Siquijor Travel Guide: The Mystique Island

Siquijor

Discover the mystical island of Siquijor and be awed with the surprises this small island offers. From its white sandy beaches, century old churches, beautiful waterfalls and other natural wonders and heritage, Siquijor is a promise of paradise. This Siquijor travel guide will come handy for everyone planning to visit or revisit the Island of Fire. Provided in this guide are relevant information that will make it easier for your to plan your trip. Know the updated travel requirements, information on getting there, accommodation, activities, sample itinerary, budget and more. 

Welcome to Siquijor

Siquijor is nested in the western corner of Bohol Sea and surrounded with the bigger islands of Visayas and Mindanao. It is a small island that offers big surprises.

Formerly called “Isla de Fuego” or Island of Fire during the early Spanish era, Siquijor used to be a town of Negros Oriental until it became an independent province in 1971. It is the third smallest province in the country with a total land area of only 343.5 square kilometers.

Siquijor today is fast becoming a tourist hot spot in Central Visayas due to its natural beauty and distinct charm. Its white sand beaches, century old churches, amazing dive sites, beautiful waterfalls and other natural wonders are among the magnets that keep attracting people to uncover the island’s mystique.

Siquijor
Saint Francis of Assisi Church of Siquijor

A small yet bountiful island, Siquijor is a synergy of nature’s beauty and mystery, a bliss waiting to be explored. Come and experience the mystique charm of paradise that is Siquijor.

How to Get to Siquijor

From Dumaguete City

Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, is accessible from Manila via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. From Dumaguete Airport in Sibulan, ride a multican to take you to the downtown. The Port of Dumaguete is at the northern end of the Boulevard.

At the Port of Dumaguete, there are numerous departures of fast craft and ferry to Siquijor daily starting at 5:45 AM and as late as 7PM. Fast craft rate is P160 one-way, travel time is one hour. RoRo ferry rate is P115 one-way with almost two hours of voyage.

You can book a ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor below.

From Cebu City, Oslob, Tagbilaran and Iligan

The ports of Cebu, Tagbilaran and Iligan have direct links to Siquijor by ferry or boat. Meanwhile, Oslob in South Cebu, has a direct link to the town of Larena, Siquijor.

You can book a ferry from Cebu, Tagbilaran and Iligan to Siquijor below.

Siquijor
Salagdoong Beach in Maria, Siquijor

Where to Stay in Siquijor

While Siquijor can be toured on a day trip if you are based in Dumaguete City, it is still a best to stay in the island to better appreciate the place.

Coco Grove Beach Resort is a popular choice for tourists spending the night in the island. The beach front resort offers offers native style cottages and villas for as low as P2,700.00 good for two (2) persons per night.

For backpackers and budget travelers, among the favorites are JJ’s Backpackers and Lorna’s End of the World Beach Resort which offers basic and budget-friendly accommodation for as low as P400 per person per night. JJ’s Backpacker’s is located along the beach in the town of San Juan.

Coco Grove Beach Resort
Address: Tubod, San Juan, Siquijor
Contact: +63915-2535130/+63939-9155123/+63-035-2255490/+63-035-4229663

JJ Backpackers
Address: San Juan, Siquijor
Contact: +63918-670 -0310

Lorna’s End of the World Beach Resort
Address: Lala-o, San Juan, Siquijor
Contact: +63917-3816377

Top-Rated / Highly Recommended Accommodations in Siquijor

White Villas Resort

White Villas Resort
San Juan, Siquijor
Starts at 2,800 PHP

 Blue Wave Inn

 Blue Wave Inn
Siquijor, Siquijor
Starts at 1,800 PHP

Top-Rated Budget Accommodations in Siquijor

Toris Backpacker Paradise

Toris Backpackers Paradise
San Juan, Siquijor
Starts at 550 PHP

Kamp Aninipot

Kamp Aninipot
Siquijor, Siquijor
Starts at 600 PHP

Siquijor
Lazi Convent

Other notable places to stay are:

Salagdoong Beach Resort and Hotel Agripino
Address: Olang, Maria, Siquijor
Contact: Provincial Tourism Office at +63-035-344-2088/+63-035-480-9173/+639187714714/+639102002552 (Hotel Agripino)
Email: [email protected]

Salamangka Beach and Dive Resort
Address: Buhulisan, Catulayan San Juan, Siquijor 6755 Philippines
Contact:+63-035-3442088, +63-035-480-9173
Email: [email protected]

Siquijor
Scuba diving in Sandigan

Where to Eat in Siquijor

There are restaurants and eateries scattered along the islands. Some of the favorites are Luca Loko, Baha Bar, Tomato & Basil, Rastaman Grill, Marco Polo Italian Restaurant and Sunset Restaurant of San Juan, Siquijor.

What to do in Siquijor

  • Visit the century-old churches St. Francis of Assisi of Siquijor and St. Isidore de Labrador and its convent in Lazi
  • Cool off at Capilay Spring Park and Guiwanon Spring Park
  • Checkout Cambugahay and Lugnason Falls
  • Go beach hopping at Salagdoong Beach, Kagusuan Beach, Siquijor Beach, Paliton Beach and San Juan Beach
  • Cliff jumping at Salagdoong Beach
  • See the century-old Balete Tree
  • Explore the unspoiled underwater of Siquijor. Dive or snorkel on more than 20 dive sites surrounding the island including the famous Tulapus Sanctuary, Daquit Shoal, Tonga Point, West Point, Paliton, Lala-o Sunken Island, Solangon, Tubod Marine Sanctuary, Salagdoong, Candapino Point and Tambisan among others.
  • Drop by at Butterfly Sanctuary
  • Visit Cantabon, Eugenia, Dacanay, Tagmanocan and Baljo Caves
  • Trek Bandilaan National Park, the highest point in the island
Siquijor
Saint Isidore Labrador Church of Lazi

