many resorts.
• Hire a tricycle.
• Jump on a Jeepney.

Where to Stay on Siquijor Island

During my recent trip to Siquijor, we were hosted by Coco Grove Beach Resort . This resort is probably the best resort on the island. It has a beautiful beach, world-class amenities, and a relaxing atmosphere. The resort is huge but even if the entire place is fully booked, you will still feel like you are in a private resort. Depending on the number of guests in the resort, they are offering a cultural presentation showcasing Philippine Folk Dances which are performed by staff and members of the local community. Here’s a list of affordable hotels and resorts in Siquijor from WikiTravel.org:

• Coco Grove Beach Resort , San Juan Siquijor – 0917 325 1292 ( check rates and availability ) –
• Kiwi Dive Resort ,  Sandugan Beach, Siquijor Island ,  Telephone –  0354240534,   Located in the quiet northern tip of the island. Cottages with kitchen and rooms available. Daily scuba diving and massage are available. Offers Free Wifi.  
• Cliff Side Beach Resort and Cottages, Sandugan Beach, Siquijor Island  ( check rates and availability ) . This new resort is right on the beach, just down from Kiwi Dive.
• Hard Rock Cottages , Bitaug, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor ( 8 km north of Larena ), Telephone 0926 278 6070 (check rates and availability),  Located on the northernmost spot of the island. Free Wifi.  
• Czars Place Just outside San Juan. The other side of the road from the beach. Double rooms with bathroom.
• JJ Backpackers is Situated on San Juan Beach. The dormitory is available and one double room.
• Lorna’s End of The World Beach apartments , San Juan ( less than one km from San Juan towards Siquijor ), Telephone   +639273816377 . Just outside San Juan town (towards Siqujior). Big rooms with a beach view.
• Casa de la Playa is a great little resort with different cottages from P 1100 and up. Nice restaurant. Nice white beach; great for swimming. Mobile Number: 09173232656
• Villa Marmarine Near Siquijor Town on the way to Larena. It has a decked restaurant and a clean kitchen with very good food. There are grand and unique cottages of various sizes and costs. All have sea views. The landscaped beach is well-maintained and cleaned every morning. There are lots of hammocks and a pleasant garden with soft grass. Free WI-FI.
• Kawayan Holiday Resort – Luxury Boutique Style Resort , Cangmunag – Siquijor , Telephone   +63 916 212 3130
• Gold Sky Seaview , Maite, San Juan, Siquijor Island , Telephone:   09169236243 . [email protected] Very close to Czars (opposite side of the road, exactly opposite to the school). 3 Cottages, clean, big rooms with kitchen, a/c or fan. 
• Casa Miranda , ( on the beach just outside San Juan, between JJ’s & Lorna’s ). Cheap, clean fan rooms with ensuite bathrooms & flushing toilets. Free water, free wifi in the common area & hammocks. 
• Tori’s Backpacker’s Paradise , Maite, San Juan, Siquijor , Telephone:   09071326666 .

Search for the cheapest hotel rooms in Siquijor via Agoda . Check out this list of Hotels and Resorts on Siquijor Island .

Things to do and see in Siquijor

Tulapos marine sanctuary.

The biggest of the several marine sanctuaries in the province is located in Enrique Villanueva. The Marine Sanctuary is a natural habitat for abundant fish species and underwater marine life.

Visit Cambugahay Falls

3-tiered waterfall & a swimming hole with clear waters, reachable by a short hike with concrete stairs.

Siquijor Cambugahay Falls and Heritage Day Trip Package

• Experience a safe and hassle-free journey starting from and ending at your hotel in Dumaguete.
• Enjoy a private tour around Siquijor Island along with roundtrip ferry tickets.
• Visit the centuries-old churches of Siquijor and peek into the religious traditions of locals.
• Take a dip in the turquoise waters of Cambugahay Falls and see the famous 400+-year-old Balete Tree

Visit San Isidro Labrador Church Convent or Lazi Convent

Built by Spanish priests in 1884 in Lazi, it is the biggest among Asia’s oldest convents and is recognized as a national historical landmark.

St. Francis of Assisi Church, Bell Tower, and Convent

A Spanish period church made of stone, cruciform, and nipa roof, while the adjoining convent is also made of stone rubble. The bell tower stands separately from the church across the plaza, suggesting that it also served as a watchtower against raiders from the sea.

Visit Salagdoong Beach

A romantic hideaway in Maria tucked in a cove, fine white sand, and a nearby islet providing a good vantage point of the beachfront.

Cagusuan Beach

Noted for its picturesque seascape and rock formation, it is situated below a cliff and accessible by a concrete staircase.

San Juan de Capilay Lake

A spring-fed swimming pool situated near the San Juan Town Plaza is a favorite destination of local folks when they cool off from the heat of the sun.

Cantabon Cave

A long and winding cave in Siquijor town that will surely delight true-blue spelunkers. After a challenging and adventurous 90-minute trail, they are rewarded with a refreshing and rejuvenating dip in the pool.

Mt. Bandilaan National Park

Situated at the center of the province straddling the towns of Lazi and Siquijor, it is home to endemic flora and fauna. Other attractions within the park include religious parks, natural springs, and a butterfly sanctuary which is home to Asia’s biggest butterfly.

Visit the Century Old Balete Tree

Grand 400-year-old Banyan tree with a spring at its base where visitors have their feet nibbled on by fish.

Learn Basic Bisaya Language

• Yes – Oo
• No – Dili
• Good Morning – Maayong Buntag
• Good Afternoon – Maayong Hapon
• Good Night – Maayong Gabi-i
• How are you? – Kumusta?
• How much? – Tag pila?
• What time is it? Unsang orasa na?
• Please – Palihug
• Thank you – Salamat
• Where is the (location)? – Asa dapit ang (location)?
• Delicious – Lami
• Stop – para (when asking public transport to drop you off)
• I’m Hungry – Gi-gutom ko!
• Breakfast – Pamahaw
• Lunch – Paniudto
• Dinner – Panihapon

Festivals in Siquijor

Solili Festival

A marriage ritual is held in Lazi every September where parents of the bride and groom prepare a fest and take turns advising the couple on married life. The rites are depicted in a street dance competition that serves as a highlight of the weeklong Araw ng Siquijor Charter Day Celebration.

Dilaab Festival

Held on October 1 in Siquijor to showcase the people’s distinct hospitality and the ancient name of the island “Isla del Fuego” because of the swarm of fireflies at night. The festival also honors St Francis of Assisi – the patron saint of animals.

Folk Healing Fest

Herbularyos from Visayas and Mindanao converge in the barrio of San Antonio, Squijor where ancient medicinal potions are prepared and tested every black Saturday with the belief that with the death of Jesus Christ, spirits roam the earth and share their healing powers to the sick.

Bugwas Festival

Held in San Juan, it celebrates a bountiful harvest in honor of St. Augustine. Bugwas means a spurt of water from the underground which gives farmers bountiful harvests, and the fishermen with an abundant catch.

Banking and Money Transfer

There are two Allied Bank ATM Machines in the town of Larena. To avoid the hassle, you can withdraw cash from Dumaguete City or Cebu City.

Siquijor Travel Itinerary

Read our detailed itinerary to maximize your visit to the Island of Siquijor:

• A Quick 24-Hour Itinerary Around Siquijor
• 3D2N Cebu – Dumaguete – Siquijor Itinerary

• Sunset in Coco Grove – Siquijor Budget Travel Guide

Siquijor Travel Tips

• The best time to visit the island is during the dry season which is from November to May
• Bring enough cash, there are only two ATM Machines on the entire island
• A day tour to Siquijor is possible, the island is an hour away from Dumaguete City

Siquijor Provincial Tourism Office: New Capitol Building Pulangyuta, 6225 Siquijor, Philippines (035) 480-9076 (035) 344-2088

Check out our complete list of  recommended Hotels and Resorts in Siquijor Island , Philippines via  Agoda  or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.

Did you find this Siquijor Budget Travel Guide useful? Please follow #TeamOutofTown on  Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and Pinterest for more travel ideas.

If you want to contribute additional info for this Siquijor Travel Guide , please use the contact form:)

Originally Published on June 22, 2013, this Siquijor Island Travel Guide was last updated in January 2023.

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Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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2D1N Travel Guide to Siquijor: Top Places to Visit & See

Siquijor Island is a mystical haven nestled in the Philippines that captures the essence of tropical paradise. Known as the “Land of Healing,” Siquijor’s allure lies in its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. 

This is my second time visiting Siquijor Island after 5 years of being here for the first time (this was when I also did my first-ever Central Visayas backpacking trip). My last visit was I only stayed in Siquijor for one day . Siquijor Island is definitely one of the most chilling places to visit in the Philippines! This time, I made sure that I would be able to maximize my visit. Thus, I decided to stay on the island for two days!

From enchanting sunsets to natural wonders and traditional healers, this travel guide will help you navigate the captivating charm of Siquijor. In this blog post, discover the places to visit in Siquijor for two days!

Table of Contents

How to go to Siquijor Island?

Via dumaguete.

Siquijor Island is accessible via ferry from Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental. Ferries operate regularly, providing a scenic journey across the Bohol Sea. Travel time takes around 1 hour and 30 min via ordinary ferry like Montenegro Ferry. For fast craft, it only takes about 45 minutes via Oceanjet.

You can travel to Siquijor from Bohol via Oceanjet which offers daily trips from Bohol to Siquijor. Please be mindful that there is only one trip available per day. Take the ferry from the Tagbilaran port and arrive at Larena Pier in Siquijor. You can book online via 12go .

Getting Around Siquijor 

Going around the island is very accessible. In fact, you can go around the whole island for one day! Once on the island, tricycles and habal-habal (motorbikes) are popular modes of transportation for exploring its attractions. You can either hire a driver for a habal-habal tour, or you may drive it on your own. Most of the rental bikes cost around Php 350 to Php 450. 

Must-Visit Siquijor Tourist Spots

Salagdoong beach.

Start your exploration at Salagdoong Beach, known for its turquoise waters and iconic cliff-diving platforms. Relax on the sandy shores or take the plunge for an exhilarating experience.

• Paliton Beach

Paliton Beach, with its powdery white sand and vibrant blue waters, offers a serene atmosphere perfect for unwinding. Don’t miss the breathtaking sunset views that paint the sky in brilliant hues.

• Cambugahay Falls

Experience the magic of Cambugahay Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. Swim in its clear pools, swing from ropes, and bask in the natural beauty.

Capilay Spring Park

Immerse yourself in local life at Capilay Spring Park, a public space where you can witness community gatherings, and local dances, and enjoy the refreshing natural spring waters.

Balete Tree and Fish Spa

Visit the famous Balete Tree, an enormous banyan tree believed to be enchanted. Experience the unique fish spa where tiny fish nibble at your feet, providing a relaxing sensation.

• Lazi Convent

Dating back to the 19th century, this beautifully preserved structure showcases intricate Spanish-era architecture and serves as a window into Siquijor’s past. With its elegant design, tranquil gardens, and spiritual ambiance, you can visit the Lazi Convent to step back in time and immerse yourself in the island’s captivating history.

• Lazi Church 

Known as San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Lazi Church stands as an architectural masterpiece in the heart of Siquijor. With its stunning Baroque-inspired façade and age-old stone walls, the church is a symbol of devotion and craftsmanship. Built during the Spanish colonial era, Lazi Church exudes an air of serenity and spirituality. 

I remember the first time I visited Siquijor, the church was under construction so I didn’t get to get inside the church. The church is just right across the convent. 

Sta. Maria Church 

The Church of the Divine Providence or Sta. Maria Church stands as a beacon of faith and architectural splendor in Siquijor. This charming church, adorned with graceful arches and classic design elements, reflects the island’s devotion and heritage. 

Its peaceful surroundings and picturesque location make it a serene retreat for contemplation and spiritual reflection. As you step inside Sta. Maria Church, you’ll see the figure of Black Maria on the left side of the church. It’s my first time seeing the Black Maria and the story behind it really fascinated me. In fact, I hadn’t really heard of the Black Maria until I landed on the island again. Upon seeing the Black Maria, I felt a little different inside the church and its history made me feel a little jittered. 

The Sta. Maria Church and its Black Maria is one of the must-visit places in Siquijor if you want to learn more about the history of the island. I must say that this is one of the most interesting stories I’ve heard from my travels!

Saint Francis de Assisi Parish Church

Nestled in the heart of Siquijor, the Saint Francis de Assisi Parish Church stands as a serene testament to faith and history. Upon arrival, the church welcomes you with its spiritual aura enhanced by its picturesque surroundings and the warm embrace of the locals. 

• Pitogo Cliff

This is another must-visit destination in Siquijor. Pitogo Cliff is a natural wonder perched along the coastline of Siquijor and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the vast ocean and the endless sky. 

You can go cliff diving and swim in the sea, or just enjoy the view of the area. The best time to visit Pitogo Cliff is during the sunset. 

Kawayan Resort 

You can visit Kawayan Resort for a day tour especially if you are looking for another IG spot on the island. With its charming bamboo architecture, lush gardens, and breathtaking ocean views, the resort is worth visiting! I personally enjoyed taking pictures and videos around the area.

Essential Travel Guide & Tips 

• Motorbike rentals are popular for exploring the island independently. Tricycles are a convenient option for shorter distances. 
• Siquijor offers a range of accommodations, from budget guesthouses to luxurious resorts. It’s always better to book in advance during peak seasons.
• Make sure to always bring cash, as not all places accept credit cards. ATMs are available, but it’s best to have enough money on hand. Although other establishments are accepting e-payments like Gcash. 
• Siquijor’s residents are friendly and hospitable. Show respect for local customs, especially in sacred sites and during rituals.

2D1N Siquijor Itinerary

Day 1 .

• Arrival in Siquijor Island
• Check in at Glamping Siquijor
• Kawayan Resort
• Tawhay Cafe
• Maria Church
• Siquijor Church 
• Back to Dumaguete City

Frequently Asked Questions

What is siquijor island known for .

Traditional healing. Siquijor is known for its traditional healers and folk medicine. Engage with local healers who offer remedies for various ailments, or simply learn about the island’s mystical practices and beliefs.

When is the best time to visit Siquijor?

Generally, the island enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. You can visit the island from November to April as it is mostly sunny with minimal rainfall. 

Is it safe to visit Siquijor?

Yes. It’s definitely safe to visit Siquijor Island whether you are traveling alone or in group.

Can you tour Siquijor in 1 day? 

Siquijor Island is the third smallest island in the Philippines. Thus, it is possible to visit most of the notable tourist spots on the island for one day. 

Recommended Tour Guide

Raul Padayhag Gom-os

Phone: +6399355965465

Siquijor Island beckons with its ethereal charm, beckoning you to explore its natural beauty, dive into its cultural mysteries, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or a glimpse into traditional practices, Siquijor’s enchantment is sure to leave an indelible mark on your soul. 

Embark on a journey of discovery as you uncover the magic that makes Siquijor an extraordinary destination in the Philippines.

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A travel blogger in the Philippines and a K-pop enthusiast, Ara Patria (The Adventuress) pursues her passion and love for traveling. She’s been blogging for years, where she writes about her own travel experiences and promotes the wonders of the Philippines. Not only does she promote the beauty of her country, but she also focuses on promoting sustainable tourism. She dreams of traveling the world and inspiring other people through her own written works and captured moments with her camera.

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• Siquijor Itinerary: 4 Days on the Island of Witches

by Julie Mar 27, 2024 Itinerary , Philippines , Travel

Are you planning a trip to the Philippines?

Wondering what to do on the island of Siquijor?

In this post, I’ll share with you EXACTLY how to spend your time in Siquijor. This 4-day Siquijor itinerary allows you to experience the island’s most popular waterfalls and beaches (including a secret beach), visit a shaman, and swim with turtles.

I recommend spending 4 days in Siquijor. It’s enough time to relax on the beach, see the most popular spots, and also explore some off-the-beaten-path places. This post also includes valuable info on how to get to Siquijor and how to get off the island to continue your Philippines travels.

Check out my Philippines itinerary that focuses on Cebu and surrounding islands. If you’re looking for where else to travel to in this beautiful country, check out my 15 favorite places to visit in the Philippines .

You can also find ALL of my Philippine posts on my Philippine travel guide page .

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website's  Disclosure for more info.

In This Siquijor Itinerary, You’ll Find…

• About Siquijor – The Island of Witches
• Siquijor Itinerary Day 1 – Arrival + Tubud Beach
• Siquijor Itinerary Day 2 – Island Tour (Waterfalls & Beaches)
• Siquijor Itinerary Day 3 – Apo Island
• Siquijor Itinerary Day 4 – Countryside Tour + Departure

Siquijor Travel Guide & FAQs

About siquijor: the island of witches.

Siquijor (pronounced Seekeehor). The Spanish called it Isla del Fuego , the Island of Fire. There were so many fireflies on the island that at night it appeared as if the island was on fire. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any during my time on the island.

However, Siquijor has another more mysterious name: The Island of Witches.

During colonial times, the Visayas (the area where Siquijor is located) was a popular trading area for the Spaniards. When sailors got sick, they’d stop off in Siquijor to get treated . But once they figured out how they were actually being treated (shamans and sorcerers), they gave the island the name “Island of Witches.” Even now, the island has become known for its witchcraft and sorcery .

Siquijor doesn’t have any witches like you’d find in a Grimm’s Fairy Tale. At least I don’t think it does.

It does have shamans or faith healers . These are people who use herbs, faith, and other unorthodox methods like water and stone or blowing down the back of your shirt to cure people’s ills, ward off evil spirits, or make others fall in love with you.

My guide says that locals, including himself, really do go to these healers when they are sick or when they need some luck.

Can foreign travelers to Siquijor visit a shaman?

I did! I’ll tell you later in this Siqujior itinerary how you can visit one and whether it’s worth it.

You’ll find the small island of Siquijor stuck between Bohol, Cebu, and Negros . You can reach it from either of those islands, which you can read about in the section below on How to Get to Siquijor and in my Bohol Itinerary post .

When I first saw Siquijor on a map, it looked small compared to its neighbors. So I expected it to be easy to get around on foot.

Boy, was I wrong!

When you get there, you realize it’s a lot bigger than it looks. It can take you 3-4 hours by motorbike to make it around the whole island . Your butt can get really sore sitting on a motorcycle during those 3-4 hours! And getting from Larena port to the main tourist area can take 45 minutes.

Several small towns dot the coast of Siquijor. The main ports are in the towns of Larena and Siqujior . Most people arrive at the port of Larena. The Siqujior port is used more for tour boats.

Here are some of the main towns:

• Larena: the main port for boats to Bohol and Lilo-An; Sandugan Beach, and some resorts
• Siquijor:  the main port for boats to Dumaguete; some good resorts and beaches
• San Juan: Tubod Beach and Marine Sanctuary; lots of hotels here
• San Antonio:  located in the interior/ it’s where you can find shamans
• Lazi : famous for its Spanish colonial church and Cambaguhay Falls
• Maria:  the closest town to the cliff diving on Salagdoong Beach; check out Kagusan Beach

PRO TIP: No one likes to think about insurance, but accidents do happen. I highly recommend getting travel insurance. During my travels over the past 2 years, I've been using SafetyWing for my insurance. They're very affordable for all ages, and digital nomads can use their insurance long-term.

Siquijor Itinerary Day 1

The following itinerary for day 1 in Siqujior is EXACTLY how I spent my time on the island. You don’t have to follow my itinerary exactly. Just use it to give you some ideas on how you can organize your time on the island.

• Getting from Bohol to Siquijor by ferry
• Getting to your hotel and checking in
• Tubud Beach and Marine Sanctuary

Stop #1: Getting to Siquijor by Ferry

I got to Siquijor from Bohol by ferry, leaving at 10:00 am and arriving at noon at Larena Pier. My hostel picked me and other guests up in the back of a pickup truck. It was an hour drive from the port to the hostel near Tubud Beach.

Here are all the different ways in getting to Siquijor. Some are easier than others.

• Ferry from Bohol to Siquijor
• Ferry from Cebu to Siquijor
• Ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor
• Ferry from Liloan to Siquijor

Ferry: Bohol – Siquijor

Ferries leave from and arrive in Bohol from the port in Tagbilaran . For info on traveling around Bohol, check out my Bohol Travel Guide .

Ferries to and from Bohol arrive at and depart from Larena Pier in Siquijor or the Siquijor Pier.

First try buying from the 12Go website . If they’re sold out on the website, then try to buy them at the Tagbilaran Pier in Bohol.

Departure Times from Bohol:

• 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Larena Pier) – US$12
• 3:20 pm – 5:20 pm (Siquijor Pier) – US$16
• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm (Larena Pier) – US$13

I took the 10:00 am ferry.

Ferry: Cebu – Siquijor

There’s now a direct ferry from Cebu City to Siquijor. Ferries usually leave from Pier 1 in Cebu .

First, try buying them from the 12Go website . If they are all sold out, check at the pier in Cebu.

• 1:00 pm – 6:20 pm – US$35 (Arrives at Siquijor Pier)
• 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm  – US$15 (Arrives at Larena Pier)

And if you’re coming from Manila, you’ll still need to fly into Cebu. For info on traveling in the capital, read my Manila itinerary post and my Tips for First-Timers in Manila .

Ferry: Liloan – Siquijor

If you’re trying to get from Moalboal or Oslob to Siquijor, you’ll want to leave from the Pier in Liloan on Cebu Island.  The ferry company that plies this route is Maamyo Lines.

First, take a bus from Moalboal Town to Batu and then a tuk-tuk to Liloan.

The problem is that there’s only one ferry on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and it leaves at 2:00 am and arrives at 4:00 am. There’s a 7:00 am ferry that leaves on Sundays.

You can’t buy tickets online. Expect to pay around US$5.

Read more about how to get to Siquijor from Liloan here .

