Back in the day, Siquijor is closely attached to sorcery, healing powers and evil spirits instilling fear and uncertainty. Today, this mystifying character of Siquijor makes it enticing, unique and a tourist magnet.
Beautiful pristine beaches, amazing waterfalls, old churches, jam-packed adventures and friendly locals, Siquijor is a place you’ll easily fall in love with and not to be afraid of.
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How to Get to Siquijor
There are regular flights from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to Dumaguete City (Sibulan Airport). Travel time is around an hour.
Dumaguete – Siquijor
From Dumaguete Airport, charter a tricycle to get you to Dumaguete Port. Here, regular ferry schedules from Dumaguete Port to Siquijor Port runs as early as 7am until 4:30pm. Several ferries like Oceanjet, Montenegro Lines and GL Shipping Lines are some of the few that offers transport services. Fare ranges from Php130 – Php240. Travel time is 1 hour – 1.5 hours average.
Cebu City – Dumaguete – Siquijor
If you’re coming from Cebu City, ride a bus going to Liloan, Santander. Average travel time is 4 hours depending on road condition. From Liloan, get the ticket for ferry bound to Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
Once in Sibulan, follow the Dumaguete – Siquijor guide mentioned earlier. Nearest landmark in Dumaguete Port are Siliman University and Rizal Boulevard.
Check our Dumaguete & Negros Oriental guide to include in your Siquijor trip: Dumaguete and Negros Oriental Travel Guide
Getting Around Siquijor Island
Upon arriving at Siquijor Port and stepping out of the ferry, you will be greeted and welcomed by boat crews, locals and tricycle drivers offering service trip.
Depending on your booked resort/hotel/accommodation, you can choose to rent a motorbike, charter a tricycle or ride on a multi-cab.
Motorbike
Foreigners and adventure-type’s favorite. Tourist spots are mostly separated and far from each other giving it a good option especially when you like driving while passing through the scenic highways and beach view. Standard rental rate is Php300 and usually comes full tank. You only need to re-fuel it upon return.
This is a good way to explore the island when you want to manage your own time and itinerary. Just a friendly reminder that you might be asked to present your driver’s license.
Tricycle
Normally, tourists prefer to hire a tricycle for island tour. Rate starts at Php1,000 – Php1,200 for 3 person for day tour.
The standard attractions included in the tour are: Capilay Hot Spring, Paliton Beach, Balete Tree (enchanted old balete tree, fish spa), Hapitanan Cafe and Restaurant for witch broomstick jump photo op, Lazi Church and Convent, the famous Cambugahay Falls for Tarzan swing, Molave Forest, Salagdoong Beach, Guiwanon Spring Park, St. Francis of Asisi Church and Bell Tower and Welcome to Siquijor marker.
You can contact our travel guide Kuya Jessie Clar at 0926-9330100 if you prefer a tricycle tour.
Multi-cab
This is good for guests traveling with a group with day tour rate of Php1,800 for 15 persons.
Tour Package
For those who prefer a hassle-free tour of Siquijor, there are various travel agencies offering Siquijor tour with lunch and transport services.
You may reach out to Travis Travel and Tours to book your Siquijor island tour at:
Name: Travis Travel and Tours
Facebook: @travistravelandtours
Website: https://travistravel.business.site/
Contact No: 0936-1879131
Top Tourist Attractions in Siquijor
The following attractions are usually included in your tricycle or multi-cab tour. All of these can be toured for the whole day.
Enchanted Balete Tree
This extensive 400-year old Balete Tree is a good spot to start your tour. Featuring its towering height providing shade while you dip your feet into the water and enjoy the fish spa. Entrance fee is Php10 per head.
Hapitanan Cafe and Restaurant
Ingenious to combine Siquijor’s history with witchcraft, this attraction allows tourist to mimic the image of a witch riding its broomstick. This crazy and fun activity triggers your imagination and creativity to get the best possible jump shot. No entrance fee but optional donation.
Lazi Convent
Located in front of Lazi Church (San Isidro Labrador Parish) is this huge ancient Lazi Convent. There is a minimal fee of Php20 if you will visit the museum inside. We settled outside and got a decent photo.
Cambugahay Falls
This is likely the most visited tourist spot and highlight of Siquijor tour that you should not miss. Famous for its Tarzan swing, visitors can swing and drop unlimited time for Php50 on the 15-ft fresh turquoise green water. There is another rope with Php20 which is more likely low-leveled jump.
