DIY Itinerary and Travel Guide: Siquijor on a Weekend

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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.

Without any potion, get ready to fall in love with Siquijor.

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.

New found friends. Photo taken in a man-made Molave forest along the way to Salagdoong Beach.

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.

Sunday morning chill in JJ’s Backpacker Village.

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.

San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent in Lazi, Siquijor.

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.

St. Francis of Assisi Church.

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.

Souvenirs: Voodoo dolls and love potions.

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.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. 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.

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