Ferry: Dumaguete – Siquijor

Dumaguete is another departure point for those coming from Moalboal.

You’ll need to first take a bus from Moalboal town to Bato and then a tuk-tuk to Liloan Pier. But you’re not done. Next, take a ferry to Sibulan Port. Finally, a tuk-tuk to the Dumaguete Pier.

First, try buying your ticket online from 12Go website . If it’s sold out, go directly to the Pier.

Ocean Jet Ferry

• 7:20 am – 8:20 am (Siquijor Pier) US$8
• 7:10 pm – 8:10 pm (Siquijor Pier) – US$8

Montenegro Shipping Line

• 7:00 am – 8:30 am – US$2.30
• 10:00 am – 11:30 am – US$2.30
• 12:00 (noon) – 1:30 pm – US$2.30

Aleson Shipping Line

• 5:30 am – 7:00 am – US$2.70
• 10:30 am – noon – US$2.70
• 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – US$2.70

Check this websit e for further information on more ferries from Dumaguete to Siquijor.

PRO TIP: ALWAYS contact your hotel or hostel before arriving to find out the best way to get from the bus station/train station/ferry port to the hotel/hostel. They usually know the ins and outs of the public transportation system and they know the most current and best way to get somewhere compared to a guide book, another traveler on a forum, or a blog post. Sometimes newer places or more corporate places don’t know (like Crazy Bears Hostel in Moalboal gave me the wrong information).

Stop #2: Check into Your Hotel

The next step on this Siquijor itinerary is to get to your hotel and check-in. Larena Port is quite far from where most people stay on the island. Siquijor also has no public transportation except for tuk-tuks and motorcycles, so it’ll be hard to get from the port to your hotel.

I recommend messaging your hotel or hostel before arrival to arrange for a pickup at the port. That’s what I did. It cost me US$5.

I stayed at TAGBALAYON Lodging House , right across from Tubud Beach and Marine Sanctuary (you can snorkel off the beach). Luckily, this place survived the Pandemic. It’s still highly rated on Booking.com at 9.4/10 and on Agoda it’s also a 9.4 . The hotel has dorm rooms and private rooms. The dorm was clean, the staff was friendly, the location was superb, and they offered an inexpensive breakfast. I loved how the staff greeted every guest by name every day. My only complaint was the showers flooded and the dorms had too many beds.

If dorms and budget hotels aren’t your thing, Siquijor has lots of other wonderful hotels. For a medium-priced hotel try Isla de Paz Beach Resort . It’s right on the beach , gets great reviews, and is at an affordable price. Check reviews and prices on Booking.com or Agoda .

Across the road from my hostel was The Coco Grove Beach Resort . This gorgeous hotel is right on the beach ! There’s also a swimming pool. I booked my Apo Island tour through them, so I got to experience a bit of its luxury service. Check reviews and prices on Booking.com or Agoda .

Stop #3 Tubod Beach and Marine Sanctuary

After checking into my hostel and having lunch at the hostel, my first stop was Tubod Beach and Marine Sanctuary, which was across the street from my hostel and in front of the swanky Coco Grove Beach and Dive Resort.

The best part of Tubod Beach is that a Marine Sanctuary is in front of the beach. 

I had to pay 50 pesos (US$1) to swim in the Marine Sanctuary and 100 pesos (US$2) to rent masks and snorkel . I paid the entrance fee at a  little hut right before entering the beach area.

You can also rent gear from the Coco Grove Dive Center , toward the back of the beach. Rumor has it that their equipment is better than the stuff at the Marine Sanctuary.

The water in front of the beach was as calm as a pond . There wasn’t a wave or even a ripple on the surface.

There is a lot of coral close to the shore , so you can easily swim out to it or even walk out to it and swim around. The coral is pretty healthy, so you should be able to see lots of colorful coral fish. 

Unfortunately, you need to be careful of j ellyfish .

PRO TIP: Make sure to buy water shoes for your trip to the Philippines. The bottom of the ocean is rocky and it’s easy to cut yourself or break your toe or foot while walking in the shallow part of the ocean.

Stop #4 Dinner at a Pop-Up Restaurant

I hadn’t been very lucky at finding good food in the Philippines up to that point, but dinner on day 1 of this Siquijor itinerary was fantastic . There is an outdoor pop-up restaurant along the ocean . It’s kitty-corner to Casa Miranda Hostel (just tell the tricycle driver that you want to go to Casa Miranda Hostel) on the road that runs around the island.

The people who ran the place set up a food cart with trays of food and a barbecue grill on Lalao Bridge (or near it). The food in the trays had already been cooked, but they grilled chicken and fish in front of you. You pointed to what you wanted and servers put the food on individual plates and then brought them to your table. They recorded what you ordered in a notebook and added up the bill at the end of the evening.

The food was fantastic and reasonably priced . They had potato salad, green beans, grilled fish, grilled chicken, fried bananas, mango cake, spring rolls, noodles, and choco balls covered in bits of coconut. Most of the dishes were vegetarian.

This is a place you want to go to with other people.

A bonus was that you could watch a stunning sunset over the ocean while you waited for and ate dinner.

The restaurant disappeared at the end of the evening until the next evening. I didn’t see it on my third evening on the island, though.

I don’t know what the name of the place is, but you can’t miss it. You’ll see a long line of foreign tourists along with a few locals. It’s not far from the Aloha Restaurant.

How to Get Around Siquijor

Like most tourist places in the Philippines , there are no public buses. On Siquijor, you mainly have to rely on tricycles (tuk-tuks) and motorcycles or scooter s. Tricycles are expensive. Expect to pay at least 150 pesos (US$3) for a 5- or 10-minute ride somewhere.

You can rent a motorcycle or scooter from your accommodations or at the port for 300 pesos (US$6) a day.

But if you don’t know how to ride a motorcycle or scooter, you can hire a guide and driver to take you around. That’s what I did. I paid 300 pesos (US$6) for the motorcycle plus gas and 500 pesos (US$10) for the guide per day . He drove the motorcycle and I just sat on the back of it. I got to go to places that I would not have found on my own.

Getting from the port to your hotel can be costly . I’ve been told that there are jeepneys that do the route, but I didn’t see any. I arranged a pickup through my hostel. It cost me 250 pesos (US$5) for the pickup. I can’t remember the price for a tricycle, but I know it was at least 500 pesos (US$10) .

Siquijor Itinerary Day 2: Island Tour

You shouldn’t skip day 2’s itinerary. Compared to everything else on the island, this is the best part of the Siquijor itinerary.

The key to having a great island tour is to start REALLY early because some of these sights are pretty popular and they can get quite busy . But even if you can’t leave early, don’t fret. You’ll still have a fantastic time. I started my itinerary at 9:00 am, but I would have liked to have started at 8:00 am.

• Balete Tree
• Lagaan Falls
• Lazi Church and Convent
• Cambugahay Falls
• Monkey Beach (Secret Beach)
• Cliff Jumping at Salagdoong Beach
• Paliton Beach

How to Do This Tour?

To do this Siquijor Island tour, you’ll need some wheels. There’s no public bus system on Siquijor.

• Rent a Scooter or Motorcycle – The most popular way to do this Siquijor Island Tour is by renting a scooter or motorcycle.
• Hire a Motorcycle Driver – If you can’t drive a scooter or motorbike, don’t worry. You can hire a guide and rent a motorbike. He or she drives the motorbike while you sit on the back of it. This is what I did, and it worked out well because my driver took me to some places that I would have had a hard time finding on my own. My hostel arranged everything for me. It cost me 300 pesos (US$6) to rent the motorbike , 500 pesos (US$10) for the guide , and around 300 pesos (US$6) total for gas for the whole day.
• Join a Tour: If you’re coming from Dumaguete, you can join a day tour of Siquijor.  You’ll see some of the same sights that I saw on day 2 of my Siquijor itinerary.

Stop #1 Balete Tree

OPEN: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm | COST: 20 pesos + 5 – 10 pesos for parking | LOCATION: Google Maps

The first stop of the day 2’s Siqujior itinerary is a 400-year-old tree called the Balete Tree.

There’s a little pool in front of the tree where you can soak your feet in and have fish nibble on your dead skin . It’s supposed to be therapeutic.

Stop #2. Lagaan Falls

COST: 50 pesos + 10 pesos for parking | LOCATION: Google Maps

The next stop on day 2 of this Siquijor itinerary is Lagaan Falls. Several waterfalls dot the island of Siquijor. When I was there in February (the height of the dry season), though, only 2 waterfalls had water . One of the better waterfalls, Lugnason Falls , was dry.

Lagaan Falls is harder to get to than the more popular, Cambugahay Falls. It’s over a bumpy unpaved road. After you park your bike, you have to walk along a path without signage. It’s a small waterfall, but it’s not crowded. When I was there, there was only one other group of tourists. There is a rope that you can use to swing and jump into the water . You can also slide down the waterfall.

Stop #3. Lazi Church and Convent

OPEN: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm | ENTRANCE FEE:  20 pesos (convent) free (church) | LOCATION: Google Maps

The third stop on day 2’s itinerary was at beautiful Lazi Church and Convent, called the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church and Convent .

Both the church and convent were built in the 1800s, and both were made out of coral . You can tour both the church and the convent.

The convent has now been turned into a museum . The museum houses some old but uninspiring artifact s. I recommend entering the convent, taking a photo of the staircase inside the entrance, and then leaving. Skip the rest of the museum.

Stop #4. Cambugahay Falls

OPEN: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | ENTRANCE FEE: 50 pesos + 10 pesos for parking | LOCATION: Google Maps

The highlight of this Siquijor itinerary is Cambugahay Falls. It’s a beautiful waterfall and a lot of fun to spend an hour or two hours swimming, swinging from a rope, or just relaxing. The other great thing is that you can easily get to the falls by tricycle. 

This is a multi-tiered waterfall. Each tier has pools that you can swim in. One pool has a rope that if you’re patient enough to wait in line, you can swing from.

There are also these smaller pools that are like sitting in your own natural jacuzzi .

Stop #5 Monkey Beach (Secret Beach)

ENTRANCE FEE: free | LOCATION: Google Maps

The last stop before lunch was at Monkey Beach. This is the beach that backpackers talk about as the mysterious “Secret Beach,” where locals go. If you’re on your own, it might be hard to get t o. BUT it’s not impossible to find as Monkey Beach is on Google Maps and there are signs pointing the way after you make the correct turnoff from the main road.

After you follow the directions on Google Maps, you’ll come to a forest on your left and a restaurant on your right. There is a sign and a  stuffed monkey nailed to a tree pointing in the direction of Monkey Beach. You can drive your scooter through the forest until the road becomes impassable. You can also park it next to the sign with the monkey. Keep on walking until you come to a cliff. Go down the rickety old stairs to the beach.

You are now at Monkey Beach / Secret Beach. To be honest, I wasn’t that impressed . It’s a quiet beach. Just two other groups of travelers were there. What I didn’t like was that the waves were pretty rough and the ground was very rocky so swimming wasn’t much fun here. The beach was also strewn with lots of seaweed and other debris from the ocean.

If you don’t ever make it here, don’t sweat it. It’s not THAT great.

Stop #6. Lunch

By now, we were pretty hungry so my guide took me to Chef Joe’s Cuisine in Maria.

My guide promised to take me somewhere local and inexpensive. I’m pretty sure Chef Joe’s Cuisine was NOT where locals usually go because the only people at the place were foreign tourists. The prices were typical foreign tourist prices, but it wasn’t overly expensive.  The menu was a mix of Chinese and Western dishes, and overall it was decent . 

By the way, they have WiFi. Just ask the staff for the password.

I paid for my driver’s/guide’s lunch. 

Stop #7. Cliff Jumping at Salagdoong Beach

OPEN: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | ENTRANCE FEE: 50 pesos + 20 pesos for parking | LOCATION: Google Maps

Guidebooks and some travelers rave about Salagdoong Beach. But I found it be the worst beach on Siquijor . It’s overdeveloped and small, and you have to pay to enter.

The main reason for going to Salagdoong Beach is to do cliff jumping. You climb up this rock or tiny hill where you’ll find two platforms for diving. One platform is at a lower height than the other. This lower one is sometimes closed when the tide is out.

I didn’t want to jump but my guide chose to do it twice! When you’re standing up at the top of the rock and looking down, it looks pretty far and scary. But when you’re standing on the beach and looking up at the rock, it looks pretty tame.

It’s a small and rocky beach. If you’re not into cliff jumping, you can easily scratch Salangdoong Beach from your Siquijor itinerary. 

Stop #8 Paliton Beach

Luckily, day 2 ended with the most beautiful beach on Siquijor –  Paliton Beach. It’s also quite popular.

Like Tubod Beach near Coco Grove Beach Resort, the water at Palliton Beach is as calm as the surface of a glass of water. Not a ripple or wave . The beach is long and wide . You’ll also find places to eat and drink.

It’s a great beach for watching the sunset.

I would have liked an extra day during my stay in Siquijor just to hang out on this beac h during the daytime. I was there pretty late in the afternoon.

Siquijor Itinerary Day 3: Apo Island

One of the top 3 things I did in Siquijor was to visit Apo Island and snorkel with the sea turtles. Don’t skip this part of your Siquijor itinerary. 

A couple of places offer island hopping trips to Apo Island to snorkel with the turtles. Coco Grove Beach and Dive Resort offered turtle tours of Apo Island for 1,950 pesos (US$35). Another place that offered tours was Ocean Life Explorers for 1,750 pesos (US$31). Prices in 2024 are higher than when I went. You’ll most likely pay over 2,100 – 2,750 pesos (US$37 – $49). It’s still a good deal considering other places in the world.

I tried to book a tour with both places. At first, when I tried to book with Coco Grove on day 1, they were full, so I put my name on a waitlist. On day 2 of my Siquijor itinerary, I tried to book with Ocean Life Explorers, but they were also fully booked. Luckily, a seat opened up with Coco Grove the night before.

Stop #1 Departure for Apo Island

My tour started at 7:30 am from the lobby of the Coco Grove Beach and Dive Resort where we met our guides and got into a van to go to the Siquijor Pier.

The above picture on the left is the luxury boat that we took to Apo Island. The boat on the right is a typical island-hopping boat in the Philippines. This was the fanciest boat I’d been on in the Philippines. The interior was just as nice. 

There must have been over 30 people on this tour from as young as under one year old. I was the only solo traveler. And probably the only one who slept in a dorm room the night before! 

It took an hour (8:30 – 9:30) for our boat to get to Apo Island . Apo Island is a tiny volcanic island (716 inhabitants) with an area of 74 hectares. When I first saw it from the boat, I was quite disappointed. From the Siquijor side, it looked like one massive rock. It was not until we got to the other side of the island that I could see a beach, buildings, and a lot of boats.

In 1982, the sea around Apo Island became a marine sanctuary . Since then, no one has been allowed to fish using dynamite or cyanide or the banging of rocks to scare fish into nets. As a result of this protection, the coral around Apo Island is very healthy. There are 650 species of fish and 400 species of coral . This makes it a great place for snorkeling and diving.

Stop #2 Snorkeling in the Coral Garden

I was surprised by the snorkeling that we did. I thought the boat would anchor near some reef and then we would freely snorkel around the boat, get back on the boat, go for lunch, drive to another reef, and then snorkel some more. It wasn’t at all like that.

Instead, our beautiful yacht anchored off the coast of the island and then we swam to the island in groups of 4 . Each group had their own guide, who had a life preserver.

The tour leaders took our bags to the island on a small boat.

The problem with the whole experience was that the water was rough and the current was strong and against us. As a result, we couldn’t stop and observe the turtles . We had to keep on swimming and swimming to get to shore. And it was a long way to shore. If you go to the Galapagos , you’ll also swim with lots of sea turtles but you’ll get to take your time and observe.

It was called a coral garden because there were massive mounds of coral . I’d never seen such huge coral. It wasn’t brightly colored coral like I saw on Pamilacan Island.

Most importantly, I saw lots and lots of turtles –  around 10 turtles that morning. Apo Island has so many turtles because this is where the female turtles go to feed. Since it’s been a marine sanctuary for so many years, the turtles have no predators here and there’s lots of food for them to eat.

The turtles were massive. I think some of them were the size of a dining room table that could seat six – even bigger than the turtles I saw on my Galapagos cruise .

There are two kinds of turtles on Apo Island: green turtles (actually brown colored) and hawksbill turtles . The Hawksbill turtles have these pointy beaks and shells that look like puzzles.

They would swim right next to us or right under us, completely unafraid of us humans. They’re not scared of humans because as a protected area, there are no human predators here, just a lot of annoying but innocuous tourists.

Stop #3 Lunch

We swam to the shore and rested on the beach. Unfortunately, it was difficult and painful to walk on the beach as it was full of broken coral . Luckily, I had sea shoes on. You can also have your guide tie your flip-flops to the life preserver.

The Resort gave out beautiful fluffy towels to everyone that you then had to put in your dry bag so that you had it when you get back to the boat.

Now lunch was another sign that I was traveling among people who weren’t budget travelers. The meat and vegetables were good quality.   I hadn’t tasted food like that since I left the United States. I think I’d been spending too much time in cheap restaurants in the Philippines. We also had fancy silverware that you would never get in all the cheap restaurants I had been frequenting.

Stop #4 Snorkeling back to the boat

In the afternoon most of us snorkeled back to the boat, while a handful of people went off diving. We saw the same kind and amount of turtles and coral in both.

I’d say we saw around ten turtles that afternoon .

Siquijor Itinerary Day 4: Countryside Tour

My final day on Siquijor was spent touring the interior part of the island. Most people do not get to see this part of the island. They focus more on the coast.

I was lucky to have found a great guide who was available to take me to see a more off-the-beaten-path part of Siqujior and to visit a Shaman.

The tour of the countryside took from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. I spent the afternoon buying tickets and departing from Siquijor.

• Kamp Aninipot
• Secret Lagoon
• Cantabon Cave
• Mt. Bandilaan
• Buy Tickets for Fery to Liloan
• Depart Siquijor

Stop #1 Kamp Aninipot

ENTRANCE FEE: 10 pesos | LOCATION: Google Maps

Our first stop on the last day of my Siquijor itinerary was Kamp Aninipot (Camp Fireflies).

Kamp Aninipot is a campground with a restaurant and accommodations overlooking Siquijor and the ocean. The views are gorgeous . I’m sure the sunsets are as well.

The campground has (also called Hobbit Huts ), small huts that look like they come from Lord of the Rings. There’s also an Airbnb that’s a treehouse .

Stop #2 Secret Lagoon

The best thing I can say about Secret Lagoon was that we passed some scenic rice paddies on the way up to the place.

The Secret Lagoon is just a pond. It’s pretty but nothing out of this world.

Stop #3 Shaman

The part of this itinerary that I was most looking forward to turned out to be one of the strangest things I did in the Philippines.

Arriving at the shaman’s residence, we were greeted with two signs in English. On the one hand, seeing the name of the famous Ponce family, I felt assured that I was getting a legitimate shaman. On the other hand, was the sign in English an indication that this was a tourist trap? But then again almost all signs in the Philippines are in English.

Two young children, a boy and a girl, were home. But no shaman. She (not a he) was out grocery shopping. Why weren’t the children in school? I had noticed this many times in the Philippines. Young children out on the street or in their front yard during school hours.

The house was a wooden shack strewn with garbage and empty beer bottles . We took off our shoes even though the floor looked like no one had ever cleaned it.

We decided to wait amongst the empty beer bottles and trash. And then my guide saw a dilapidated karaoke machine from the 1980s and got the bright idea to sing karaoke right there at the home of this shaman. My guide sang a love song about forbidden love in Tagalog or the local Cebuano (there were English subtitles).

Was he singing it to me?

Unfortunately, the karaoke machine wasn’t in the best condition, so it was screeching and scratching. The whole experience that should have taken place in a karaoke bar was so out-of-place in this idyllic countryside setting.

Before my guide could finish his song (thank God!), the shaman returned from shopping. She was a short, unsmiling middle-aged woman.

The shaman had me sit in the middle of a dark room, whose walls hung pictures of Jesus and Santa Claus .

She felt my pulse for five seconds, massaged my shoulders neck and arms, and blew down the back of my shirt . The whole treatment or exam lasted more or less ten minutes.

After finishing, the first words out of her mouth were a disappointing sales pitch, “You want a potion to ward off evil and bad things?”

“How much?”

“1,000 pesos.”

(That’s US$20.)

“No, thank you. So, what’s wrong with me? What are my ailments? Did you find anything wrong?”

Her assessment of one of my chronic ailments was surprisingly spot-on. But she didn’t offer any medicine for it.

She also said I hadn’t had a massage in a while. Very true.

Shamans can’t charge for their services directly. Instead, you give a donation. My guide was of little help.

“Give whatever you think.”

I’m bad at assessing prices. I usually give too much or too little. Using Lonely Planet as my guide, I gave 200 pesos (US$4) . I’m not even sure she was worth that much. I think you can get an hour-long massage for 300 to 500 pesos.

You can buy other kinds of potions. The potions are herbs that are encased in stone and then hung around your neck (see photo above).

The potion to ward of evil comes in two sizes. The small one is 500 pesos (US$10) and the big one is 1,000 pesos (US$20). There’s also a love potion to get others to fall in love with you. Maybe I need that one I thought. But it’s 1,000 pesos as well.

We thanked the sorceress for her time and then got back on our motorcycle. So that was a shaman. It all seemed more like a scam to get money out of tourists than something real. I had a hard time accepting that this was someone that locals really went to. Maybe I got the foreign tourist treatment, while locals get something more authentic.

Read More Articles on the Philippines:

• First-Timer's Guide to Getting Around Manila
• Manila Itinerary: 2 Days Exploring the History and Culture of Manila
• El Nido Itinerary: Plan Now! Go Later!

