Mystic Island of Siquijor
- Maya del Aire
- Feb 4, 2019
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 15, 2019
This itinerary is day five of your ultimate 8 day trip that starts in Cebu old city. This itinerary includes: Cebu city, Bohol Island, Siquijor island, Apo island, Oslob whale shark watching and Kawasan falls canyoneering. This particular post will give you an idea of what you should not miss to see and do in Siquijor island, and give you important tips and tricks you need to know before you go. The day itinerary includes all relevant information that you need to have a smooth vacation, so just get ready and follow my lead.
Click below to to check out the rest of your 8 day itinerary in the Philippines
Day 5 Mystic Island of Siquijor
About
Siquijor island also know as Mystical island, is less than two hours boat ride away from Dumaguete. And it was one of my favorite spot during my trip in the Philippines. The island is very well maintained; beaches are clean, roads are pretty good, even their tricycles seem to be in better conditions than in the other islands around. This island is popular among international tourists; however, because of its long reputation about witches and their spell, not many locals go there for a visit. I chose not to believe in any of the voodoo stories but rather to enjoy its beauty; white sand beaches, turquoise serene waters, fun waterfalls, outdoor fish spa and much more. The island has a lot to offer so if you have more time, I promise you won’t regret if you decide to spend more than a day there.
#siquijorisland #discoverphilippines #mysticalislandsiquijor #dicovercebu #bestbeachinthehilippines #travelphilippines #visitphilippines #visitphilippinesisland
How to get there?
Siquijor Island doesn't have an airport, therefore the only way to get there will be on a boat.
From Dumaguete
There are many companies that offer a boat ride till Siquijor island. Make sure you visit the port the day before and inform yourself about the tickets fares, and schedules because they might change. I was able to reserve seat the day before, however I was able to purchase my ticket only when I arrived at the port, two hours before departure as suggested by the agent. Ticket from Dumaguete on March 2018 was 400php return, which is 10$.
From Cebu
There are many companies serving this route. Just check the schedule that suits you and hop on the boat. The ride will take one hour with a fast ferry.
From Tagbilaran-Bohol island
Many companies that take off from Cebu city, make a stop at Tagbilaran and continue to Siquijor, therefore there will be plenty of options or you to choose when departing from Bohol Island as well.
#howtoreachsiquijor #howtoreachsiquijorfromdumaguete #howtoreachsiquijorfromcebu #howtoreachsiquijorfrombohol
How to explore Siquijor island?
If you feel comfortable riding a bike, that would be the cheapest and the most convenient option to explore the island. The island is quite small and you can easily find your way in and out. In case you are not comfortable with a bike, take a tricycle. The tour cost me 700 php which was less than 20 dollars, for both of us for whole day. I have found my contact on tripadvisor. These guys are pretty much just your drivers, not really your tour guides, and they don’t have stories to share, but the beauty of the island makes up for itself. If you’d like to have the same experience, simply text this number bellow.
Kuya Jun +639059500638
Travel tips and tricks***
If you are visiting only for a day, you have to make sure to arrive early. We have arrived at 10:30 am however in order to see all the places until the last ferry departed, we had to rush a bit.
Also, arrive on time to the port for your trip back home, it is very hard to find any transport at the port after sunset.
What you should not miss in Siquijor island?
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=108wM5kxXFhzu6L0FBT3jwg9sCB1EbIDk
Paliton beach
If you are taking a tour with tricycle, your first stop will be Paliton beach. Cute, little beach of approximately 150 m, with white powder sand, serene waters and few boats parked with a view to Negros and Apo island. This beach is great choice for relaxing, swimming and snorkeling for free. There is an area which is marked, if you cross you will have to pay 100 php ( 2.5 $) in order to snorkel there. The water can be very shallow, if there is a low tide, therefore it may be good for kids as well. It is not crowded which is another plus, so I can just suggest you to buy a coconut from local vendors there and enjoy the paradise as much as you can.
Century Old Enchanted Balete tree
400 year old fig tree, which is believed by locals to be enchanted, proudly stands 20 meter high. Its long branches and roots rising from the ground, adds to the magic appearance that it is already known for. For locals, this tree is known for faith healing rituals among others. For international tourist, it’s a great spot because of the spring that comes out of its base, and ends in a man-made pool fish-spa. For just 20 php, you can have your fish spa and great photo session.
