16 Things You Must Do on Siquijor Island - Siquijor Travel Guide
Get ready to pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, as you might just board the next ferry trip after reading this guide!
Written by Joanna Caballero | Edited by Bianca Versoza
On the south of Cebu, along the Sulu Sea, lies a small island that is laid back and filled with friendly and hospitable people, mesmerizing waterfalls, crystal clear waters, and stunning beaches waiting to be explored.
Nope, I’m not referring to El Nido or Coron (although they are just as beautiful)—I’m talking about the Island of Siquijor.
Get ready to pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, as you might just board the next ferry trip after reading this guide!
Things Every Traveler Must Do On Siquijor Island
Now that you know how to get on and about, let’s dive into the things you must do on Siquijor Island:
Visit Lugnason Falls
Visiting Lugnason Falls will tick off two things on your bucket list at once.
First, you’ll witness the majestic beauty of Lugnason Falls, which tends to be dry during the summer season.
If there’s water on the falls, it would definitely not be what you would expect from a waterfall as the hot weather tends to decrease the water here.
Then, just 10 minutes past the waterfalls, you will come upon a hidden spring where you can enjoy cold and natural waters.
If you visit the place during the off-season (and early in the morning, too), you can enjoy the peace and serenity and even take a dip in the cold water to beat the soaring heat.
Enjoy the sunset at Paliton Beach
Ah, sunsets. What could be more beautiful than watching the sun’s warm glow over the sea as the day comes to an end?
The sunset at Paliton Beach is no exception to this, and whatever photo you see won’t do justice to what takes place here as the sun comes down.
Aside from the majestic sunset, Paliton Beach is one of the go-to places in Siquijor—all thanks to its clear waters, blue skies, and fine white sands.
Did I mention that there are also some stalls selling beer and snacks around so you can enjoy a hot day on the beach with a cold brew in your hand?
Be mesmerized by the beauty of Cambugahay Falls
No words can describe the beauty of Cambughay Falls, but if I were to sum it up in one word, I would go with “enchanting”—and that is still an understatement.
The photos you will take here will look as if they are taken out of a storybook. This 3-layered fall gives a calm and peaceful ambiance, almost giving off a magical and mysterious vibe.
The best part? This waterfall, surrounded by lush green forest, is accessible to the public for free (unless you want to jump on the rope swing, in which case you have to pay 50 pesos).
But hey, 50 Php for unlimited jumps? Count me in!
PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you want to take a strikingly beautiful photo on the bamboo raft with the falls in the background and with no one around, I suggest going to the falls as early as 6 to 6:30 AM. It would be best to ask the staff beforehand what time they let the guests in.
Make a quick stop at the oldest house on the island
When I say make a quick stop, I literally mean “a quick stop” since it’s basically an old house, but it’s full of history, which makes it something worth checking out.
The Cang-isok House was built around the 1800s, and it is still standing today.
It’s the oldest surviving house on the island, and taking some time to stop and view it will make you think about how it used to be and even fascinate you as it withstood the test of time.
Go on an adrenaline-filled adventure at Salagdoong Beach
That’s right—I bring you another beach with crystal clear waters and white sand, and let’s add in another adrenaline-filled adventure: cliff diving.
If you’re afraid of heights, worry not—this spot is also well-known for its snorkeling spots and for those who just want to take a dip in its perfect blue waters.
The entrance fee to the beach is only around 50 Php, and you can park your moped here for no additional cost.
Visit historical churches
Practice your faith while enjoying a piece of history by visiting the beautiful churches in Siquijor island, including San Isidro Labrador Church, Saint Francis of Asisi Parish, Mount Carmel Church, St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, and Our Lady of the Divine Providence Parish.
San Isidro Labrador Church
Built on a Neoclassical style, the San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent is located in the municipality of Lazi, Siquijor.
The entirety of the church screams mid-18th century and was built using hardwood and coral stones.
It has been existing for hundreds of years, and the fact that it’s still standing despite the natural calamities in the country adds to its magic.
