Sorcery. Potion. Magic. These are some of the words that were usually associated with Siquijor. Somehow offensive for the locals yet they already embraced it and made it a way to earn, through tourism. Despite these hearsays, Siquijor is one of my dream provinces to visit. When I moved to Cebu, I asked some workmates to join me on a weekend trip to the island province. But since most of them are hesitant to spend a night in the mystical island, I resorted to a solo trip, thus a Siquijor itinerary.
In an active group on Facebook, with members sharing do-it-yourself trips itineraries, I found two travelers visiting Siquijor same with my travel dates. We started a chat and met at Dumaguete port on an early Saturday morning.
We didn’t want to strictly follow an itinerary but to spontaneously hop from one destination to another. The accommodation was not part of the planning stage that we indeed hopped from one resort to another just to secure a place for the night. Renting a motorcycle for 24 hours was more convenient for the three of us than availing a tricycle tour being offered by the locals.
Backpacker dorms, like JJ’s Backpacker Village, really save a lot from our travel budget than booking a reservation on some cozy resorts, well for us. If you have the luxury, go for it. We left our things at the front desk of the accommodation and started exploring the must-destinations of Siquijor, as per the tour info guide we got at the tourism booth near the port.
The original plan was to circumnavigate the island province but we were bedazzled by the beauty of some destinations and we weren’t able to cover everything, a reason to come back. From San Juan, Lazi, and Maria, here’s the list of tourist attractions you must visit while in Siquijor.
CAPILAY SPRING PARK (San Juan)
Locals consider Capilay Spring Park as their public swimming pool located just in front of their municipal hall. Water is cold and deep yet clear where you can actually see tiny fishes swarming. The natural pool directly flows to the sea with its headspring located at the rear end of the pool. There’s no entrance fee but there are some tables on the sides that you could use for some picnic, I bet also for free. At the hillside is a grotto that visitors could also visit for a short prayer.
ENCHANTED BALETE TREE (Lazi)
The 400-year old balete tree is a bit supernatural with the hundreds of roots and vines. The gigantic tree, with its shade, is a nice stop from the long and winding roads of the province, especially on a sunny day. The enchanting tree also provides water to its residents and in fact, you can have an unlimited fish spa with a fee of Php5. The fishes, of different sizes, will nibble your dead skin and tickle your feet.
SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR CHURCH AND CONVENT
San Isidro Labrador Church was declared by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) as one of the most outstanding heritage churches in the Philippines. Both the church and the convent were also considered by the National Museum as national cultural treasures.
The church was built in 1884 out of coral-stones and hardwood. The simple facade of the church as viewed from the road is really striking with the obstruction of some branches of trees. Interiors of the structure are also minimalist; basic half circle windows, blue ceiling patterned by a single design, and a simple yet striking altarpiece enclosing four images.
Getting inside the convent was one of the things we failed to do. We made ourselves contented by taking photos of the old building having rusty roofs and wide window panes. The convent is the biggest among the oldest convents in the country and is believed to have been the vacation house for the Diocese’s priests at that time.
CAMBUGAHAY FALLS (Lazi)
Tarzan swing, an activity available on the first tier of the waterfall, made Cambugahay Falls prominent to all tourists. Minus the flock of tourists, the three-tiered waterfall that is surrounded by a lush landscape is a great spot for some meditations. The cold and the not-so-deep water in the basin of the first level is perfect for swimming on midday.
If you intend to include Cambugahay Falls on your Siquijor itinerary, it’s better to be prepared for the short trek going down to the falls, bring some food with you, be mindful of your belongings, and don’t forget to channel your inner Tarzan.
SALAGDOONG BEACH AND MAN MADE FOREST (Maria)
In a cove on the east side of the island is a hideaway spot for everyone visiting Siquijor. The snaky road going to the beach resort passes by a man-made forest with a canopy of Molave trees shading the road. There are some fees being collected; Php10 environmental fee, Php15 entrance fee, and Php20 parking fee. The small stretch of the beach gets crowded sometimes, has white sand not fine as Boracay but an idyllic place for some beach-bumming.
An islet serves as a vantage point and actually reveals the clear light green to dark blue colors of the sea. The management installed two diving platforms; 7 and 10 meters respectively, but they regularly close it during low tide to ensure guests safety. The place is a resort so expect a restaurant serving meals to visitors. If you plan to dine, I suggest you order in advance since waiting time is so long and can even take an hour.
OUR LADY OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Maria)
Going back to San Juan from Salagdoong, we dropped by a church in Maria, Nuestra Senora de Providencia. The century-old church, which is made of brick, is being guarded by the image of Sta. Rita, the patron of impossible cases, holding a skull and a crucifix. The three-tiered belfry is separated by a few meters from the main structure. It was also interesting to see some plants growing on top of the pillars of the church’s façade.
SAN JUAN BEACH (San Juan)
Siquijor offers one of the best spots for sunset viewing and we literally chased it because we spent a little over two hours in Salagdoong Beach. Thanks to the deserted highways of the province and we made it to San Juan beach before sundown. That sunset on a Saturday was one of the clearest ones I’ve ever seen, clear means not so much cloud on the horizon.
Most backpacker hostels are located in San Juan beach and morning walks by the beach are usual episodes. Hammocks suspended on coconut trees by the beach in JJ’s Backpacker Village are chill spots while waiting for breakfast.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH (Siquijor)
Last destination we dropped by before heading back to Dumaguete is St. Francis of Assisi Church just a stone-throw away from Siqujor Port. In front of the church is the Triangular Landmark having the ‘Welcome to Siquijor’ sign. The church is made of stone and cruciform while the convent with stone rubble. A belfry is standing on a distance from the church which locals believed that it also served as a defensive structure, and a watchtower.