This falls has a three-tiered level, the top and middle which usually serve as swimming areas and the bottom and the largest as the jumping site. Going to this place requires a short trek and getting down some flight of stairs. In the entrance, you will be assisted with a tour guide paid with donation. So any acceptable amount will do. We gave our guide Php100 for safekeeping and carrying our bag while we went for swimming. Life vest is available for rent at Php50.
Molave Forest
On your way to Salagdoong Beach, you will pass through this man-made Molave Forest considered as one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. While sitting on the moving tricycle, you will feel the cool air touching your skin and enjoy watching the archway formed from the lush greens of the forest. This place is very relaxing and amazing at the same time.
Salagdoong Beach
This place is known for its heart-pounding cliff jumping platforms. One, standing at 20ft and the other is 35ft. Aside from cliff jumping, this attraction is commonly visited for family gathering, swimming, snorkeling and picnic by the beach.
This is also a pet-friendly spot so you can bring your favorite buddy like this cute little one!
The entrance fee is worth Php75 and parking fee of Php40.
Guiwanon Spring Park
A mangrove preservation and protected area being managed by local fisherfolks and environment organization. This place helps in the conservation of mangrove areas by continuously planting and selling of seedlings to others to preserve the coastal areas of Siquijor.
For Php10 entrance fee, you will get to experience walking to this beautiful wooden bridge surrounded by mangroves. A nearby place is perfect for dining and while comfortably watching the sea landscape.
St. Francis Asisi Church, Siquijor Marker & Bell Tower
Prominently referred to as Siquijor Church and located few meters away from the port. Your trip will never be complete without visiting this church along with its nearby landmark, the Bell Tower. It was under renovation when we went there (September 2018) so we missed to get a picture of it.
I ❤️ Siquijor Marker
A popular photo op spot is the I ❤️ Siquijor marker. You can gather with your friends here and have a quick group picture.
Paliton Beach
One of the well-known beach in Siquijor is Paliton Beach located few kilometers away from San Juan. This is a white sand beach open for visitors and no entrance fee. The ambience is raw and relaxing with fishing boats lining up the shore. It could be a little messed up when visited during rainy season as sea grass can be spotted in the shoreline.
All of the attractions mentioned can be explored in a day but don’t stop there. If you have the luxury of time, you can spend two days or three in Siquijor so you can further wander through other tourist spots.
Other Place to Visit in Siquijor
- Capilay Hot Spring
- Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence
- Mt. Bandilaan Nature Park
- Cantabon Cave
- Kagusuan Beach
- Lagaan Falls
- Talisay Beach
- Lugnason Falls
- Camogao Beach
- Tulapos Marine Sanctuary
- Cambangag Falls
Where to Stay
There are lots of resorts and hotels in Siquijor for all types of travelers. It is best to book in advance when visiting during holiday seasons and summer. As per our guide, last summer of 2017, Siquijor was flocked with overwhelming tourists and almost all the accommodations were fully booked. Locals even offered their houses to shelter other visitors.
Glamping Siquijor
We stayed in Glamping Siquijor since we love camping. And this one is not just your ordinary camping, it is glamorous camping and one of the best in Siquijor to be at. It has a gorgeous beachfront view under the towering palm trees. There is bonfire at night for socials and the whole place is illuminated by night lights.
You can check our separate guide to view the details: Glamping Siquijor Travel Guide
Contact them via facebook page at @Philippines.Glamping or website http://glampingphilippines.com/
Other Resorts & Hotels
- Coco Grove Beach Resort
- Kawayan Holiday Resort
- Tori’s Paradise
- Casa de laya Playa Beach Resort
- Charisma Beach Resort
- JJ’s Backpacker Village
- Chelle’s Guesthouse
- Lazy Lizard PH
Dumaguete-Negros Oriental-Siquijor-Apo Island 4D2N Itinerary
This is our sample itinerary for a 4 days – 3 nights exploring the city of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental particularly Valencia and Bais City, Siquijor Island and Apo Island.
Siquijor Sample Expenses
The expenses indicated in this table are based on our actual travel in Siquijor. This is per person basis, we have broken down the amount in half for accommodation, tour, Cambugahay guide fee and tricycle from Siquijor port to Glamping Siquijor. This might change depending on one’s spending – additional food trip, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
Use this as a guide only so you have a picture of an estimated budget going to Siquijor.
Siquijor is best to explore for 2 – 3 days considering there are a lot of tourist spots you can visit but if you are like us who prefer to include it as part of the itinerary (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Bais City & Apo Island), then an overnight stay will do.
To cap off our Siquijor adventure, the whole experience was satisfying. We never had any negative vibes in the province, gone are the days for that witchcraft stories, Siquijor is a must-see to every traveler. The people are friendly, the food are flavorful and the whole province is safe and worth exploring!
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