Siquijor Travel Guide
In this Siquijor Travel Guide, we’ll guide you through one of the most special islands in the Philippines. A thousand and one legends have been told about it, ranging from magical trees and witches to mysterious caves. Here you’ll find explanations for some of these stories, as well as articles devoted entirely to some of the questions that probably brought you to this Siquijor Travel Guide: How do you get there? Where should you stay? And, of course, what should you do in Siquijor? Each of these mini-guides, created by and for independent travelers, will help you enjoy this beautiful corner of the archipelago. And if you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us anything you’d like to know.
But be warned: there’s something about Siquijor that draws you in. Despite not being as trendy as Siargao or appearing on the usual rankings that tend to feature El Nido, this Philippine island touches you deeply and stays with you forever. The island’s “loop” road makes it incredibly easy to explore independently by motorbike, with countless adventures to suit every taste. Charming beaches, spectacular snorkeling, caves to explore, waterfalls you’ll fall in love with, and even historical sites that are unique in all of Asia. You’ll find all this and much more in this Siquijor Travel Guide, but if you decide to venture into the island’s heart along its roads, you may even get to meet the renowned hilots.
WHAT TO DO IN SIQUIJOR
This Siquijor Travel Guide will show you that there is much more to do than you probably thought. No, it isn’t one of those Philippine islands where you can go island hopping, but instead, you’ll have a wide range of experiences at your fingertips that will fill your trip with unforgettable moments.
- Old Enchanted Balete Tree: The “centuries-old enchanted tree” is a classic stop when visiting Siquijor. It is incredibly easy to reach, as it sits right beside the road, and the fact that it is more than 400 years old has given rise to all kinds of beliefs. Whether they are true or not, it is a place worth seeing, and you can also dip your feet in the water and “enjoy” a natural fish spa, with the fish nibbling at your feet.
- Cambugahay Falls: A visit to Cambugahay Falls is one of the most sought-after experiences and photo opportunities in Siquijor. Its three tiers of waterfalls and natural pools guarantee an idyllic setting, with turquoise waters surrounded by palm trees. For those looking for more excitement, there are several places to jump from and ropes you can use to swing into the water Tarzan-style.
- Cantabon Caves: Want to discover the depths of Siquijor? Cantabon Caves form a network stretching almost one kilometer, where you’ll see stalagmites, stalactites, and unusual rock formations. Just remember to bring a swimsuit and suitable footwear, because there is no escaping getting soaked.
- Siquijor beaches: There are many beaches worth visiting: Compass Beach, Secret Beach, Paliton Beach… But if you’re looking for the beach famous for cliff jumping, you’ll need to head to Salagdoong Beach.
There is so much more to do in Siquijor! Visit the oldest convent in all of Asia, be amazed by its snorkeling spots, visit Filipina healers, or discover other unique waterfalls, for example. Click here for all the details:
SIQUIJOR BEST BEACHES
You may have heard about Siquijor’s waterfalls, its caves, its mystical magic, and its hilots. You may even have heard how wonderful it is to explore Siquijor from top to bottom by motorbike, entirely at your own pace. But what about the beaches? Some people will tell you that Siquijor’s beaches aren’t worth it, but they probably haven’t looked much beyond what’s within a stone’s throw of their hotel.
In this section of the Siquijor Travel Guide, we tell you about the best beaches in Siquijor. There are beaches of every kind! Beaches that are perfect for watching the sunset, beaches with crystal-clear water, beaches that hardly anyone visits, where you can have the whole place to yourself, beaches popular with tourists… even beaches where you can jump from a huge diving board.
We show you all of them here:
DAY TRIP TO APO ISLAND FROM SIQUIJOR
Apo Island is another of the Philippines’ treasures, both for scuba diving enthusiasts and for those who prefer snorkeling. The reason? In addition to a beautiful and diverse underwater world, it is home to a large colony of turtles that can easily be seen even from the shore.
If you have time and love the underwater world as much as we do, we recommend traveling there from Dumaguete/Malatapay and spending the night on the island. But if you don’t have many days to spare on your Philippines itinerary, you can visit Apo Island on a day trip from Siquijor. You’ll find all the details here:
HOW TO GET TO SIQUIJOR
One of the reasons many travelers include this island in their Philippines itinerary is just how easy it is to get there. One of the most common ways to get there is to take the ferry that leaves Cebu several times a day and, after making a quick stop in Bohol, continues on to Siquijor. And that’s not all: since 2026, there have been several flights a week from Cebu to Siquijor’s small airport at great prices.
If you’re near Dumaguete, it will be much quicker, more convenient, and cheaper to take one of the direct ferries that leave from there and reach the island in less than an hour.
Whether you’re taking one of these two routes or planning to get to Siquijor from Manila, Bohol, or Moalboal, you’ll find the entire journey, prices, and schedules explained in detail here:
WHERE TO STAY IN SIQUIJOR
If you’re looking for accommodations, you’re probably wondering: what is the best area to stay in Siquijor? There are several different areas on the island, each with its own characteristics and advantages. San Juan tends to attract the most travelers. Even so, you may want to take a look at other areas such as Solangon or Larena.
So you don’t get lost among thousands of options, we’ve created the following Siquijor accommodation guide, where you’ll find a description of each area and our recommendations for each area:
WHERE TO EAT IN SIQUIJOR
In this section of the Siquijor Travel Guide, we give you all the details so you don’t miss the best places to eat.
TIPS FOR VISITING SIQUIJOR
- Getting around Siquijor: The most convenient way to explore Siquijor is by riding your own motorbike. If you rent one for 3 days or more, you can rent one for as little as 300 pesos/day. If you don’t ride a motorbike, you can negotiate with a tricycle driver to take you to the places you’re most interested in seeing for approximately 1,000 pesos per day.
- How many days: We recommend spending 3 full days on Siquijor Island so you can enjoy its beaches, caves, waterfalls, and everything else it has to offer at a relaxed pace.
- Health: We can’t say this often enough, especially after being hospitalized in Manila for 3 weeks: travel insurance is your best ally in the Philippines. Here you can find all the information about the travel insurance we recommend and get 5% off your own policy. Siquijor has a very basic hospital. For anything serious, you’re better off being transferred to Dumaguete or, better yet, Cebu City or Manila.
- When to go: December through May is an ideal time to visit Siquijor. That said, you can visit at any time of year.