11 INCREDIBLE Places To Visit In Siquijor, Philippines
Siquijor wasn’t even on my original itinerary. But after stumbling across a stranger’s Instagram post about the island, I instantly knew it was going to be the one for me, and three days later, it had completely stolen my heart.
From stunning waterfalls and white sand beaches to ancient trees and legendary healing culture, Siquijor genuinely has something for everyone (and it won’t break the bank either).
I spent 3 days exploring the island with 2 of my best friends, covering beaches, waterfalls, cliff jumps and everything in between. This guide covers everything I discovered so you can make the most of every single day.
In this guide, I’m sharing the 11 best places to visit in Siquijor, everything you need to know about getting there, where to stay, and how to make the most of your time on the island.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a verified purchase through the links in this post, I will earn a small commission. This will be at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
⬇️ Siquijor At A Glance⬇️
⛵WHAT TO DO⛵
– Visit Cambugahay Falls
– Visit Paliton Beach
– Visit Tubod Beach and Marine Sanctuary
🛌🏻WHERE TO STAY🛌🏻
– Aventura Bed and Breakfast
– Love Shack Siquijor
– Nakabalo Resort
🍕 WHERE TO EAT 🍕
– Dolce Amore
– Monkey Business
✅Travel Essentials For Siquijor✅
– Book Transport with 12goasia or bookaway.com
– Stay connected with an eSIM from Sim Local
– Get covered by SafetyWing – My favourite travel Insurance provider
Why I Loved Siquijor So Much
I didn’t expect Siquijor to steal my heart the way it did, but it’s now firmly become one of those places I would definitely not hesitate to go back to
It felt super relaxed and far less busy than other places I had been to in the Philippines, like El Nido, Coron and Boracay.
Like a place that hadn’t quite caught up with the Instagram crowd yet (and that’s exactly what made it so special).
During our time there, we had planned to hire mopeds, but we soon realised none of us was comfortable getting on one, so we hired a tuk-tuk driver instead, and we had the best time.
The people were warm, the food was affordable and delicious, and the nature was bloody incredible!
So, is Siquijor worth adding to your Philippines Itinerary? In short, absolutely yes. And I have a feeling it’ll do the same for you.
Top Things To Do in Siquijor
Paliton Beach
Paliton Beach is one of the most stunning beaches on the island, and one of my favourite spots in the whole of Siquijor.
It’s often referred to as a “mini Boracay”, and having visited both, I completely get the comparison. The water is crystal clear, the sand is white, and the place just has that same wow factor.
But the real highlight has to be the sunsets you can witness here. The water was so still it was almost like glass, and when the sky turned orange, it was honestly so stunning!
If you do one thing in Siquijor, make sure you’re at Paliton Beach for sunset.
Runik Beach Bar
If you fancy feeling a little boujee without the price tag to match, Runik Beach Bar is the place for you.
With its white-washed walls, terracotta pots and stunning ocean views, it genuinely feels like you’ve stumbled into a beach bar in Greece or Croatia, except the drinks are a fraction of the price.
The minimum spend is around £7, which is easily done with a cocktail or two (please note prices may have changed since my visit, so always worth checking ahead).
And what I will say is that the cocktails here are SO good. I lost count of how many mango daiquiris I had, but I definitely ticked off that minimum spend (Consider yourself warned).
But my favourite part about our afternoon here had to be their sunset sessions. You’ll get a live DJ and professional saxophonist playing music as the sun goes down.
By that point, we were fully settled in with our drinks, the music was incredible, and it turned into one of those unexpectedly perfect evenings that you don’t really plan for but end up being the highlight of your trip.
If you’re visiting Siquijor on a budget (but want to feel like you’re living in luxury for the day), this is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
Mountain of Peace
If you’re curious about the more mystical side of Siquijor, Mountain of Peace is worth making the effort to get to (and I do mean effort, because our tuk-tuk driver had absolutely no idea where it was).
Thankfully, I had my Simlocal eSIM whilst I was on the island, so getting in contact wasn’t an issue. I simply WhatsApped the team at Ananda Ashram, and they directed our driver straight there.
Once you arrive, the views alone make the journey worth it. It’s so peaceful, and you’re literally looking out over the whole island!
