TOP 7 Things to Do in Siquijor Philippines – Travel Guide 2024

There is a unique magic to the island of Siquijor. It’s small and isolated, but not too hard to get to. There’s one road that goes around the whole island, and you can drive it in a day (on a motor-bike of course). The people are very friendly. You always feel safe. And there are a TON of things to do in Siquijor.

While the more touristy islands of Siargao, El Nido, and Coron are bringing in LOADS of tourists from all around the world, Siquijor is the perfect, calm alternative to these other islands. We would say Siquijor and Bohol are where we experienced the most authentic Philippines. (we highly recommend both of them!)

We hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Siquijor!

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­ Things to Book NOW for Siquijor πŸ‘‡

Sitting on the beach on a towel in the sand with trees in the background
siquijor philippines sunset on beach

Table of Contents

Top 7 Things to Do in Siquijor

The island of Siquijor is known for witchcraft and faith healing. There are a lot of Filipinos who will not come here because of this.

For example, when we told Kelsey’s mom (who is Filipina) that we were going to Siquijor, she gasped and said “Oh no, aren’t there brujas (witches) there????!!!”

We realized that many Filipinos from other parts of the country misunderstand the nature and magic of the place. Many things to do on this island have roots in witchcraft and healing, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Here are our top things to do in Siquor Philippines.

🌴 Book the best Siquijor tours HERE ⬅️

1 – Cambugahay Falls

This is the main tourist spot on the island, and there are TONS of locals who will try to be your guide for a small fee. Be prepared to be mobbed when you pull up in on your motorbike! The guides will want to show you the falls, take pictures as you jump off the platform, watch your stuff, etc.

➑️ Read: The Perfect 2 Week Philippines Itinerary ⛴️

siquijor philippines
cambugahay falls

#2 – Paliton Beach

Paliton Beach is a beautiful beach to watch the sunset with the locals after a long day exploring the island. There’s a good mix of locals and tourists here which makes it pretty enjoyable. There are multiple spots get a drink and appreciate the amazing sunset!

➑️ Read: Top 11 Philippines Travel Tips πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­

things to do in siquijor

#3 – Lugnason Falls

A beautiful waterfall that’s a bit off the beaten path. This one does not get very crowded, and you will need to get a local guide upon arrival to guide you around the falls, take pictures, etc. The local Filipinos have done a good job at monetizing their natural attractions here on the island. (depending on how you view this)

The fee isn’t that much so we highly recommend you come here on your trip around the island!

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­ Travel Insurance πŸ’Œ

Don’t forget Travel Insurance for your trip. Safety Wing covers emergency medical, dental, trip interruption, lost luggage, and more.

Check out Safety Wing here. ⬅️

siquijor philippines waterfall pic

#4 – Visit the Enchanted Balete Tree

You will pass this tree on your way to the famous attractions on the island, so make sure you stop! There is a man made pool at the bottom where you can receive some free toe cleaning from the fish doctors in the pond.

The large Balete tree is also breath-taking to see up close. We bought a fresh coconut here and enjoyed it before continuing on our road trip around the island!

➑️ Read: The BEST Things to Do in BOHOL πŸ™‰

siquijor philippines fish cleaning feet
siquijor philippines oldest tree

#5 – Salagdoong Cliff Jump

On your trip around the island you will pass by Salagdoon Beach Resort. The cliff jump is on top of a rock with a height of 10 meters. When we were here the cliff jump was closed because the water was too shallow. If you want to be able to jump you need to be here during high tide. 

It did not look that impressive when we came, but we have heard and seen online in videos that it does look quite amazing when the water level is higher!

➑️ Read: Things to Do in EL NIDO 🏝️

siquijor philippines beach cliffjump

#6 – Quisol Mountain View

This is one of the best viewpoints that overlooks the whole island. You can even see Cebu, Negros, and Bohol from here! This is not a crowded tourist spot and is such a breath of fresh air. Look for the sign that says β€˜Quesol Mountain View’ on your way to the butterfly park.

πŸ›Œ Here are all your hotel options in Siquijor

#7 – Apo Island Boat Tour

Apo Island is a picturesque gem about an hour boat ride from Siquijor, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant marine life. Located off the southeastern tip of Negros Oriental, this small volcanic island is a popular destination for eco-tourism and underwater enthusiasts.

We did a day trip to Apo Island from Siquijor and it was a great experience! We snorkeled and got to see sea turtles swimming in the ocean alongside us.

Apo Island does not compare to island hopping in Coron or El Nido, but it’s not a bad option for something to do when you come to Siquijor!

πŸ›³οΈ Checkout the best island-hopping tours in El NIDO HERE! πŸ‘ˆ

siquijor philippines apo island sam
siquijor philippines boat trip ocean

Where to Stay in Siquijor

Most people stay in the Western part of the island near the port. Since you will need a motorbike when you come to Siquijor, as long as you are somewhere near the port it won’t matter too much where you stay! The most popular hostel in Siquijor is easily Fable Hostel , which has amazing reviews online.

🏨 Checkout all your options in SIQUIJOR here! πŸ‘ˆ

How to Get Around in Siquijor Philippines

You are going to want to rent a motorbike. It is not a crowded island, and you are going to be in places where there are not a lot of people. Motor bike is really the only option, unless you want to do an organized tour with a company on the whole island. The beauty of Siquijor is getting lost on your own, and exploring this remote, safe island. (Siquijor is actually where I learned to drive a motorbike for the first time. The calm roads make it a great place to learn!)

When you first arrive at the port on the island, take a tricycle to where you are staying. Then you can probably rent a motorbike from your hotel / hostel. If not, they will surely know where you can find one!

siquijor philippines rice paddy kelsey
There are rice paddies like this all over the island!

How to get to Siquijor

There are no flights to Siquijor. It is best to take a ferry from Dumaguete (40 min) or Bohol (90 min). Both of these are easy to reach by plane. We were in Moalboal in Cebu before coming here, so we had to take a ferry from the bottom of Cebu (Lilo) to Dumaguete, then another ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor. Make sure you time them right otherwise you might end up getting stuck in Dumaguete for a night. (Dumaguete is a decently-sized, modern, Filipino city)

πŸ›³οΈ Ferry from Bohol to Siquijor ($17)

⛴️ Ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor ($6.89)

**We HIGHLY recommend booking these ferries in advance. We did not do this, and the ferry was sold out when we got to the ticket office, so we had to wait for hours for the next ferry.

πŸ’‘ TIP: In our 3 Week Philippines Itinerary, we recommend you go from Cebu to Bohol to Siquijor and back to Cebu. (this area is a bit complicated to plan because of all the ferries!) ⛴️

Summary – Things to Do in Siquijor

Siquijor is a wonderful, small, authentic island to visit when you come to The Philippines. We highly recommend you visit this place. We really liked how much quieter Siquijor was in comparison to Siargao, Coron, and El Nido. It really felt like a breath of fresh air, and an authentic look into Filipino culture on a small and beautiful island!

πŸ‘‰ Make sure to checkout out our 2 Week and 3 Week Philippines Itineraries! Also, our guide to visiting Bohol!

Enjoy Siquijor! πŸ›΅

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