The island is known for sorcery and black magic, which makes it feel spooky and mysterious. Every time my family traveled from Cebu to Dipolog and back by boat, passing by the island, my mom would always tell me that it was enchanted and that we shouldn’t go there. But who wouldn’t want to visit a place like this when you see the beauty it possesses? Forget all those hearsay and urban legends and let’s take a closer look at what makes the island so mystical.
Siquijor is located in Visayas and just an hour away from Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. It has also became a favorite destination for most of the tourists from the other countries nowadays. Because of its turquoise beach waters, majestic waterfalls, old churches, and the friendliness of the locals, this is one of the best place to chill out.
How to Get There?
From Cebu, you can take a bus to Liloan Port in Santander then ride their fast craft for Sibulan Port and bound for Dumaguete Port. Usually, travel time from Dumaguete to Siquijor is 35 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on what boat/fastcraft you will take. There are also boats from Cebu to Dumaguete or Cebu to Siquijor directly. Just keep on checking for ferry/boat schedules.
If you are from Luzon or Mindanao, you can ride a plane bound for Dumaguete or if you are from Iligan, there is a direct boat to and fro Siquijor once or twice a week.
Where to Stay?
If you are on a tight budget or you just simply don’t want to spend money on accommodations then there are a lot of hostels in the island ranging from 200 to 600 per room for 1 night stay. We stayed in Casa Miranda, which is located in San Juan municipality, that has a nice beach front with a very superb sunset.
We should have stayed in JJ’s Backpackers but they are already fully booked. The place isn’t not bad though compared on staying in a very expensive room, which is 1000+ or 4000+ per night. Anyway, we went there for the view and not for the resort’s pool. *evil laugh
Their room has also its own CR which is a good thing because I hate ‘common’ CRs.
The next day, we woke up at 5:00am to get ready and be early with our adventures since we have to catch the 1:50pm schedule for Dumaguete via Ocean Jet.
What to do in the island?
The day tour will cost you 1000 pesos and this trike below can tour you around the island already.
From springs, to white sand beaches, to waterfalls, to caves and to love potion stories, there are a lot of things to see in Siquijor. Check out the photos below to be amaze with Siquijor’s hidden wonders.
1. St. Francis of Assisi Church
One of the oldest churches in the Philippines just outside the port of Siquijor.
2. Capilay Spring
The natural spring is situated in San Juan town and best for families and friends to relax. Just don’t be surprised that there will be tilapias swimming with you in the spring.
3. The Enchanted Balete Tree with Natural Fish Spa
One of the oldest Balete Tree in the Philippines which is almost 200 years old already. It also has a spring where you can have a natural fish spa with an entrance for only 5 pesos each or free if no one is around. lol.
Fun Fact: Every year, long boarders all around Philippines visits Siquijor to compete. Along the way to Lazi, you will see this downhill road for their downhill race.
4. Lazi Church and Convent
You can have your breakfast or lunch here in Lazi town. The port for Iligan is also situated here.
5. Cambugahay Falls
One of the main attraction in the island that can be found in Lazi as well. But before reaching the 1st falls, you’ll have to go down on a 135 stone steps.
We enjoyed a lot here and stayed an hour or more. Also, don’t miss to try their ‘baging‘ and jump to the clear turquoise waters. For more, you can also check my separated post about Cambugahay Falls by clicking here.
6. Salagdoong Beach
It’s almost 11am and we are off to our last stop. Salagdoong Beach is located in Maria town just next to Lazi. Before reaching the beach, enjoy the beauty of their Salagdoong Forest.
Entrance to the beach is 15 pesos per head only. Managed by their local government, the beach has its water slide (non-functional at the moment), cottages, comfort rooms and canteen. You can already stay there overnight since they have rooms for rent but Maria is 12kms away (based from Wiki lol) from Siquijor city and they have a separate fare for trikes to and fro.
Don’t miss the 20ft and 30ft cliff jump here in Salagdoong as well or you’ll miss 15% part of your life. Etchos! For more, you can check my separate post about Salagdoong Beach here.
After beach bumming and taking some photos and videos, we didn’t realized that it was already 1:00pm so we take the trike immediately and off to Siquijor city with full speed.
But before anything else, we also took a quick photo of one of the oldest houses in Siquijor.
Now back to the thrilling part of the trip. Good thing our trike driver made it in time (1:45pm) and we didn’t miss the Ocean Jet bound for Dumaguete. It was fun and an amazing-race-experience to us. lol
I’ll definitely come back and try caving here. I’ll also make sure that it will be their healing festival to learn how to make potions or ‘lana’ on my own. LOL. See you next time Siquijor! It was siiiiiick!