Stop #4 Cantabon Caves

ENTRANCE FEE: 20 pesos + 500 pesos for a guide + equipment fee | LOCATION: Google Maps

The next stop on my last day in Siquijor was a visit to the Cantabon Caves. I’m not a big cave person. There are bats in caves and bats have been known to be the origins of many of today’s deadliest diseases like Ebola and not to mention COVID-19. However, reviews of the caves on Trip Advisor were very positive, so I decided to go.

Unfortunately, the reviews and my guide didn’t mention that the water in the cave goes up to your waste . I hadn’t dressed for that much water. So, we didn’t go into the cave.

If you do want to explore Cantabon Cave, first go to the ticket office to pay the fee and get your guide and gear (helmet and lights) before proceeding to the cave, which is several meters away. You need to hire a g uide for 500 pesos and pay the entrance fee of 20 pesos . It costs 30 pesos to rent a light, 50 pesos for shoes, and 50 pesos for a ziplocklock .

Stop #5 Mt Bandilaan

ENTRANCE FEE: Free | LOCATION: Google Maps

The highest point on Siquijor is Mt. Bandilaan, at 632 meters above sea level. You can see 360-degree panoramic views of the island.

There are two ways to get up to the top. 

• A stairway built into the side of the mountain
• A pathway that is lined with stations of the cross. 

We took the stairs.

At the top of the hill is a viewing tower. It’s ok. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see this place.

Stop #6 Buying Tickets to Lilo-An and Lunch

I ended my trip to Siquijor by purchasing ferry tickets to Liloan, where I would get a bus (turned out to be a taxi) to Moalboal.

I had lunch at the highly recommended Aloha Restaurant. It wasn’t very good. I think it was the worst food I’d eaten in the Philippines. The only good thing about this place was the stunning view from the restaurant.

Stop #7 Departing from Siquijor

I took the ferry from Siquijor to Liloan at 5:00 pm . We got to Liloan at 8:00 pm. Several people in Liloan told me that the last bus to Moalboal had left at 7:00 pm. I’m not sure if this was true. However, it was late, so I decided not to try my luck at the bus station and instead, looked for a taxi.

Luckily, I found a couple from Germany, and we hired a taxi for 1,200 pesos (US$24) .

Looking for more off-the-beaten-path destinations?

• Sibaltan Tour: Finding Your Secret Paradise in Palawan, Philippines
• Port Barton Itinerary: What to do for 3 Days in Port Barton
• Bohol Travel Guide: Exploring the Natural Wonders of the Philippines
• Where to stay in Siquijor?
• When to visit Siquijor?
• What’s Siquijor like for Solo Travelers?
• What to pack for Siquijor?

Where to Stay on Siquijor?

Most travelers stay on the southwest coast of the island in San Juan . This area of the island has the nicest beaches–the water is smooth and calm, really great for swimming and snorkeling. The sunsets are amazing!

I stayed at Tagbalayon Lodging House ( Booking.com | Agoda ) a hostel directly across from Tubod Beach and Coco Grove Beach and Dive Resort in San Juan. Perfect location!

The people who own the place were wonderful. I liked how the people who worked there always greeted me by saying my name despite that there were so many other people saying there.

The dorm rooms are kind of tightly packed and the showers flooded, though. I often found myself walking over everyone else’s backpack to get anywhere in the room.

There’s a nice common area on the second floor with comfy couches and lounge chairs. The hostel has a decent restaurant with an inexpensive buffet and more expensive dishes from a menu. There’s also a little grocery store for you to buy snacks and drinks.

Another great budget option is Fable Hostel ( Booking.com | Agoda ). It gets terrific reviews (9.7/10), and it’s near the best beach in Siquijor, Paliton Beach !

For those who want a budget hotel but don’t want a hostel, check out Chekesh Casa ( Booking.com | Agoda ). It gets great reviews and is near Tubud Beach.

For a medium-priced hotel try Isla de Paz Beach Resort . It’s right on the beach , gets great reviews, and is at an affordable price. Check reviews and prices on Booking.com or Agoda .

The Coco Grove Beach Resort  is right on the beach ! There’s also a swimming pool. Check reviews and prices on Booking.com or Agoda .

When to Visit Siquijor?

From  January to May,  the island is at its driest . This can be both good and bad. The good is obvious, but the bad is that some waterfalls are empty. Siquijor gets more rain from June to November.

It is coolest from December to March with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius (83 degrees Fahrenheit) . The hottest time is from April to November with the average temperature being 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) .

Siquijor seems to be more popular with Europeans than local Filipinos. Keep in mind that Europeans like to travel from December to March  when their own countries are at their coldest. So, during these times. you’ll find a lot of the more popular places booked.

What’s Siquijor Like for Solo Travelers

Siquijor is a good place for solo travelers.

As a female traveling solo, I felt quite safe.

If you’re on your own and you don’t drive a motorcycle, you can hire a guide/ motorcycle driver for 500 pesos (US$10) a day plus for the motorcycle 300 pesos (US$6).

You can get more tips and insider info on what it’s like to travel alone in this beautiful country in my Solo Travel Guide to the Philippines. 

What to Pack for Your Trip to Siquijor

Full face snorkel mask.

Waterproof Dry Bag

Water Shoes

Final Thoughts on this Siquijor Itinerary

There you have it! I hope this travel guide helps you in planning your trip to Siquijor.

So, did Siquijor live up to my expectations? Hiring a guide and driver was the best decision I made. I got to go to places like Monkey Beach and experience seeing a shaman which I wouldn’t have done on my own. And US$10 a day for a guide is a pretty good deal. You’d spend twice that at a restaurant in the United States.

I would have liked to have stayed a day longer on Siquijor, visiting a few more beaches.

Since it was the dry season, some of the waterfalls were dry, so I couldn’t see them.

Siquijor is a great place to add to your Philippines itinerary ! It’s a great place to visit after a trip to Bohol . 

Is it touristy? It’s less touristy than some of the other places I’ve been to in the Philippines. 

By the way, if you’re looking for more info on the Philippines, check out my Philippines Travel Guide page .

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More Travel Guides for the Philippines:

• Learn how to take public transportation and a Grab and taxi around Manila -  First-Timers Guide to Getting Around Manila
• Manila Itinerary: 2 Days Exploring the Culture and History of Manila  - In this guide, you'll get a detailed step-by-step itinerary for seeing the sights in Manila.
• Port Barton Itinerary: What to do for 3 Days in Port Barton  - Find out how to discover the most beautiful beach in the Philippines.
• One of my favorite experiences in the Philippines was an island-hopping tour of Sibaltan. Get the details here:  Sibaltan Tour: Finding Your Secret Paradise in Palawan, Philippines
• El Nido Itinerary: An Adventure of a Lifetime - Learn where to go, what to eat, where to see, and of course, what to do in El Nido.
• Bohol Travel Guide: Exploring the Natural Wonder of the Philippines will tell you exactly what to see and do in Bohol, how to get there, where to stay, and much, much more!
• Siquijor Itinerary: Exploring the Island of Fire will give you the skinny on everything you need to know to travel to Siquijor.
• Malapascua Itinerary: Plan Now! Go Later! will help you plan your trip to Malapascua and Kalanggaman Islands.
• Find out what my 15 favorite places to visit in the Philippines are.
• Solo Travel Guide for the Philippines will give you some pointers on how to best travel solo in the Philippines cheaply and safely and still have a kick-ass time!

17 Comments

This is a pretty budget friendly trip! You did an amazing job breaking down all possible details to be considered for planning!- Pinned for our future philippines trip!

Thanks! I hope you make it to Siquijor!

I am so happy I found this guide! It’s so detailed and covered everything I could want to know. Im hoping to visit next year and island hop for a couple of weeks!

Thank you! I’m glad that you found it helpful.

Wow Siquijor sounds like a really special place which I would love to visit.did u find fireflies ? Thanks for sharing this itinerary

It’s a great place to visit. Nope! No fireflies!

Looks magical! Will definitely hire a driver when I go, thanks for the tip! Beautiful post!

Siquijor seems like a peace of heaven on earth. When I read that it’s name may come from fireflies I thought it was a small and magical location but the reality is that it is much larger than I thought with plenty of activities. And the beaches are so beautiful! And good to you for cliff jumping, even once, I don’t think I would have done it!

I never actually went cliff jumping. Too chicken. My guide did, though. Twice.

Can’t wait to go back to the Philippines! So many islands to explore and they all have such beauty. You’ve added Siquijor to my list!

Wow! This looks so beautiful! Thanks for the super useful information about transport. I am looking into a solo trip to Asia later this year or 2021, and I appreciate your insight into Siquijor as a solo female friendly destination.

Great info! I want to stay in a Hobbit Hut!

You had me at waterfalls and the marine sanctuary! Wow this seems like such a gorgeous place.

It is totally gorgeous!

Thanks for sharing this, Julie. There are so many islands in the Philippines that it’s difficult to pin down which ones to visit. This comprehensive guide to Siquijor tells me all I need to know.

You’re welcome! I hope you get a chance to visit some day!

This place looks heavenly. I chase waterfalls everywhere we go, your long exposure capture of the falls is SO GOOD. How does the full face snorkle mask work? Does it fog up easily/get filled with water?

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4 Days Itinerary to Dumaguete and Siquijor

Dumaguete is one of the most relaxed cities you can find in the Philippines. In addition, it’s an important gateway to other places in the Visayan Region.

It’s connected via sea travel to Siquijor (and other provinces including Cebu, Bohol, and even Zamboanga City ). It’s also possible to visit other places via land travel including Sibulan, Dauin, Valencia, Bais, and Sipalay.

Here’s our itinerary to Dumaguete to Siquijor! I have updated this guide to include side trips to Valencia and Bais as well.

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P.S. Don’t forget to check out our Island Guide to Siqujor .

How to get to Siquijor

How to get to apo island, what to do (apo island), what to do (dumaguete city), how to get to valencia, how to get to manjuyod, dumaguete city, budget and expenses, reminders and tips, what to read next:.

Here’s the itinerary. Please consider this a rough guide only!

Here are a few notes about this itinerary:

• You can book your entry and exit flights via Sibulan Airport in Dumaguete City.
• From the airport, there are vehicles waiting to take you to your destination. Or if you want a cheap option, walk outside the airport and flag down a tricycle or habal-habal where you can pay the regular rate.

Day 1 – Siquijor

• Ride a habal-habal or tricycle to Dumaguete Port.
• From Dumaguete Port, ride a ferry to Siquijor. Currently, there are 2 ports in Siquijor: Lanera Port and Siquijor Port . Regular ferry takes 2 hours, P140 per person; fastcraft takes 1 hour, P210 per person. Schedule is from 5:30AM to 6PM. Same applies for the return trip.

Once you arrive in Siquijor Port, there are locals offering tours (habal-habal or tricycle) or motorbike rentals.

By now we’re all familiar with Siquijor. Siquijor is an island province which is known for its waterfalls, Spanish-era churches, and laid-back beaches. Interestingly, Siquijor is also known as Witchcraft Island although currently it’s being promoted as a Healing Destination.

It’s possible to tour Siquijor in 2 days. There are 2 kinds of tours available: the Island Tour and Mountain Tour. Most day trippers choose the Island Tour since it includes the popular spots such as Cambugahay Falls and Salagdoong Beach.

Here are the places you can visit in the Island Tour for a day trip:

• St. Francis of Assisi Church and I Love Siquijor Signage
• Lazi Church
• Capilay Spring Park
• Century-Old Balete Tree and Fish Spa
• Cambugahay Falls.
• Salagdoong Beach
• Guiwanon Spring Park
• Paliton Beach
• Hapitanan Cafe
• Dumalaay Boulevard

I have written more about it here: Island Guide to Siqujor .

Of these, I liked these stops the best: Century-Old Balete Tree and Fish Spa, Cambugahay Falls, and Salagdoong Beach.

Another stop I recommend is the Tulapos Marine Sanctuary . It’s not normally included in an island tour, so you have to request it specifically. The main activity here is snorkeling where you can see corals, barracudas, turtles and black-tipped reef sharks. There is also a giant clam area.

I learned about it online and I was the only person during my visit. I had a really good time here and it was my first time to see baby sharks in the wild. This is actually one of the dive sites in Siquijor .

I think the rest of the stops including Capilay Spring Park (cold spring) and Guiwanon Spring Park (mangrove park) can be skipped or at least just go down for a quick look.

Paliton Beach is said to be one of the best beaches in Siquijor. For me it was just okay — nothing mindblowing. Other nearby provinces like Cebu have way better beaches.

Day 2 – Apo Island and Dumaguete City tour

• From anywhere in Dumaguete City, ride a tricycle to Siaton. From there, ride a jeepney to Malapatay, Zamboanguita. (Total travel time is 20-30 minutes.)
• Walk toward the port and rent a boat to Apo Island (boat ride 30-45 minutes). You can also look for other joiners to share costs with you.

An easier option is to book a joiner tour which includes round-trip transportation from Dumaguete City, boat tour, guide fees, and lunch. Snorkeling and fins rental is also included.

Apo Island is a volcanic island located in Dauin in Negros Oriental, one ferry away from Dumaguete City. It’s one of the best dive sites in the country. If you are not a diver, you can go on a boat tour and explore 3 spots: the turtle area and two snorkeling spots.

I booked a tour via Harold’s Mansion. Harold’s Mansion is a budget accommodation that offers cheap day tours to Apo Island. The tour starts at 6AM and ends at around 3PM.

This is my favorite part of this Dumaguete-Siquijor trip. The guides at Harold’s Mansion were extremely helpful. Each small group is assigned a guide and the guide will look for turtles and then signal for others to come when he spots one.

I saw a handful of sea turtles in the wild. They don’t mind the presence of humans so they just go about their business — gliding smoothly in the water or eating at the bottom of the seafloor.

The snorkeling areas were also beautiful, with large corals. I’m not a very good swimmer and a guide helped me get underwater shots of the snorkeling areas.

You can read more about my Snorkeling Experience in Apo Island (Negros Oriental ) .

Dumaguete City is a university town. It is a great place to relax, but if you’re looking for activities you need to go on day trips from here.

Here are the things you can do in the city:

• Stroll along Rizal Boulevard.
• Go food tripping. Taste the famous sans rival and silvanas by Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries .
• Visit the Tabo-Tabo market in Malapatay. It is open every Wednesday. It’s a cultural experience in itself, as you can see goods sold by mountain farmers including livestock, native delicacies and more.

I stayed here for 1-2 days, but mostly in my hotel room. I did went out to go to the sans rival cafe (which is highly recommended) and eat seafood all by myself.

Day 3 – Valencia

• From Dumaguete, head to the jeepney terminal (south of public market) and ride a jeep to Valencia. Travel time is 15-20 minutes, fare is around P15 per person.

Note : Every Sunday, jeepneys going back to Dumaguete are until afternoon only.

Once you get off in Valencia, there will be motorbike and tricycle drivers offering you a tour. There are no standard rates so you have to haggle.

Valencia is another town in Negros Oriental that offers unique nature attractions, such as mountain hot springs and waterfalls. It’s one of the less-visited day trips from Dumaguete.

Here are the places you can see in Valencia:

• Tierra Alta Resort . A Greek-inspired resort built in the slopes of Palinpinon. The main attraction of the resort is the lighthouse which offers a 360 view of the surrounding town.
• Pulang Bato Falls . Also called Malabo Falls by locals. It is part of the Twin Falls, with the other one located just several meters away. Pulang Bato Falls is 30 meter high and surrounded by reddish rocks, caused by sulfur deposits. The waterfall is located inside a private resort so there is an entrance fee.
• Hot Springs . There are a handful of hot springs in Valencia. Red Rock Hot Spring is the most popular. It offers a nice mountain view and it has a more natural feel compared to other hot spring resorts in the area, such as Ocean 24.
• Casaroro Falls . This 100-meter-high falls is one of the best nature attractions in Negros Oriental. To reach the falls, you need to climb down a 350-step staircase. Getting a guide is recommended.

I enjoyed this trip, especially the hot spring. After exploring Siquijor and snorkeling in Apo Island the past days, I badly needed the soothing warm water. The mountain view is nice too.

Day 4 – Manjuyod in Bais City

• From Dumaguete City, head to Ceres bus terminal and ride a bus to Bais City. Travel time is 1 hour, fare is around P70 per person.
• From the bus terminal, ride a tricycle to Canibol Wharf.

From Canibol Wharf, you can arrange a boat to Manjuyod. If you’re in a group, you can share expenses. If not, wait for other joiners or book a joiner tour in advance.

Manjuyod is one of more recent attractions in Visayas.

The main activity here island hopping. The itinerary includes:

• Manjuyod Sand Bar
• Dolphin watching activity along Tanon Straight
• Bais City Bird Sanctuary & Mangrove Forest.

Where to stay

There’s actually a lot of options for budget Dumaguete City hotels and inns, starting from P300 above. The ones located downtown are popular, so if you’re staying in that part of the city it’s best to reserve in advance.

Here are the best stays in Dumaguete City:

• Henia Hotel |  Book discounted rates here
• Go Hotels Dumaguete |   Book discounted rates here

Here are the best budget options:

• Flying Fish Hostel |  Book discounted rates here
• Hostel Tropical |  Book discounted rates here

Harold’s Mansion is possibly the most famous backpacker lodging in Dumaguete. Bunk beds in dorms are cheap, but for a little more you can have a single-bed aircon room in other inns. Harold’s Mansion is convenient because they offer Apo Island tours for joiners.

Looking for other accommodations in Dumaguete City? Book discounted hotels in Dumaguete City here .

There are several beach resorts in Siquijor and it’s relatively cheap especially if you’re traveling with someone. You can get an air-conditioned room for around P1000 for 2-3 people.

Here are the best stays in Siquijor:

• Coco Grove Beach Resort | Book discounted rates here
• Infinity Heights Resort |  Book discounted rates here
• Charisma Beach Resort | Book discounted rates here
• Tori’s Backpackers Inn |   Book discounted rates here
• JJ’s Backpackers Village | Book discounted rates here

I was solo so I opted to stay somewhere cheap: JJ’s Backpackers Village. It’s situated alongside other beach resorts in San Juan. This hostel has a modern native decor, complete with bamboo bunk beds. Apparently it’s a favorite especially of foreign tourists, so make sure to book ahead. There’s an eatery about 10 minutes away from JJ Backpackers Village where you can eat for cheap.

Looking for other accommodations in Siquijor? Book discounted resorts in Siquijor here .

Here’s a summary of major expenses:

Budget depends on how many you are in the trip. For 2 people, a safe budget is P8000 per person .

Here are important reminders about this Dumaguete-Siquijor itinerary:

• The cheapest way to explore the island is by renting a motorbike. You will need a driver’s license and they are strict about this requirement. This way, you can also explore lesser-known waterfalls in the island.
• I actually stayed longer in Siquijor on my trip. One thing that I learned is that if you’re staying overnight or longer, you definitely need to know how to drive because public transport is rare and habal-habal/tricycles ask for premium for going to places.

APO ISLAND:

• If booking a joiner tour for Apo Island, it’s best to reserve in advance to get a confirmed slot.

Here are some useful contact information:

• Harold’s Mansion :  Website  |  Facebook  | 09173024455

That concludes our Dumaguete and Siquijor itinerary! Do you have questions or suggestions? Let us know in the comment section below!

Here are related posts:

• Travel Guide to Siquijor
• Guide to Cebu, Siquijor and Bohol  by Trotter Hop

Get discounts on your travels!

Enjoy discounts with KLOOK using our promo code: TARALETSANYWHERE

Katherine Cortes is a long-time backpacker and a freelance writer/editor. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs!).

The Fun-Sized Traveller

I just had a Siquijor sojourn last March. Truly a magical place to spend summertime. Good details on your Siquijor travel guide.

Adrenaline Romance

We haven’t been to Siquijor, but based on your photos and description, this place is magical! We will be putting this in our bucket list. Are there dive sites there?

Not sure haha. 🙂 I think a lot of people go to Siquijor to chill.

Kamp Aninipot

Hi there! Siquijor has dive sites, absolutely. You can search online and you’ll be able to find more info about them. Cheers!

Justin Vawter

We’ll be going here this July to attend my cousin’s wedding. Originally we’re planning to go to Dumaguete-siquijor only but I might add Apo Island to the list

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• Eco Tourism

• Dasgo with lounging area and dining chairs, live music nightly from 7pm (photo above)
• Mr Sumo 
• Dolce Vita Italian restaurant
• Baha Bar has a sunset terrace overlooking the beach, BBQ every Friday night, and live music every evening. Also selling Magners (P160 for 330ml) or pints of home brewed Baha Stout for P180.

• Capilay Hot Spring - a public swimming pool in San Juan opposite the Municipal Hall
• Lazi Church and Lazi Convent (both 18th Century and declared as National Historic Shrines)
• Man-Made Forest in Maria (between Minalulan and Liloan) is a 2km road lined with mahogany trees (a beautiful drive on your way to Salagdoong Beach)
• Cantabon Cave – Located in the middle of the island. Hundreds of stalactites hang from the cave roof, and a stream of fresh water runs through here.
• Quisol Mountain View – beautiful panoramic viewpoint overlooking the island (note it’s off the beaten track inland at the top of a hill between Lazi and Larena)
• Lazy Lizard Hostel (Budget)
• Bermuda Triangle Bungalows (Mid-Range)
• Coco Grove Beach Resort (High End)
• Jungle Hut Siquijor (near Cambugahay Falls – High End)
• Montenegro Shipping Lines  
• Atlantis Yohan Express
• Aleson Shipping Lines
• Ocean Jet Fast Craft

Leave a Reply.

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All Beach Bucket List Ideas Cebu Itinerary Day Trips From Moalboal Ecotourism Food Freediving + Scuba Diving Information Island Hopping Plastic Free + Zero Waste Siquijor Island Things To Do Waterfalls Wildlife Experience

The Best 3 Days in Siquijor Itinerary – Philippines (2024)

Planning a 3 day Siquijor itinerary? This guide is for you! Siquijor is a magical island in the Philippines with beautiful white sand beaches, crystal clear water and incredible jungle waterfalls!

