Lazi at a Glance
Costs: Budget travel: $30-60 USD/day - inexpensive island living with modest resorts and local eateries.
Safety: Mostly safe and relaxed - generally safe; standard island precautions for water activities and petty theft.
Best Time: March-May (dry season) - dry season gives calm seas for island-hopping and waterfalls.
Why Visit Lazi?
Lazi is known for its colonial-era San Isidro Labrador church and the adjoining centuries-old convent, a must-see for history and architecture fans on Siquijor. Nearby natural attractions like Cambugahay Falls and palm-fringed beaches provide the island leisure side, while local folk-healing traditions and small community festivals offer insight into Siquijor’s cultural reputation. It’s a mellow base for combining heritage sites with waterfalls, snorkeling and laid-back island life.
Best Things to Do in Lazi
Island
Apo Island
Small marine sanctuary noted for sea turtle snorkeling
Beach
Alona Beach
White-sand beach on Panglao Island, Bohol province
Historical Site
Cantabon
Philippine village and rural locality
Lazi Bucket List
Don't Miss
Lazi Church and Convent - Visit the 19th-century Lazi Church and convent complex, a notable colonial-era landmark.
Cantabon Cave - Explore Cantabon Cave’s limestone passages and small pools with a local guide.
Mount Bandilaan National Park - Hike Mount Bandilaan for forest trails, lookout points, and endemic flora.
Hidden Gems
Capilay Spring Park - Relax at Capilay Spring Park’s freshwater pools used by locals for cooling and gathering.
Salagdoong Beach - Jump from Salagdoong’s rocky platforms, swim clear waters, and sunbathe on small beaches.
Local craft stalls - Browse stalls near the convent for woven goods, shell jewelry, and carved souvenirs.
Day Trips
Cambugahay Falls - Make a short day trip to Cambugahay Falls for cascades, rope swings, and cool pools.
Dumaguete and Apo Island snorkeling - Take a boat to Apo Island from Dumaguete for excellent snorkeling and turtles.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Lazi
Lazi on Siquijor is best in the dry season (November-April) for beaches, diving and boat trips. The rainy/typhoon season brings lush scenery but higher risk of disruptions.
Dry Season
Sunny days, lower humidity and calm seas make island beaches and diving ideal - expect plenty of sunshine and easier boat trips.
Rainy Season
Frequent afternoon storms and higher humidity; some days are rough for boating, but waterfalls and greenery are at their best.
Typhoon Season
Elevated risk of storms and travel disruptions; plan flexibility and watch forecasts if visiting during peak typhoon months.
Lazi's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1443 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 104 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| February | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 30° | 66 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 1.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Very Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 57 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 25° - 33° | 34° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.5 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Good | 25° - 33° | 34° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
| June | Good | 25° - 32° | 33° | 133 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.5h |
| July | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 119 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| August | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 110 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.3h |
| September | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 141 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 31° | 221 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 209 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| December | Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 145 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.5h |
How to Get to Lazi
Lazi is a municipality on Siquijor Island best reached by ferry from Dumaguete (Sibulan) or by inter-island connections from Cebu/Tagbilaran. After arriving at the island ports, local tricycles, motorbike taxis and rented scooters are the practical ways to reach Lazi and its attractions.
Dumaguete (Sibulan) Airport (DGT) / Dumaguete City: Dumaguete (Sibulan) is a common air gateway for Siquijor Island. From Dumaguete port, ferries run to Siquijor Island (Larena or Siquijor town) and the crossing takes about 1-1.5 hours; ferry fares are typically in the 150-300 PHP range.
Cebu (Mactan-Cebu International Airport, CEB): Some visitors arrive via Cebu and take a ferry through Tagbilaran or through Dumaguete - travel times are longer but connections exist via seaports and occasional roll‑on/roll‑off services.
Ferry / Boat: Regular ferries and fastcraft operate between Dumaguete (Sibulan) and Larena or Siquijor port; travel time is commonly 1-1.5 hours for conventional ferries and 45-75 minutes for fastcraft. From Siquijor ports take a tricycle or habal‑habal (motorbike taxi) to Lazi (roughly 20-40 minutes depending on landing point).
Land Transport: On Siquijor Island the main public transport is tricycles and habal‑habal; there are limited jeepney routes and private rental scooters/ATVs are the most flexible local option.
How to Get Around Lazi
Most visitors reach Lazi by ferry from Dumaguete after flying into Dumaguete or Cebu. Once on Siquijor, renting a scooter or using tricycles/habal‑habal is the most practical way to explore; local buses exist but are infrequent.
- Ferry (Dumaguete ↔ Siquijor) (~150-300 PHP) - Ferries and fastcraft run regularly between Dumaguete (Sibulan) and Siquijor (Larena/Siquijor town). Conventional ferries take about 1-1.5 hours; fastcraft are quicker but more affected by sea conditions. Book ahead during holiday seasons.
- Plane to Dumaguete + Ferry (Moderate (flight + ferry)) - Fly into Dumaguete (Sibulan) and transfer to the port for the ferry to Siquijor. This is a common and straightforward route for international visitors connecting through Cebu or Manila; schedule ferry times to match flight arrivals to avoid overnight waits.
- Scooter / Motorbike Rental (Low-Moderate (daily rental)) - Renting a scooter or motorbike is the most popular way to get around Siquijor and reach Lazi’s beaches, waterfalls and heritage sites. Roads are generally quiet but some stretches are rough; drive cautiously and wear a helmet.
- Tricycle / Habal‑Habal (Low) - Tricycles and motorcycle taxis (habal‑habal) are widely used for short trips on Siquijor. They are inexpensive and convenient for airport/port transfers and short sightseeing trips - always agree the fare before starting.
- Local Jeepney / Minibus (Low) - Limited jeepney and minibus services operate between main towns on Siquijor for very low fares. They are slower and less frequent than private hires but cheapest for reaching neighbouring villages.
- Walking - Lazi’s town centre and nearby heritage sites (such as Convent and church areas) are pleasant to explore on foot; however attractions like beaches or waterfalls usually require a short ride.
Where to Stay in Lazi
Budget
Town centre / near Lazi Church - PHP600-1500/night
Lazi is rural with modest guesthouses and homestays. Budget stays are basic but close to heritage sites and beaches.
Lazi guesthouses and homestays (Booking) - Small homestays by the church.
Budget inns on Siquijor Island - Simple, local accommodation options.
Mid-Range
Coastal areas / San Juan - PHP1500-3500/night
Several comfortable resorts and boutique guesthouses across Siquijor offer sea views and better facilities; book ahead in high season.
Baja Siquijor Beach Resort (regional) - Comfortable beachfront rooms and amenities.
Mid-range resorts on Siquijor Island - Good balance of comfort and value.
Luxury
Beachfront / San Juan area - PHP4000+/night
No large international luxury chains in Lazi itself; luxury options come from boutique beachfront resorts and private villas on the island.
Luxury resorts on Siquijor (selected listings) - Upscale beachfront villas and amenities.
Private villas and high-end rentals - Secluded villas for groups.
Where to Eat in Lazi
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Lazi’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Lazi
Nightlife in Lazi is quiet and family-oriented. Evenings consist mainly of simple eateries, small bars and occasional community events rather than a bustling late-night scene. Resort areas nearby may offer more evening entertainment for visitors.
Shopping in Lazi
Shopping is focused on local needs: markets, sari-sari stores and small stalls sell food, basic goods and locally produced crafts. Look for shell jewelry, woven items and small souvenirs in town. For a wider variety of shops and products, larger towns or tourist resorts are the place to go.
