Siquijor City
Island province and town, known for mystic traditions
An island shaped by coral and old healers: Siquijor attracts divers, waterfall chasers and people after slow beach days. Visitors swim off coral reefs, jump from Salagdoong cliffs, picnic beneath century-old balete trees and trade stories with local folk healers.
Siquijor 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#
Siquijor Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
November - February
24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
Cooler, drier, and cloudier than peak heat; excellent for diving, island hopping and quiet beaches without oppressive midday heat or heavy rain.
March - May
26°C to 34°C (79°F to 93°F)
Hottest, sunniest weeks with low rainfall; beaches buzz but afternoons can be stifling - best for early-morning snorkeling and late-afternoon beach time.
May - October
24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F)
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.
January
January is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is the hottest month, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (134 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (203 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (188 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (128 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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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#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