We’ve created a detailed travel guide to help you plan your 3 days in Siquijor including where to stay, how to get around and the best things to do in Siquijor. Let’s find out what to do in Siquijor in 3 days!

Siquijor is one of the beautiful islands in the Cebu region of the Philippines. It neighbours islands such as Bohol, Negros and Cebu Island.

There’s a magical past to Siquijor and it’s known as the island of witches and witchcraft. Some Filipinos used to be scared to visit the mystical island, but this isn’t really the case now. It started when the Spanish learned of the traditional healing methods the locals of Siquijor used and instantly named it witchcraft.

Apparently, it’s still possible to still find healers on the island and there are even a few broomsticks around just for fun. We’re here to show you how to have the best 3 days in Siquijor and explore the mesmerizing waterfalls, clear beaches and underwater world.

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

Planning a 3 day Siquijor itinerary

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

There are a few things to consider before visiting Siquijor and the Philippines – check out our 3 week Philippines travel itinerary for extra tips.

• If you don’t have a flexible itinerary, we recommend booking ferries to depart the island, as soon as you arrive on Siquijor
• There are not many ATMs on the island – get out cash before arriving! There are some ATMs in both the ferry port areas on the island, but none in San Juan.
• There are no big shops or malls in Siquijor, although that’s not why you’re visiting this island!
• Continue reading to find out how to plan your Siquijor 3 day itinerary!

Best time to visit Siquijor

Due to its tropical monsoon climate – the best time to visit Siquijor is between November and April when it’s dry season and there is a lower chance of storms or typhoons.

It’s possible to visit all year round, however, the weather is crazy in the Philippines and you should always double-check before visiting an island in case ferries stop running due to bad weather. On the plus side, waterfalls are better when it’s raining usually between May – October .

How to get to Siquijor

Getting to Siquijor from Bohol – Bohol is near to Siquijor and the journey is fairly easy. Make your way to Tagbilaran Ferry Terminal and hop on an OceanJet ferry for 800 pesos. (We recommend booking this ticket as soon as you arrive in Bohol, as they can sell out)

Getting to Siquijor from Cebu – Similar to Bohol head to the ferry port in Cebu and catch a ferry straight to Siquijor island. There’s a chance it may stop at Bohol first.

Getting to Siquijor from Moalboal or Dumaguete – This journey is pretty long but definitely achievable as we did it! Make your way to Moalboal main town and catch the bus down to Bato Port or Liloan Port, from there you can get a short ferry to Sibulan and then a bus or tricycle to Dumaguete. From Dumaguete, there are ferries to Siquijor Island!

If you’re somewhere else in the Philippines, then the best thing to do is to fly to Dumaguete airport and take the ferry over to Siquijor as the airport on Siquijor island is still gearing up.

How to get around Siquijor

Even though the island looks small on a map compared to the rest of the Philippines, it’s actually pretty big! Once you arrive on the island at Siquijor Pier, you can either rent a scooter or catch a tricycle to your accommodation.

Rent a scooter – This is the best and quickest way to get around the island. Scooter rentals can be found at the ferry terminal or some places in San Juan. We rented ours from our accommodation ( Tagbalayon Lodging House ) and it was the best rate we could find. We totally recommend them on your Siquijor itinerary! ( Location !) & Find them on Booking .com here )

Tricycles – If you’re not 100% comfortable riding a scooter, that’s totally fine. Siquijor has many tricycle riders happy to take you around the island. They are everywhere at the ferry terminal, which makes it easy to get to your accommodation. Speak to your accommodation about booking tricycles to places around the island!

3 day Siquijor Itinerary

Now we can get into the planning of your 3 days in Siquijor! We’ve put together a list of the best things to do on Siquijor and which activities can be done on the same day. Feel free to mix it up or switch the days around! Enjoy our 3 day Siquijor itinerary!

Day 1 – Arrival & Paliton Beach

Arriving in siquijor.

When you arrive on Siquijor Island, head straight to your accommodation to drop off your luggage and then grab some food at a nearby restaurant. Check out our recommendations of where to stay in Siquijor just below this itinerary!

Sunset at Paliton Beach

On the first night of your 3 days in Siquijor, head to Paliton Beach and enjoy one of the best sunsets on the island. Get there a little early so you can enjoy the beach in daylight too, you’ll find rope swings, tall palm trees and crystal clear waters. There are a few places to eat next to the beach, so you can spend the afternoon here after you’ve arrived.

It’s a short scooter ride from the main area in San Juan and you’ll find loads of restaurants for dinner in this area too – check out Dolce Amore Italian Restaurant for some lovely Italian food near Paliton Beach.

Check out one of the bars in San Juan or head back to your accommodation with some snacks from a nearby mini market. Here’s the location for Paliton Beach .

Day 2 – Waterfalls, Beaches & Snorkelling

Day 2 of your 3 days in Siquijor is going to be incredible – we’ll show you our favourite beach on the island and how to get there!

Cambugahay Waterfalls

These turquoise waterfalls have to be on your 3 day Siquijor itinerary! We recommend getting here before 10 am as it can get a little crowded. Currently, it’s free entry into the waterfalls, although you do have to write down your name.

There are three main beautiful waterfalls here each with its own pool of water to swim in. The first and third ones are the most popular as you can swing and jump from the platforms above. The people here will try to tempt you to swing and they only ask for a small fee, so join in the fun!

There are also wooden floats on the water which you can pay for whether you want to chill or take photos. The water here is so refreshing and it’s definitely worth a dip on your Siquijor 3 day itinerary.

It’s fairly easy to get to Cambugahay Waterfalls and you can ride a scooter using Google Maps (small donation for parking) or grab a tricycle to take you there! Here’s the location !

When you’re finished, head to Twenty 4 Restaurant for some tasty lunch – they have some vegan options here too! It’s close to the waterfalls and affordable for the international/fusion food they serve!

Snorkelling in Tubod Marine Sanctuary

We’re so excited to put Tubod Beach on this 3 day Siquijor itinerary! It’s our favourite beach on the island and maybe in the Philippines. We took the opportunity to relax and snorkel and it was absolutely perfect.

Tubod Marine Sanctuary is the best-preserved coral reef on the island and there are so many amazing fish in these waters, that we could have spent hours watching them all! You can go out really far too as the water is quite shallow near the beach. Unfortunately, we didn’t grab any good photos of our underwater adventures, but we saw so many clownfish (Nemo’s!!)

How to get to Tubod Beach?

Tubod Beach is a protected Marine Sanctuary and the entrance to the beach is a little confusing as Coco Grove Beach Resort owns or looks after the beach.

If you enter through the walkway in the forest ( here on GoogleMaps ), it brings you out to a hut with people monitoring the guests on the beach (in a good way!) So if you want to snorkel – the fee is 50 pesos per person, but it’s totally free to just chill on the beach.

We rented a snorkel from Tagbalayon Lodging House which is very close to the entry area – it’s better to be prepared if you want to find those Nemo’s!

After a relaxing afternoon at one of the best beaches, it’s time to leave this beautiful spot and prepare for the next day of your Siquijor 3 day itinerary.

Day 3 – More Waterfalls & Cliff Diving

On our third day in Siquijor, we went on an adventure around the island and came across a few things to do in Siquijor! We also headed back to Tubod Beach in the afternoon (as we loved it so much) and super chilled out! Here are a few things that you can get up to on your Siquijor itinerary!

Lugnason Falls

Start the day nice and early at Lugnason Falls! It’s close to Tubod Beach and worth a visit too! ( Location !) There’s even a lovely pool to swim in and it’s the perfect way to cool down. We do recommend visiting early when the water is most settled. There are sometimes guides wanting to walk down the trail with you for a small fee, but the trail is marked for anyone to visit.

Explore Siquijor Island

After enjoying the falls, head over to the east side of the island. There are a few stops to make on your way:

Pitogo Cliff – A beautiful stopover on the side of the road, overlooking the ocean (on the map – location )

Old Enchanted Balete Tree – This 400-year-old tree in Siquijor is now a beloved tourist attraction with a small entry fee. It’s visible from the main road, which is how we noticed it! (find it here – location )

Lazi Church – An old Spanish church located near Cambugahay Falls. This large church is noted as a national cultural treasure on the island and as most people in the Philippines are Christian it’s a very important stop on the island. (this is the location )

Sabas Beach – This is actually a campsite here in Siquijor, but it’s right on the beachfront. We’ll have to admit there’s not much of a beach here but the colour of the ocean was too magnificent not to add to this 3 day Siquijor itinerary! (here’s the location )

Salagdoong Beach & Cliff diving

The next stop on your 3 day Siquijor itinerary is another beach spot on the island – and this one has cliff diving! Unfortunately, it was damaged during Typhoon Odette and is currently (in 2024) under maintenance. This does mean that the entrance fee has been waived and it’s now free to visit the beach!

The drive to Salagdoong Beach is also really nice! Hopefully, cliff diving will open up again soon. ( Location here !)

End your 3 days in Siquijor at one of the bars or restaurants in San Juan – Baha Bar ( location ) always seems to have things going on!

Are you still wondering what to do in Siquijor? Here are a few more things we can recommend:

• Cantabon Cave – An impressive 800m stretch of a cave in Siquijor (600 PHP for a cave tour guide)!
• Mount Bandilaan – panoramic view of the island & highest point in Siquijor!

3 day Siquijor itinerary breakdown

Day 1 – Arriving & relaxing on Paliton Beach Day 2 – Cambugahay Falls & Tubod Marine Sanctuary Day 3 – Lugnason Falls, Exploring the island & Salagdoong Beach

We also have a full travel guide on how to plan your Philippines itinerary in 2024!

Where to stay in Siquijor?

On your 3 day Siquijor itinerary – we recommend you stay in San Juan ! It’s the area with the most restaurants and it’s close to the popular Paliton Beach. Siquijor is quite a big island in the Philippines and it does take a while to get around even if you’re staying in the south. Here are a few places we recommend on your Siquijor trip:

Tagbalayon Lodging House $ – This is where we stayed for our Siquijor itinerary and we loved it! The hosts are so lovely and helped us with everything! They have a restaurant, scooter rentals and snorkel rentals. They’re opposite Tubod Beach. ( Location !) & Find them on Booking.com here !

JJ’s Backpackers Village  $ – In the heart of San Juan, JJ’s Backpackers is known as the backpacker spot in Siquijor! This place is a great place to meet new people and they do get pretty busy, so make sure you book in advance! ( JJ’s Backpackers Location ) & Find them on Booking.com here !

Coco Grove Beach Resort $$$ – Located right on the beachfront of Tubod Marine Sanctuary, this resort is luxury for your 3 days in Siquijor. This place is one of the best hotels on the island with unlimited snorkelling and beach access! ( Coco Grove Location ) & their website !

Where to eat in Siquijor?

There are a variety of restaurants in Siquijor, from Filipino cuisine to Italian to very chill cafes. Here are a few restaurants we can recommend and of course they’re vegan-friendly too!

Twenty4 Restaurant and Burger Bar $-$$ – Our favourite restaurant in Siquijor! (because they have a vegan menu!) We struggled to find restaurants that served vegan-friendly food and this place was a little gem! Not just for vegans, they have a big menu with many types of foods from creamy pasta, and salads to vegan fish and chips! ( Twenty4 Location )

Dolce Amore Italian Restaurant & Resort $$ – The tastiest Italian food on the island! We found this place because the chef caters to vegans – pasta and pizza of course! If you message her in advance, the chef may create more vegan options for your arrival! ( Dolce Amore Location )

SEE-KEE-HOR Cafe and Hostel $$ ( location ) – Serving a big menu filled with international foods such as pancakes and bagels! It’s a good spot to chill after visiting Paliton Beach!

Is Siquijor worth visiting?

Yes! We totally think you should spend 2 or 3 days in Siquijor whilst you’re in the Philippines. It’s easy to get to compared to other islands and has some of the most beautiful beaches.

It’s a little quiet, yet gets enough tourism for there to be travellers! Tubod Beach really sold it for us, so if you love snorkelling or white sand beaches, you’ll love Siquijor!

Do I need to rent a scooter in Siquijor?

The first answer is – only if you feel comfortable riding one! We recommend renting scooters if you have the correct licence and you know how to ride them. However, we do know that South East Asia has a few different rules and if you are going to try one out please ask them for a test or tutorial!

We rented a scooter from our accommodation Tagbalayon Lodging House and the price was good! It was cheaper than the rates offered by the pier but we also had to pay for a tricycle to get to our accommodation.

We definitely preferred having a scooter during our 3 day Siquijor Itinerary as we could get to places quickly and on our own time schedule, we also ate lunch and dinner at places too far to walk.

How long should you stay in Siquijor?

3 days  in Siquijor will allow you to see all of the best places to visit in Siquijor, without having to rush through everything. If you wanted to take longer here and relax more, you could definitely visit fewer of Siquijor’s attractions each day and slow your trip down, or just enjoy the beaches and relax.

If I only have 1 day in Siquijor, what should I do?

If you only have 1 day for your Siquijor itinerary, we recommend visiting Tubod Beach for the snorkelling and beach opportunities and Cambugahay Waterfalls . This is the best of both worlds and you’ll have a great time on your Siquijor trip!

Here are a few more bits of info for your Siquijor 3 day itinerary:

Book your flights ( check prices here! ) Book your accommodation ( book here for hotels & here for hostels !)

Where to go after Siquijor?

Bohol – Only a ferry away is another beautiful island in the Philippines. Known for the chocolate hills, amazing diving and tarsier sanctuaries. Check out our 3 day Bohol itinerary to plan the next few days of your Philippines trip. Moalboal – If you’ve just come from Bohol, maybe you want to check out more on the island of Cebu. Head to Moalboal to swim with one of the largest sardine runs in the world and adventure to Kawasan Falls for some canyoneering!

More  Philippines  guides:

• 3 Week Philippines Route & Itinerary: Where to visit in 2024
• The Best 2 Days in Manila: Things to do & Itinerary (2024)
• The Best Bohol Itinerary: 3 Days in Bohol, Philippines
• Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls: 2024 (After Typhoon Odette!)
• All our  Philippines posts !

That’s the end of our  The Best 3 Days in Siquijor Itinerary – Philippines (2024)!  Have the best time on the magical island of Siquijor and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

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Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

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16 best things to do in siquijor, philippines [+ 3 day itinerary].

Before I visited Siquijor I knew all about the beautiful waterfalls on the island, and how quaint and picturesque it was, (thank you Instagram!), so I KNEW I had to visit.

Now, it’s one of my favourite islands in The Philippines and should be part of any backpacking Philippines itinerary. 

To help inspire your Siquijor adventure, I present to you my guide on the top things to do in Siquijor and some more bonus information that should hopefully make your trip planning fuss-free.

How to get to Siquijor

Siquijor is a tiny island in The Philippines in between (kind of) Bohol and Cebu. It’s a lot less touristy than many of the most famous islands in The Philippines. This completely adds to the charm of Siquijor's attractions. 

Currently, the only main way to get to Siquijor is via ferry. You can catch the ferry from Demugeute, Cebu and Bohol. 

• ‍ From Bohol: The ferry leaves once a day at 10.20 (As of 2019) with OceanJet. You can purchase your tickets in advance via 12go Asia , or you can buy them at the terminal. Since Siquijor isn’t a hot tourist spot, you should be okay buying your tickets on the day you wish to travel, but it’s up to you.  Oceanjet is the fastest and it takes about 1 hour and 20 mins to get to Siquijor from Bohol.  ‍
• From Cebu: If you’re coming from South Cebu (after having visited the famous Kawasan Falls ), then you can get the bus to Liloan port (they drive by every 20 mins) for around $1. It will take you to the nearest bus station, where you can then get a 3 wheeler to the port for around 100 PHP. After that, you get the quick ferry to Dumaguete, then you get a 3 wheeler to the main ferry port (just say you’re going to Siqiujor and they know where you’re going), then you hop on the Ocean Jet ferry to Siqiujor.  This journey works the same for going from Siquijor to Cebu. It’s far easier than going to north Cebu (beside the airport) so you can just get stuck in hours of traffic trying to get to the south area of Moalboal to Kasawan falls. 

So to summarize:

• Step 1: Get the bus to Liloan port from South Cebu…
• Step 2: From the bus stop/station closest to Liloan port, get a 3 wheeler to the port
• Step 3: Get the fast ferry to Dumaguete 
• Step 4: Tell a 3 wheeler you are going to Siqiujor and they’ll take you to the correct port 
• Step 5: Take the Ocean Jet ferry to Siqiujor 

‍ From Dumaguete : there are ferries to and from Siquijor from a variety of providers. You can check 12Go Asia for the best prices. 

For transfers anywhere in The Philippines, you can find the best availability and prices with 12GoAsia .

Getting around Siquijor, The Philippines

When it comes to getting around Siquijor, you have one or two options. 

• ‍ Moped : Firstly, you can take the easiest option and rent a moped for your time there. Everything is within driving distance, since the island is so small, and it’s not complicated driving. There is no traffic, and you’re pretty much driving in one loop the whole time. Moped rental is around 300 PHP per day, (This was based on us renting for 3 days). I would not pay any more than 350/400.  ‍
• Tricycle : Your other option is using tricycles (basically tuk-tuks) to get around the island. You could negotiate a deal with a driver to take you to all the best things to do in Siquijor in one or two dates for a set rate. If you’re not confident in driving a moped, this is probably your only option. 

I’m not even sure if you could rent a car with a driver, or if there are specific tours. I didn’t see any on-island specific tours on offers, but this will probably become a more common thing as tourism increases over the years.

Also Check Out: Getting Around The Philippines: All Your Questions Answered!

Where to stay in Siquijor

Though it's a small island, there is a variety of great accommodation in Siquijor , dotted around the island. But, if you’re looking to stay in an area that caters to backpackers, then you’ll want to base yourself in the area of San Juan. 

There are lots of places to stay and there are lots of restaurants, bars, and motorbike rental shops. This is where you’ll find the majority of dive shops, supermarkets etc too.

It’s an excellent base to get around to the best stops of the island and it’s the easiest place to meet other travellers if you’re travelling solo.

Budget Choice

AMK TRAVELERS HUB

Coco Grove Resort

Luxury Pick

Mandala Tribe Treehouses

The top things to do in Siquijor

Okay, now the part that you came from, the top things to do in Siquijor. This list includes basically everything Bradley and I did, including a couple of activites we missed out on but you should check out!

1. Discover the popular Lugnason Falls

Okay, first up, when we visited this waterfall, it was bone dry. Not a drop of water in sight. This was obviously disappointing, but it was cool seeing what the waterfall area looks like dry! 

Anyway, I’ve seen the pictures of it with water and it’s awesome. What I did discover on this visit, is that there is a range of even more waterfalls on a waterfall trail (Lugnason is just the first stop). There is a map of all the waterfalls below, and they’re named after zodiac signs. 

If visiting in the dry season, they’ll be dry, but if you go when there is water, do let me know what the other falls are like! Apparently these are among some of the best waterfalls in Siquijor. 

2. Check out the awesome Hidden springs 

Whilst visiting Lugnason falls, the locals told us to keep walking for another 10 minutes past the dry waterfall and we would come to some springs with natural water. We had a walk and were just about to give up when we heard water…

And we discovered this awesome place! We were with our friends and we had some fun jumping in the pool, relaxing and playing with the drone. 

This was one of my favourite things to do in Siquijor and there was no one else there when we visited (other than a few locals!) which was awesome. Plus it was cold water which was welcome in the soaring heat! 

*2020 update* This place is becoming quite popular nowadays, so if you want to visit without the crowds, it’s best to visit early. 

3. Visit the Old Enchanted Balete Tree

Interesting point, Siquijor is meant to be a mystical island, with a lot of magic in play, and this is one of the enchanted trees on the islands. It's pretty old, at over 400 years, so it's quite impressive that it's still standing! This will be easy to fit on a Siquijor itinerary as it's just off the main ring road around the island and as far as I'm aware there is no entrance.

It's got lots of great reviews on Google, so we missed out! This place makes a great picture spot.

4. Relax at Paliton Beach for sunset

We enjoyed the sunset here for two different nights and it was magnificent. I don’t even think the pictures I took actually do it any justice in real life. Which is a good thing, because you’ll have to go to experience it in all its glory! 

It’s a nice beach and one of the most popular beaches in Siquijor, with clear water for relaxing and there are a few stalls selling rum, beer and soft drinks (basic snacks too) so you can enjoy a little something whilst enjoying the beautiful sunset. This beach is close to the tourist hub of San Juan, so it's super easy to access.

Read Also: The Best Backpacking Destinations

5. Swing and swing at the famous Cambugahay Falls 

When people think of Siquijor, this is the main sight to see. It’s definitely one of the top things to do in Siquijor and it lives up to the beauty you see on social media. It’s a waterfall with a variety of levels and lots of different jumps. 

It’s free to enter, but if you want to jump you pay 50 PHP and you can jump as many times you want from that particular rope swing. 

If you don’t feel like jumping, you can swim in the beautiful blue water, or even just chill on a bamboo raft. 

When I went, I really wanted this photo of me on the raft with the drone from above with no one else around. So we headed early (or what I thought was early). We got there by 7.30 am and it wasn’t early enough, and I couldn’t get the picture, but ah well!

Basically if you want to get photos without the crowds, then you’ll need to head at around 6.30 or basically when they let you in. After that waterfall, I went to other waterfalls at 6am and got the shots with no one in them! 

It’s such a nice place to cool off and relax for a couple of hours. Definitely a must-see spot in Siquijor. 

You can check out my complete guide on visiting Cambugahay Falls right here. 

