Backpacking Siquijor, the Philippines

A guide to Siquijor, the Philippines

 So before I had ever been to the Philippines, I never knew about an island called Siquijor. It was not until I actually started travelling the country that I started to hear about this little Island called Siquijor that everyone told me I HAD to visit. And I feel like that makes it even more magical, and mystical! I heard tales of ancient witchcraft known on the island, a 400 year old tree known for healing and protection, Multi layered waterfalls with turquoise blue freshwater, and the most beautiful sunsets not many people get to witness. I just knew that this island was an absolute must for me to visit.

 

Not sure where to stay? Don’t worry there are plenty of places to chose from. But most people stay in the popular area of San Juan. That’s where I stayed too, and it’s perfect! Here are some hostel I recommend for you to stay in, although I never got wind of a bad place to stay in Siquijor, so either way I’m sure your stay will be amazing!

Hostels in Siquijor, the Philippines

So you might be wondering where to stay in Siquijor? Well, with Siquijor only being a small island, you are not overwhelmed with hundreds of places to choose from ( making it much easier in my opinion!) I can be looking for hours if I have too much choice.

I recommend staying in the San Juan area if you are looking for and more lively backpacker vibe. There are a cluster of hostels, bars and restaurants, making it a more lively choice. But the island is not a massive party place anyway, so don’t worry about lack of sleep. It’s very relaxed, chilled and just a very good place to be. I would probably say it was one of my most favourite islands.

 

JJ's Backpacker's

JJ’s backpacker’s is located right on the beach front. I say located – it was pretty much built on the beach! The place is beautiful. JJ’s was one of the best priced places for a dorm. You had a chill out area with a bar and restaurant inside the hostel too. After a day exploring, I would have a cold shower (standard in the philippines) and then lie in a hammock, on the beach enjoying a cold red horse beer with people from the hostel. 

SEE-KEE-HOR Hostel

See kee hor hostel is a hostel that’s unique! These simple and comfy rooms have been built with eco friendly awareness in mind! Wooden rooms surrounded by gorgeous nature. You will not be disappointed with your stay here. See kee how hostel also have their own cafe, using fresh produce from their own farm and greenhouse. If your looking to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible whilst you travel, then there is no better stay for you in Siquijor.

 

Sunnyside bed & bar

Sunnyside bed & bar is located in San Juan, and is where I hung out almost every night for my time in Siquijor. I made friends with an amazing bunch of people and I really enjoyed my time with them! If you’re reading this….MISS YOU! The vibe here is so welcoming and upbeat, in a good place to hang if you’re looking for some chilled socialising, a few drinks and some good  music. The staff are beautiful and really get you involved – which was perfect for me travelling solo

 

Love Shack hostel & Cafe

Very reasonably priced, and a very comfortable stay. Love shack hostel and cafe offer guests a beautiful stay in the heart of San Juan. Wifi, free drinking water, a sun terrace, air conditioned rooms and a free breakfast. 

You can also rent bikes there and Love Shack will help you with booking tours and transport!

Top things to do in Siquijor, the Philippines

Cambugahay Falls

The beautiful, the infamous, Cambugahay falls. If you’ve been researching the Philippines, I’m almost certain you would’ve seen a picture similar to this one. The gorgeous turquoise blue waterfall with, What looks like, three levels (if your being it from a birds eye view). Not only can you swim there and jump off the waterfalls, but they have built swings and floats on the waterfall too. 

 

Entrance fee for Cambugahay falls

There is no entry fee for the actual waterfall, however you do have to pay a small amount for a go on the swings, around 10 pesos or so. Usually some of the local boys help the tourists on the swings, and take the small money.

 

The old enchanted Balete tree

Now you might be thinking ‘why am I going to go all the way to the Philippines to see a tree’ but listen people, this ain’t any old tree! This is a 400 -year-old, Magic,mystical, protective, healing,Magic Magic tree!!!!! This was probably one of my favourite things to visit, as I love magic, I love casting spells and I truly do believe in the power of nature. There is also a fish spa at it’s base in spring water, where you can put your feet in and enjoy a foot spa whilst sitting in the company of the famous Balete tree

 

Entrance fee for the Balete tree, Siquijor

 There is a small entrance fee of around 10 pesos per person. Which is around £0.14p GBP. Not bad for a fish foot spa too!

