SIQUIJOR TRAVEL GUIDE 2020 (Budget and Itinerary)

 The island of Siquijor is surrounded by the giants in the tourist go-to’s in Visayas which puts the province into the off-beaten travel destinations in the Philippines. What others do not know is that, this island is full of wonders and surprises which makes reality better than your expectations. It is blessed various unspoiled beaches, enchanting waterfalls and marvelous architectures that you would not want to miss in your life. With that, let this Siquijor travel guide give you something to look forward in this enchanting province!

The Captivating Charm of Siquijor

We were only about to visit Cebu when we heard how awesome Siquijor is. So, we decided to make it a Cebu-Siquijor trip. Personally, I have never thought that Siquijor is that of a stunner that I never wanted to leave. My mom warned me about it. She believed that Siquijor is a seat of witch craft of some sort. But then, I came home falsifying my mom’s beliefs. I told her how beautiful this province is and how I was accommodated by the people well.   The whole island is just so serene that is quite perfect for soul searching and relaxation because there are no waves nor surge of tourists coming in. In fact, during our visit, we’ve seen more foreigners than Filipinos.  

Places to Visit

There’s quite a lot to visit in this island that a day would not suffice to got these must-sees. Name it, Siquijor has it. From verdant hilltops and mountains, refreshing waterfalls, historical and pilgrimage sites to pristine beaches, Siquijor is definitely a paradise to travelers. This Siquijor Travel Guide, however, provides you only with the ones that you should visit shall you decide to spend a day in the province.

Driving from a point to another isn’t tiring at all because you’ll not be caught in any jams plus the view is just so fascinating! The ocean is just right beside the road which will make you stop randomly to admire its vastness that shimmers under the sun. If beaches are out of sight, the towering coconut trees will delight you.

The frequently visited in the province and not should be missed are as follows:

St. Francis de Asisi Church and Bell tower

I Love Siquijor Sign

Paliton Beach

Paliton Beach for me is the most peaceful beach I’ve been to in Siquijor. You can enjoy the cream white sand, calm waters and rows of coconut trees to yourselves. Also, it is also a jump off to those who would like to enjoy not just the rich marine life of the island. There are nearby resorts that can assist you with the activity. Diving without assistance from certified divers. 

Century Old Balete Tree

For only Php 10.00, you can enjoy the sight of the enormous century old balete tree and the fish spa at the man-made pond at the tree’s foot. There’s also a restaurant and souvenir shop adjacent to it.

Lazi Convent

Lazi Church

Cambugahay Falls

There are no entrance nor environmental fees in Cambugahay falls. You’ll just pay for the parking and Tarzan jump fee which cost Php 10.00 and Php 20.00 respectively. You can jump all you want with your Php 20.00.

There are also locals who would offer you their assistance and life vest. The life vest costs Php 100.00 each. In our case, we didn’t any of those. We just placed our bags within our sight plus we know how to swim.

Salagdoong Beach

If your are in search for thrill in pristine waters of Siquijor, Salagdoong beach is the one. It is in here where you can jump from 35-feet high diving board down to the clear sea waters. There is a life guard stationed at the diving board, though. There are cottages, rooms for rent, canteen and public washroom, too.

 You may also want to visit the Broomstick Challenge which you’ll pass by when going to Lazi Church from the Century Old Balete Tree.

Getting to, Around and Away

There are no direct flights to Siquijor. Thus, in traveling to the island, one has to take ferries and fast crafts from the other provinces. If you’re coming from Manila, you need to book a flight to Cebu or Dumaguete City.  

From Cebu to Siquijor

1. At Cebu City, take a bus from South Bus Terminal bound for Bato-Oslob. Fare is around Php 200.00.
2. Alight at Liloan Port. Pay the Php 20.00 terminal fee upon arrival.  
3. Then, take the Ferry to Larena, Siquijor. Take note that Maayo Shipping Line sails to Cebu v.v. Larena, Siquijor twice a day at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

From Dumaguete City

1. From the Airport or Sibulan Pier (if you’re coming from Cebu and traveling to Siquijor via Dumaguete City), take a jeep to Dumaguete City. Siquijor is actually more accessible from Dumaguete City than Cebu. Further, if you decide to go to Siquijor earlier, you can enroute to the province from Cebu via Dumaguete City
2. Take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port.
3. From the port, take a ferry to Siquijor. As early as 5:45 AM, there are shipping lines that sail directly to Siquijor for around 2 hours. Montenegro and GL Shipping Lines have daily trips to Siquijor as early as 5:45 AM and 7:00 AM for around Php 160.00 and Php 25.00 terminal fee. Discounts are also given to students and Senior Citizens with ID. Take note that you need to reserve tickets when sailing on weekends.