6. Check out the Butterfly sanctuary 

The Butterfly Sanctuary is one of the places to visit in Siquijor Bradley and I didn't visit. I’ve been to a few butterfly sanctuaries over the years, and I love butterflies, but we didn't make it to this one whilst we were there. However, if you’ve got some spare time, then it’s a cheap and cheerful thing to do in Siquijor. And actually, you can pretty much guarantee a Butterfly sanctuary is going to be beautiful.

Entrance is 100 pesos and the sanctuary is open until 4 o'clock.

7. Get your adrenaline pumping at the Salagdoong Cliff Jump and beach 

This is the second best of things to do in Siquijor (in my humble opinion). Not only is the beach and water stunning blue, clean and super relaxing, but they have awesome cliff jumps (which Bradley did).

I actually love water and I like heights, but I’m not overjoyed when they’re together. I’m of the opinion that I’ve done cliff jumps when I was younger and I know what it’s like, so I really don’t need to do it again...unless it’s really really special or I’m feeling uber confident! 

We all have our limitations! 

Anyway, Brad loves to jump, he seeks out the jump, and he had a lot of fun on this jump. We put the drone up and got some footage of him jumping and the area itself. 

You can see that they once had a slide that dropped into the sea, but it’s not in use. Trust me, if that was working, I would have slid my way into the water! 

You pay an entrance fee into the beach which is around 50 PHP and you can park your moped for free. 

There are places to get food and drinks and showers, so it’s the perfect place to relax for a while. 

You can only jump when the tide is in! So check Google so you don’t turn up disappointed and have to wait. 

8. Drinks, drinks and drinks! (Baha Bar)

Okay, Siquijor isn’t exactly a party place, but it does have one really great bar/restaurant. It’s called Baha Bar and every night they have live music. The place is super cheap and does amazing food that caters for everyone. 

It’s a super modern place and probably one of my favourite restaurants and bars in all of the Philippines. We went with friends for a few drinks (a few too many!)

They do Caipirinhas with real cachacha, and anyone who knows Bradley and I (or read any of our South America posts ) know that we LOVE this Brazilian cocktail! 

You can get 3 wheelers to and from Baha bar so you do NOT drink and drive. Our accommodation was a 5 minute walk away, so it wasn’t an issue for us. 

9. Check out the viewpoint at Mount Bandilaan 

So Bradley and I drove the whole way up to this viewpoint and it was closed. Have to say it was pretty annoying as it took a couple of hours, BUT, I’ve heard that it has beautiful views over Siquijor. 

What I will say, is the drive up the mountain (this is the highest point in Siquijor) there are many beautiful views and there are even more waterfalls you can discover. 

We kept seeing random signs for waterfalls, so just ask the locals for the right direction and they’re happy to help. Seriously, Siqiujor has so many waterfalls that haven't even made it to Google Maps yet! Lots to discover.

The viewpoint is also part of a pilgrimage site where there are lots of different crosses. 

10. Scuba Diving all around the island 

We didn’t do any scuba diving (as we don’t have the qualification yet), but our friends who we were with did! And they said it was awesome. There are lots of dive shops in the area, so you'll find something to suit. Lots of places do night dives too, which sounds scary, but interesting.

You can also do a try dive to see whether you like the idea of scuba diving. Then invest in a course as The Philippines is one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to scuba dive. Plus it’s got some awesome spots! 

11. Go Snorkelling around the island 

There are lots of great snorkel spots dotted the whole way around the island. I simply suggest hiring your own snorkel gear and trying different spots you can find. I know that you can go with a company who will take you on a boat to coral reefs, so if you want guaranteed fish, then perhaps organise a tour.  Again, there are a variety of tour agencies popping up on Siqiujor, but if you're struggling, ask your hotel/hostel for advice. It's such as small island that everyone knows someone!

12. Organise your own Island hopping experience

Island hopping in Siquijor isn't as frequent or as common a thing as say island hopping in El Nido , or Coron.  But, there is an island you can “hop” too and you can see it in the distance from the beach. 

Coco Grove Beach Resort is the company/property that organises your island hopping adventures. 

They can take you to a nearby island (whose name I actually cannot remember) to swim with turtles. So, if you haven’t had the chance to swim with turtles in other places, such as Port Barton , then you should absolutely do it here. 

They’re amazing animals! 

Since these tours are based on private organisation and depending on numbers, I really have no idea how much they should cost. If you’ve taken one, please drop a comment and let me know the price so we can help fellow travellers with their planning. 

13. Discover beautiful churches

There are lots of old and beautiful churches dotted around Siquijor. Of course The Philippines is a Christian country, so churches are a normal sight, but sometimes you can find hidden churches among the fields, or abandoned ones on the side of the road. 

These can be quite picturesque and perfect for some unique photos. 

The most famous church to visit on Siquijor island is St Francis of Assisi Church!

14. The oldest building on Siquijor 

Whilst driving a loop around the island, you can make a quick stop at the oldest building in Siquijor. This is known as "Cang-isok House"

To be perfectly honest, it’s a little run down, and we drove past it because I didn’t notice it (much to Brad’s annoyance), but if you want a quick stop on your Siquijor itinerary, then you may as well have a nosy since it's the oldest! Plus it’s free which makes it a great budget Siquijor attraction.

15. Check out the local swimming pool 

In the town of San Juan (where I will recommend that you base yourself), there is a local, “natural” swimming pool which is there for the locals living there. It’s actually pretty cool, and I’m pretty sure it’s free to enter, so if you need to cool off quick, just pop in there! 

There's lots of kids having fun and a great place to stay safe from the sun, especially since swimming pools are an up and coming feature in Siquijor accommodation.

16. Play basketball with the locals

If you don’t know already, The Philippines is obsessed with basketball! They LOVE it. Everywhere you go you’ll find a court. If you want to do something different in The Philippines and get to know the locals then you should join in a game of basketball with the local kids. We found some children playing next to our hotel in Siqiujor and we asked if we could play. We had some fun "shooting hoops" and soon realized they were pretty good! It's a cool way to experience a little bit of local Philippines life and certainly one of the more unique things to do in Siquijor.

3 day sample Siquijor itinerary

So, since we spent 3 days in Siquijor, it’s a 3 day itinerary I can recommend to you. On the map I have dotted all the top things to do in Siquijor for reference, but based on the 16 day things to do in Siquijor, then you could space them out like this. 

• Lugnason Falls 
• Hidden Springs 
• Paliton Beach 
• Old enchanted Balete Tree
• Cambugahay Falls 
• Butterfly Sanctuary 
• Salagdoong beach/ cliff jump 
• Viewpoint at Bandilaan 
• Oldest building on island 
• Play basketball 
• Scuba diving or snorkeling plus island hopping

Other Siquijor travel tips

When is the best time to visit siquijor .

We visited Siquijor in May. This meant beautiful weather, virtually no rain, but it is the dry season, which means that some of the waterfalls are literally DRY. (including one of the most famous on the island) 

So, if you want to catch all the waterfalls, then I suggest heading around March time, but remember there is the possibility of rainfall which could disrupt your day. Just pack a raincoat to stay dry.

How long do I need in Siquijor?

Since Siquijor is a small island you really don’t need too long to see it, so it’s easy to squeeze into a tight Philippines itinerary. 

I recommend 3 nights as a suggestion, but you can absolutely see everything in one busy day, so it’s up to you, but I think once you see the beauty of the island and the atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation, you’ll want to stay for a couple of days. 

Plus we met up with our awesome friends Wayne and Sophie and had a rum-fuelled night that required a full day of recovery! 

Where to after Siqiujor

After visiting the beautiful island of Siquijor, it's a good idea to head to either magical Bohol for some epic adventures, or even Cebu to check out the awesome waterfalls there!

Other awesome guides for planning your Philippine adventure:

• Backpacking - Our complete Backpacking Philippines Travel Guide
• Itinerary- 4 week Philippines itinerary
• Places to visit- 7 Awesome Places To Visit in The Philippines

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• Siquijor Guide – Itinerary, Tourist Spots and Budget

This Siquijor guide and itinerary has all you need to know to plan your trip to one of the best hidden gems of the Philippines. Dreamy waterfalls, secret tropical beaches and memorable sunsets await you in Siquijor: the island of fire!

Siquijor island has been known as land of witchcraft, enchantments and sorcery. So much that older people from other islands are afraid to visit it! But once this place rewards you with pristine beaches, lush hiking trails and amazing waterfalls, you’ll quickly put that behind your back. Trust me.

More than any other place in the Philippines , when I arrived to Siquijor I got a sense of peace.

Actually, relaxation turned out to be the note of my visit. The island is as authentic you can get in the Philippines , with a beautiful tropical scenery all around and very sweet people.

So fear not. Siquijor has nothing to give you apart from a memorable trip!

This Siquijor travel review is organized into the following sections:

How to get to siquijor island, how to get to siquijor from manila.

The airport in Siquijor island does not serve international flights. However you can now fly direct to Siquijor from Cebu with AirJuan.

The second easiest option is to fly to Dumaguete in Negros Oriental . Between Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines there are several flights from Manila and Cebu per day. The duration is 1 hour approximately. Check Skyscanner to get the best price.

From there, get on a tricycle or taxi to the port and then hop on a ferry that will take you to Siquijor from Dumaguete Port .

There are still other options. You can fly to Tagbilaran or Cebu , but the subsequent ferry journey to Siquijor will be longer. See details below.

How to get to Siquijor by ferry

Despite being a very small island, Siquijor has 2 ports. Definitely the most popular route is to Dumaguete , with several daily connections.

The main port connection is to Dumaguete , with several ferries between Dumaguete and Siquijor ‘s main port. Travel time is around 1-hour and the cost starting from 130 pesos.

There are also longer ferries connecting Tagbilaran and Siquijor to Tagbilaran ( Bohol ) and Cebu City ( Cebu ).

Ferry schedules from/to Siquijor as per April 2017

Here are the schedules of the main routes to Siquijor. Note there are 2 ports in Siquijor : the main one and the Larena one, where companies like Montenegro lines arrive.

These are updated, but ALWAYS confirm the schedules with the respective ferry companies.

Bohol (Tagbilaran) – Siquijor

• Ocean Jet : 10:30

Siquijor – Bohol (Tagbilaran)

• Ocean Jet : 13:50

Dumaguete – Siquijor

• Ocean Jet : 12:50
• GL Shipping Lines : 5:45,10:15,12:00,14:00,16:30
• Montenegro : 10:00,18:00

Siquijor – Dumaguete

• Ocean Jet : 13:40
• GL Shipping Lines : 5:50,09:30,13:00,14:00,15:45
• Montenegro : 06:00,14:00

The complete ferry schedules can be found on the Ocean Jet and Happy Philippines websites.

Personally, I recommend the Ocean Jet ferry. It is slightly more expensive, but the boats seemed newer and more comfortable.

Best time to visit Siquijor

It would surprise me if you didn’t know that Siquijor has a tropical climate, like most of the Philippines . But what does this mean?

First of all, it rarely drops below 20 degrees Celsius in the island. Actually the temperatures are rather constant throughout the year, with a slight increase in the March, April and May months.

The second half of the year is the rainy season and you expect heavier rainfall especially between October and December. If you ask me, right after this is the best time to go since you get to see everything green!

My weather experience in Siquijor

I visited Siquijor in the end of year, very close to Christmas. The temperatures were just right, between 25 and 29 degrees. But it definitely the island made sure we know it was still the tail of the rainy season.

Almost every day there was the odd rain shower. It never lasted for long, but it was usually at the exact time we were on the road, on the way back to our hotel. We got completely SOAKED 3 times, but hey, it’s part of the tropical life!

How to get around Siquijor

Although being a small island, the main attractions in the island are considerably far from each other. Public transport is far from being reliable in Siquijor , but you basically have 3 options.

• 1. Hire a tricycle driver : if you want to explore the island without getting your own wheels, your best bet is to hire a tricycle driver. They usually show you on a map where you’re going and you are free to discuss which spots you want to see for the day. Usually it includes the Cambuhagay Falls , Salagdoong Beach and the Lazi Church, amongst others. You can hire a driver from 1000 pesos per day in Siquijor .
• 2. Get on a multi-cab : a good option if you’re traveling with a big group. You can hire a multi-cab, with rates starting at 3000 pesos per day.
• 3. Rent a bike : just like getting around in Bohol , I absolutely recommend hiring a bike. Sometimes it’s all about the journey rather than the destination and exploring Siquijor on your own is truly remarkable. If you can do it – e.g. young, active, no kids -, trust me, it’s worth it. Renting a bike should cost you around 350 pesos, not including petrol.
• 4. What about tour agencies? : I’m not aware of agencies providing tours, but I’m sure the largest hotels in the island can arrange them upon request.

PHILIPPINES | Curse. Many Filipinos believe Siquijor island, in the Visayas archipelago, is cursed and filled with rites of black magic. They refuse to even put their feet on the island, fearing a lifetime of bewitching. Really? It looked pretty chilled to me #Philippines #itsmorefuninph #siquijorisland #Siquijor #panglaoisland #beach #palmtrees #ig_NeverStopExploring #WanderOut #Destination_Earth #Wonderful_Places #BeautifulMatters #Fantastic_Earth #TourThePlanet #TheGlobeWanderer #OurPlanetDaily #EarthPix #WeLiveToExplore #EarthOfficial #WildernessCulture #RoamThePlanet #ThePhotoSociety #TravelPhotography #Goph #the_ph #comeseeph #traversePhilippines #TravelStoriesPH #travel_philippines Uma publicação partilhada por BRUN (@bruno_mb) a Dez 20, 2016 às 2:51 PST

Top sights in Siquijor

In my opinion the best thing do in Siquijor is to explore around with no real destination, chill and take it all in.

That said, the island has a handful of sights and spots worth to see. I’ve addressed them in more detail in another post and now put them in the below map.

It contains all the main sights in Siquijor as well as the top restaurants in the island. You can easily download this map offline and use it to get around when you’re there.

Let’s go through some of these in more detail!

Cambuhagay Falls

For sure one of the must-sees in the island and one of my favorites. These are three-tiered cascading falls in the middle of lush forest, but what is really incredible is the turquoise color of the waters.

It’s perfectly safe to go in and go for a refreshing dive. The only annoying thing for me were the kids demanding money for everyone to do a “Tarzan jump” in the vines. Seriously, do you even own those?

Century-Old Enchanted Balete Tree

More than a touristy spot, this huge 400-year old tree in Lazi is almost a spiritual spot. It’s believe to be enchanted and it provides a free fish spa session in the small lake beneath it.

Also next to the tree there are some small stalls where you can buy charms and potions. If you believe it very hard, I’m sure they will work.

Not going to lie, it’s an awkward place but somehow gets stuck on your memories of the island.

Extra: Day trip to Apo Island

Finally I HIGHLY recommend you take a day trip to Apo island to swim with turtles. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had. Ever!

Tours to Apo usually leave from Dumaguete , but many of them are done in rather uncomfortable and unsafe outrigger boats.

What not everyone knows is that you can take a much better day trip to Apo from Siquijor . This is organized by Coco Grove Beach Resort .

I did this. Their boat is borderline luxurious, making the 1-hour ride very pleasant. Apart from an hour of snorkeling + swimming with turtles, a delicious feast was served in Coco’s private beach. It was AWESOME.

Note: it seems like they do prioritise their own guests on these tours, but we had no problems getting a spot from one day to another.

🇵🇭PHILIPPINES | 🐢Underwater. The underwater world of Philippines is unreal. There’s hundreds of different species of tropical fish and corals. And 5 of the 7 species of sea turtles that exist worldwide can be spotted in Apo island alone! Swimming with them was a one of a kind experience 😍 #Philippines #itsmorefuninph #ApoIsland #turtle #underwaterphotography #gopro #snorkeling #ig_NeverStopExploring #WanderOut #Destination_Earth #Wonderful_Places #BeautifulMatters #Fantastic_Earth #TourThePlanet #TheGlobeWanderer #OurPlanetDaily #EarthPix #WeLiveToExplore #EarthOfficial #WildernessCulture #RoamThePlanet #ThePhotoSociety #TravelPhotography #Goph #the_ph #comeseeph #traversePhilippines #TravelStoriesPH #travel_philippines #ultimate_wanderlust Uma publicação partilhada por BRUN🌎 (@bruno_mb) a Dez 18, 2016 às 9:39 PST

Other tourist spots in Siquijor

• Capilay Spring Park
• Guiwahon Spring Park
• Lugnason Falls
• Salagdoong Forest
• San Isidro Labrador Church
• St. Francis of Assisi Church
• Tulapos Marine Sanctuary

I’ve ranked the top 10 spots in Siquijor , where you can find much more info about the top sights in the island. The next section is about another big highlight of the island: its beaches!

Siquijor Beaches

“I’m going to Siquijor , but I don’t want to explore any of its beaches”. Said NO ONE EVER.

They may not be as postcard-perfect as other places in the Philippines like Palawan or Panglao , yet beaches in Siquijor are very much a delight. Few people, palm trees lined up and soft white sand awaits you. And some of them even provide gorgeous sunset moments.

List of Beaches in Siquijor

• Salagdoong Beach . Managed by a nearby resort, boasts crystal clear waters and diving platforms. A must-go.
• Paliton Beach . One of those beaches you only get to see in travel brochures. Amazing sunsets.
• Kagusuan Beach . To get here, you’ll need to survive a long drive and a trek in the forest. Worth it though.
• Siquijor Port Beach . I have no idea if this is the official name, but it’s the beach right next to the main port. It’s surprisingly quiet and beautiful.
• Tupod Beach . The main stretch of sand is directly in front of Coco Grove. This area is a marine sanctuary and you can expect top-notch snorkeling.
• Bacong Beach . I was planning to go to this beach in Maria when it started to rain heavily. Hence we decided to skip it, but if you go, I’d love to know your feedback!

Itinerary in Siquijor

I’d recommend at least 3 or 4 days to explore Siquijor . Any less and you will be rushing a place that is supposed to be relaxing and chilled.

The below list contains day plans up until 4 full days in the island. This is based on my own itinerary around the island and is more tailored if you have arranged your own transportation (bike, car, whatever).

Where to stay in Siquijor

The island is tiny and there aren’t (yet) that many offers in accommodation. By far the best resort is Coco Grove , in San Juan . Considering the price vs all the commodities, activities and excellence in service, it’s GREAT value.

I didn’t stay here though, as they had no availability. Instead I went for the place below and glad I did it. In fact we liked it so much we ended up extending our stay!

Garden Bungalow Resort

It’s tranquil in the middle of the forest, there’s an outdoor pool and comfy spacious rooms. The owner is Swiss and a delight to talk with. Ah and did I mention they bring breakfast to your porch every day? Book now >>

Not happy with neither? Wow, OK. I’ve put together a shortlist of the top-rated hotels and resorts in Siquijor, with WiFi included .

What and where to eat in Siquijor

Food is perhaps the Aquiles’ heel of the island. You know me, I don’t expect any luxury or fancy eats, but finding good value-for-money restaurants is not an easy task in Siquijor .

To be honest, the food in Philippines can be somewhat disappointing compared to other countries in Southeast Asia .

Anyway. Here are the places I found to the best in Siquijor .

This restaurant/bar in San Juan has a very good vibe and decent food. The tiger prawns were delicious. Check out their bar next to the beach during sunset, awesome view!

As downsides, it can get very busy and I found it slightly pricey though.

Bellview Kuzzina Bar

The first place we ate in Siquijor , very close to the main port. While not being a memorable experience, the food is decent at a very good price. The coffee here is imported and properly brewed.

Triad Coffee Shop

Their slogan is “The Best View of Siquijor” and there’s a good reason for it. This bakery/coffeeshop in Larena has a gorgeous open view of the coastline.

The setting compensates for the lack of authenticity on the menu, consisting of pizzas, burgers, fritters and healthy salads.

What to eat in Siquijor

• Chicken Adobo : chicken marineted in a delicious rich sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, peppercorns and bay leaves
• Kare-Kare : traditional Filipino stew complimented with a thick savory peanut sauce. Beef, pork, ox or chicken meats can be used.
• Lechón : roasted suckling pig. I don’t eat babies so I didn’t try this, but I got to say it looked good!
• Bukayo : the popular type of bread in the island, made from coconut meat.
• Halo-halo : the most famous dessert in the Philippines . It’s a rather odd and indulging mix of shaved ice, jelly, sweet beans, coconut and fruits.

🇵🇭 PHILIPPINES | 🌱 Paddy fields. When you stop the bike on the middle of the road to take a picture you know it’s going to be a good one. Paddy fields are such an eye-candy here! #Philippines #itsmorefuninph #PaddyFields #green #nature #ricefields #landscape #ig_NeverStopExploring #WanderOut #Destination_Earth #Wonderful_Places #BeautifulMatters #Fantastic_Earth #TourThePlanet #TheGlobeWanderer #OurPlanetDaily #EarthPix #Sourceadventures #EarthOfficial #WildernessCulture #RoamThePlanet #ThePhotoSociety #TravelPhotography #Goph #the_ph #comeseeph #traversePhilippines #TravelStoriesPH #travel_philippines Uma publicação partilhada por BRUN🌎 (@bruno_mb) a Dez 22, 2016 às 8:37 PST

Cost of things in Siquijor

To give you a good idea of the budget you can expect, I’ll give you some examples of what things costed me. The prices are updated as per December 2016.