But the real reason to visit is the breathwork session run by Ananda Ashram. I’ll be honest, I was not quite sure what to expect. It started with snuff (a smokeless tobacco made from finely ground tobacco leaves) being blown up our noses, followed by a period of relaxation, before moving into a full holotropic breathwork session.
It was quite intense (to say the least), emotional and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, but in a very good way!
I left feeling genuinely moved (if that doesn’t sound too dramatic).
That said, I’d only recommend this to people who are already open to spiritual practices. If you’ve never done anything like this before, this probably isn’t the place to start. It’s a deep and powerful experience, and it’s worth building up to it.
Nakabalo Resort
Nakabalo is perched up in the hills of Siquijor, and whilst it is a hotel, non-guests are more than welcome to spend the day at the pool and restaurant.
The food and drinks from the on-site restaurant were delicious, and the views from the infinity pool looking out over Siquijor’s coastline are genuinely second to none.
We happened to be there on a day they were hosting a sunset session, with a DJ and saxophonist playing in the evening.
What made the moment even better was the resort’s two resident golden retrievers, who were trotting around playing with all the guests.
The combination of the music, the sunset and the dogs made it one of those travel moments where you just think “wow, I genuinely love my life.”
It’s also good to know that if you do end up visiting the Mountain of Peace, Nakabalo is a brilliant place to head to afterwards, as it’s not too far away. In fact, the team at Ananda Ashram were kind enough to give us a ride there themselves, so it’s definitely worth asking!
Either way, if you’re looking for one spot in Siquijor to just chill and relax, make it Nakabalo.
Salagdoong Beach Cliff Jump
Salagdoong Beach is one of the most well-known spots on the island, and it’s easy to see why.
Located on the eastern side of Siquijor, the beach itself is beautiful, but it’s best known as a popular cliff jumping spot.
There are two concrete diving boards to choose from, one at 6 feet for those easing themselves in, and another at 32 feet for the truly brave.
Not a fan of cliff jumping? Then there’s a waterslide option too, which looks like a lot of fun.
Salagdoong is a privately owned beach, so you’ll need to pay a small entrance fee to get in (roughly 30 PHP). Please note that prices may have changed since this post was written so always worth checking ahead.
Cambugahay Falls
Cambugahay Falls is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Siquijor; it deserves every bit of the hype. With its tiered levels and stunning cyan water, it’s easy to see why this place is at the top of everyone’s Siquijor itinerary.
We visited first thing in the morning, which I’d highly recommend; it was relatively quiet, and we pretty much had the place to ourselves for a good chunk of time. By late morning, it was already starting to fill up, so getting there early really does make a difference.
There is a rope swing, which my friend absolutely loved. I gave it a miss, but watching everyone else was entertainment enough!
A word of warning, though, please watch your footing around the rocks. I got a little too excited exploring and ended up spraining my toe on a rock, which meant I was hopping around with a little limp for the final month of my trip (as you’ll see from the photo below).
There is an entrance fee of 20 pesos to get in and an additional parking fee if you are bringing your own scooter. Prices may have changed since my visit, so always worth checking ahead.
Pitogo Cliff
If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten track, Pitogo Cliff is one of the lesser-known spots on the island and well worth a visit.
It’s a great place to head to for sunset, with open views out over the horizon. Because it’s not as well-known as some of the other spots on this list, you’ll likely have it pretty much to yourself, which makes it a really nice change of pace.
Why not grab some snacks on the way and make an evening of it? Entrance is 30 PHP, though please note prices may have changed since this post was written.
Tubod Beach and Marine Sanctuary
Tubod Beach is a really lovely spot and one we ended up spending a good chunk of time at. The water is beautifully clear, although there is a bit of seaweed around, just so you know what to expect.
This is one of the best places in Siquijor for snorkelling. If you do want to go snorkelling, there is a 100 PHP entrance fee to the Marine Sanctuary plus an additional cost to rent equipment.
We decided to skip the snorkelling on the day and just chill out and sunbathe on the beach instead because sometimes you just need a relaxing beach day.
The beach itself is completely free to access, and there is a stretch of beach where you are free to sunbathe.
