Siquijor Travel Guide

March 21, 2020July 29, 2021 Rex Lim Lim BLOG, SIQUIJOR, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

Reading Time: 9 minutes

In this Siquijor travel guide, let us take you into this peculiar yet beautiful Visayan gem of an island.

The Land of Faith Healing: strange as it seems, travelling to the island of Siquijor will raise eyebrows once mentioned because of its reputation for the black arts. Even the older generations still practices and believes in witchcraft and sorcery; although at present time it is still practiced in a less prevalent scale.

Because of the eerie glow the island emits during sundown, particulary from fireflies flocking the gargantuan Molave trees. As a result, it tickled the curiosity of Spaniards to visit the island.

“Si Kihod” answered by a native who thought they were asking for his name (instead of the name of the place), and eventually turned to “Siquijor” after some time.

Not just a folklore about the womb of the sea giving birth to an island. But the origin of the mystical island was just quite recent. In fact, geologically speaking, it is young as proved by the coralline terraces found in some municipalities.

Moreover, fossils of Giant Clams (tridacna) and other mollusks that are living in the vicinity today are found on top of Mt. Malabahoc/ Bandilaan (638+).

From Black Magic Maria, love potions, Voodoo Dolls, broomstick rides, century old churches and convent, up to the stunning waterfalls and beaches. Let us take you on a day trip across Isla Del Fuego as we uncover the brighter side beyond the esoteric and peculiar charm of Siquijor.

Where is Siquijor

Table of Contents

Siquijor is the third smallest province in the country located in the Central Visayas region after Camiguin and Batanes.

Its capital is the municipality also named Siquijor with five other municipalities named San Juan, Lazi, Maria, Enrique Villanueva and Larena. In addition, it lies southeast from Cebu and Negros across Cebu Strait (also called Bohol Strait) and southwest from Bohol.

How To Get There

Being an island province without a bustling city center, the only way to get to Siquijor is via Ferries and Fastcraft. There are several ports with routes going here such as Dumaguete City, Tagbilaran City, Cebu via Bato, and Iligan City.

Travelers from outside of the said regions can easily access it through the nearest airport in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental. Also, international travelers planning to visit the charming island, the easiest way to get in from Hongkong, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan is via Mactan-Cebu International Airport. From Cebu City, take a bus bound for Dumaguete City in Cebu South Bus Terminal.

From Metro Manila:
- ● Cebu Pacific – Flies 2 to 3 times daily to Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport
  ● Philippine Airlines – Flies 2 times daily Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport
From Dumaguete City Port (Fare starts at 136php to 360php):
- GL Shipping Lines (1hr travel time, Fast Craft, sails daily)
  - Dumaguete City To Siquijor, Siquijor: 05:45am / 10:15am / 12:00pm / 02:00pm / 04:30pm
  - Siquijor, Siquijor to Dumaguete City: 05:50am / 09:30am / 01:00pm / 02:30pm / 05:45pm
- Ocean Jet (45mins travel time, Fast Craft, sails daily)
  - Dumaguete City to Siquijor, Siquijor: 07:00am / 12:50pm
  - Siquijor, Siquijor to Dumaguete City: 06:00am / 01:40pm
- MV Siquijor Island Ferry (1hr travel time, fast craft, sails every Saturday)
  - Dumaguete City to Siquijor, Siquijor: 05:00am
  - Siquijor, Siquijor to Dumaguete City: 06:00am
- Montenegro Shipping Lines (2hrs travel time, Ferry, sails daily)
  - Dumaguete City to Larena, Siquijor: 10:00am / 06:00pm
  - Larena, Siquijor to Dumaguete City: 06:00am / 02:00pm

From Tagbilaran City (Bohol) Port (Fare starts at 210php to 360php)
- Ocean Jet (Fast Craft, sails daily)
  - Tagbilaran City to Siquijor, Siquijor: 10:30am
  - Siquijor, Siquijor to Tagbilaran City: 01:50pm

Mode of transportation in the island is by tricycles and habal-habal. Buses ply the municipalities but with very limited trips. Vans and multi-cabs can be rented through accredited tour operators.

Where To Stay

With the steady rise of visitors in the island, several hotels and inns for travelers have sprouted in the island. Here are some hotels to help you choose when visiting Siquijor.

The cheapest can cost you at around 400php per head, just like what we availed in Replica Manor in the town of Siquijor.