Siquijor budget and daily costs

• Transportation : The Ocean Jet ferry from Tagbilaran via Dumaguete was around 500 pesos (not 100% sure of this, sorry!). There’s an extra 100 for the luggage. The transfer to our lovely guesthouse was included in the room fare.
• Vehicle rentals : we rented a motorbike for 350 pesos per day. I’m sure you can find lower prices if you haggle a bit.
• Food : local restaurants serve main dishes starting at 60 pesos and on average a lunch would cost around 150-200 pesos.
• Water : don’t forget to hydrate! A big water bottle (1,5L) costs from 10 pesos in local shops.
• Accommodation : I’d say you can expect to pay somewhere between 1000 and 1800 pesos per day in most places in Siquijor . In the place we stayed – Garden Bungalow – rooms start from 2000 pesos/day. You can find more fancy high-end rooms in Coco Grove Beach Resort .
• Entrance fees : everywhere you go in the Philippines you need to pay a small entrance fee. Even in improvised parking lots and airport terminals. See below the entrance fees for the main sights in Siquijor .

In general and despite being a more remote island, the prices in Siquijor are pretty much in line comparing to other places in the Philippines . And definitely lower than in touristy hotspots like El Nido !

If you’re traveling with more people, you can easily get around with less than 1000PHP or 50EUR/USD per day, accommodation included.

Final Siquijor Travel Tips

• Rent a bike. Public transportation is just not reliable. Don’t worry, it’s easy to drive around, the main roads are generally in good condition.
• Bring sunscreen. You can get burned easily if you’re not careful. Read other stuff to pack while traveling in Southeast Asia .
• Always have some change and small money with you. In the Philippines (too) any places ask for a minimal entrance fee (even churches and airport terminals). They might as well change their name to FEE-lipphines.

Siquijor Blog Review

Coming from busy touristy places like Alona Beach in Bohol or El Nido in Palawan , Siquijor was a true delight. From the moment you disembark the ferry you know it’s going to be special.

There aren’t any pretentious luxurious resorts (yet), nightlife, aggressive hard-selling from touts or even a wide choice of restaurants for westerners. As a result, it’s the perfect place to go local in the Phils .

Going to Siquijor is going as local as Philippines gets. It is a safe and remote island with charming people, beautiful sights and with lots of exploration and relaxing opportunities.

For a first-time visitor, it’s perfectly understandable to visit other more hyped islands in the Philippines . But allow yourself some days in Siquijor too. It will give you a fresh and authentic perspective of the country. And probably the most memorable sunsets of your life!

Siquijor Travel Review

☆☆☆☆☆ – nhec! ★★★★★ – wow!

• Accessibility: ★★★☆☆
• Accommodation: ★★★☆☆
• Activities/Things to do: ★★★★☆
• Cost (Overall): ★★★★☆
• Food: ★★☆☆☆
• Getting Around: ★★★☆☆
• People and Culture: ★★★★★
• Safety: ★★★★★
• Scenery and Environment: ★★★★★
• Uniqueness factor: ★★★★☆

OVERALL TRAVEL SCORE: 38/50

27 Reasons To Visit The Philippines

Continue reading more about this stunning country with 27 reasons why it should be on your immediate travel plans. Read now >>

Siquijor Travel Guide – Other Useful Links

• Ocean Jet : reliable ferry company in the Philippines
• Weather in Siquijor : detailed data about weather in Siquijor

Travel Guide to Bohol, Philippines – Budget & Itinerary

• 7 Awesome Experiences In Bohol And Panglao, Philippines
• My Top 10 Places To Visit in Siquijor Island
• 27 Reasons To Visit The Philippines ASAP

Which island is your favorite in Philippines? Let me know your experience in Siquijor and other places in the Philippines!

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Mystical Siquijor: The Best Experiences on the Island

03/13/2018 by Kristin Addis 18 Comments

Located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, Siquijor is locally known as ‘Esla del Fuego’, or the island of fire, not because of a raging volcano like I initially thought, but because of its mystical fireflies.

“When you see them out, you know there’s magic around,” said Noel, a local who generously offered to take me to a healer on the island, which is also referred to as the ‘mystical island’ or even ‘Siquihorror’ by locals due to the shamanism and witchcraft that Siquijor is known for.

That night as we sat in the open air karaoke bar, just having belted out Katy Perry’s California Gurls and the Eagles’ Hotel California  — two songs I can’t seem to escape as a Californian in Southeast Asia — the power went out all over the island and the stars, and the fireflies, came out to play.

There’s something about the vibe on Siquijor, a combination of white and black magic, the yin and the yang. There’s a feeling of eeriness and intrigue to it, and to visit without connecting a bit to the spiritual side of the island would be missing out on what makes Siquijor so enchanting.

As well as the waterfalls, the beautiful corals, the caves, the big tree, and the white sand beaches.

So this guide has a little bit of both. Departing from the ferry terminal, these are some of the best experiences and Siquijor tourist spots in order:

Table of Contents

Paliton Beach

Paliton is easily Siquijor’s most famous beach, and if you’re staying in San Juan like most visitors, you won’t be too far from here.

The beach’s most famous and striking feature is the line of coconut palms along the beach. It’s also famous for snorkeling and its lovely white sand. Even during high season, it isn’t very crowded. Make sure to explore beyond just the area near where you park. You’ll need to round a few bends on foot towards your right, if facing the water, to find these trees.

Pro tip: Check out the timing of the tides before you go and try to go during high tide. There are sea urchins and jellyfish in the grasses which will make it a bit of a minefield during low tide.

San Juan is where you’ll find most of the guesthouses, resorts, dive shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s where almost everyone stays when they visit Siquijor for two big reasons: It’s west-facing so you get a fantastic sunset, and it has white sand beaches.

Take a walk in any direction around 5pm and watch as golden hour unfolds into a fiery sunset with Negros and Apo Island in the distance.

Century Old Balete Tree

This ‘century old’ tree is actually closer to 400 years old, and is so much more than meets the eye. Once a spot for sacred rituals, the spring under the tree is now a fish spa and love potion vendor, mostly to attract visitors to what would otherwise just be something most people pass right on by without realizing the significance of this tree to Siquijor.

Noel told me that the fairy who was previously in charge of the tree was angry. Periodically, children would go missing around the area and then show up days later, having been taken into the spirit world by the tree. These days there’s a new chief fairy in town – Louie – who is a bit more benevolent.

Whether this all sounds like hocus pocus or not, one thing was undeniable to me as I edited this photo – parts of it looked like they’d been oddly misplaced, disappeared, or airbrushed in, even though it was .RAW straight from the camera. I’m still a bit confused but I’m chalking it up to Louie’s antics. I hope this photo did him proud in the end.

Lagaan Falls

Noel laughed and asked what I thought of Lagaan, expecting that I would have been underwhelmed, when I told him it’s the first place I visited in Siquijor.

I actually loved it! It’s not as big or popular as some of the other waterfalls, but that also makes it a lot less crowded. There’s a rope swing, a natural ‘slide’ (which you can see behind me in the photo above), some cool caves behind the water’s veil, and a little climb-through. It costs 50 pesos to visit plus 10 to park the bike. A bit rich considering Cambugahay is only 10 pesos but still, we’re only talking about a dollar.

Cambugahay Falls

Cambugahay is a three-tiered waterfall with three large lagoons. The aquamarine color, the refreshing water temperature on a hot day, and the way the falls gently cascade over caves and light brown rocks make it clear why this is the most popular spot on the island. It’s just as magical as Siquijor itself.

There are rope swings and platforms to chill on as well as bamboo rafts on each level of the falls. There’s also plenty of room for swimming, though you’ll have to share it with a lot of people unless you’re strategic with your timing. I visited twice, once around 11am and once at 7am, and I’m sure you can guess when I had the better experience. There was almost nobody else when I went early. Having these waterfalls all to yourself is a treat and a half!

I highly recommend the kinilaw or tuna sisig for lunch at El Monte in Lazi afterwards. I’m still dreaming of it. Say hi to the (now) infamous Noel if he’s there wearing his cowboy hat.

Driving and Mangroves

Part of the joy of Siquijor is driving a motorbike through it. The roads are mostly smooth and nice to drive on and there’s hardly any traffic. The few cars and motorbikes I did encounter were conscientious, a nice contrast to the somewhat stressful roads and rude big trucks on Lombok the week before.

Even if you’ve never driven a motorbike before, Siquijor is a good place to learn. Rentals run at 350 pesos per day including a helmet. Anything higher is a tourist price and you can haggle it down. You can rent them in San Juan, Lazi, or directly from the port.

Pictured above are some mangroves along the 15-minute drive from Lazi, where the falls were, to the next spot, Salagdoong Beach. Noel was surprised I was that excited about a bunch of mangroves but as he demonstrated with his lack of enthusiasm about Lagaan Falls, it obviously takes a lot to impress him.

Salagdoong Beach and Cliff Jump

Salagdoong Beach is another fan favorite and while not as gorgeous as the beaches of San Juan, it has two cliff jumps, one that’s 20 feet (6 meters) and one that’s 35 feet (11 meters) high, depending on the tide of course.

I did them both and the taller one is definitely more fun! Just run and leap instead of peering over and trying to decide whether you want to do it or not. I wouldn’t have been able to if I hadn’t just hurled myself over without thinking about it too much.

The jump and beach are part of a resort. Entrance is 60 pesos with a compulsory Red Cross donation included.

Seek a Healer

As mentioned in the intro, Siquijor is full of healers and witches. Want to cast a curse on someone? Siquijor is your place. Want to obtain a love potion? Look no further.

If you want this experience, the first thing to do is talk to a local if you can. See if you can get him or her to bring you to someone legitimate. Noel’s cousin is a healer, and I kindly asked him to help me with an illness I was suffering from. After placing two crystals in a glass of water and chanting over them and the crown of my head, he told me to drink, and to believe. That last part was important. Sadly I still needed another round of antibiotics afterwards but it was still a cool experience.

I spoke with another traveler who did a smoke clearing ritual in the middle of the island with a folk healer, which he gave me a moderately excited review of. You can find them here if it interests you.

Apo Island is the hotspot if you’re into sea turtles. It’s also home to gorgeous corals and over 650 species of fish. You’ll find plenty of dive shops in San Juan that will happily take you out on a day trip, or you can actually stay on the island and the cost of dives drops considerably.

First Name:

Most people stay in San Juan when they visit Siquijor, though I think it’s best broken up into two areas, adding in Lazi. There’s a range of options depending on your budget on Siquijor, though I can highly recommend Xylla guesthouse for a nice clean place to stay in Lazi and Glamping Siquijor (pictured in the star photo above) for San Juan. Both are easy on the budget and a nice value for a private room on the island.

You can get $25 off your booking at both on booking.com with this coupon .

I hope this guide helped you to connect not only with the beautiful places in Siquijor, but the mystical side of the island as well. It has a soul to it that you just can’t get to know unless you go digging a little deeper. All of the spots mentioned above are included in this Google Map for your reference:

On a personal note, I also absolutely adored the local friendliness. Kids were always saying hi, as were the adults, smiling big, genuine smiles and calling out warm greetings. It’s hard not to fall in love with a place like that, isn’t it?

READ NEXT: The Perfect Philippines Itinerary

About kristin addis.

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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03/13/2018 at 9:18 am

I like the way these guides are written, and your style, but I’m suffering from the lack of context!! Where the heck is Siquijor Island?? The last few articles you’ve published just drop a location name in without naming the country, region, or anything. If I have to google a place just to see what region of the world it’s in after reading your website, there’s something missing…

Kristin says

03/14/2018 at 2:23 am

Thanks for the feedback. I tend to think people search for information once they already have a destination picked out but that’s a great reminder that not everyone is in that mode!

03/14/2018 at 12:11 pm

I really like the recent addition of a Google Map at the end of the posts mapping out to readers geographically where you explored in the post. I feel like I can trace your steps almost! The wonders of technology. I think that additional feature goes a long way to help with this issue that was brought up about wondering “where the heck is this awesome place!?”. For what it is worth, while the country is not always linked to the location in the title of a post, you have been good about mentioning the country in the first paragraph or so (like in this Siquijor post the first sentence) in nearly all cases and then there is the “you might also like” which then links to similar posts where the country is explicitly mentioned in the title (e.g., the Kuta, Lombok post). Plus you tell people on the side bar under “upcoming travel plans” where you are at. The Google map is like the finishing touch!

04/24/2018 at 6:04 pm

I love following very few travel blogs for inspiration actually, and yours is one of them. I have noticed you’ve been adding country context lately and I really appreciate it!

04/27/2018 at 9:16 am

Thanks for letting me know! I often forget.

03/13/2018 at 10:06 am

That tree is awesome. I find the Banyan trees amazing too. I think it is great to try the local culture, including trying a healer, the local cuisine, visiting religious sites, performing a ritual etc. To me the pull of travel needs this in addition to the fun outdoor adventures and overall history. What was the most “far out” cultural experience you have had?? (besides the days of silence and contemplation) I realize that there are limits to everything, but stretching one’s boundaries and living beyond a comfort zone even for a day is a reward and memory of a lifetime. Mine, not being Christian, was being in a remote town and asked to join in an intense group religious chant with wild dancing and speaking in tongues. I did not speak in tongues or anything, but the whole experience was intense and they were glad I joined in and I appreciated not just learning something new, but experiencing it first-hand to at least understand it. Hope you feel better soon!

03/14/2018 at 2:21 am

My most far out cultural experience…hmm…It wasn’t necessarily far out, but I loved dancing at the art gallery in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Everyone told me to just get out as quickly as I could but that night it was amazing dancing in big circles with locals to thumping afrohouse music. I’ll always hold that memory dear. I really felt welcomed and like a part of this cool underground scene.

Maricel says

03/15/2018 at 9:09 pm

This guide is just what I needed! Will be in Siquijor in a few months.. and it’s so convenient to have a researcher extraordinaire like you Kristin! I’ve been going to places you’ve visited and doing stuff you’ve been doing (lantern festival, silent retreat).. I’ll definitely use your link for booking a place to stay and support you cos you’re awesome!

03/16/2018 at 4:06 am

That’s awesome that you’ve been using the advice you find on here and having fun trips with it! Let me know how Siquijor goes for you!

Lisa Mitchell says

08/14/2018 at 10:38 pm

Hi Kristin, As always you are my ‘go to’ favorite blogger for practical planning and inspiration. I’m planning a few weeks in the Philippines next April and am working around a Tubbataha liveaboard. I’ll for sure be following your guide for Banuae but also would like to find an island with a nice local feeling. Would you choose Siquijor or Siargao if you could only pick one? I’ll be diving plenty on the boat so looking more for relaxing and culture. Thank you!!!!

08/16/2018 at 9:21 pm

Hey Lisa, well Siquijor is pretty unique culturally, but it’s small. I would base it on how much time you have. Siargao has a lot more going on like the lagoons, islands, and surfing. You can see a lot of Siquijor in a day or two but Siargao needs at least a week I’d say.

Allan Albino says

08/17/2018 at 5:12 pm

Correction: Isla De FUEGOS- Plural

This had been a mistake..Even the current Philippine LGUs and tourism units got this wrong…I m able to get the source from the year 1700 map of the Philippines with all islands named in Spanish.. and what i saw ..”ISLA DE FUEGOS” not ISLA DE FUEGO..

08/18/2018 at 2:38 am

07/24/2019 at 12:21 am

Hi. Just a little correction. Apo island is not part of Siquijor.

08/09/2019 at 8:43 am

Thank you so much for featuring our Island, such an amazing blog that has been very usefuly to many travelers around the world to visit and know more about siquijor.

Mathilde Delorme says

08/27/2019 at 9:23 am

Hi Kristin! I am looking for a great island in the Philippines to spend a week with my group for New Year’s eve. I saw your blog post on Siargao, but after reading this I am thinking the weather may be better here. How did you find the nightlife, do you think it would be a fun place for New Year’s Eve, while still offering sightseeing and activities for the daytime? Thanks in advance!

09/02/2019 at 10:01 am

Siargao might have more to do nightlife-wise for NYE. Just make sure you make reservations way ahead of time for activities and restaurants!

Armando says

02/21/2023 at 3:21 pm

Amazing info story, i really love it.

DIY Travel Guide to Siquijor, Philippines

Siquijor is a small town where simplicity is at its best. Here’s the  Best Islands in Siquijor.

The first time I was in Siquijor, it was just an overnight trip and I swore that I will go back. When my friend asked me to go with her someplace where she can do ‘alone time’, I quickly suggested Siquijor and to spend at least 2 nights (but honestly, 2 nights are still not enough) to fully enjoy the place.

BEST ISLAND IN SIQUIJOR

Table of Contents

Trip Highlights:  

Cambugahay falls.

Cantabon Cave

Salagdoong Beach

Kagusuan  Beach

Other Highlights : Lazi Convent,  St Francis of Assisi Church,  Guiwanon Spring Park, Balete Tree and Fish Spa

Siliman university.

Other Highlights: Fruit Market and  Sansrival Cafe

Travel tips:.

Tricycle system in Dumaguete is like the “jeep” system in Metro Manila. They can stop anytime to pick up passengers. One tricycle is good for 4 pax.

You can walk from Dumaguete Pier to Siliman University, takes around 10 minutes. Not sure if it is open to the public. We were there on a Saturday and we begged the lady guard to let us enter for picture taking. She allowed us but we need to leave our I.D with her.

Fruit Market

Avocados are 25 per kilo. Small Fuji apple is 12pesos. Yellow mango per kilo is 40 pesos. If you want to go here, just tell the tricycle driver “Fruit Market”

Sansrival Cafe

“small serving” (compared to other restaurants in the city) for the food from their café

June is the start of the off-season. So you can ask for discounts for the room prices (which we did) and even from the tour. For the food in Siquijor, you can buy from the market and let your resort cook it for you. Cooking fee is around 50pesos per dish. For restaurants, prices usually range from 150 and up for a rice topping but the serving is big for its price.

Ways to Go Around Siquijor:

– Rent a motorbike – price range is 250-400 pesos for the whole day.

– Rent a motorbike with driver – price range is 500-800 pesos per day.

– Rent a car – 3,500 pesos as of February 2015 for both mountain and island tour. This mode of transportation is in a form of jeep or multi- cab, usually it fits 8-10 Pax.

– Rent a tricycle with driver – price range is 1800-2000 pesos for both mountain and island tour

For Salagdoong Beach in Siquijor:

Things to bring:   The usual beach items like dry bag, sand-proof mat (not sure what the proper term for this), medicines, sanitary napkin (to hide your money!), “waterproof” neck pouch where you can put your cellphone, toilet paper (just in case you need to go to the toilet), sunblock, snorkel, ponytail holder, underwater camera, rash guard

Not sure if your stuff will get stolen here. What my friend and I did was we took turns guarding our things while the other went to swim.

Tips: You can bring your own food. They have cottages for rent.

Remember: There is a group of people doing videoki. So it might be an issue to those who just want to have peace and silence by the beach.

Water on the beach is VERY clear (we were there from 11am-12noon) and we saw a lot of fish

For the cliff diving (it’s actually “board” diving), don’t be scared since there are a lot of locals there who will help and encourage you to jump. You can even tell them to jump in the water and wait for you so they can save you just in case you drown.

There is also a water slide, but it isn’t always open.

For Kagusuan Beach in Siquijor:

Our tour guide mentioned that this place is prone to theft that’s why a lot of tour guides don’t bring their guests here anymore. However, he said that as long as someone is guarding your things, there will be no problem.

For Cantabon Cave:

The road going there can be chilly since it is in the mountains. Bring something to cover yourself if you easily get cold.

You can go there even it is already a bit late. We arrived there around 6pm and was still allowed to go to the cave.

They have available lockers. But it is better you wear a “waterproof neck pouch” and put your valuables in it.

If you worry what kind of footwear to wear, it actually depends on the person. I wore trekking sandals to be safe. My friend wore a pair of girly Havainas, and she had no problem in the cave. Do some warm ups beforehand just in case you are prone to injuries.

For Balete Tree and Fish Spa

The “fish spa” is a similar one in Siem Reap , Cambodia .

For Cambugahay Falls

Things to bring: dry bag, medicines, sanitary napkin (to hide your money!), “waterproof” neck pouch where you can put your cellphone, toilet paper (just in case you need to go to the toilet), sunblock, snorkel, ponytail holder, underwater camera (they have fish in the water!!!), rash guard

There are “3 sections” on this waterfall. First one is the one with the “Tarzan” swing. 2 nd section is where the water isn’t too deep. You can actually reach the waterfall itself. 3 rd section is where you have to walk a bit farther. Be careful on the 3 rd section, water is deeper and there are more rocks in the water. If you want to reach the waterfall here, make sure you can swim or at least wear a life vest.

Buying Ferry Ticket to Siquijor (From Dumaguete Pier):

I can’t remember all the available schedules. But I do remember there are a 10am ferry and an 11am ferry. We were there on a Saturday, and the 10am tickets were already sold out when we arrived there at 9:00am. 11:00am ticket was from Online Shipping. Ocean Jet has 1250pm departure time everyday, 210pesos for tourist class.

Buying Ferry Ticket to Dumaguete (From Siquijor Pier):

It is better if your tour guide can buy your ferry ticket early in the morning of your departure day from Siquijor. Some ferry companies don’t have “advance booking” system. GL and Online don’t. In our case, our tour guide was kind enough to offer to buy the tickets (and even the terminal fee!) for us beforehand so we don’t have to worry. There was 9am, 10am and 11am departure time available on a Monday. Ocean Jet has 1:50pm departure time everyday, 210pesos for tourist class.

Cheap Accommodation in Siquijor? Check out Agoda .

Daily Budget:

Itinerary Details:

Day 1  June 6 (Saturday)

07:00 – departure from NAIA Airport at Manila

8:30am – arrival in Dumaguete Sibulan Airport; went straight to Dumaguete Pier

9:00am – arrival @ Duamguete Pier; bought an 11am ferry to Siquijor (there was a 9am and 10am ferry but they were sold out) We took the Orline Shipping and decided to explore Dumaguete during the waiting time.