#oldenchantedtreesiquijor #oldbaletetreesiquijor #44yearoldtreesiquijor #woodomagicsiquijor #fishspasiquijor #instagrampicsiquijor
Lazi Church Amphitheatre
Your next stop will be just a short break for a snack by the Lazi Convent, the oldest and biggest convent in the island, founded in 1884. There is a little museum as part of the convent that you can visit for a small fee; that showcases artifacts and antiques from beginning of 19th century. We have just enjoyed walked around there, and taking pictures of beautiful trees that perfectly complemented this beautiful area.
Cambugahay falls
These waterfalls are not just waterfalls; this spot is like a mini water park. Locals have a done a great job securing and organizing the area. The warm and refreshing water comes from natural springs making waterfalls, making little lagoons before it falls into Lazi Bay.
There are few places from which you can swing and throw yourself in the water. Those are man-made and always have a guide present, that will ask for a small fee to explain to you and let you jump of the swing. For lazy ones, you can discover the area behind and just swim with fresh water coming from the waterfalls.
There is a small fee at the entrance that you will have to pay for parking your vehicle, and also every time you would like to jump in this crystal water, those boys will ask 20php.
Address: Siquijor Circumferential Rd, Lazi, Siquijor, Philippines
Opening hours: daily 07:00-17:30
Salagdoong beach
This beach area is located northeast side of the island, and it is the most popular place visited by locals and tourists. The beach is part of government run Agripino resort that has couple of available rooms for you to have more comfort if you prefer. If you feel like spending just few hours there, there are some picnic tables if that’s your idea of a day well spent, if not there is a restaurant as well. Bare in mind that, service and the food are not the best there,and it gets very busy during the weekends.
The main reason that brings people here are two platforms that are located at the top of limestone rock in the middle of the beach, from where you can jump into crystal water. One is 7 and the other 10 meters high. It might not seem very high, and looking that inviting mesmerizing waters makes many people jump, however many people just stay watching like me :D.
Travel tips and tricks***
Make sure you discover all parts of this beautiful beach, as you go around the beach, further away from the platforms the colors of the waters will change, and you would not want to miss that.
Address: Brgy. Olang, Maria, Siquijor Entrance Fee: 75php per person
#salagdoongbeach #salagdoongbeachsiquijor #paradisebeachsiquijor #mustseeinsiquijor #jumpofthecliffsiquijor #turquoisewaterssiquijor
Guiwanon Spring park
This place is a mangrove preservation area managed by fisherman in cooperation with AD Bank. The park is actually just a long bridge made of wood and bamboo that stretches through high magic mangrove trees, that takes you to several cottages that can be rented for an overnight stay. Cottages are pretty simple with toilets, outside, therefore very cheap; you probably may find one for 350php per night. At the end of the bridge, there is a seminar hall that can be used for different kind of gatherings. When we were there, the place looked like a karaoke party to begin. There was a girl singing karaoke by herself, not really noticing we were there.
It will take you probably just 15 minutes to explore and take pictures. We have arrived there just for the sunset, so we were able to take some good shots.
Address: Brgy. Luyang, Siquijor, Siquijor Contact Number: (0926) 460-6010 Entrance Fee: 10php
#guwanonspringpark #bamboobridgesiquijor #mangrovesparksiquijor #woodencottagesiquijor #mustseesiquijor #mustvisitsiquijor
Just before you finish your tour, the guide will offer you to stop by the Siquijor big sign. The place where is located is really beautiful, it overlooks the sea, however when we reached there there was some construction going on so we couldn’t really take any shots.
What to bring?
-Anything that you will need for the beach you will need it for Siquijor, including bikini, towels, changing clothes, lot of sunscreen and some reef shoes that I would recommend to have for your Cambugahay falls visit.
-Bring some snacks, because the only place where you will stop for food will be Salagdoong beach, and that would be just your lunch.
-Bring cash, as this will mostly be your way of doing transactions.
More info http://www.mysiquijor.com/info.html
Best blog idea ever
Amazing post.Thanks for sharing it. Very helpful and informative.