Saint Francis of Asisi Parish
Saint Francis of Asisi Church lies a couple of meters away from Siquijor Port. Initially founded in 1783 using nipa, it was redeveloped in 1795 using coral stones as the main material.
The bell tower, which was placed a few meters away from the church, is also a historical sight, as it was built in 1891 to serve as a watch tower to help the locals watch out for intruders who were threatening the island.
Mount Carmel Church
Mount Carmel is a little different from the previously mentioned churches, as it is a little more modern and brings with it a neat and minimalist vibe.
Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church
Saint Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church is another modern-looking church, although it is not recently established.
This church has been up and running since 1836 and is considered one of the churches in Siquijor that are already centuries old.
Our Lady of the Divine Providence Parish
This Roman Catholic Church is famous for the tales that surround its rich history, including the story of the Black Maria.
Be mystified in the century-old Balete Tree
Siquijor is known as a mystical island, so how can I not include visiting the 400-year-old balete tree in the list of things you must do in Siquijor?
The best thing about this is that it’s not just a tree—a cold, natural spring flows directly underneath the tree to the man-made pool you can relax in if you’re looking for a quick foot spa.
Just put your feet on the water, let the fish doctors nibble softly on your feet, and remove your old skin cells.
Go island hopping
Island hopping isn’t as common in Siquijor as it is in Coron or El Nido, but there is an island you can go to (which you can see from the beach).
Coco Grove Beach Resort can help organize your island-hopping adventures, wherein they’ll take you to an island nearby so you can go swimming with turtles.
Visit the magical Butterfly Sanctuary
It’s almost 100% guaranteed that any butterfly sanctuary is going to be beautiful, and this sanctuary located in Cang-apa Siquijor will certainly not disappoint.
This hidden gem for nature lovers was started in 2008 and continues to thrive under the care of Dante Jumapit.
The entrance fee to the butterfly sanctuary is 100 Php, and it is open until 4 PM.
Check out mount Bandilaan Viewpoint
Mount Bandilaan is the highest point in Siquijor, and while on top, you can enjoy the beautiful view, inhale the fresh morning air, and enjoy the sunrise as you sit down and chomp on your breakfast.
Have a party-filled night
While it isn’t necessarily known as a “party place,” Siquijor has its own fair share of good bars and restaurants.
One place you can visit is Baha Bar, especially if you’re a fan of live music (which they have every night). The food is delicious and affordable, the place is modern, and the people are just fun to be with!
Just don’t drink and drive!
Go snorkelling
Aside from cliff-diving, swimming with turtles, and chilling on the beach, you can also go snorkeling and enjoy the beautiful view from under the sea.
There are many snorkeling spots around the island; you can always rent snorkeling gear. You can also ask around if you can be taken near the coral reefs so you can enjoy seeing a variety of fish.
Go scuba diving
Want to take your adventure to the next level? Go scuba-diving (provided you have the necessary qualifications already).
There are lots of diving shops around the island, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try night diving!
Don’t miss out on the swimming pools
Before you get caught up jumping from one beach to another, don’t forget to check out the local swimming pools too.
I recommend visiting Capilay Spring Park in the town of San Juan, as the water here comes from the mountain, so it is guaranteed cold and will leave you feeling fresh.
This pool is open to the public and is 100% free.
Mingle with the locals
If you’re an outgoing type of person, then you’d certainly enjoy mingling with the locals, whether it’s over beers or over a friendly Basketball game.
In case you missed it, Filipinos are obsessed with Basketball. You’d see kids playing the sport in schools, you’d see professionals battling it out one department versus another, and you’d even see locals playing Basketball on the streets.
By doing so, you aren’t only sweating all the beer and days of food trips off; you’re also mingling with one of the most hospitable people in the world.
Try out the delicacies
While you might want to order the occasional fried chicken, I suggest trying out the local delicacies in Siquijor. For instance, their giant otap is an oval-shaped puff pastry, but as the name suggests, it comes in a gigantic size.