Siquijor, Siquijor:
- Tumamak Lodge – Port Area, Siquijor, Siquijor / 0905-149-6724
- Replica Manor – Rates Start at 800php/night / Siquijor, Siquijor
- Guiwanon Spring Park – Rates start at 300php/night / Brgy. Luyang, Siquijor, Siquijor / 0926-460-6010
San Juan, Siquijor
- Good Vibes Siquijor – Check Rates Here / San Juan, Siquijor
- Coco Grove Resort – Brgy. Tubod, San Juan, Siquijor / 0939-915-5123
- Lorna’s End Of The World – Brgy. Lala-O, San Juan, Siquijor / 0927-381-6377
- Toris Backpacker Paradise – Check Rates Here / Maite, San Juan, Siquijor

Lazi, Siquijor
- NJ Pension House and Restaurant – Check Rates Here / Zamora Cor. Aljas Streets, Lazi, Siquijor
Maria, Siquijor
- Hotel Agripino – Rates Start at 800php/ Brgy. Olang, Maria, Siquijor
Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor
- Seaside Garden Cottages and Resorts – Brgy. Camogao, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor / (0906) 829-5704

Click here for more accommodations: Where to Stay in Siquijor

Travel Tips

People are very hospitable, everyone smiles and also understands Tagalog, with the majority speaking Cebuano
Plan ahead and prepare. Make sure that you have already contacted your hotel/home stay/tour guide of your choice as some of them may get fully booked during peak season
- Our contact tricycle tour operator is Raul Padayhag Gom-os (0935-596-5465) or Kuya Joam (0927-693-2095)

Always remember to treat your tour guides / drivers nicely. Always include them in your meals as a sign of courtesy with these hardworking locals, include tips aside from their usual fees
If very desperate to be in a relationship, make sure to buy a vial of Siquijor’s Love Potion. Try to slip it into the drink of your crush to make sure you’ll end up together

I suggest to also travel during the dry season from January to April so waterfalls have their unique blue color. In addition, beaches are devoid of washed out trash and seaweeds
Travel during lean season as rates are relatively cheaper as compared during peak season. Moreover, you can enjoy the beach and other destinations without the usual crowds (travel on weekdays)
It is advisable to travel with a companion or a group to lessen the expenses
Pack food and water with you. Although stores are present at most of the destinations, prices are steeper as compared to the regular cost
Check the availability of Passenger Ships/RORO/Fast Crafts to and fro the island of Siquijor to avoid missing the first/last trip.
It is advisable to waterproof your gadgets by bringing dry bags most particularly if visiting beaches and waterfalls.

Signal for Globe and Smart is present and has good reception at town propers. Internet connection is available at hotels, while data reception is sporadic and intermittent.
Pack your trash and leave no trace, practice LNT Principles all the time

Speak Siquijor:

Siquijor is close to the islands of Negros, Cebu and Bohol. Most of the locals, referred to as Siquijoranons, speak Cebuano with English as their second language. Here are few phrases you can use when travelling to the Land of Faith Healing:

Maayong adlaw! – Good day!
Maayong buntag! – Good morning!
Maayong udto! – Good noon!
Maayong gabii! – Good evening!
Daghang salamat! Thank you very much!
Lami kaayo – Very delicious
Oo, Dili – Yes, No
Tagpila kini? – How much?
Ambot – I Don’t Know
Wa ko kasabot – I Can’t Understand
Stop! – Hunung!
usa, duha, tulo, upat, lima, unom, pito, walo, siyam, napulo – one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

Things To See in Siquijor:

Siquijor, Siquijor
- Siquijor Port
- St. Francis of Asisi Church, Bell tower and Convent
- Calalinan Beach
- Guiwanon Spring Park
- Dumanhog Beach
- Balas-Balas Beach
- Cantabon Cave
- Mt. Bandilaan View Park
San Juan, Siquijor
- Paliton Beach
- Solangon Beach
- Capilay Spring Park
- St. Augustine de Hippo Church
- Tubod Beach and Marine Sanctuary
- Lugnason Falls
- Catulayan Beach
Lazi, Siquijor
- Century Old Balete Tree and Fish Spa
- Hapitanan Broomstick Challenge
- Cang-abas Beach
- San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent
- Cambugahay Falls
- Cabugsayan, Lagaan, Kawasan, and Locong Falls
Maria, Siquijor
- Kagusuan Beach
- Bacong Beach
- Umpas Beach
- Cangbangag Falls
- Our Lady of Divine Providence Parish
- Salagdoong Beach and Forest

Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor
- Cang-isok Old House
- Camugao Beach
- Lilibeth’s Pan Bisaya
Larena, Siquijor
- Sandugan Beach
- St. Vincent Ferrer Parish and Bell Tower

