I’ve been to a lot of islands in the Philippines, but Siquijor holds a special place in my heart. It is the ideal destination for travelers looking to surround themselves in nature with just the right amount of tourist infrastructure. It is also an incredibly affordable place to go with the friendliest locals. Sound good? Let’s dive in.
When is the best time to visit Siquijor?
November to April are the driest months in Siquijor. Due to the tropical climate though you can still experience sudden showers here even when it’s not rainy season.
How To Get To Siquijor
There are a few different ways to get to Siquijor and it’s not too far of a journey from other tourist attractions in the Philippines.
By Plane & Ferry
Hop on a quick 1 hour and 15 minute flight from Manila to Dumaguete and take a 1.5 hour ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor port. It’s important to note that the ferries do have a schedule and there are multiple lines that operate here. During our visit there were ferries leaving every 2-3 hours. The cost is about $200 PHP ($3.5) per person each way. You do not need to book these tickets in advance.
By Ferry
From Tagbilaran Bohol: Take a 1.5 hour ferry. Information on schedules online is scarce and can change anytime so I recommend contacting your hotel to get the most up to date information.
Getting Around
The easiest & most affordable way to get around is by renting a scooter. We rented one for 400 PHP a day but we’ve heard it’s typically 240-350 PHP. Since I hate haggling, I didn’t bother. Besides, that’s less than $10 usd to have our own mode of transportation which is totally worth it for us.
Not everyone is comfortable riding scooters though. You can also hire a tricycle or book guided experiences so you don’t need to worry about finding your way around.
Quick Tips
- Bring enough cash with you or get cash at the ATM in San Juan or near the port. These are currently the only towns in the island that accept International cards. Don’t be like us, we ran out of money almost an hour away from the nearest ATM.
- Signal is very spotty throughout the island and wifi often goes out. This might not be the ideal place if you are looking to get work done.
- Roads aren’t fully recognized by google maps so if you’re unsure of where you’re going, locals are very kind and are happy to help people out.
Where To Stay In Siquijor
We stayed in the most magical hut in the town of Lazi. Staying here, we were close to all the nature attractions but it wasn’t the greatest location if we wanted to go out to have a drink or dinner. We do feel that the stunning view of the river and peaceful location was a good trade-off. It is certainly not for everybody but if you are an adventure seeker or someone who wants to stay somewhere unique, you should definitely check it out.
The Riverside Cabin is the most comfortable glamping hut I’ve ever stayed in. It has a hot shower, flushing toilet, and kitchen! Check rates here.
If you are searching for a place that’s conveniently located in the heart of all the restaurants and beaches, check out the hotels in San Juan. One example is Coco Grove Beach resort. They have great reviews and it’s right on the beach.
Things To Do in Siquijor
Waterfalls, caves, pristine beaches, and bars, Siquijor has a bit of everything for every traveler. I’m going to list the best things we did in just 2 days!
Cambugahay Falls
No travel itinerary to Siquijor is complete without a visit to Cambugahay Falls. This is THE most popular attraction in the island and for good reason. There are 3 different waterfalls to explore, several rope swings, and turquoise blue water. To visit Cambugahay you must pay an entrance fee of 30 PHP per person and each additional swing is 50 PHP.
Paying these fees might feel silly but it’s important to remember that the locals maintaining this place are not paid a salary and they deserve to benefit from tourism. I highly recommend paying for the swings and raft, they are totally worth it! You can easily spend a day here.
Paliton Beach
Looking for the most scenic beach in Siquijor? You need to visit Paliton for clear water and fine white sand. There’s no fee to enter this beach and there are several shops where you can buy fresh coconuts, cocktails, and food.
Secret Siquijor
If there’s one thing that completely blew us away during our trip here, it is our massage & spa experience from Secret Siquijor. It’s a family owned resort with hardly any info online but I found their number and reserved our experience through Whatsapp. We booked a massage & flower bath overlooking the coastline for less than $40 USD.
Salagdoong Beach
During our time here, Salagdoong Beach was under construction so we couldn’t actually swim or use their cliff jumping platforms. It is an amazing spot to take photos though. The location is on a rocky beach with views of a crystal clear cove. When it’s open it’ll be a great spot to snorkel, I was able to see a lot of fishes and corals from the top of the rocks.
Where To Eat
BuCafe
If there’s one place to eat that you can’t miss, this is it! Great view from the mountain, affordable, and delicious food, it truly doesn’t get any better than this. We’ve tried almost all their items on the menu and they are all delicious. They also make fresh fruit shakes so make sure you don’t miss those. Meals on average are $4-5 USD.
Dolce Amore Italian
Who would have thought you can find some of the best Italian food in the Philippines in the tiny island of Siquijor? This restaurant lives up to the hype. The owners are an Italian couple who buys all their ingredients from Italy so you know everything you’ll be having is authentic. Check them out here.
Twenty4 Restaurant
We frequented Twenty4 because it’s the only place we could get a healthier dish and it was super close to where we were staying in Lazi. They have a great menu with a mix of traditional Filipino food as well as fresh juices and vegan meals.
Craving more travel inspo? Check out my destinations page and start planning.