What pops into someone’s head when he hears of “Siquijor”? Magic, spells, potions and supernatural creatures, right? After all, this province has been off the bucket list of travelers years ago because people feared that they might get bewitched once they step on this island. But beyond these myths and beliefs, Siquijor has a lot to offer its visitors. 📍San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Lazi
🇵🇭SIQUIJOR ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
✈️🛳🚌 How to get to Siquijor:
⏺ Take a plane from Metro Manila to Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport (e.g. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific).
⏺ Charter a tricycle that will take you to Dumaguete Port.
⏺ Ride a fastcraft bound for Siquijor (e.g. OceanJet or GL Shipping Lines; travel time is 1 – 1.5 hours depending on sea condition).
⏺ Hire a tricycle for your tour.
Together with my friend, we embarked on our one-week trip in the islands of Visayas. Siquijor was our first stop in our adventure leg. Unfortunately, our itinerary was ruined by our delayed flight. Upon arrival at the airport, we quickly made our way to Dumaguete Port. Boy was I so fidgety while waiting for our vessel’s boarding time. We’re losing our precious time of exploring Siquijor as minutes passed by inside the port. 📍Paliton Beach, San Juan
🏄🏝🚴 Sites to Explore/Activities:
St. Francis de Assisi Church, Siquijor
Paliton Beach, San Juan
Solangon Beach, San Juan
Capilay Spring Park, San Juan
San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Lazi
Lazi Convent
Cambugahay Falls, Lazi
Century-Old Balete Tree, Lazi
Salagdoong Beach, Maria
Considering the island’s proximity to Dumaguete, our travel time via fastcraft to Siquijor was quick yet we arrived in Siquijor after lunch time. In short, we only have a few hours left before sun down. 📍San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, LaziOur guide picked us up at the port. It was the best port I have seen so far in my life. Let’s not be hypocrites but we all know that ports are normally dirty. But Siquijor’s port is an exception. The fine sand and turquoise water are to die for. Too bad I was not able to take photos upon disembarking off the fastcraft because we had to hurry for our tour. 📍Paliton Beach, San JuanAfter checking in, we proceeded to the first two beaches in our itinerary. We no longer visited some of the spots that are usually included in the tricycle tour. We only went to the places which we thought would be worth visiting. 📍Solangon Beach, San JuanThe beaches would have been nice but the presence of seaweeds ruined my expectations. The mild northeast monsoon waves were still lingering during that month. 📍Paliton Beach, San Juan
⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY:
DAY 1
8:00 AM ETA Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport
8:30 AM ETD for Dumaguete Port
9:30 AM ETD for Siquijor
11:00 AM ETA Siquijor Port
12:00 PM Lunch / check-in
1:00 PM Tricycle tour of Siquijor and San Juan
5:00 PM Back to accommodation
6:00 PM Dinner
DAY 2
6:00 AM Wake-up call / breakfast
7:00 AM Check-out / continuation of tour (Lazi and Maria)
3:00 PM ETD for Dumaguete Port
4:30 PM ETA Dumaguete Port
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 3, 000 – Php 3,500 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on the type of accommodation you will avail and personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the tricycle tour rates.
We just took a few shots by the beach before proceeding to this church in the town of Lazi, San Isidro Labrador Parish Church.I have never been a fan of churches in town tours except for picturesque ones like this which exudes that old school soothing vibe.Surprisingly, I was able to capture loads of photos here, which is also known as Lazi Church. I actually couldn’t believe myself.Just across the street is San Isidro Labrador Convent. My bad, I was not able to take any pictures of it since boy was I enjoying taking Insta-worthy shots at this church.For someone with sixth sense, I gotta admit, I found this place creepy yet beautiful though.We did enjoy posing by the facade of the church and almost forgot that we still had other tourist spots to check off on our list.
📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌Touring the island of Siquijor in one day is possible. Just start your itinerary early.
📌Alternatively, you may rent a motorcycle and drive on your own to roam around the island.
📌There are loads of resorts in San Juan where you can spend the night. Just book your accommodation in advance if you will be visiting on weekends and holidays.
📌You may include Negros in your itinerary when you travel to Siquijor.
📌Always double-check with the staff at the port the schedule of ferry and fastcrafts.
📌Expect rain and rough sea condition during monsoon season (June-February).
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
We passed by the century-old balete tree but there were so many tourists. There’s no way we would be able to take pictures without any photobombers. I asked our guide to just go straight to our next destination. Upon reaching the jump-off, I already conditioned myself for a jam-packed Cambugahay Falls. I was right all along. This photo was actually the only frame with no people.It would have been more exciting if only we could swim and take solo photos with this beautiful waterfall as our background. I only wanted even just one frame of the whole waterfall without people in it. Sadly, I really couldn’t pull it off no matter how many times I tried to reposition my tripod and camera.I was left with no choice but to give up so we decided to bid goodbye to the waterfall and headed to our last stop. If the waterfall was jam-packed, this beach seemed to be showing a blockbuster film due to the number of local and foreign tourists. My friend and I were expecting an off-the-radar pristine and virgin beach. I never thought that Salagdoong is a developed resort. 📍Salagdoong Beach, MariaI asked our guide if he could take us back here at the port. We capped off our super quick trip in Siquijor at this public beach as we savored the beauty of sunset until dusk.Honestly, I was quite amazed at first that Siquijor has become a mainstream tourist destination. I was expecting this province to be like Catanduanes, which gives off a laid-back relaxing aura. As soon as we left our last destination that day on our way back to the hotel, I suddenly realized that I shouldn’t be surprised at all considering this island’s proximity to famous tourist spots such as Cebu and Negros. Nevertheless, Siquijor is still beautiful in its own right with its beaches and waterfalls. 📍San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Lazi
***For other destinations in Central Visayas, you may visit this link.