Getting Around Siquijor

You have choices as regards the Siquijor Island Tour. You can join organized tours, get a private tour guide or roam on your own as long as you have your driver license with you. Upon your arrival at the port, you’d see locals waiting on tourists who would like to go around the island at a price. There are also commercial spaces in which you’ll find vehicles for rent with and without tour guides. One of the best ways for me to go around is through renting and driving a motorbike on  your own. You may want to reserve one prior to your trip. We availed a motorbike from Siquijor Island Motorbike for Rent and Tourguide (greenmonkeybikerental).

Rental Rates

You may contact Kuya Jorich at +63 917 9544 960.

Their rates are as follows:
1. Motorbike (self-drive for 24 hours) – Php 400.00        
1. Van driver and gas (8-hour tour) – Php 3,000.00
2. Self-drive car (24 hours) – Php 2,500.00
3. Tricycle – Php 1,200.00
4. Motorbike with driver (coastal and mountain tour) – Php 800.00
5. Multicab (8-hour tour) – Php 1,000.00

Going around isn’t hard as it seems that you can actually do it yourself even if it’s your first time in the island. Kuya Jorich provided us with a map dotted with the must-see places in Siquijor. Getting lost isn’t a problem at all as well. You can always ask the locals along the road for directions and they’ll be glad to help you with it.

Getting Away

Our itinerary started with Siquijor, Siquijor going to Larena. If you are to follow the same and would like to leave the island on the same day (WHICH YOU’LL SURELY REGRET JUST LIKE US), make sure you’ll arrive at Larena Port on or before 5:00 PM since it is the last trip going to Cebu via Maayo Shipping Lines. If you are Dumaguete City bound, make sure you’ll make it on or before 4:00pm as it is also the last trip going there. You need not to worry about the motorbike, though. If you are to rent from Green Monkey Bike Rental, they’ll just ask you to drop it off Sea Breeze Lodge which is just in front of Larena Port.  

Siquijor Day Tour Itinerary

FROM SOUTH CEBU

4:45am – ferry from Liloan Port, Santander to Sibulan Port (Dumaguete)
5:20am – ETA Sibulan port/ jeep to Dumaguete Port going to Siquijor
5:40am – ETA Dumaguete port to Siquijor

FROM DUMAGUETE PORT

5:45am – ETD to Siquijor
7:30am – ETA Siquijor, Siquijor/ breakfast
8:30am – start tour
8:40am – St. Francis De Asisi Church
9:00am – Paliton Beach
10:30am – Casilay Spring Park
10:45am – Century Old Balete Tree
11:30am – Lazi Church/ Convent
12:00pm – Cambugahay Falls
2:30pm – Salagdoong Beach
4:00pm – wash up
4:30pm – ETD to Larena Port
4:50pm – ETA Port
5:00pm – ETD to Cebu
7:30pm – ETA Cebu

Sample Siquijor Day Tour Budget

Fast craft fare – Php 40.00
Terminal Fee (Liloan Port) – Php 15.00
Ferry fare (Dumaguete to Siquijor-GL Shipping) – Php 160.00
Terminal Fee (Dumaguete Port) – Php 30.00
Breakfast – Php 70.00
Motorbike rent – Php 400.00/day
Gasoline – Php 110.00
Century Old Balete Tree entrance fee – Php 10.00
Cambugahay Falls – Php 20.00 (for he Tarzan swing)
Lunch – Php 100.00
Salagdoong Beach Entrance Fee – Php 25.00
Ferry (Larena Port to Liloan Port) – Php 200.00
Terminal Fee – Php 17.00
TOTAL – Php 1,182.00

If you are to share the motorbike with someone, budget could be lessen up to Php 927.00. This Siquijor Travel Guide only provides you with the budget and itinerary for a day with the destinations squeezed in. Yet doable, it is still better to explore the island for more than a day.

Where to Stay

                       Coco Grove Beach Resort 

Replica Manor

A Short Note

This Siquijor Travel Guide provides you only with somewhat like an overview of what truly the province has. Maybe after ages when a lot of people discover about this, Siquijor will finally meet its popularity. By that time, I hope all of us, travelers or tourists, will become aware of what might happen if its wonders wouldn’t be taken care of. They’re not made for selfies and pictorials, in the first place, but to be stewarded. Let’s be responsible enough to take care of what the island has for the nature cannot protect itself. Further, its retaliation is worse than what we could imagine and of course, we would not want that. It’s not only the duty of the locals to take care of it but everyone who visits it. In that case, generations after generations could still enjoy what we have witnessed.