Siquijor Island Tourist Guide

In a nutshell

Siquijor Island is a small island in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines known in Spanish as Isla de Fuego because the island is famous for fireflies.

Why go to Siquijor Island

Tourists flock to Siquijor for its famous beaches and coral reefs for scuba diving and snorkelling (some of the best in the Philippines), for its national parks and its waterfalls in the island’s interior, and for the cultural sites in the city centres. And, of course, tourists love seeing the fireflies!

One of the unique things about the island is that there are still many inhabitants of the island who practice the native religions of the Philippines that predate Christianity. As such, Siquijor has a reputation as a location with a lot of magic and sorcery. Inhabitants who adhere to the old ways make potions and ointments out of natural things found on the island like tree bark and herbs. If you go during the correct time of year, you may be lucky enough to experience one of the traditional healer festivals that occurs every few months on the island.

Salagdoong Beach is the most famous of the Island's many beaches, located 6 kilometres northeast of Maria. It is not only popular with tourists, but also locals. There are places to dive into the sea from the surrounding cliffs if you are a dare devil. The jumps are about seven and ten meters high, so there are options depending on how adventurous you are feeling.

When to go to Siquijor Island

Unlike some of the tourist destinations in the Philippines, Siquijor has a climate that differs throughout the year. The dry season goes from February until April or May, and the rest of the year sees significant rainfall. The Lazi municipality is especially wet, and even the dry season does not stop the rain.

Even though you will probably get wet at some point during your visit to Siquijor, no matter whether it is dry or wet season, it is important to note that you will probably stay pretty warm, no matter what. The average temperature only varies less than two degrees Celsius from the coldest to the warmest month, and the average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius.

Where to stay on Siquijor Island

Most visitors to the island stay in resorts, which allow them eat, drink and relax to their heart's content. There are also backpacker options for those on budgets.

However, there are not many western chains, so you should not expect to use your Marriott loyalty points on a stay. If you are interested in staying in a quiet and more remote part of the island, try looking for lodging on the northeast tip of the island. The resorts and hotels here are off the beaten path and this is a good option if you are looking for a quiet and a romantic getaway. There are also rented apartments if you are looking for a bit more room than you would get in a standard hotel room.

Where to eat in Siquijor Island

The majority of Siquijor restaurants serve Filipino cuisine. If you are interested in having western food, the best option is to dine at one of the many resort restaurants which cater to tourists. Even so, there are a couple of pizza places in the centre of Siquijor city if you are craving food from home.

Because there is so much local food in Siquijor, there are plenty of restaurants to try Filipino delicacies like lechon, roasted pig. There is also a good street food scene on the island, especially in San Juan city, if you are looking for quick and cheap eat that you do not have to sit down for.

How to get around Siquijor Island

To get around the city, the best option is by renting a motorbike. The going price is from between PHP280 to PHP350 daily. If you rent a motorbike long term, it will be cheaper, which is a good option if you are going to be on the island for a long period of time.

Tricycles are another option for transportation similar to tuk-tuks. They do not have meters, but rather fixed prices for tourists. For some reason, the tricycles on Siquijor are more expensive than tricycles on other neighbouring island. There are boards from the stations where the tricycles depart that has the prices listed so that there are no surprises when you arrive at your destination.

Jeepneys, which you may be familiar with if you have been to other places in the Philippines, are also an option for transportation, and they run mainly between the main towns on Siquijor Island. There is no set schedule so it is best to ask a local about the timing before you make any plans.

How to get to and from Siquijor Island

While there is a tiny airport in Siquijor, there are no regularly scheduled flights to the island. While it may be possible to hire a private plane, you should expect to pay the price for it, as taking a charter is an incredibly expensive option.

The best way to arrive on the island is by ferry, and there are two terminals on the western side of the island in Siquijor town and Larena. There are a handful of boats that leave from Tagbilaran and Bohol and Dumaguete to Larena and Siquajor town and you should expect to pay between PHP100 to PHP200.

When you get in at the ferry terminal on the island, there will be many taxis and jeepneys that can take you to your hotel. From Siquijor ferry terminal, you should expect to pay around PHP250 for the 13-kilometer trip. Most drivers will quote you PHP500, so to bring the price down, you may have to haggle.

Is Siquijor Island a safe place to visit?

Siquijor is a very safe location and the most dangerous thing about a vacation to the island is probably sunstroke or stepping on a sea urchin.

Of course, if you rent a motorbike or ride on one, it is a good idea to use a helmet, and it is important to use a seatbelt in any rental car or taxi, but most cars move among the pedestrians and livestock pretty slowly, as if they are on island time.