9:05am – walked from Dumaguete Pier to Siliman University; explored inside the university

10:20am – walked back to Pier, boarded the ferry

11:00am – departure from Dumaguete Pier

1:00 pm – arrival in Siquijor, went straight to Danish Lagoon Resort for check in then to Chekesh for lunch

14:30 – departed Chekesh for Old Balete Tree. Then went to Cambugahay Falls

17:00 – departed Cambugahay falls to go to Cantabon Cave

18:00 – arrived in barangay hall in charge of the Cantabon Cave.

18:30 – start exploring the cave

20:20 – exited the cave; went to eat dinner at Dagsa and back to Danish Lagoon Resort

Day 2   June 7 (Sunday)

07:00 – breakfast at Danish Lagoon Resort

08:30 – left Danish Lagoon resort for Kalusuan Beach

10:50 – left Kalusuan Beach for Salagdoong Beach. Then we hang out at Salagdoong Beach and ate snack there

15:00 – left Salagdoong Beach. Our tour guide offered to do a “road trip” around the north part of Siquijor (form Maria town to San Juan). After that, we head back to Danish Lagoon Resort.

17:00 – back at the Danish Lagoon Resort to rest

18:30 – dinner at Danish Lagoon Resort

Day 3   June 8 (Monday)

07:30 – breakfast at Danish Lagoon Resort

9:00 – departed Danish Lagoon Resort

09:30 –arrived at Siquijor pier

10:00 – departed Siquijor pier

11:20 – arrival in Dumaguete Pier; lunch @ Neva Brick Oven

12:15 – done with lunch; went to Sansrival Café to buy pasalubong; then went to the fruit market to buy avocados

13:20 – went straight to Dumaguete Sibulan airport because the weather was too hot and we didn’t want to spend any more money

17:00 – Boarding time (delayed by half an hour)

17:55 – departure from Sibulan airport back to Manila.

About the Contributor:

Name of the Country : Philippines

Date/s of your Travel: June 6-8, 2015

City / Places Visited and Number of Days: (Please note the number of days you spent in each places if you are travelling in consecutive days and going to different places in your itinerary.)

• Dumaguete (June 6 for 2 hours ½ hours only as a jump off point; 8:30 (June 8 for almost 4 hours; 11:20am to 4:20pm)
• Siquijor (June 6-8 for almost 2 days)

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6 thoughts on “ DIY Travel Guide to Siquijor, Philippines ”

Nice Blog 🙂 Thanks for all your inspirations. We will visit Siquijor this month too.

hi! me and my co-workers are planning to go to dumaguete and siquijor, I just want to know how much approx. budget we should bring?

Great post. You are actually good in taking pictures. I love the pictures you have taken and they all look wonderful. Thank you for providing such a very specific list of your budget and how much you have spent for this vacation. Just to share though, there is an online shop where you can now rent motorbike/scooter in Siquijor Island and Dumaguete. Motorbike/Scooter in Siquijor costs 350 pesos, while in Dumaguete, it costs 500 pesos. So you can book ahead and not worry of renting one.

Can i get the number of your tour guide Allan? Please asap.

Hello po,,I’m Allan the accredited Tourist Driver in Coco Grove Beach Resort, ako PO yung unang nag guide ni ma’am Grace dito sa Siquijor Island, hehe.. this is my contact no.09166419570 thank you poh..

I recommend also kuya rolly siquijor tour guide…….tricycle driver…….contact # 09065806033…….

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Siquijor Travel Guide: The Mystique Island

Discover the mystical island of Siquijor and be awed with the surprises this small island offers. From its white sandy beaches, century old churches, beautiful waterfalls and other natural wonders and heritage, Siquijor is a promise of paradise.  This Siquijor travel guide will come handy for everyone planning to visit or revisit the Island of Fire. Provided in this guide are relevant information that will make it easier for your to plan your trip. Know the updated travel requirements, information on getting there, accommodation, activities, sample itinerary, budget and more. 

Welcome to Siquijor

Siquijor is nested in the western corner of Bohol Sea and surrounded with the bigger islands of Visayas and Mindanao. It is a small island that offers big surprises.

Formerly called “ Isla de Fuego ” or Island of Fire during the early Spanish era, Siquijor used to be a town of Negros Oriental until it became an independent province in 1971. It is the third smallest province in the country with a total land area of only 343.5 square kilometers.

Siquijor today is fast becoming a tourist hot spot in Central Visayas due to its natural beauty and distinct charm. Its white sand beaches, century old churches, amazing dive sites, beautiful waterfalls and other natural wonders are among the magnets that keep attracting people to uncover the island’s mystique.

A small yet bountiful island, Siquijor is a synergy of nature’s beauty and mystery, a bliss waiting to be explored. Come and experience the mystique charm of paradise that is Siquijor.

How to Get to Siquijor

From dumaguete city.

Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, is accessible from Manila via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific . From Dumaguete Airport in Sibulan, ride a multican to take you to the downtown. The Port of Dumaguete is at the northern end of the Boulevard.

At the Port of Dumaguete, there are numerous departures of fast craft and ferry to Siquijor daily starting at 5:45 AM and as late as 7PM. Fast craft rate is P160 one-way, travel time is one hour. RoRo ferry rate is P115 one-way with almost two hours of voyage.

You can book a ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM DUMAGUETE TO SIQUIJOR

From Cebu City, Oslob, Tagbilaran and Iligan

The ports of Cebu, Tagbilaran and Iligan have direct links to Siquijor by ferry or boat. Meanwhile, Oslob in South Cebu, has a direct link to the town of Larena, Siquijor.

You can book a ferry from Cebu, Tagbilaran and Iligan to Siquijor below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CEBU TO SIQUIJOR

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM TAGBILARAN TO SIQUIJOR

Where to Stay in Siquijor

While Siquijor can be toured on a day trip if you are based in Dumaguete City, it is still a best to stay in the island to better appreciate the place.

Coco Grove Beach Resort is a popular choice for tourists spending the night in the island. The beach front resort offers offers native style cottages and villas for as low as P2,700.00 good for two (2) persons per night.

For backpackers and budget travelers, among the favorites are JJ’s Backpackers and  Lorna’s End of the World Beach Resort which offers basic and budget-friendly accommodation for as low as P400 per person per night. JJ’s Backpacker’s is located along the beach in the town of San Juan.

Coco Grove Beach Resort Address: Tubod, San Juan, Siquijor Contact: +63915-2535130/+63939-9155123/+63-035-2255490/+63-035-4229663

JJ Backpackers Address: San Juan, Siquijor Contact: +63918-670 -0310

Lorna’s End of the World Beach Resort Address: Lala-o, San Juan, Siquijor Contact: +63917-3816377

Top-Rated / Highly Recommended Accommodations in Siquijor

Top-rated budget accommodations in siquijor.

Other notable places to stay are:

Salagdoong Beach Resort and Hotel Agripino Address: Olang, Maria, Siquijor Contact: Provincial Tourism Office at +63-035-344-2088/+63-035-480-9173/+639187714714/+639102002552 (Hotel Agripino) Email: [email protected]

Salamangka Beach and Dive Resort Address: Buhulisan, Catulayan San Juan, Siquijor 6755 Philippines Contact:+63-035-3442088, +63-035-480-9173 Email: [email protected]

Where to Eat in Siquijor

There are restaurants and eateries scattered along the islands. Some of the favorites are Luca Loko, Baha Bar, Tomato & Basil, Rastaman Grill, Marco Polo Italian Restaurant and Sunset Restaurant of San Juan, Siquijor.

What to do in Siquijor

• Visit the century-old churches St. Francis of Assisi of Siquijor and St. Isidore de Labrador and its convent in Lazi
• Cool off at Capilay Spring Park and Guiwanon Spring Park
• Checkout Cambugahay and Lugnason Falls
• Go beach hopping at Salagdoong Beach, Kagusuan Beach, Siquijor Beach, Paliton Beach and San Juan Beach
• Cliff jumping at Salagdoong Beach
• See the century-old Balete Tree
• Explore the unspoiled underwater of Siquijor. Dive or snorkel on more than 20 dive sites surrounding the island including the famous Tulapus Sanctuary, Daquit Shoal, Tonga Point, West Point, Paliton, Lala-o Sunken Island, Solangon, Tubod Marine Sanctuary, Salagdoong, Candapino Point and Tambisan among others.
• Drop by at Butterfly Sanctuary
• Visit Cantabon, Eugenia, Dacanay, Tagmanocan and Baljo Caves
• Trek Bandilaan National Park, the highest point in the island

Sample Dumaguete-Siquijor Itinerary

Day 1: chasing waterfalls in valencia.

1000H: Arrival in Dumaguete Airport / Sea Port / Proceed to Hotel 1100H: Check-in / Rest 1200H: Lunch at Casa Blanca / Proceed to Valencia Jeep Terminal 1330H: Depart for Valencia 1415H: Arrive in Valencia / Motorbike to Twin Falls (Red Rock Falls) 1445H: Red Rock Falls 1600H: Depart Red Rock Falls / Drop by Smokey Mountain 1700H: Arrive Valencia / Jeep to Dumaguete 1800H: Back in Dumaguete / Proceed to Hotel 1830H: Wash-up / Rest 2000H: Dinner at Sans Rival

Day 2: Apo Island

0700H: Call Time / Breakfast 0800H: Apo Island Day Tour: Scuba Diving or Snorkeling 1700H: Back in Dumaguete / Proceed to Hotel 1730H: Wash-up / Rest 1800H: Dinner at Hayahay Tree House

Day 3: Siquijor

0400H: Call Time / Snacks / Proceed to Port 0500H: Dumaguete to Siquijor 0630H: Arrival in Siquijor / Proceed to Hotel / Breakfast 0800H: Siquijor Island Tour: St. Francis of Assisi, Lazi Church and Convent, Cambugahay Falls, Paliton Beach, Salagdoong Beach, Capilay Spring, Balete Tree 1700H: Back in Hotel / Wash-up / Rest 1900H: Dinner

Day 4: Dumaguete City

0700H: Call Time / Breakfast / Proceed to Port 0900H: Siquijor to Dumaguete 1100H: Back in Dumaguete

• Siquijor can be explored on a day trip, check out my Siguijor in a Day blog
• Best time to visit Siquijor is during summer or dry months of November to May
• There is an ATM in the island
• Major credit cards are accepted in major establishments

First Published: 13-Feb-2011 | Updates: 20-June-2015; 07-Dec-2017; 09-Jul-2019; 30-Apr-2020

[…] Dumaguete’s proximity to Cebu makes the city speak Cebuano which is a totally different language from Hiligaynon spoken in Bacolod City and most of Negros Island. As the capital of Negros Oriental, it serves as gateway to famed dive sites of Apo Island, Mount Talinis, Manjuyod Sandbar, Balanan, Balinsasayaw and Danao Lakes, Niludhan Falls, Casaroro Falls, Red Rock Hot Spring, Pulangbato Falls and other attractions of the province as well as the mystical province of Siquijor. […]

I recommend kuya rolly siquijor tour guide……tricycle driver……0906-580-6033…..

helo po…eto po ang pinaka gustong gusto kong etanong…sana masagot nyu po… merun po bang ferry from iligan to siquijor? plsss answer po…salamat

Hi, Meron bang siquijor to oslob na ferry? Among schedule? Thanks.

Hi! I would like to ask if anyone knows any backpackers’ inn that can let you check-in even late at night. We will arive in Larena Pier around 11:30pm from Bohol and we do’t know where we can spend the night. Please help 😢 Thanks!

meron bang byahe sa roro bus direct to siquijor? at ano ang skedyul?

Hi. I would like to ask and I hope you can answer my query.

Does the Ferry takes car frieght? And do you have a contact number that I can ring to ask about their rate for the frieght.

Also, are there any camping grounds in Sequijor?

Regards, Cora

Hello po meron po ba kayong contact number nga Salagdoong Beach Resort at Hotel Agripino? 🙂 Kasi punta kmi ng mga kaibigan ko this April 30-May 1 sa siquijor 🙂 Salamat po

hello Jassel? hows ur trip in siquijor?

what is the earliest ferries that can take us from dumaguete to siquijor?

Very Informative post (as always). I am more than excited to visit this paradise soon. I just need a little help because we will be in Siquijor this coming May 1-6, And we’re planning to visit Bohol as well. May I know how much is the travel time from Bohol-Dumaguete, so we can plan ahead, to avoid the hassle of missing our flight back to Manila. hehe Salamat po and keep us posted on your travel! I’m a big fan of yours!

how do we get from Larena to Siquijor? kasi ang flight naming from Manila to Dumaguete will arrive by 4pm and hindi na kami aabot sa last trip to Siquijor and our only option is ferry to Larena.

Larena is just a tricycle away from Siquijor, Siquijor. 🙂

Why not spend the night in Dumaguete? Go for a food trip, there are lots of good restaurants in the boulevard. Check out Harold’s, they have budget rooms. Then take the first ferry to Siquijor the next day. 🙂

Hi. Meron bang fast ferries plying the route of Siquijor-Tagbilaran and vise versa? Ano name ng ferry?

Oceanjet po….everyday po ang byahe nila….

How do you get to Siquijor from Oslob? What is the fastest route and do you know where I can find the ferry times?

Mr. Lakwatsero,

Gud day, l’ll be in siquijor this coming jan. 18, 2016. I’ll be there for 2 months, now I’m looking for an apartment or a room to stay.

Nka hanap na po kau ng apartment……….

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Siquijor Travel Guide for Backpackers – Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting!

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by  Manoling Martinez

December 14, 2023

Note: This post may include affiliate links. Read more about this here .  

Siquijor is one of the most underrated destinations in the country. 

You won’t find this province listed in most top 10 or 20 places to visit articles – but right now, it’s my personal favorite!

If you have a trip to Siquijor soon – or if you’re debating whether you shop hop on that ferry for a visit – this blog post is for you! 

I spent a full week exploring the island to give you this Siquijor Travel Guide for backpackers . 

In it, we’ll have a look at:

• Important travel facts you need to know about the island
• How to get to Siquijor
• A Siquijor travel map (so you can plan your trip accordingly)
• Things to do while in Siquijor! 

There’s a lot to cover so let’s get right into it! 

Siquijor Travel Facts – 4 ½ Things You Need to Know Before Visiting

Here are the most important facts you need to know before your visit! 

#1: Siquijor Spots Have Small/No Entrance Fees, They Rely on Tips

Not all spots , but most of them. 

It’s one of the things that I love about the island. It isn’t overdeveloped in the slightest. 

Technically, most of the waterfalls and beaches are free to visit. 

However, some landowners charge you for passing through their land to get to these spots (mostly a small amount like php20 – php50). 

Then there are the local guides. 

Whenever you arrive at a jumpoff point, you’ll be greeted by friendly and enthusiastic guides.

You probably won’t need them, but it’s better (and more respectful) to let them lead you to the spot. After all, these are the locals who maintain their spots. 

They can also tell you all about their place, watch your bags as you swim, and assist you in any way (one even drove my rented motorbike through tricky rough roads) . 

These guys will go over and beyond for you, so it’s only right to leave them a tip before you go. 

Speaking of which…

#1.5: How Much Should You Tip Your Guides in Siquijor?

There is no set rate for a reason. You can give your guide as much or as little as you want. But my personal system for tipping when I visited was php100/hour. 

The guides seemed pretty happy with this. 

Plus, I traveled solo, so I never spent more than two hours at a spot. 

The biggest tip I gave was php400 for a guide who led me to a secret waterfall and a secret off-road drive to Holy Mountain. 

Other than that, it was mostly 100s and 200s. 

#2: You’ll Need a Scooter to Get Around

Public transportation in Siquijor is very limited. 

The only real ways to get around are to either hire a driver for the whole day, join an organized tour, or rent a scooter. 

The good news is that there are scooters for rent all over the island. 

The moment you walk out of the Siquijor pier, you’ll find rows upon rows of motorbikes ready for rent. These go for around php300 – php500 a day. 

These bikes are hit-and-miss when it comes to how well-maintained they are, but most of them can get you anywhere without any problems. 

If you want to be sure though, my suggestion would be to skip the bikes at the pier and rent from your accommodation instead. 

These are usually slightly more expensive, but better maintained. And if anything goes wrong, they can easily assist you. 

#3: There are NO Witches in Siquijor

You may have heard that Siquijor is haunted. 

Well… Aside from this broom ride jump shot you can get in Hapitanan, there aren’t any witches in Siquijor. 

Okay… maybe deep in the forests there are. 

But as a traveler, you don’t have to worry about running into witches or evil spirits.

A guide told me that this reputation came from an old telenovela, while others say it came from the traditional medicines used during the Spanish colonial era. 

Instead of getting angry though, the people here took advantage of this reputation for tourists. 

That’s why there are plenty of spirit healers, voodoo doll keychains, and even a healing festival held during Holy Week. 

It’s also where Siquijor got its nickname The Healing Island. 

#4: Siquijor is a Healing Island, So Take it Slow! 

The Healing Island is not just a nickname. 

From the moment you arrive in Siquijor, you’ll find that time is slow on the island. This laid-back atmosphere is completely different from life in a city. 

Because of this, I don’t recommend racing to see all the spots that Siquijor has to offer (there are a LOT of them) . 

Instead, take it slow! 

I’d say the best way to enjoy Siquijor is to take your time on the island, it’s good for your soul. 

How to Get to Siquijor

There are 3 ways to get to Siquijor: Dumaguete Port, Tagbilaran Port in Bohol, and Liloan Port in southern Cebu. 

How to Get to Siquijor From Dumaguete

The easiest way to get to Siquijor would be from Dumaguete, where boats are leaving about every two hours. 

The fastcrafts only take 50 minutes, and their price ranges from php200 – php600. 

The fast craft operators are OceanJet and Atlantis Yohan Express. Check their Facebook pages for the latest schedules, or book online here .

Aside from fastcrafts, you can also take a slow roro. 

Montenegro and Aleson Shipping Lines have 3-4 trips a day. These take 1.5 hours and only cost around php160. 

How to Get to Siquijor from Cebu City

If you’re in Cebu City, you have 4 options on how to get to Siquijor: 

• OceanJet’s Fastcraft (with a stopover at Tagbilaran, Bohol) – Most convenient
• Direct bus from Cebu City – Cheapest
• Get to Dumaguete first (land trip) – Easiest to Schedule
• Slow boat from Cebu City to Larena – Cheap

The most convenient (but also most expensive) way is to take OceanJet’s connecting trip to Siquijor via Tagbilaran. 

You can check for updated schedules and book online here . Right now, they have daily trips at 1 pm, and it costs php1,600 – php2,000. 

The cheapest option would be to take a south-bound bus to Liloan Port (4 hours away from Cebu City), then hop on the 3-hour Roro to Larena Pier that leaves every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 2 am (and 7 am on Sundays). 

This can cost as low as php500 (php300 bus, php200 boat). 

Ceres Liner has a direct bus to Siquijor (via Liloan Port) that leaves Cebu City every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 pm (2 am on Sunday). This bus also circles Siquijor, so you can stop directly at your accommodation. 

The only problem with this option is the 2 am departure time from Liloan to Larena. That’s why some people opt to go for: 

The easiest to schedule option – which is to go to Dumaguete first. 

You can fly to Dumaguete thanks to daily flights from Cebu Pacific. However, this can get quite expensive (php2,000+). 

Instead, most people get to Dumaguete by bus. 

Starting at 6 am, there are direct buses from Cebu City to Dumaguete (via Liloan Port) every hour. 

If you take the 6 am bus, you should arrive at Dumaguete pier in time for the 1:45 pm fast craft (schedules are bound to change, check the latest schedules and book online here ) , meaning you’ll arrive in Siquijor at around 3 pm. 

This route is about php200 more expensive than the cheapest option, and it’s a pretty grueling journey. 

But you can see why many people still choose this route. It’s not super expensive, and you don’t have to time your trip with the Liloan to Larena boat schedule. 

Finally, there’s the slowest option , which is to take a slow boat straight from Cebu City to Larena Port in Siquijor, which takes 10 hours.

Take note that Larena Port is farther away from Siquijor’s main tourist zone (San Juan) than the Siquijor Port, so the tricycle to get there may cost more.

Lite Ferries is the boat that runs this route, and they leave every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 1pm. You can book online here .

How to Get to Siquijor from Manila

The easiest way to get to Siquijor from Manila is to fly to Dumaguete first, then take any of the numerous fastcrafts and roros heading to Siquijor. 

You can also fly to Cebu City or Bohol ! 

Siquijor Travel Requirements 2023

Since 2023, Siquijor no longer has ANY travel requirements. You can enter even if you’re unvaccinated.

Easy right? 

Siquijor Travel Map

A fun Siquijor travel map showing you all the spots coming soon! 

Siquijor is the 3rd smallest province in the country. 

Despite this, it’s bursting with places to go and things to see. 

The province is divided into 6 municipalities, but for a traveler, there are 5 zones you should know about. Starting with: 

North Siqiuijor – The “City” Area

North Siquijor is where you’ll find Siquijor (the municipality) and Larena. 

This is the most developed part of Siquijor, with both ports in this area. 

It’s where you’ll find the most shops, a supermarket, convenience stores, pharmacies, and even a fast food chain restaurant (Jollibee). 

All in all, this area is the closest thing to a city (although it’s way too small to be called that, more like a town). 

For the traveler, there isn’t much to see here aside from the Larena Triad Coffee Shop. 

But this is also the best place to see how life goes in Siquijor since it’s also the most populated area. 

San Juan – The Tourist Beach Zone

Most resorts, guesthouses, and hostels can be found on this western stretch of the island, and for good reason! 

San Juan is home to some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the country (not just on the island!) . 

Paliton beach is the most popular, but Tubod, Solangon, and any other beach on this stretch are just as beautiful. 

Aside from the white sand, this stretch also gets the most beautiful pink sunsets. 

And a little way off the shore, you’ll also find the waters teeming with life – making this a favorite for both snorkelers and scuba divers. 

If you’re hungry, all you have to do is drive along the highway and you’ll be greeted by all kinds of cuisines (more on this later) . 

