Destination highlights

Siquijor is a very small island within the Visayas, part of the Philippine archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, in the eastern Asian part, characterized by its mystical aura, its history impregnated with magic dyes accompanied by healers, witches and sorcerers. You can get from Manila to Dumaguete on low cost airlines and from there to Siquijor. The only way to get there is by sea, by means of ferries. These ferries connect the island with its neighbors Los Negros or with the island of Bohol, and arrive at two different ports, one is Siquijor and another located further north and called Larena. You can also get there by ferry from Cebu in about five hours. Every traveler who discovers Siquijor returns astonished with what he offers during his stay that small but fascinating portion of land, the sea that surrounds it and the people who live there.

In general, the most used expression to describe it after spending a few days there is that it is a paradise of tranquility. The main tourist attraction of Siquijor is doing nothing; that is, relax and enjoy. The main activity will be to take a dip, sunbathe or shade under a coconut tree or sleep in a hammock. All that during the day, since with the arrival of the night the main activity moves around a barbecue full of meat or fish.

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Travel tips

You can rent a motorcycle 24 hours to tour the island and stop at its beaches, which are not exactly the best in the Philippines. The tide rises and falls very striking and on the shore it is very difficult to swim in some area because there is little water or it is full of rocks. However, any stretch of beach is good to watch the sunset. Among the most famous beaches are Salagdoong Beach whose access is not free. Located near a marine sanctuary, this place with a couple of small beaches is very popular among the people of the island. To get there, you have to cross the forest with the same name, north of the town of Maria, going along the main road.

There is also Paliton Beach, the favorite spot of many in Siquijor, where you can enjoy the best sunsets absolutely alone, a small beach west of San Juan. When you arrive, you have the feeling that you are entering someone’s private property; However, once past the huge house there is access to the beach. There is always a fisherman preparing his bangka or fishing boat returning from work and the odd traveler trying to go unnoticed in that beautiful landscape. Many decide to dive or snorkel in one of the several marine sanctuaries that Siquijor has.

For those who select the Tubod Sanctuary option, you must bring your own snorkeling equipment. Right next to the Coco Grove Resort, past the town of San Juan, there is a diving office. One of the typical images that Siquijor offers to the outside is that of its blue cascades hidden among the vegetation and it is probable that whoever has arrived there wants to see them and even swim in them. The believers in the magic of the place assure that these waters are healing. There are several that dot the island. In the interior there are a couple of waterfalls, the most famous are the Cambugahay Falls, which are large and very frequented mainly by local people and on weekends .; but there are those who prefer Lugnason Falls.

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It is a waterfall of at least three levels, whose pools are a very striking blue color. However, they give the feeling of being deep, at least enough for the children, who enjoy there, to offer a circus show of jumps and pirouettes that they are able to do jumping from vertiginous heights. Another very visited place is Balete Tree; an emblematic 400-year-old tree, which is on the road on the way to Cambugahay waterfalls, coming from San Juan, near the town of Lazy. At the foot of this long and colossal tree, a type of sacred ficus, according to locals, there is a pool where people go to get their pedicures, and in their waters, there are hungry fish that make the visitor peel. Whether for the economic treatment, for the powers of the tree or simply because you walk there, it pays to stop five minutes and admire this wonder of nature, whose roots seem to want to own the place and its inhabitants.

For those who have enjoyed the beach enough, in the center of the island is the Monte Bandilaan natural park, where there are also some caves that can be covered with a guide, such as the Cantabon Cave. In the town of San Juan have a free natural swimming pool, Capilay Spring Park, where visitors can take a bath without salt or sand. They are surrounded by greenery, shadows, tables and there is also a small bar. Also on Friday nights, they set up a small “disco”. There is not much Siquijor offers from the religious point of view. The infrastructure of the Catholic churches does not present the best state. However, it is convenient to review the following: in the town of Lazy we find the San Isidro Labrador church, built in 1884, Santa María is located in the town that bears his name and in the center of Siquijor, welcoming the island, is that of San Francisco de Asis.

Hotel recommendations

Staying in Siquijor is very easy, since the island has a wide range of establishments in which to stay overnight, among which are: Coco Grove Beach Resort, Infinity Heights Resort, White Villas Resort, Buco Beach Resort Siquijor, Tori’s Paradise, Xylla’s Guest House, First Baby Bytes Guest House and Royal Beach Front House.

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