thebackpackdiaries

One of the smallest provinces in the Philippines is known for its other-world witchcraft and the unknown. And this is Siquijor. We found out that other than this, it is also known as the Island of Fire (Isla Del Fuego) because during the Spanish Era, swarmed fireflies are all over the island thus giving you an eerie glow at night.

Mystical, because witch-crafting and a lot of myths stories and tales were told. Nowadays these stories (truth or still on doubt), changes and leaves an impression of curiosity to people not only the real stories behind it but what Siquijor will give you wonders of paradise that encompasses.

Places to Visit:

🎯 Church of St. Francis Assisi ▶ the most photographed church and the oldest one that will welcome you once you docked in San Juan port. The popular signage ” WELCOME TO SIQUIJOR” is a must to take a photo op there.

🎯 Paliton Beach ▶ the Little Boracay of Siquijor. No entrance fee is needed but of course if you want to take snorkeling you have to pay 50 php/ person. There is no resort around the beach but there are some cottages that you can rent if you want to stay a bit there. This white, powdery sands and green to blue waves alongside the giant palm trees around it makes the whole place a refreshing and peaceful place to stay and a must to visit.

🎯 Capilay Spring Park ▶ No entrance fee and you can swim at your own risk.

🎯 Lazi Church and Convent ▶ Lazi church is known to be San Isidro de Labrador Parish that was build in 1884 with the Filipino Artisan which is made by woods and stones.

• 

• 

• 

▶ infront of the Lazi Church is the convent that was known to be the Asia’s oldest and largest convent. You only have to pay 20 php as entrance fee. Please be guided that picture taking is not allowed here. The convent has a museum that contains religious artifacts and antiques of 19th century and some relics of saints.It has two floors that the first floor was made of stone walls of U shaped and the second floor was made of wood panels and studs.

🎯 Old Enchanted Balete Tree and Springs ▶ Going to Cambugahay Falls, along the road you will encounter this old balete tree that is about 400 years old. It is said to be one of the oldest balete tree in the Philipppines along side the Old Balete ” Millennium l” Tree in Baler and in Wonder Tree of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental. What makes this old balete tree unique is that on the bed of its roots there’s a spring that flows down to the pool. Surprisingly, the water is clear and lots of fish swamped on it. So you have already a free fish spa once you immerse your feet there. No entrance fee needed. They just accept donations . Besides the balete tree, some small shop are there who offered snacks and some souvenirs and anting-anting and love potions that you can buy.

🎯 Cambugahay Falls ▶ Another one of the best tourist spot in Siquijor. It is because this falls has 3 different stages of falls. The blue green water is inviting you to plunge and swim in its basin. But to get there you have to go down into 320 steps which is a bit uneven steps. Activities that included here are the very famous swinging on the rope and the unlimited cliff jumping experience. Ride with the bamboo raft is a must have an easy access on the falls. And as usual swimming and photo-op!

🎯 Salagdoong Beach ▶ located along the cove of the small village of Olang in Maria Siquijor, this beach has its emerald green to blue water that invites you to swim till you drop. The place also has its air con rooms, restaurant, a cliff diving spot and a water slide that you can play around. Visitors can do snorkeling and boating activities. Expect that there are a lot of visitors during summer season but the best thing is to enjoy its tranquility of its place.

• 

• 

Sample Itinerary for Day Tour:

If you are staying already at Dumaguete City there are lots of hotels that you can stay for a night. For us, we opted to stay at Harold’s Hotel one of the popular cheap but cozy hotel that is near the port of Rizal Boulevard around 10 mins via tricycle. Fare price is around 8 php / person.

7 am: Go to the Dumaguete Port and buy your ticket at the designated ticket booth.
2 Ferries going to Siquijor.
A. Roro Ferry- about 150 php/one way. Travel time is about 2 hours.
B. Via Fast craft for 210 php/ one way. Travel time is about an hour.
Earliest ferry time: 5:45 am and the last trip is 7 pm
: pay terminal fee of 25 php
(dapat maaga talaga beshy para makabili ka agad ng ticket kasi laging fully booked yung mga ganyang oras)
9 am: ETA at San Juan Port,Siquijor
TIP: Better to buy na ung ferry ticket pabalik pagdaong niyo pa lang sa port para hindi kayo naghahabol ng time pauwi.(Hassle and worry free)
9:30 am: Start to explore Siquijor.
Means of transportation:
a. Rent a multi cab that can accommodate 10- 15 persons. 1,500 php/day tour.
b. Rent a motorbike 300 php/day (Syempre kayo na rin ang mag papagasolina. syempre dapat licensed driver din kayo)
c. Most convenient is to rent a tricycle that can accomodate 4-5 persons and cost about 1,000 – 1,200 php/day tour.
10 am: Start to roam around Siquijor. Start at Church of St. Francis Assisi, papicture taking sa “Welcome Siquijor”.
( Visit Joel’s Lechon Manok for brunch, affordable ang mga food choices dito)
Next stop is Paliton Beach. Syempre awra na sa malupitang beach body flaunting and if you want to do snorkeling better approach your tour guide regarding this activity.
Head on next to Capilay Spring park. Syempre awra para rin sa pang malakasang IG photo plus unlimited swimming and diving sa mystical look ng spring park na ito.
Then going to Lazi Church along the road makikita niyo na yung Old Enchanted Balete tree, creepy siyang tignan, pero syemre for the sake of IG photo you will let yourself dig into that big hole which is like an opening into unworldly. Then also try to dip your feet for a free fish spa. Don’t forget to buy “love potions” nearby store as a souvenir.
Then go straight to Lazi Church, papicture taking na rin beshy at konting pagninilay- nilay na din. Pagkatapos, cross over lang kayo sa kabilang kalsada then you will see na yung Lazi Convent.
Straight ahead going to Cambugahay Falls. Syempre for sure dito kayo magtatagl mga beshy so flaunt again your beach bod at awra for the sake of IG photos. Dont forget also to try swinging in a rope then drop off mo is the clear water. Explore also the 3 stages of the falls that for sure you will really love.
After ng Cambugahay pa- Falls, gora na beshy sa last stop niyo which is Salagdoong beach in Maria, Siquijor. It is a bit far from Larena so you will take 30 minutes to 45 minutes travel time. But I assure you that once you arrived at Salagdoong beach you will really love the place. Take the best photo Shot at the diving area nila overlooking the blue green sea and enjoy the diving experience on this. If you are afraid naman to do diving better enjoy swimming and the sunset view.
And when the time to say goodbye in Siquijor, better be in a hurry because you have to remember beshy that you are only on day tour and you have to go back to port before the last trip of ferry departs. (not unless you decided to do an overnight stay at one of the hotels in Siquijor.)

Point of view by thebackpackdiaries: Its been a good and unforgettable experience to see this mystical island Siquijor. As the folktales told, maybe some of it is still afraid or doubtful in this place. You will never regret to make a visit in this one of best place in the Philippines.


thebacpackdiariesnowsigningoff