Now that we can travel again, the first thing that we all probably did was to travel to popular destinations in the Philippines like Boracay, Palawan, or even Siargao. Now as we all bounce back to our normal lives, we are planning on the new places we visit and trying out new things. In our case, we traveled to an under-the-radar destination for both local, and foreign tourists. Siquijor is one of them. We’ve heard a lot about this island, so we visited to understand what they’re talking about.
Read on further our Siquijor Travel Guide 2022 as we discuss the best Siquijor Tourist Spots, Restaurants, and Hotels for your next out-of-town trip.
How to get to Siquijor?
In our case, we flew from Manila to Dumaguete, and then took a 45-minute ferry ride to Siquijor. We spent roughly around P300 for an Ocean Jet Ferry ticket. Ticket prices vary and depend on what season you intend to travel. You may check out the best fares.
Want to include Siquijor Tourist Spots in your travel itinerary during your trip to Cebu or Bohol? You may plan a short day-trip as you can ride a ferry that leaves those islands.
Siquijor Tourist Spots
Siquijor tourist spots will be enjoyed by travelers all over. From wonderful waterfalls, beautiful beaches, and caves with unique rock formations.
Cambugahay Falls
Probably one of the most popular Siquijor Tourist Spots that the island is known for, Cambugahay Falls is located in a forest. Its pristine blue waters is surrounded by lush greeneries that make the whole experience even more relaxing. Cambugahay is composed of 3 levels of waterfalls each comes with a cool blue freshwater basin that visitors can enjoy.
The entrance fee here costs P20. Want to make the most out of your visit here? Then be sure to try the rope swings which costs P50 to try. Feel the rush as you swing and dive into the refreshing waters. Cambugahay is also a good spot for you to take some drone footage to capture the distinct waterfalls in the middle of a rainforest.
Paliton Beach
With coastlines lined with beautiful and tall palm trees, Paliton Beach is one of the best white sand beaches that are frequently visited by both local and foreign tourists alike. The beach is western facing making it an excellent spot to witness a dramatic sunset. See the skies turn from blue to orange until it turns dark. These are just some of the reasons why you should visit this Siquijor Tourist Spot!
One thing to like in Paliton beach is that it is not as crowded nor a party destination. This makes it possible for travelers like you to truly unwind, relax, listen to the waves as you read a book, or just do nothing but appreciate the beauty of nature all around you. On a normal day, the waves aren’t strong as well making it the ideal setting for those who want to do a relaxing dip in the sea. The water is also crystal clear making you see the white sand and even some small fishes swimming around if you’re lucky.
Cantabon Cave
The next Siquijor Tourist Spot that you should visit is the Cantabon Cave is located at the center of the island of Siquijor. The cave is under a mountain called Mt. Bandila-an. It is also one of the must-visit destinations that tourists all over keep coming back for. Exploring the cave will take you roughly 2-3 hours. Be prepared to bend, squat, walk while squatting and squeeze yourself. The cave also has a stream of water under it so expect to get wet as well.
The cave is mainly composed of rock formations that developed through thousands of years. Inside the cave you will see white rocks, flowstones, sturdy columns, stalactites and stalagmites. That’s why it is best for you to wear a helmet, and safe non-slip shoes for safety.
Exploring the cave shouldn’t be done by yourself, finding a reliable tour guide is your best bet. Contacting someone who is quite used to the terrain of the cave and its vicinity must be done for your safety. Avoid visiting the cave during rainy season because the vicinity of the cave can be so slippery.
Mt. Bandilaan
If you’re up for some hiking, then this Siquijor Tourist Spot called Mt. Bandilaan is definitely the one you should explore. The mountain is home to the highest peak in Siquijor island which reaches up to 557 feet above sea level totaling 1394 feet high.
A visit to Mt. Bandilaan Nature Park right after you explore the Cantabon Cave is the best you can do. The nature park is a result of the Siquijor reforestation project. Afterwards, the park was able cover the area with lush greeneries and rich fauna.
Feeling a bit magical? At the foot of Mt. Bandilaan you can find some anting anting or healing and protective amulets and crystals that claim to have magical powers that protect you from evil spirits.
During your visit, just be sure to bring reusable water bottles, and take your trash with you as you go back to your accommodation to help preserve the beauty of the place.
Where to stay in Siquijor?
Bermuda Bungalows Siquijor
We stayed in Bermuda Bungalows Siquijor which have these beautiful cottages. The rooms are very well-maintained, clean, and a perfect spot for you to rest after a day of exploring Siquijor Tourist Spots.
Prices of the rooms in Bermuda Bungalows vary depending on which season you’d visit. But we assure you that it is still budget-friendly and definitely worth it.
Where to eat in Siquijor?
Siquijor is home to fresh seafood just like the neighboring islands of Cebu, and Bohol. There are several restaurants to try and there’s a high chance that they’re all good. But some of them stood out among the rest and here are some of our favorites.
Ayan’s Local Foods
This is not your typical restaurant. In here, they take farm-to-table meals quite too literally. To assure freshness, guests can pick out the vegetables that they will use to cook their meals. It was a very fun experience to pick those vegetables, because for people who live in Manila, it is not the norm due to the fast-paced lifestyle of the city.
Ayan’s Local Foods is housed in a traditional Nipa Hut, which brings out the best in the experience since we felt that the food about to be served are as authentic as it can get.
See the photo below and get hungry because all the food served to our table looks so delicious!
Luca Loko
Luca Loko is another restaurant that stood out. They serve delicious meals that make your eyes feast due to how aesthetically pleasing they are. But it gets even better as you taste them! Each bite bursts with delicious flavors that comfort you and energize you after a long day.
What we loved the most here are their healthy salads, and fruit smoothie bowls. They also serve delicious rice meals and other Continental and American breakfast staples all travelers will love, as they offer some vegan dishes too.
Siquijor Tourist Spots make the island deserving to be visited. It offers a wide array of activities that you can do as you explore the island. From the beautiful beaches, thrilling cave hiking, and more! That’s why you should add these Beautiful Siquijor Tourist Spots to your bucket list of places to visit in the Philippines next.
Want to travel more in the Philippines? Check out our Top 6 Best Glamping Sites Near Manila 2022 or maybe discover new Destinations to visit aside from the beach
