By Andreja Dintinjana, Siquijor Local
Adventure? Check. Clear, aquamarine colored water? Check.
This is Siquijor, in the The Philippines.
The Island of Siquijor, one of 7.000 islands that compose the Philippines archipelago, measures 337.49 km2 and is located in the Central Visayas region.
Just a few years ago, there were almost no tourists on the island. Today, the island is rapidly becoming a popular destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers and visitors, who love to explore off the beaten path destinations.
Siquijor offers amazing forests, scenic roads, beautiful waterfalls, unforgettable snorkeling. But you'll also get a mystic experience you cannot find anywhere else in the world, with local Filipino healers who are known to practice magic healing among other types of “not so friendly” magic, which involves black magic and woo doo as well.
Here are the best spots to check out in Siquijor.
Cool Down Under Cambugahay Falls
A visit to the Philippines would not be complete without a swim under a waterfall. Siquijor is the perfect place to do it. With hilly interiors and karst landscape, one is not surprised by the number of waterfalls there are on the island. Among the biggest and the most famous by far are the Cambugahay Falls, composed of many smaller waterfalls.
Cambugahay Falls offer a perfect place to cool down after a hot day exploring the island. You can swim in the cool turquoise waters, jump with the “Tarzan rope” or just relax by the falls and listen to the sounds of the jungle.
Rent A Scooter And Explore The Scenic Roads
Renting a scooter for a day and driving around the island might be one of the best things to do on Siquijor. Compared to the other parts of the Philippines, the roads in Siquijor are in almost perfect condition and relatively empty.
Drive through busy beach town of San Juan, continue to the East until the huge old trees on both sides of the road welcome you to the town of Lasi, then turn left when you come to the oldest church on the island and continue your way on a scenic road up to the top of the mountain. Drive slowly and enjoy the stunning views. ✌️
Venture To Underwater Worlds
As the Philippines are composed out of 7.000 tropical islands, you expect good snorkeling areas everywhere around the country. However, this is not the case. In many places, the coral reefs are already severely damaged from fishing, tourism and other activities.
As Siquijor is still a relatively unknown island, the corals in most parts of the sea remain intact. This is especially true for parts of the reefs that belong to one of the marine sanctuaries. The best one might be Tubod Marine Sanctuary, where snorkeling must be done during high tide, but offers an unforgettable experience.
See The Century-old Balete Tree
The balete tree (Millenium Tree) is a century-old tree that is said to play a crucial part in the rituals of local shamans. A spring originates from its base, flowing straight into the manmade pool. Today, the tree is a popular stopping point for visitors, who sit by the pool and dip their legs into the pool, which is filled with fish.
I am not sure about the magic powers of the tree but I tell you there is a special serenity in that area and you can feel it the second you dip your legs into the spring water.
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Memories from my vacation Feb 2018 #cebu #bohol #siargao #siquijor #oslob #dumaguete
Pay A Visit To The Healer (If You Dare)
If you ask any Filipino about the island of Siquijor, they will probably nod one or two times and change the topic of the conversation. Because the island of Siquijor is a Mystical island, home to healers who use their magic to heal people. Locals call them Wakwaks.
This might be entertaining to some of the naive travellers, but for Filipinos, this is not a topic to joke about and most of them are happy to never set a foot on that island. They are afraid of black magic, which some Wakwaks are said to practice as well.
In recent years, some of the healers are accepting the visits from curious tourists as well. If you find yourself face-to-face with a wakwak, always remember to be respectful.
Get Lunch At Dalahikan
In Siquijor, locals love grilled food. They can grill every day. They can grill in the evening, during lunchtime and even in the morning. Next to the road in San Juan there is local’s favourite grill place which gets full every evening; it is called Dalahikan (which means “pigs barn” in local Bisaya language).
Choose a fish, pork chop, chicken legs or vegetables, you will not be disappointed. If you fancy some local style fun, while waiting for the food, you should sing a song in a popular “videoke” bar next door.
Listen To Live Reggae At Monkey Business
As Siquijor is more about relaxing than about partying, the last bar on the island closes at 11:00 p.m., which is not surprising. However, there is one place where you can listen to the live Reggae music every single night and drink a couple of drinks in a good company of other travelers.
This is the Monkey Business bar, located in San Juan. As locals love Reggae music, the bar is full most of the nights so make sure you come early enough if you want a place to sit.
Where To Stay On Siquijor Island
A Beachfront Cottage
While it's a little out of the way, Casa de la Playa Beach Resort is one of best places to stay while visiting Siquijor Island. You can rent a scooter right at the resort and get to Siquijor in only 30 minutes. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the private beach.
Depending on the time of year, you can rent a beach front cottage for around $40 a night.
A Private Oceanfront Home
People not your thing? Rent a private ocean front house. A lot of locals rent homes on Airbnb, making it easy to snag a private residence. This particular home offers sweeping ocean views, the full amenities of home, and seclusion that ensures you'll have a quiet, peaceful stay.
Depending on availability, this house is available for $26 USD per night.
Beachside Glamping
Get a more rustic experience without losing access to WiFi at Glamping Siquijor by the Beach (it's exactly what it sounds like.) You can rent a massive canvas tent with small wooden deck right by the water, making this a fun, memorable way to spend a few days in Siquijor.
You can get a tent between $36-$45 USD, depending on the size bed you want and the time of year.
In A Garden Bungalow
If you want something more prim, consider the Garden Bungalows Resort. More like a small hotel, Garden Bungalows Resort offer enclosed garden level rooms with full amenities, a pool (it's not by the beach), and customer service you would expect at a resort.
You can book a room around $50 a night.
Sitio Law-ang, Brgy. Pulangyuta, Siquijor, 6225 Siquijor, Philippines
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