SiquijorSiquijor at a Glance
Costs: Very affordable island travel - budget traveler: $20-$40; comfortable stays $40-$80.
Safety: Mostly safe but basic services - generally safe; watch for petty theft and drive carefully on rural roads.
Best Time: November-April - dry season offers calm seas and best diving conditions.
Why Visit Siquijor?
Island life on Siquijor blends white-sand beaches with old healing traditions and easygoing island culture. Paliton Beach and Cambugahay Falls are show-stopping natural draws, while village rituals and folk healers in Lazi offer a rare glimpse into local spiritual practices. Expect fresh seafood, laid-back guesthouses and island-hopping that pairs snorkeling on coral reefs with evenings listening to local stories.
Best Things to Do in Siquijor
Island
Apo Island
Small marine sanctuary noted for sea turtle snorkeling
Mountain
Mount Talinis
Volcanic mountain complex on Negros, popular hiking area
Lake
Lake Balinsasayao
Twin crater lakes in Negros Oriental's forested caldera
Beach
Alona Beach
White-sand beach on Panglao Island, Bohol province
Reservation
Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park
Protected area with twin crater lakes on Negros
Historical Site
Cantabon
Philippine village and rural locality
Siquijor Bucket List
Don't Miss
Cambugahay Falls - Multi-tiered waterfalls with rope swings and turquoise pools ideal for cooling off.
Salagdoong Beach - Cliff-jumping platforms, clear water and shaded picnic spots on Siquijor’s east coast.
Lazi Convent and Belfry - 19th-century stone convent and distinctive bell tower near Lazi town, history-rich complex.
Capilay Spring Park - Cool freshwater springs surrounded by banyan trees, popular local swimming and relaxation spot.
Hidden Gems
Century-old Balete Tree (Lazi) - Ancient balete tree with small fish spa and shaded wooden viewing platform nearby.
Tulapos Marine Sanctuary - Protected bay with seagrass beds and quiet snorkeling close to Siquijor town.
Cantabon Cave - Limestone cave complex with guided tours, dramatic stalactites and underground pools.
Day Trips
Apo Island - World-class snorkeling and sea turtle encounters, reachable via short boat trip.
Dumaguete City - Bustling university city with Rizal Boulevard, easy ferry connections to Siquijor and Apo.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Siquijor
Best visited in the dry season (roughly November-April) for sun, diving and snorkeling. The rainy/typhoon months (June-October) bring heavy rains and choppier seas; plan accordingly.
Amihan (Northeast Monsoon)
Cooler, drier, and cloudier than peak heat; excellent for diving, island hopping and quiet beaches without oppressive midday heat or heavy rain.
Hot Dry Season
Hottest, sunniest weeks with low rainfall; beaches buzz but afternoons can be stifling - best for early-morning snorkeling and late-afternoon beach time.
Rainy Season (Habagat)
Frequent heavy rains, rough seas and occasional typhoons; many dive operators suspend trips and island-hopping becomes less reliable for safety.
Siquijor'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 (1325 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 95 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| February | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 1.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Very Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.3 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 25° - 33° | 34° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.0 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Good | 25° - 33° | 34° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
| June | Good | 25° - 32° | 33° | 120 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.5h |
| July | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 110 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| August | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 105 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.3h |
| September | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 134 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 31° | 203 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 188 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| December | Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 128 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.5h |
How to Get to Siquijor
Siquijor island is reached almost entirely by ferry from Dumaguete (Sibulan) or Tagbilaran; a small local airport handles limited domestic flights. Ferries are frequent and the most reliable way to arrive from Negros or Bohol.
Siquijor Airport (SJI): A small regional airport on Siquijor island with limited domestic flights; schedules vary seasonally. If you land here, taxis or tricycle transfers take 10-30 minutes to main towns - fares typically PHP 50-300 depending on distance.
Dumaguete (Sibulan) Airport (DGT) / Tagbilaran (Bohol) (TAG): Many visitors fly into Dumaguete (near Sibulan) or Tagbilaran and continue by ferry. From Dumaguete/Sibulan it’s a 20-40 minute drive to the Sibulan ferry terminal; transfers by tricycle/taxi cost ~PHP 50-300.
Train: There is no rail service to Siquijor - the island is accessed by ferry.
Bus / Ferry: Ferries are the main route to Siquijor. Regular ferry operators (OceanJet, Weesam Express, and local ferries) run routes from Dumaguete (Sibulan) and Tagbilaran; crossing times are typically 45-90 minutes and fares commonly PHP 150-400 for fast ferries. From Larena and Siquijor ports local tricycles handle island transfers (PHP 50-200, 10-40 min).
How to Get Around Siquijor
Ferries are the practical standard for arriving to and moving between islands; on Siquijor itself, motorbikes and tricycles are the most useful ways to get around. Rent a bike for freedom, use trikes for short hops, and expect limited public bus services.
- Ferries (OceanJet/Weesam/Local) (PHP 150-400) - Fast ferries connect Dumaguete (Sibulan) and Tagbilaran with Siquijor’s ports (Larena, Siquijor town). Crossings take about 45-90 minutes depending on route and vessel; buy tickets at the terminal or online for OceanJet. Bring light rain protection - services can be altered by weather.
- Air (regional) (PHP 500-2,000) - Siquijor Airport has limited domestic flights; schedules change often. If flying in, expect short ground transfers on arrival via taxi or tricycle; check airlines for current routes and timings.
- Tricycles / Motorbike taxis (PHP 50-200) - Tricycles are the island’s primary short‑distance transport and are essential for reaching resorts or beaches from ports. Fares are per trip and negotiable - typically PHP 50-200 within towns.
- Motorbike rental (PHP 300-600/day) - Renting a motorbike is the most popular way to explore Siquijor independently. Roads can be narrow and hilly; wear a helmet, check the bike, and carry cash for fuel. Daily rental rates commonly PHP 300-600.
- Jeepney / Local buses (PHP 20-60) - Limited jeepney and minibus services run between larger towns and some beaches. They are very cheap but slow and infrequent compared with tricycles or rented bikes.
- Walking - Towns like Siquijor and Larena are small and walkable; walking is practical for short distances, markets and beaches within town areas.
Where to Stay in Siquijor
Budget
Siquijor town / San Juan - ₱600-1,200/night
Siquijor has many budget homestays and backpacker guesthouses, often listed on booking platforms and Facebook; individual websites are uncommon.
Mid-Range
Larena / San Juan coast - ₱1,200-3,000/night
Several beachside mid-range resorts and boutique inns exist, but many use third-party booking sites rather than bespoke websites.
Luxury
Paliton Beach area - ₱3,000+/night
A few higher-end resorts on the island; choices are limited compared with larger islands - book early in high season.
Where to Eat in Siquijor
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Siquijor’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Siquijor
Nightlife is relaxed and low-key - expect beach bars, a few laid-back bars and occasional live-acoustic nights. There’s no large club scene; most evenings are casual and quiet.
Shopping in Siquijor
Shopping is small-scale: souvenir stalls, beachside vendors and basic convenience stores. You’ll find local handicrafts and simple island-made goods rather than large shopping centres.