Are you looking for an island that still feels authentic and relaxed, but where there’s still plenty to do? Then definitely add Siquijor to your itinerary through the Philippines! This magical island is known for its legends about witches and healers, which is why it’s also called the Island of Magic. At the same time, Siquijor is loved for its turquoise waters, impressive waterfalls, and fun hotspots. You rarely see cars here; most people zoom by on scooters with the wind in their hair, passing palm trees and small villages – the ultimate island vibe! There are also plenty of cozy restaurants, and you can spend your days relaxing on the beach and swimming in beautiful waterfalls. For those looking for a good time, there’s always a party somewhere on Siquijor every evening.

How to Get to Siquijor?

Most people travel to Siquijor from Cebu or Bohol. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how this journey looks.

What to Do in Siquijor?

Despite being a small island, there’s plenty to do. Here are the 13 best things to do in Siquijor!

Watch the Sunset at Paliton Beach

Paliton Beach consists of two parts separated by a large rock. These two parts are also called Big Paliton Beach and Little Paliton Beach. Big Paliton Beach is a popular spot to enjoy the sun, sea, and sand during the day. On the white sandy beach, you’ll find tall palm trees, large swings, and cozy restaurants. In the evening, you can enjoy freshly caught fish from local fishermen.

On the other side of the rock is Little Paliton Beach, officially called Cangbusyo Beach. This is a smaller beach that comes to life towards the end of the afternoon. Many people gather here to watch the sun slowly set into the sea. Order a cocktail, relax in the sand, and enjoy the island vibe.

Good to know: If you follow the sign along the road to Paliton Beach, you’ll end up at Little Paliton Beach. This can make the small beach quite crowded at sunset. If you prefer a bit more space while watching the sunset, head to Big Paliton Beach.

Enjoy the View at LA Canopée Bar & Restaurant

La Canopée Bar & Restaurant is a unique spot in Siquijor where you can enjoy the sunset in style or relax by the pool. This upscale restaurant is located at the top of a mountain and offers a stunning view over Siquijor’s green countryside and the sea in the distance. During the day, you can relax in large nets floating above the landscape, cool off in the infinity pool, and in the evening, enjoy a cocktail by the fire pit during sunset.

Good to know: La Canopée is slightly more expensive than the average restaurants in Siquijor, but the luxurious setting and the breathtaking view make it worth every peso. A minimum spend of 200 pesos is required, which can easily be met with a drink and a snack. If you want to swim, there’s an additional charge of 300 pesos.

Visit Siquijor’s Most Beautiful Waterfall – Cambugahay Falls

Cambugahay Falls is one of the most famous and most visited waterfalls in Siquijor – and for good reason. This tropical waterfall has three levels that cascade into each other, each with a clear turquoise pool perfect for swimming. For a bit more adventure, you can float on bamboo rafts or swing yourself into the water using a rope. Local guides, who call themselves living drones, will happily take photos and videos of you swinging on the ropes with your own phone. There’s a small fee for using the rafts and rope swings.

Tip: The waterfall opens at 8:00 AM, and because it’s the most popular waterfall in Siquijor, it’s best to go early in the morning as it gets crowded quickly. After your visit, head to Twenty4, about 2 kilometers away, for a meal. They serve delicious dishes with their own freshly baked bread.

Lagaan Falls

Located about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Cambugahay Falls, you’ll find another beautiful waterfall called Lagaan Falls. Just like Cambugahay Falls, you can swing into the water using ropes here, but without the fee. Additionally, this waterfall has a natural slide, where you can literally slide from the rocks into the clear water. From the entrance, it’s just a few minutes’ walk through nature before you reach the waterfall.

Kawasan Falls

We’re not done with waterfalls yet, because a bit further along, you’ll find Kawasan Falls. This waterfall, along with the two waterfalls mentioned above, is close together and easily combined. Kawasan Falls is also beautiful, yet surprisingly often overlooked by travelers. If you want to have a waterfall almost entirely to yourself, this is the place to go.

