Where to stay on Siquijor

Siquijor is a small island province in the Central Visayas of the Philippines, south of Cebu and east of Negros. Locals and visitors know it as the 'mystic island' for its traditions of folk healing and herbal medicine, but most people come for its quiet beaches, coral reefs, waterfalls and easy-going pace.

A ring road of roughly 70 kilometres circles the island, so nowhere is far away. Most guesthouses and small resorts cluster on the west coast around San Juan, which faces the sunset; the rest are scattered around the island's other villages.

Getting there
Ferries from Dumaguete (about an hour by fast craft), plus routes from Cebu and Bohol
Ports
Siquijor town and Larena, on the north and west coasts
Getting around
Tricycles and scooter hire on the coastal ring road
Wettest months
Usually around June to November

Places to stay in Siquijor

34 hotels

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Siquijor, area by area

San Juan, on the west coast, has the beaches and most of the places to stay. The north has the ports, and the east and south hold the island's best-known sights.

San Juan and the west coast

Best for sunsets and snorkelling

The island's main beach area, with a string of sandy coves facing the sunset: Solangon, Paliton, Tubod and Maite. Tubod has a marine sanctuary just offshore that's good for snorkelling. Small cafés, dive shops and guesthouses line the road, and it's the liveliest part of Siquijor, though still very relaxed.

Siquijor town and Larena

Best for ferry connections

The island's two ports, on the north-west and north coasts, where ferries from Dumaguete, Cebu and Bohol arrive. They have the most shops, banks and local eateries, and Sandugan Beach near Larena is a quieter stretch of sand with some good snorkelling.

Maria, Lazi and the east

Best for waterfalls and cliff jumping

The quieter east and south of the island hold its best-known sights: Salagdoong Beach with its cliff-jumping platforms, the turquoise pools of Cambugahay Falls, the old church and convent at Lazi, and a giant century-old balete tree with a fish spa at its roots.

Getting to and around Siquijor

There's no commercial airport on Siquijor. Most visitors fly to Dumaguete on Negros and take a fast ferry across, which usually takes around an hour; there are also ferry routes from Cebu and from Tagbilaran on Bohol. Check the current schedules, as they change with the season and the weather.

On the island, tricycles wait at the ports and can be hired for the day, and scooter rental is easy to find. Many visitors spend a day riding the full ring road, stopping at beaches, waterfalls and viewpoints along the way.

Questions about staying in Siquijor

Where is the best place to stay on Siquijor?

San Juan, on the west coast, suits most visitors: it has the best beaches for swimming and sunsets, plus the widest choice of places to eat.

How do I get to Siquijor?

Fly to Dumaguete, then take a ferry across, which usually takes about an hour by fast craft. There are also ferries from Cebu and Bohol.

Is Siquijor safe to visit?

Yes. Despite its 'mystic island' reputation, Siquijor is known as a calm, friendly island. The folk-healing traditions are part of local culture rather than anything to worry about.

What should I see on Siquijor?

Cambugahay Falls, Salagdoong Beach, the church and convent at Lazi, the old balete tree and the snorkelling at Tubod are the usual highlights.

When is the best time to visit?

The drier months are usually from around December to May. From about June to November there's more rain, and typhoons can disrupt ferries.

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