OTHER DESTINATIONS
As much as we wanted to squeeze all attractions on our itinerary, a weekend is really not enough to accommodate everything. If by chance you’ll be spending more days in Siquijor, other attractions include the following: nature parks like Bandilaan Mountain View Park, Guiwanon Spring Park, and Tulapos Marine Sanctuary; caves such as Cantilan Cave, Cangmatnog, Boljo, Canghunog-hunog, Tulawog, Canghaling, Bitaug, and Banahaw; waterfalls like Lugnason and Cangbangag Falls; and others such as Paradise Bay, St. Vincent De Ferrer Bell Tower, Kagusuan Beach, and Liloan Forest.
SIQUIJOR ITINERARY
DAY 1 730AM – 900AM Ferry from Dumaguete Port to Siquijor Port 900AM – 930AM Brunch near the port and rent a motorbike 930AM – 1000AM Travel to San Juan 1000AM – 1030AM Check-in JJ’s Backpacker Village 1030AM – 430PM START SIQUIJOR TOUR (travel time to + time spent) Capilay Spring Park (20 mins) Balete Tree (50 mins) San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent (35 mins) Cambugahay Falls (1 hour) Salagdoong Beach (2 hours 40 mins) Our Lady of Divine Providence (20 mins) 430PM – 600PM Sunset in San Juan Beach DAY 2 700AM – 800AM Chill by the beach 800AM – 900AM Breakfast 900AM – 1000AM Prepare to leave 1015AM – 1030AM Drop by St. Francis Assisi Church 1030AM – 1120AM Wait for ferry back to Dumaguete City 1120AM – 100PM Back in Dumaguete City
* This itinerary is just from Dumaguete City. Please adjust just in case you’re coming directly from Manila or from neighboring provinces like Cebu.
SAMPLE EXPENSES
* Sample expenses from Cebu City
ITEM Shared (3 Pax) Solo Bus Cebu City to Liloan Port 185 Ferry Liloan Port to Sibulan Port 62 Jeep Sibulan Port to Dumaguete 12 Montenegro Lines to Siquijor 130 Dumaguete Port Terminal Fee 15 Brunch 45 Motorbike rent + Gas 470 160 Falls + Salagdoong Parking 30 10 Tip Cambugahay Falls 100 35 Balete Entrance 5 Salagdoong Envi Fee 10 Salagdoong Entrance Fee 15 Lunch 180 Dinner 39 Breakfast 180 Accommodation 350 Ferry to Dumaguete 116 Jeep to Sibulan Port 12 Ferry to Liloan Port 62 Bus to Cebu City 185 TOTAL 1808
WHERE TO STAY
Coco Grove Beach Resort
Tubod, San Juan, Siquijor Island
Casa de la Playa Beach Resort
Sandugan Beach, Larena Siquijor
Toris Paradise
Dumanhog, Siquijor
Blue Wave Inn
Dumanhog, Siquijor
Lazi Beach Club
Lazi, Siquijor
Nathandrei Highlands Hotel
Pili, Siquijor
Princesa Bulakna Resort
Candaping B, Maria, Siquijor
The Danish Lagoon Luxury Beach Resort
H.C. Andersens Boulevard, Paliton, San Juan, Siquijor
Kalachuchi Beach Resort
Bitaug, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor
Inn The Shade
Solangon, San Juan, Siquijor
Toris Backpackers Paradise
Maite, San Juan, Siquijor Island
** All photos of the accommodations above were taken from Agoda.com.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Manila
Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines have daily flights to Dumaguete City. Alternate airport is via Mactan Cebu. Get out of the airport and wait for jeepneys bound to Dumaguete City. Take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port, near the boulevard. Fast crafts and ships are plying the Dumaguete to Siquijor route, daily.
From Cebu
From Mactan International Airport, make your way to South Bus Terminal and take a bus bound to Liloan, Santander, travel time is about 3-4 hours. Buses bound to Bato also drop passengers in Liloan Port, just ask the bus crews. From Liloan Port, take a 20-minute ferry ride to Sibulan Port where you can ride jeepneys bound to Dumaguete City. Take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port, near the boulevard. Fast crafts and ships are plying the Dumaguete to Siquijor route, daily.
HOW TO EXPLORE THE ISLAND
There are different ways to explore Siquijor. You can either rent a motorbike, hire a tricycle or multicab for your stay. Renting a motorbike for 24-hours will save you fare rides from San Juan to Siquijor as the tricycle and multicab will only last for 8-hour tour. For motorbike rent, you can contact BRAAAP ISLAND TOURS near the port for rentals. Contact Jorich at 0917-954-4960.
I have one important question.i’ll be in oslob and after that i plan to go to siquijor for 2 nights and then go to palawan. My problem is to go back to cebu city to take the plane. We have a plane at 10:55am. I have tried to search the schedule of the bus from liloan port to cebu city and i didn’t find it. Can you tell me the best way to go to cebu city from liloan port and the bus schedule from there? There is other ways to go to cebu city(airport) from siquijor island ? Thank you
Not sure with the bus schedule from Liloan Port back to Cebu City. I think it’s better for you to be back in Cebu City the night (or day) before your flight to Palawan. It’s too risky to travel in the morning to catch your 10:55AM flight.