From the entrance, you’ll ride a short distance on the scooter to the parking lot. Then, there’s a steep 4-minute descent to the waterfall. But once you’re there, it feels like you’ve stumbled upon a hidden jungle oasis. At the top, you’ll find small pools, but be sure to walk along the side to the base of the waterfall, where the basin is perfect for swimming. Even more fun, if you swim under the waterfall, you can enter a hidden cave. Want to jump into the water? Climb up at the small waterfall and jump into the refreshing water from a few meters (yards) above.

Special Overnight Stay in Nature

Want to make your visit to Siquijor extra special? Stay at the beautiful Jungle KingDomes. Hidden in the greenery, you’ll sleep in a fantastic dome with creative shapes and a cozy interior. The domes are fully equipped: a comfortable bed, an outdoor shower, and a private terrace. It’s wonderfully peaceful – no traffic, only the sounds of birds and crickets. The atmosphere is relaxed, and there’s a large shared space with plenty of comfortable seating where you can enjoy the beautiful view over the jungle.

Admire Butterflies at the Butterfly Sanctuary

When driving through Siquijor’s countryside, it’s nice to stop by the Butterfly Sanctuary. This small butterfly garden is hidden in the backyard of a local family who are passionately committed to the local nature. The route through the countryside is beautiful in itself, but this short stop makes your ride even more enjoyable. You’ll admire the most beautiful butterflies in the garden, about 40% of which are later released back into the wild.

The Best Snorkeling Spots in Siquijor

Want to explore Siquijor’s underwater world up close? Dive into the water at Tulapos Marine Sanctuary. Here, you can encounter blacktip reef sharks, turtles, and lionfish while snorkeling. Tubod Marine Sanctuary is also one of the best snorkeling spots in Siquijor. Located off Tubod Beach, here you can spot colorful corals and tropical fish like parrotfish, clownfish, and scorpionfish. With luck, you may also see turtles and sometimes even reef sharks. After snorkeling, the wide sandy beach of Tubod Beach is perfect for relaxing.

A small entrance fee is charged for the preservation of the reef. It’s also important to avoid touching the coral and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the coral.

Tip: The beautiful Coco Grove Beach Resort is directly located on Tubod Beach, making it a great place to stay if your budget allows. With the beautiful house reef right at the door, you can snorkel here any time of the day. The resort also has a lovely pool, a tropical garden, and beautiful luxury bungalows.

Adventure at Lugnason Falls

Lugnason Falls may seem like a simple waterfall at first glance, but there’s much more to it than meets the eye. The lower pool is a clear blue bath, perfect for swimming and cooling off. For real adventurers, it has a fun challenge; climb along the rock face and take a jump into the deep! What many people don’t know is that behind this lowest waterfall, there are 12 hidden waterfalls. If you’re up for it, you can do a river trek with a guide, climbing up along the waterfalls for 30 to 40 minutes. Along the way, you can enjoy a natural water massage under the flowing water and follow a route through the jungle. After this trek, you’ll come out completely refreshed at the entrance at the top. The guides can be found at the entrance to the waterfall.

Relax at Solangon Beach

Solangon Beach is one of the quieter beaches in Siquijor. The vast coastline is an ideal place for a beach walk or to relax. During the day, Solangon Beach is calm, but in the evening, the beach at Lalao Bridge comes to life. Many people gather on the edge of the bridge to watch the sun sink into the sea. Order a snack and drink from the vendors and enjoy the colorful sunset.

Cliff Jump at Salagdoong Beach

Salagdoong Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Siquijor, and it’s perfect for those who love a bit of action. Besides the fine white sand and clear water, this beach is known for its high cliffs, where you can jump from. The turquoise sea invites you for a refreshing dip, and on clear days, it’s great for snorkeling. Since Salagdoong Beach is part of a resort, there’s a small entrance fee.