All in all, San Juan is a very laid-back tourist town. It has the same vibe as places like Santa Fe in Bantayan or General Luna in Siargao. 

Lazi – Waterfalls Galore

While San Juan is where most tourists stay, Lazi is where most tourists go! 

Moving to the south, this is where you’ll find all the refreshing Gatorade-blue waterfalls that Siquijor has to offer. Which, in my opinion, is the best thing about this island. 

But other than that, Lazi is also where you’ll find the old enchanted balete tree, the Sambulawan underground river, the Lazi church and convent, and also that Hapitanan witch broom shot. 

Lazi also has a small town, where you can find plenty of restaurants to eat at. This is a great place to eat lunch while exploring the area.

All in all, as a visitor, expect to spend quite a lot of your time over here in Lazi. 

Central Siquijor – The Mountains

In between Siquijor, San Juan, and Lazi, you have what I like to call the mountains. 

The mountains are a beautiful part of Siquijor, filled with forests, secret caves, and a few waterfalls as well. 

Some roads up here aren’t fully concrete yet, but there’s nothing your scooter can’t handle. 

There are few establishments and restaurants up here, so plan accordingly! 

As for spots, there’s Mt Bandilaan national park, Cantabon Cave, Lugnason Falls, the Butterfly Sanctuary, and my favorite secret spot Cangbangag Falls. 

East Siquijor – The Hills of Maria

The eastern side of Siquijor (Maria and Enrique Villanueva) is probably the least-visited part of the island. 

Aside from Salagdoong beach and the Tulapdos marine sanctuary, there aren’t many known tourist spots here. 

What you will find though, are beautiful views from the hills of Maria. 

The rolling grassy hills and the view of the coastline can take your breath away. 

If you’re short on time, I would probably leave this area off your itinerary. But if you have an extra day, coming here to relax and ponder life is a great way to spend it! 

Where to Stay in Siquijor

The best place to stay in Siquijor would be in San Juan, along the main tourist road. There are countless resorts, homestays, and hostels in this area that you can choose from! 

When I visited, I stayed at Tagbalayon Lodging House for roughly php260/night. 

It’s a very simple and clean place. You’ll be sharing your dorm room with about twenty other guests maximum, but each bunk bed has a set of curtains for privacy. 

The staff is super friendly and helpful, their motorbikes were good, and they also serve delicious food as well. 

All in all, I couldn’t be happier with it! 

If a hostel isn’t what you’re looking for, probably the most popular resort in Siquijor is Coco Grove Resort . 

Found right in front of Tubod Beach, this resort is for people who want to have a little more luxury while on the island. 

They’re also one of the few places on the island that has a pool! 

Places to Stay in Siquijor

Backpacker:

• Tagbalayon Lodging House – Where I stayed, right beside the Tubod Marine Sanctuary
• Chelle’s Guesthouse and Backpackers – The cheapest guesthouse in Siquijor! Has a nice garden to chill out and relax.
• Love Shack Hostel -Unique dome-shaped hostel with a great sunset view. Guests are also just walking distance to the beaches.
• Chekesh Casa – Chekesh Casa is a 5-minute walk from the popular Tubod Marine Sanctuary. With clean rooms and friendly hosts, you’re sure to feel very welcome.
• E and N Paradise Island Resort – Safe, gated resort with a big cozy garden. This 5-star resort is a great starting point to explore the island.
• Sea View Resort – Bring your furry friends and enjoy this well-furnished property with a great beach view. You’ll also have easy access to the city’s must-see destinations right around the corner.

High-End / Resort :

• Coco Grove – Enjoy a captivating retreat in a tropical paradise. Coco Grove is nestled on the enchanting shores of Siquijor Island.
• White Villa Resort -This high-quality property provides guests with access to massage, a restaurant, and an outdoor pool.
• Bermuda Triangle Bungalows – Choose this 3-star property because it’s packed with in-house facilities that improve the quality and joy of your stay.

What to do in Siquijor!

Now for the fun part! 

You’ll never run out of things to do on this island. 

Heck, even just relaxing is already worth the time. 

But if you want a little more action, here’s what you can do: 

Things to do in Siquijor #1: Tarzan Into Lazi’s Gatorade Waterfalls

There’s no doubt that Lazi’s waterfalls are Siquijor’s #1 attraction. 

But instead of just swimming on them, take it to the next level by Tarzaning into them! 

I’m talking about the rope swing that’s available in almost all of the waterfalls here. 

Cambugahay, the biggest of these falls, is the best place to do it. But you can do it just as well in any of the other 4-5 Gatorade falls in the area. 

Many of these falls also have bamboo rafts that you can ride under the waterfall, and others also have small caves inside the waterfall.

All in all, visiting any of Lazi’s waterfalls is guaranteed to be full of fun! 

Side note: you don’t have to visit all the falls in Lazi since they’re almost identical to one another. 

My personal favorite was Lagaan (the second largest) since it was still big, but not as crowded as Cambugahay. 

Kawasan, Cabugsayan, and Locong were all just smaller versions of the same thing. I recommend visiting these if you want to get a waterfall all to yourself! 

Things to do in Siquijor #2: Watch San Juan’s Glorious Sunset

One of the best things about San Juan is its sunsets. 

Pair that with its beautiful beaches, and you get the perfect place to watch the sun go down! 

Golden hour is as golden as ever. But after that, you get to enjoy the pink and purple hues of the endless sky above. 

You’ll also get a very faint silhouette of Negros Oriental and Apo Island on the horizon. 

I always say that Siquijor is the Healing Island. 

Well, taking the time to sit down in silence, watch the sunset, and listen to the waves crash to the shore is one of the ways that you can “heal.” 

Things to do in Siquijor #3: Go Spelunking! 

There are two awesome spelunking spots in Siquijor: Cantabon Cave and the Sambulawan Underground River. 

If you’re claustrophobic, or if you hate the idea of getting stuck underground, you don’t need to worry! Both of these caves are quite spacious and beginner-friendly. 

Cantabon may have a few areas that taller people will struggle with. But if you’re okay with crouuching down for a few meters here and there, it shouldn’t bother you. 

Inside, you’ll find otherworldly rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, and even an underground swimming pool! 

On the other hand, Sambulawan Underground River is a unique cave. 

Yes, it has formations, stalagmites, and stalactites. But what makes it stand out is the deep river flowing through the cave. 

Nobody knows how deep the river is, but you can swim upstream until you get to a little clearing. Talk about unique! This was one of my favorite experiences in Siquijor. 

Things to do in Siquijor #4: Meet Sea Turtles and Schools of Barracuda

Whether you’re a freediver or a scuba diver, you’ll love Siquijor! 

Sadly, I wasn’t able to dive while I visited. But I’m told that the marine sanctuaries here are bursting with life. 

One of the unique things to see over here is the barracuda run, where a large school of barracuda swims almost in sync with one another. 

I’ve also been told that there are plenty of sea turtles as well! 

There are plenty of dive sites around the island such as the Tubod, Tulpados, and Caticugan marine sanctuaries. 

There are also some trips to the nearby Apo Island from Siquijor (although most of the time, it’s from Dauin in Negros Oriental). 

Things to do in Siquijor #5: Find This Secret Waterfall!

Here’s a challenge for you:

Try to find Cangbangag Falls. 

It’s the tallest waterfall in Siquijor. And it’s found deep in the forest, far away from anyone and anything. 

The best part about this?

Google Maps can’t show you how to get here! 

Sure, it shows you where it is. But the all-important road leading up to the falls doesn’t show up on Google Maps. 

I tried two get to this falls twice. The first time was a failure, but the second time I was successful! 

In a way, I’m glad no one put exact instructions on how to get here on the internet yet, because it’s truly an adventure to try and find it. 

For more things to see and do in Siquijor, check out my top 20 tourist spots in Siquijor article! 

Ready to Explore Siquijor?

Siquijor is my favorite province to date. 

Whether I’ll find a destination better than this remains to be seen. 

But for now, I can’t stress enough how much I recommend you visit! 

Especially now, while it’s still an off-the-beaten-path destination. Siquijor is nothing like the overdeveloped Boracay . 

And hopefully, with these tips and ideas, you’ll be ready, and more excited than ever before to go to this Healing Island! 

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below! As always, thanks for reading!

– Manoling

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Manoling Martinez

Hi! I'm Manoling, a 24-year-old backpacker from Cebu City. I'm on a mission to visit ALL 82 provinces of the Philippines. You can follow my adventures on my Instagram, or plan your trips here on my website!

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The Globe Wanderers

Asia , Philippines , Travel · February 21, 2023

Siquijor Travel Guide

Multi-level waterfalls, white sand beaches lined with palm trees, and mountainous landscapes are just a few things that you can expect when you visit Siquijor. Siquijor is an island in the Philippines that still feels untouched… an explorers paradise if you will! There are so many incredible hidden gems scattered throughout the island, you can spend weeks here, and discover new things everyday.

We spent 3 days in Siquijor, which we feel like is plenty of time to see the highlights of the Island. In this blog post, we are going to share the best places to stay, restaurants to eat at, and some incredible things to do on the Island of Siquijor.

Things To Know Before You Arrive

Atm/ payment.

There are quite a few ATM machines around in the main town of San Juan and the ports. Most establishments, like restaurants and bars, exclusively take cash so make sure to have plenty on hand! We found only a few places that took credit cards, and they add an additional charge to your bill to use them. You will also need cash if you plan on renting a motorbike, heading to a waterfall, or tipping!

Best Time to Visit

The “dry” season in Siquijor is between end of November to late March! However, there are still storms that pass through at this time. We got one day of rain during our time on the Island. Their actual “rain” season is from June to October. This time in the year can expect rain and even typhoons!

Best area To Stay

The best area to stay in on the Island is in San Juan. This is where the majority of the restaurants and hotels are concentrated. It is also central to both ports, making it easy to access. Some of the main tourist attractions are only a short drive away from this area as well. We have our recommended hotel below.

How To Get To Siquijor

Ferry from liloan.

There are multiple ferries that run to and from Siquijor on a daily basis and dock at either the Siquijor Port or the Lorena Port. If you are traveling from the southern portion of Cebu, you can take the Maayo Shipping Ferry from Liloan Port, which takes approximately 3 hours. This is a direct route, unlike some other ferries that stop in Dumaguete first before traveling on to Siquijor.

There is not a lot of information on this ferry specifically and we feel this one is so convenient. The ferry schedule is typically at 2 AM on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is also a ferry at 7 AM on Sunday. You need to buy the ticket at the port, so arrive no less than an hour before the departure time. You can check the updated schedule, and reserve a place on the ferry (not buy a ticket) via their Facebook Page here! The ferry is 200 php per person which is approximately 4 USD.

Ferry from Bohol

If you are traveling to Siquijor from Bohol, Ocean Jet is the main ferry provider offering daily scheduled departures to the Siquijor port at 3:20 PM. This ferry is air conditioned, takes 2 hours, and is approximately 900 php or 16 USD per person. You can book the ferry here!

There is a new small airport in Siquijor that has daily flights coming in via Philippines Airlines and Cebu Pacific Airlines. This is the most expensive way to travel to Siquijor, but is also the quickest at around 1 hour! Most flights depart from Cebu Airport.

Getting Around Siquijor

Rent a Motorbike

We highly recommend renting a motorbike to explore the Island while you are visiting. A motorbike gives you the most autonomy to make your own schedule and explore at your own pace. We had a motorbike delivered to our hotel for 450 php a day with helmets included.

The roads in Siquijor are less busy than most islands so it makes it much less stressful to drive around.

If you are looking to explore places close to where you are staying, and you do not want the responsibility of driving, there are many Tricycles driving around. You can simply flag one down, let them know where you want to go and ask how much! There is no consistency in prices for Tricycles and drivers often make a price up on the spot, so definitely make sure to barter and agree on a price before getting on!

If you are looking to see some of the highlights of Siquijor with an experienced guide driving, then a tour is a great option. You can ask the front desk of your hotel for tour options!

Things To Do In Siquijor

Cambugahay falls.

Cambugahay Falls is arguably the best waterfall in Siquijor! There are 3 levels and each level has bamboo rafts and swings to make the adventure more memorable.

The entrance fee is very reasonable at 20 php per person (less than 1 USD). There is a mandatory guide that accompanies you to the base of the waterfall and they receive no wages so be sure to tip them for their time. We did not feel a guide was necessary, but our guide took our phones and got some really cool videos of us so we cannot complain.

It is also 50 php per person to use the swings and bamboo rafts. The swings and rafts at the two different levels are “owned” by two different people so you will need to pay separate fees if you want to use both.

Arrive early if you want to avoid the crowds. Because this is such a popular waterfall, it gets quite crowded quickly. We went for just before 8 AM (their stated opening time) and we had the falls to ourselves for about 30 minutes.

The falls are located in the town of Lazi, which is about 30 minutes by scooter from the main town of San Juan.

For being the most popular waterfall on the Island, we were surprised at the lack of signage directing you to the waterfall itself. We highly recommend using Google Maps if you are driving a scooter to the falls.

Find the Google Maps location below!

Lugnason Falls

Also known locally as Zodiac Falls, this waterfall is located in San Juan town making it quite easy to each. There are a trail that lead will you down to this beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. It takes approximately 15 minutes from the parking area to reach the 5 meter high falls.

There are a lot of places to explore once you get to the base. There is a rope swing available to use without charge, and also some jumping spots from the top of the falls. Make sure your guide shows you where to jump! If you follow the stream down to the right, there are some small man made pools. You can also climb the waterfall and explore some of the upper levels!

Arrive early in the day to avoid a crowd. Our guide told us they typically get over 100 people visiting in a day, which is a lot for this small waterfall!

There is no entrance fee to this waterfall. If you bring a scooter, then there is a parking fee of 20 php. There is a guide that is assigned to you on your arrival and you are expected to tip them as they earn no wages.

When we arrived in Siquijor, it was after quite a few days of heavy rain fall, meaning the waterfalls were raging! It also meant the color was a bit more grey than normal.

You can find the Google Maps location below.

Paliton Beach

This is the highest rated beach in Siquijor. It is located in the town of San Juan, making it quite easy to reach if you are staying in this area.

There is a few different sections of the beach. When you arrive to the parking area, you will see a small white sand beach area directly in front of you with a few beach huts and vendors. If you go to the right, through the trees (you will see a walking path) you will arrive at the larger portion of the beach. This section of Paliton Beach is where you will find the rope swings, beautiful white sand and a lot of vendors selling alcoholic beverages and snacks.

You can find the exact Google Maps location below.

SALAGDOONG BEACH & CLIFF JUMP

Salagdoong Beach was previously one of the most popular beaches on Siquijor. At the time of writing this blog post (Feb 2023) it is closed to all swimming and cliff jumping. So definitely ask some locals if the beach has opened when you visit!

Apo Island Day Trip

Apo Island is located just 30km off the shore of Siquijor and is a popular place to snorkel and dive! You can organize a day trip through some of the dive shops in town or even through the front desk of your hotel .

Expect to see colorful coral, plenty of tropical fish and if you are lucky some sea turtles!

Places To Eat in Siquijor

Aroi makmak thai.

This hidden gem is located in the main town of San Juan right along the beach. Although it is unassuming from the exterior, you walk through the narrow entry onto a beautiful patio with an incredible sunset view. The Thai food is great, we highly recommend the Red Thai Curry!

This bar and restaurant is located in the center of San Juan and came highly recommend from multiple travel blogs. However in our opinion, the food was mediocre at best and probably is worth skipping for meals. The atmosphere is great however and they have live music almost every night. So we recommend visiting for a drink in the evening.

Tuko Restaurant

Located in South Mountain Resort, this restaurant over looks the ocean from the mountains. It is a great place to watch the sunset and enjoy a quality meal. You do not need to be a guest at the hotel to come here for a meal. The food quality here is amazing, and we had the best meal we have eaten in the Philippines here. We recommend the Signature Steak and the Pork Ribs!

Dolce Amore Restaurant

This open air restaurant serves up some authentic Italian food! If you have a craving for wood fire pizza or a great pasta dish, then this is the place you should go!

Where To Stay In Siquijor

South mountain resort.

South Mountain Resort is located just a short 5 minute drive up into the mountains from San Juan. The resort offers a variety of rooms that are perfect for couples, small families and groups. If you are looking for a longer stay on the Island, some rooms come equipped with a full kitchen, dining area and living room. If you are looking for a short term stay, other rooms have a comfortable bed and the standard hotel room offerings. The grounds of the hotel are lush and jungle like. The infinity edge swimming pool offers spectacular views of the ocean below, and one of the best lookouts for the sunset in Siquijor.

The Resort also offers a full service bar and restaurant. The staff take pride in the food they cook and the service they provide. The owner truly goes above and beyond to make you feel like part of his family.

We book all of our hotels through Booking.com!

Final thoughts.

Siquijor is a unique island in the Philippines offering a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation! With white sand beaches, stunning waterfalls and rich history, this island is a true explorers paradise.

Let us know if you found this blog post helpful and if you have any questions at all in the comments.

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13 best siquijor tourist spots + things to do & itinerary.

Looking for list of Siquijor tourist spots and top things to do with sample itinerary? Check out this comprehensive Siquijor travel guide blog!

Top things to do in siquijor & best tourist spots to visit.

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) 🇵🇭 (@pinoyadventurista) on Nov 8, 2017 at 8:18pm PST

Let's Explore the Top Best Things To Do in Siquijor!

1. go on a road trip.

2. Visit the Churches

3. Visit the old Lazi Convent

4. Enjoy a Fish Spa at the Centuries-old Balete Tree

5. Swim into the clear waters of Siquijor's Beaches

6. Fly on a Broomstick

7. Swim at Cambugahay Falls

8. Walk through the Mangroves

9. Watch Beautiful Sunsets

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) 🇵🇭 (@pinoyadventurista) on Nov 9, 2017 at 3:19am PST

10. Enjoy Endless Photoshoots

11. Stay in a Lovely Resort

• Adayo Cove Resort
• Coco Grove Beach Resort

12. Buy Pasalubong and Souvenirs

13. Have Fun and Relaxing Vacation!

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) 🇵🇭 (@pinoyadventurista) on Nov 10, 2017 at 1:54am PST

• How to Get to Siquijor?
• From Manila, take a 1-hour flight to Dumaguete City . Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines have several flights daily from Manila to Dumaguete City. You can search for cheap flights to Dumaguete City using the Traveloka App .
• Located just across Dumaguete City , the island of Siquijor can be reached via an 1 to 1.5 hour ferry ride from Dumaguete City Port.
• From Dumaguete City Airport, take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port . Standard fare is 100 pesos per tricycle and travel time is around 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can just walk outside the airport and take a passenger jeepney to Dumaguete City . Then walk or take a tricycle to the port. For short distances, tricycle fare is 8 pesos per passenger.
• At Dumaguete Port, take a boat or a ferry to Siquijor . Fare is around 130 to 230 pesos depending on where in Siquijor you are going to. From Dumaguete to Siquijor, Siquijor, it's 130 pesos, for Dumaguete to Larena, Siquijor, it's 230 pesos.
• Upon arrival in Siquijor, you may take a tricycle or a habal-habal (Single motorcycle) going to your resort. You may also contact a tour guide with tricycle (see details below) that could fetch you from the port going to your resort.
• You can also reach Siquijor directly by ferry from Bohol or Cebu .

WHERE TO STAY: Hotels & Beach Resorts in Siquijor

• White Villas Resort Siquijor
• The Gabayan Riviera
• Treasure Island Beach Bungalows
• The Bruce Luxury Private Cottage
• Dolce Amore Resort Siquijor
• Infinity Heights Resort
• Descanso En Paraiso Resort
• Apo Diver Beach Accomodation, Siquijor
• Mandala Tribe Treehouses
• Infinity Sands Resort
• Kalachuchi Beach Resort
• Rhumbutan Beach House

SIQUIJOR TOUR GUIDE: Tricycle Rental with Driver

Siquijor tour package.

• Experience a safe and hassle-free journey starting from and ending at your hotel in Dumaguete .
• Enjoy a private tour around Siquijor Island along with roundtrip ferry tickets.
• Visit centuries-old churches of Siquijor and peek into the religious traditions of locals.
• Take a dip in the turquoise waters of Cambugahay Falls and see the famous 400+-year-old Balete Tree.
• Visit the famed Triad Cafe for a stunning ocean view, with Negros and Bohol on the horizon.

Sample Siquijor Itineraries

Read more: siquijor travel blogs.

• The Mystical and Natural Wonders of Siquijor
• Centuries-Old Churches of Siquijor
• Coco Grove Beach Resort Review
• Things To Do in Siquijor + Tourist Spots and Attractions
• Siquijor Budget Travel Guide with DIY Itinerary and Expenses

Indeed, there are so many things that you can do, enjoy and experience in Siquijor that will surely make your trip memorable. Go pack your bag and experience the magical and majestic island of Siquijor!

Follow my adventures on youtube @pinoyadventurista, 2 comments :.

Let's explore the best things to do in Siquijor Island: Old Enchanted Balete Tree. Source: remarlapastora / Flickr. Siquijor Butterfly Sanctuary. Source: adamgn / Flickr. Salagdoong Beach. Source: samson.an / Flickr. Lugnason Falls. Tubod Marine Sanctuary. Paliton Beach. Kanheron Ranch. Al Capone's Pizzeria.

THANK YOU FOR RECOMMENDING SUCH A LOVELY PLACE...i WILL PLAN A VIST TO THIS PLACE IN THE COMING MONTHS...

Looking for Budget Travel Guide Blogs, Hotel Reviews, and Sample DIY Itineraries? Welcome to Pinoy Adventurista, "Your Next Ultimate Adventure Starts Here!" Pinoy Adventurista is one of the Top Travel Blogs in the Philippines and the World. In 2013, he visited all the 81 provinces in the Philippines.