Aside from this, you might be familiar with the famous Filipino afternoon snack—turon. Well, in Siquijor, instead of the usual banana turon, you can enjoy the peanut turon, which is another variation of the traditional turon we all know about.
Feeling a little snack-ish, but you want to be healthy? Then you should try their squash crackers out.
If you’re up for the challenge, make sure to check out their kinilaw Binisaya nga kulabutan. It’s basically a giant squid seasoned with vinegar and salt and eaten raw.
How to get to Siquijor Island
Before I get into the fun things you must do on Siquijor Island, I’d certainly like to help you get there first. Here’s how to get to Siquijor Island, no matter where you’re coming from in the Philippines:
Bohol to Siquijor
There are two ferries making daily trips from Tagbilaran Port (Bohol) to Siquijor. The earliest trip departs at 10 AM, which would take about 2.5 hours, so you’ll arrive at Siquijor at approximately 12:30 PM—just in time for lunch!
Meanwhile, the 2nd trip departs at around 3:20 PM. Since the ferries have limited seating capacity, I suggest buying your tickets in advance, as they tend to sell out during peak seasons like holidays, during summer, and even on normal weekends.
Dumaguete to Siquijor
If you’re coming from Dumaguete City, the fastest way to travel to Siquijor is by fastcraft.
This is one of the easiest ways to get to Siquijor, as the journey will only take you approximately an hour (sometimes even less).
While you can always buy your ticket once you get to Dumaguete port, I suggest getting your ticket in advance just to be sure. After all, nothing beats being on the safe side and having your seats booked and reserved online.
South Cebu to Siquijor
If you’re from South Cebu and are looking to travel to Siquijor, the fastest option would be for you to travel to Dumaguete and ride a fastcraft from there.
If your trip is on a tight budget, you can opt to take a Southbound Ceres bus. These buses pass on the main road hourly, so all you have to do is ask around where you can wait to board them.
Let the conductor know you will be going to Liloan Port, and they will help you out and inform you where you should get off. Once you’re off the bus, ride a tricycle to the port (it’s approximately 1 km away).
From Liloan Port, ride the ferry to Sibulan Port (this should take about 15 to 20 minutes). Then, ride another tricycle to Dumaguete Port, where you can finally board a fastcraft to Siquijor Island.
North/Central Cebu to Siquijor
If you’re coming from North or Central Cebu, the best route for you would be via Tagbilaran Port in Bohol. If you are coming from the city, you can ride a bus or taxi to the port or ride a boat to Tagbilaran Port.
From there, you can board the ferry to Siquijor.
If you are coming from North Cebu, all you have to do is travel to the city and follow the same route I mentioned above. You can ride a bus going Southbound and ask the conductor to drop you off at Cebu City.
As always, it would be best to book your tickets in advance. You wouldn’t want your trip canceled at the last minute just because there are already no seats left for you on the ferry or fast craft, would you?
How to Get Around Siquijor Island
Once you’re already at Siquijor Island, you have two ways of getting around:
Tricycle
You can either negotiate with the driver until you can come up with a good deal and ask them to take you around the island for the whole day (or two) at a set rate or just go jumping from one tricycle to another as you go on with your day.
Moped rentals
This is the easiest option if you want to get around the island in your own time. Since the island is small, every activity and every place to visit is just within driving distance.
If you will be renting a moped for around three days, you can negotiate a deal of P300 to P400 daily.
Get Ready to Be Enchanted By The Wonders of Siquijor!
The island of Siquijor is enchanting and beyond picturesque. It is rich in culture and history, and the people are so hospitable and friendly you won’t have a hard time enjoying the place, even if you are traveling alone.
From its crystal clear beaches, historical churches, and exotic cuisine to the adrenaline-filled activities you can try, this list of things you must do on Siquijor Island might just make your 3-day stay insufficient.
Just make sure to pack your sunscreen and beach hats to shield yourself from the heat, and book your boat tickets in advance so you can guarantee a hassle-free trip you’ll forever cherish.