Sample Dumaguete-Siquijor Itinerary

Day 1: Chasing Waterfalls in Valencia

1000H: Arrival in Dumaguete Airport / Sea Port / Proceed to Hotel
1100H: Check-in / Rest
1200H: Lunch at Casa Blanca / Proceed to Valencia Jeep Terminal
1330H: Depart for Valencia
1415H: Arrive in Valencia / Motorbike to Twin Falls (Red Rock Falls)
1445H: Red Rock Falls
1600H: Depart Red Rock Falls / Drop by Smokey Mountain
1700H: Arrive Valencia / Jeep to Dumaguete
1800H: Back in Dumaguete / Proceed to Hotel
1830H: Wash-up / Rest
2000H: Dinner at Sans Rival

Day 2: Apo Island

0700H: Call Time / Breakfast
0800H: Apo Island Day Tour: Scuba Diving or Snorkeling
1700H: Back in Dumaguete / Proceed to Hotel
1730H: Wash-up / Rest
1800H: Dinner at Hayahay Tree House

Day 3: Siquijor

0400H: Call Time / Snacks / Proceed to Port
0500H: Dumaguete to Siquijor
0630H: Arrival in Siquijor / Proceed to Hotel / Breakfast
0800H: Siquijor Island Tour: St. Francis of Assisi, Lazi Church and Convent, Cambugahay Falls, Paliton Beach, Salagdoong Beach, Capilay Spring, Balete Tree
1700H: Back in Hotel / Wash-up / Rest
1900H: Dinner

Day 4: Dumaguete City

0700H: Call Time / Breakfast / Proceed to Port
0900H: Siquijor to Dumaguete
1100H: Back in Dumaguete

Tips

  • Siquijor can be explored on a day trip, check out my Siguijor in a Day blog
  • Best time to visit Siquijor is during summer or dry months of November to May
  • There is an ATM in the island
  • Major credit cards are accepted in major establishments

First Published: 13-Feb-2011 | Updates: 20-June-2015; 07-Dec-2017; 09-Jul-2019; 30-Apr-2020

Comments

  1. […] Dumaguete’s proximity to Cebu makes the city speak Cebuano which is a totally different language from Hiligaynon spoken in Bacolod City and most of Negros Island. As the capital of Negros Oriental, it serves as gateway to famed dive sites of Apo Island, Mount Talinis, Manjuyod Sandbar, Balanan, Balinsasayaw and Danao Lakes, Niludhan Falls, Casaroro Falls, Red Rock Hot Spring, Pulangbato Falls and other attractions of the province as well as the mystical province of Siquijor. […]

  2. I recommend kuya rolly siquijor tour guide……tricycle driver……0906-580-6033…..

  3. jerpax

    helo po…eto po ang pinaka gustong gusto kong etanong…sana masagot nyu po…
    merun po bang ferry from iligan to siquijor? plsss answer po…salamat

  4. Lady jaharah

    Hi, Meron bang siquijor to oslob na ferry? Among schedule? Thanks.

  5. Joanne L

    Hi! I would like to ask if anyone knows any backpackers’ inn that can let you check-in even late at night. We will arive in Larena Pier around 11:30pm from Bohol and we do’t know where we can spend the night. Please help 😢 Thanks!

  6. Karel

    meron bang byahe sa roro bus direct to siquijor? at ano ang skedyul?

  7. Cora

    Hi.
    I would like to ask and I hope you can answer my query.

    Does the Ferry takes car frieght? And do you have a contact number that I can ring to ask about their rate for the frieght.

    Also, are there any camping grounds in Sequijor?

    Regards,
    Cora

  8. Jassel Sariego

    Hello po meron po ba kayong contact number nga Salagdoong Beach Resort at Hotel Agripino? 🙂 Kasi punta kmi ng mga kaibigan ko this April 30-May 1 sa siquijor 🙂 Salamat po

    1. zoy

      hello Jassel? hows ur trip in siquijor?

    2. Myra

      what is the earliest ferries that can take us from dumaguete to siquijor?

  9. Very Informative post (as always). I am more than excited to visit this paradise soon.
    I just need a little help because we will be in Siquijor this coming May 1-6, And we’re planning to visit Bohol as well. May I know how much is the travel time from Bohol-Dumaguete, so we can plan ahead, to avoid the hassle of missing our flight back to Manila. hehe
    Salamat po and keep us posted on your travel! I’m a big fan of yours!

  10. IV

    how do we get from Larena to Siquijor? kasi ang flight naming from Manila to Dumaguete will arrive by 4pm and hindi na kami aabot sa last trip to Siquijor and our only option is ferry to Larena.

    1. Lakwatsero

      Larena is just a tricycle away from Siquijor, Siquijor. 🙂

    2. Lakwatsero

      Why not spend the night in Dumaguete? Go for a food trip, there are lots of good restaurants in the boulevard. Check out Harold’s, they have budget rooms. Then take the first ferry to Siquijor the next day. 🙂

  11. Jay

    Hi. Meron bang fast ferries plying the route of Siquijor-Tagbilaran and vise versa? Ano name ng ferry?

    1. Rollie jimenez

      Oceanjet po….everyday po ang byahe nila….

  12. Royce

    How do you get to Siquijor from Oslob? What is the fastest route and do you know where I can find the ferry times?

  13. Mr. Lakwatsero,

    Gud day, l’ll be in siquijor this coming jan. 18, 2016. I’ll be there for 2 months, now I’m looking for an apartment or a room to stay.

    1. rollie jimenez

      Nka hanap na po kau ng apartment……….

Comments are closed.