Please note, however, there is a resort that backs onto this beach (Coco Grove Beach Resort), and you are not allowed to sunbathe too close to the resort.
We actually got asked to move by resort staff, as apparently that area is reserved for hotel guests only!
The Old Balete Tree
The Old Balete Tree is over 400 years old and it is a really unique and cool thing to see. Local legend has it that the tree is home to a horse demon, dwarfs and elves which adds a nice layer of mystery to the whole thing.
At the base of the tree lies a natural spring which remains something of a mystery, nobody really knows how or why it’s there.
A man made pool has been built around it, filled with fish who will happily nibble at your dead skin if you fancy a free foot spa. I dipped my toe in and immediately regretted it as the fish got a little too enthusiastic around my feet for my liking.
I’ll be honest thoughm if you’re going expecting somewhere mystical and off the beaten track, just temper your expectations a little.
It’s quite touristy when you arrive, with a restaurant and souvenir shop on site, so it very much caters to visitors. That said, the tree itself is genuinely impressive and absolutely worth a quick stop.
Entrance is 10 PHP and opening hours are 6am to 6pm. Prices may have changed since my visit so always worth checking ahead.
Live Music at Monkey Business
If you’re looking for somewhere to head to in the evening, Monkey Business is the spot.
This hotel, bar and restaurant is the go-to place for live music in Siquijor and the atmosphere when we visited was brilliant.
The food is great too, we ordered curry and it was delicious. The staff were also super friendly and accomodating as well!
Fair warning though, we did have our live music experience cut short by a power cut on the island.
But rather than it dampening the mood everyone just laughed it off and it somehow made the best of it (and that’s the Philippines for you).
I’m hoping you have better luck but even if not, don’t let it put you off, it’s worth a visit.
Lugnason Falls
If one waterfall isn’t enough for you, Siquijor has plenty more to offer. Lugnason is a 5 metre waterfall with a large pool of striking blue water at its base and by all accounts it’s a really beautiful spot.
Beyond the falls themselves, if you head further down the walking track you’ll also come across a cold spring and some unique looking man-made aqueducts which are worth a look.
Entrance to the falls is free, though you may have to pay a small parking charge if you’re arriving on a scooter.
Short on time? If you can only visit one waterfall during your trip I’d point you towards Cambugahay Falls (it’s the most popular for a reason).
How to get to Siquijor
There is no airport on Siquijor so the only way onto the island is by ferry. You can get direct ferries from Dumaguete, Cebu and Bohol, all of which have airports.
We took the ferry from Dumaguete and it was completely straightforward the journey takes around 50-60 minutes and tickets start from approximately $10. I’d recommend booking in advance just to give yourself one less thing to think about on the day.
One thing worth mentioning is that internal flights in the Philippines are not cheap, so try to book as early as possible to avoid paying over the odds. It’s one of those things that can really creep up on your budget if you leave it too late.
Tagbilaran (Bohol) Ferry Ferries leave Tagbilaran multiple times a day and the journey time is roughly 2 hours. Tickets start from $10.
Cebu Ferry (via Tagbilaran) Ferries leave Cebu 2-3 times daily via Tagbilaran, with a total journey time of roughly 5.5 hours. Tickets start from $30.
If travelling from Cebu, make sure to book with OceanJet as the journey time is roughly half of what it is with other providers.
Where to stay in Siquijor
The best area to stay in Siquijor is San Juan. It’s centrally located, close to all the best spots on the island and only about 15 minutes from the ferry port ,so it makes sense as a base.
Aventura Bed and Breakfast: This is where I stayed and I’d recommend it in a heartbeat. We were lucky enough to stay in one of their super cute treehouses which made the whole experience even more special. The grounds are beautiful, the staff genuinely go out of their way to make you feel welcome and rooms start from just $18 per night which is incredible value. Check availability here.
Nakabalo Resort: If you’re looking for something a little more elevated, Nakabalo Resort is a stunning option perched up in the hills with incredible infinity pool views over the coastline. As mentioned earlier in this post, even if you don’t stay here it’s absolutely worth visiting for the day, but if it fits your budget it would make for a really special place to base yourself.
Looking for a hostel? Love Shack Siquijor came highly recommended by many of the solo travellers we met on our trip and is worth checking out if you’re on a tighter budget.