Cantabon Cave

 Cantabon cave is so popular and quite high on the list of ‘top things to do whilst visiting Siquijor’. It’s located pretty much in the middle of the island. If you be leaving from San Juan, it’s around a half an hour drive by scooter or tricycle. Cantabon is a underground cave you can venture into with a river that runs underground, be prepared to climb, slide, and swim on the tour. I would take a wet bag, and aqua shoes if you have them. Helmets and torches are provided in the cost of your entrance fee. It’s located pretty much in the middle of the island. If you be leaving from San Juan, it’s around a half an hour drive by scooter or tricycle. 

 

Entrance fee for the Cantabon Cave

The entrance fee is 20 PHP per person, Plus 500 PHP for the tour guides. The 500 PHP will cover three tourists, if you have more in your group it is an extra 100 PHP.

So I really recommend trying to pair up with other backpackers if you are travelling solo. As you are still charged the 500 PHP if you are on your own.

 

Lugnason Falls

  Lugnason falls is another Beautiful waterfall to visit whilst in siquijor. Waterfall chasing is endless in the Philippines. It’s nice to just chill out there, swim, sunbathe, jump in, and have the music playing. Lugnason is also known as zodiac falls, and you will see a sign at the entrance with all the zodiac signs. If you keep walking down the trail path you also come across a man made coldsprings but you can swim in as well. But you can’t see this from Lugnason waterfall so not everyone knows it’s there. The falls are located not far from San Juan, a 15 minute scooter ride.

 

 

 

Entrance fee to the Lugnason falls, Siquijor

Entrance to Lugason waterfalls is free but I did hear of some tourists having to pay for parking. I think it’s around 10 pesos or so

 

Ride a scooter around the island

I got told that if I wanted to learn how to ride a scooter, then you’re best off doing it in Siquijor. As it’s a smaller Island, with less traffic on the roads so you can learn and get your confidence up. And I am glad that I listened to that advice as it gave me the confidence to go on and drive in every single country I backpacked. And there is no better feeling than jumping on a scooter and driving round a tropical island with your music playing and your hair blowing in the wind. Not to mention the fact that you are free to come and go as you please, and you don’t have to do barter the taxis all of the time. Not only that, you save so much money by renting you’re a scooter.

 

Paliton beach for sunset

Paliton Beach is one of the most gorgeous spots in Siquijor to watch the famous red, pink and orange Sunsets. Honestly I’ve never seen anything like it, the colours that you will see in the sky will take your breath away. Be prepared to be a little bit emotional. A lot of people gather on the beach with drinks and music and just enjoy the sunset. Siquijor is such a chilled little island and I loved just taking life slowly and enjoying the moment you were in.

 

Salagdoong cliff jumping

 Salagdoong is a beautiful white sandy beach and attracts many because of the five meter Cliff jump. It’s a perfect way to spend the afternoon relaxing and having a bit of adventure, if an adrenaline rush is your kind of thing. Don’t think just jump haha, unless you can’t swim, then please don’t jump! 

Entrance fee to Salagdoong beach

Yes there is an entrance fee to Salagdoong beach which is around 30 PHP, and if you are travelling there via your own scooter then expect to pay parking as well. Which can be anything between 10-20 PHP. 

Baha bar

Enjoy a crisp, cold, red horse beer at the Baha Bar. A really popular bar in San Juan. You get an outstanding view of the sunsets, and they usually have Live music playing. It’s probably one of the most liveliest bars along the beach. Even though Siquijor isn’t overly party place, you have and amazing night and make some brilliant people. 

And there you have it, a guide to backpacking the island of Siquijor. Even if you  were to just get the boat to Siquijor it’s, and lie on the beach till the Sun goes down, I’m 100% positive you would still have the best time. 

 

If you are unsure how to get the boat to Siquijor, you can read my blog post that includes the ferry timetable here

Siquijor is an island in the Philippines that cannot be missed in my opinion! It’s a small, but magical island that you