Extend Your Trip

Negros Oriental:
- Casaroro Falls
- Pulang Bato Falls
- Twin Lakes: Balinsasayao and Danao
Dumaguete City
- Silliman University
Cebu
- Oslob Whale Shark Watching
- Moalboal Sardine Run
- Kawasan Canyoneering

Itinerary and Expenses

This is part of the author’s 2-day Negros Oriental – Siquijor Adventure last September 09-10, 2018

DAY 01
0450 NAIA T3 via CebPac (823php GetGO Promo Fare)
0610 Sibulan Airport, Dumaguete City
0630 Take multicab to Port Crossing
0640 Alight at crossing (8php), take tricycle to port
0700 Buy tickets for GL Shipping Lines Fastcraft (200php, 15php terminal fee)
0710 Depart for Siquijor, Siquijor
0805 Arrival at Siquijor Port, Siquijor
0830 Meet Guide, Picture at San Isidro Church
0945 I Love Siquijor sign, Siquijor Boulevard
1015 Enchanted Balete Tree (15php)
1045 Hapitanan Broomstick Challenge (20php, donation)
1100 Lazi Church and Convent (20php/pax)
1200 Lunch, Cambugahay Falls (20php entrance, 50php parking fee, 100php guide fee – not mandatory, 20php Tarzan Swing)
1215 Free time, Tarzan Swing
1330 Depart for Salagdoong
1600 Salagdoong Beach (50php)
1615 Cang-isok Old House
1630 Pan De Bisaya, snacks
1645 Tulapos Marine Sanctuary Beach
1700 Depart for Siquijor, Siquijor (1200php, Tricycle Tour c/o Raul Gom-os)
1800 Siquijor Boulevard, Watch Sunset, Dinner
1900 Check in at Replica Manor (850php/2pax)
2200 Lights Off

DAY 02
0530 Wake up, take tricycle to Siquijor Port (50)
0600 Ocean Jet Fastcraft to Dumaguete City (250php, 19php Terminal Fee)
0645 Dumaguete Port, breakfast
0730 Start tour
0830 Lake Balinsasayao (50php)
0915 Lake Danao, boat ride (250php)
0945 Back at jumpoff point
1015 Snacks at Lake Viewdeck
1045 Mountain Viewdeck (725masl)
1130 Sulfur Mountain, Ocoy Valley
1200 Pulangbato Falls (50php)
1300 Depart
1315 Tierra Alta (50php)
1345 Depart for Valencia
1400 Lunch at Estrella’s Eatery, Zamora St. Valencia
1430 Depart for Casaroro Falls
1515 Casaroro Falls, start trek (10php)
1530 Casaroro Falls
1630 Ascend back to jumpoff point 0515 Dumaguete City – Silliman Hall, Campanaryo, Provincial Capitol – DumaguetMe Sign
1815 End of tour (1600php/2pax)
1830 Check in at ND Lodge (873php/2pax), tidy up
1930 Try Silvanas at Sans Rival Store
2030 Dinner
2200 Lights off

DAY 03
0615 Depart for Manila
0800 Manila, Back to reality

Total Damage for Siquijor Overnight trip (excluding food and other incidentals):

For Solo Traveler: 2829.00 +/-php
For Two Persons: 1729.00 +/-php

Disclaimer: This is based on the actual trip that I have done, all information stated above is up to date as of writing. There are more options to choose from and please feel free to message me for any concerns and suggestions that comes up as you browse this series.

Demystifying Isla del Fuego: From Black Magic Maria, love potions, Voodoo Dolls, broomstick rides, century old churches and convent, up to the stunning waterfalls and beaches. Let Transit Pinas take you on a day trip across SIQUIJOR as he uncovers the brighter side beyond the esoteric and peculiar charm of the province. Follow this adventure series into the Land of Faith Healing, as I ventured into my 56th province last September 09, 2018. Umari kamo niing matahum nga dapit!

Demystifying Isla del Fuego – Siquijor 2018 Series

Siquijor Travel Guide
Entering the Land of Faith Healing – Siquijor, Siquijor
Towering Palms and Creamy White Sands – Paliton Beach, Siquijor
Hauntingly Beautiful – Lazi’s Century Old Balete Tree
Broomsticks and Eerie Convent Halls – Lazi Church and Convent, Siquijor
Tarzan Swings and Enchanting Cascades – Cambugahay Falls
Taking A Leap of Faith – Salagdoong Beach, Siquijor
Black Magic Maria – Siquijor’s Our Lady of Divine Providence Church
Roadside Foodcrawl – Lilibeth’s Pan Bisaya
Sunset Over The Mystic Island – Siquijor Boulevard