How to get around Siquijor
There are two main ways to get around Siquijor and they both work really well depending on your confidence level.
Renting a Moped: If you’re comfortable on a moped, this is probably the better option as it gives you much more freedom to explore at your own pace.
You can rent one from upwards of 300 PHP per day (approximately $7) and there are plenty of rental companies dotted around the island, most of which can be found at the ferry port.
Hiring a Tuk-Tuk: If you’re not comfortable on a moped (which was very much us) hiring a tuk-tuk for the day is a brilliant alternative.
We asked our hotel to arrange one for us which made the whole thing really easy. Your driver will happily take you to all the spots you want to visit across the island for as little as 2000 PHP (approximately $30) for the whole day.
As I mentioned earlier in this post, just make sure you have data on your phone in case you, or your tuk-tuk driver needs a little help finding some of the more remote spots, the Sim Local eSIM was a lifesaver for exactly that reason!
How many days do you need in Siquijor?
I’d recommend spending at least 3 days in Siquijor. This gives you enough time to visit the main beaches, waterfalls, cliff jumping spots and sunset viewpoints without feeling too rushed. If you prefer slower travel, 5 days would be even better.
Is Siquijor worth visiting?
Yes, Siquijor is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for beautiful beaches, waterfalls, snorkelling spots, affordable food and a more relaxed island atmosphere. It feels much quieter than places like El Nido, Coron and Boracay, which is exactly what makes it so special.
What is Siquijor best known for?
Siquijor is best known for its waterfalls, white sand beaches, snorkelling, cliff jumping and mystical healing culture. Some of the most popular places to visit in Siquijor include Cambugahay Falls, Paliton Beach, Salagdoong Beach, Tubod Marine Sanctuary and the Old Balete Tree.
What is the best area to stay in Siquijor?
The best area to stay in Siquijor is San Juan. It’s close to many of the island’s best beaches, restaurants and bars, and it’s only around 15 minutes from the ferry port. It makes a really easy and convenient base for exploring the island.
Do you need a scooter in Siquijor?
No, you don’t need a scooter in Siquijor, although renting one does give you more freedom. If you’re not confident riding a moped, hiring a tuk-tuk driver for the day is a great alternative. That’s what we did, and it made getting around the island really easy.
How do you get to Siquijor?
There is no airport on Siquijor, so the only way to get there is by ferry. You can take ferries from Dumaguete, Bohol or Cebu. The ferry from Dumaguete is the quickest option and takes around 50–60 minutes.
Is Siquijor good for solo female travellers?
Yes, Siquijor can be a great island for solo female travellers. It feels relaxed, friendly and easy to get around, especially if you stay in San Juan. If you’re not comfortable riding a scooter, you can ask your accommodation to arrange a tuk-tuk driver for the day.
Is Siquijor expensive?
No, Siquijor is generally very affordable compared with many other island destinations in the Philippines. Accommodation, food, entrance fees and transport can all be done on a budget, although prices will vary depending on where you stay and how you choose to get around.
What is the best beach in Siquijor?
Paliton Beach is one of the best beaches in Siquijor, especially for sunset. It has white sand, clear water and a relaxed atmosphere. Tubod Beach is another great option if you want to snorkel or spend a quieter day by the sea.
Conclusion: Is Siquijor Worth Visiting?
Siquijor completely surprised me in the best possible way. It wasn’t part of my original Philippines itinerary, but it ended up being one of my favourite stops during my 10 days in the Philippines.
Between the waterfalls, beaches, sunsets, friendly locals, affordable food and laid-back atmosphere, Siquijor has that kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer than planned.
If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, I’d definitely recommend adding at least 3 days in Siquijor to your itinerary. Visit Cambugahay Falls early, watch sunset at Paliton Beach, spend an afternoon at Nakabalo or Runik.
Siquijor may not have been on my original plan, but I am so glad Instagram did its thing for once.
You might also enjoy…
- Isla – The Island Experience Review: Glamping on Darocotan Island
- The ULTIMATE 10-day Philippines Island-Hopping Itinerary
- Darocotan Island: The Complete Travel Guide to the Philippines’ Best Kept Secret