Climb and Crawl through Cantabon Cave

Looking for a fun challenge? Go on an adventure in Cantabon Cave! This cave, located inland in Siquijor, contains dramatic rock formations, stalactites, and underground streams. This is no simple walk; with a guide, you’ll venture 600 meters (1,968 feet) into the cave. You’ll climb over rocks, walk through water, and squeeze through narrow passages. The total journey takes about 1.5 hours, taking the same route back. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet and dirty, as staying dry is not an option! You can arrange the tour through Cantabon Cave at this office.

Tip: A few kilometers (miles) from Cantabon Cave is the Observation Tower, the highest point in Siquijor. Although the tower looks a bit run-down, the 360-degree panoramic view at the top is well worth it. On clear days, you can admire Siquijor from all angles!

Take a Day Trip to Apo Island

Apo Island is a small volcanic island located 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) off the coast of Siquijor. The island is best known for its impressive marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers. The waters around the island are home to over 400 species of coral, making Apo Island one of the most diverse coral ecosystems in the world. It’s also one of the best places in the Philippines to spot sea turtles.

There are a few basic homestays on the island, but most travelers make a day trip. It takes about an hour by boat to get to Apo Island, where you might encounter dolphins along the way. Once there, you can snorkel at multiple spots around the island, and for enthusiasts, two dives are available. Island Vibes Explorers is a great organization to take the day trip to Apo Island.

Rent a Scooter and Explore Siquijor

Siquijor is perfect for exploring by scooter. You can drive around the entire island in about three hours, but chances are you’ll stop so many times at beautiful spots along the way that it will take much longer. The roads on Siquijor are surprisingly good, with a wide paved road that takes you along the coast and through the hilly interior. Only a small section inland is a bit rough and unpaved, but overall, it’s great cruising. Along the way, you’ll pass tropical landscapes, small villages, and viewpoints where you can sometimes see all the way to the sea.

Good to know: Many scooter rentals will ask to see your driver’s license before giving you a scooter, so make sure to have it with you!

Tips for Great Restaurants in Siquijor

• Wakanda Restaurant & Bar – A cozy spot where you can enjoy tapas from 6 PM and where parties are often held.
• Shaka – Here, you can eat delicious smoothie bowls and other healthy dishes right on the beach.
• Baha Ba’r – A charming restaurant with live music, perfect for a night out.
• Y Road Restaurant – A great option for a local meal after visiting the three waterfalls.
• LA Canopée Bar & Restaurant – An upscale setting with beautiful views and delicious dishes.
• Wonderland – A top choice for vegan food and great coffee. They even have Dutch poffertjes!
• Sawadee – A great restaurant serving Asian dishes.
• Aroi Makmak Thai Station Café & Restaurant – The place for authentic Thai food.
• Dolce Amore – Delicious Italian food, a bit pricier but absolutely worth it. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
• El Kabron – Popular among both locals and travelers. It’s right on the beach, with a great vibe and delicious cocktails.
• Twenty4 – This restaurant is close to Cambugahay Falls, so it’s great for a meal after your visit. They serve delicious dishes with their own freshly baked bread.

Where to Stay in Siquijor?

The southwest coast of Siquijor is the best place to stay. In and around the village of San Juan, you’ll find many accommodations, great restaurants, and bars where there’s something to do every day of the week. Here are three great places to stay in San Juan.

Our Favorite Spots in Siquijor

For the ultimate vacation experience, Dolce Amore Resort is the perfect spot. This small-scale resort is part of the Dolce Amore restaurant, which we mentioned earlier in the article. Not only can you eat great here, but you can also stay in style. The resort has a lovely pool, luxurious rooms, and a very central location. Nakabalo Guesthouse also offers a great stay. Situated higher up on the mountain, the views here are fantastic. The infinity pool is the perfect place to relax, especially during sunset. There’s also a pool table, a pétanque court, and the restaurant serves delicious food. Traveling on a smaller budget? The cute cottages at Hola Beach Resort are perfect for a stay. The location is beautiful, right on the beach. You can relax between the palm trees in one of the many hammocks and dive into the sea in between. You’ll sleep in a cozy bamboo bungalow or in the dorm.

Dolce Amore Resort More Information

Nakabalo Guesthouse More Information

Hola Beach Resort More Information