What do YOU think Siquijor is like?
A dark, cursed island filled with laughing witches stirring their cauldrons all day?
That’s what the island’s reputation is like after all.
In reality though?
It’s a bright, sunny island BURSTING with natural beauty everywhere you look!
From the Gatorade waters of Cambugahay Falls to the purple sunsets at Paliton Beach, here are 20 Siquijor tourist spots you should consider checking out!
Some of these are popular spots you hear about all over social media.
While others are almost unknown, spots that I just heard of by talking to the locals on the island.
Gear up and let’s get into it!
My Top 20 Siquijor Tourist Spots (Popular Destinations AND Unknown Spots)
Twenty is a LOT of tourist spots.
And while there’s no strict order to my list, I did try to organize these by putting my personal favorites first (and mixing the types of spots a bit, so I won’t list falls after falls after falls).
With that said, here are my twenty favorite tourist spots in Siquijor:
- Lagaan Falls
- Sambulawan Underground River
- Paliton Beach
- Cambugahay Falls
- Mt. Bandilaan
- Lugnason Falls
- Tubod Marine Sanctuary
- Cantabon Cave
- Old Balete Tree
- Cangbangag Falls
- Hapitanan
- Lazi Church & Convent
- Other Falls (Kawasan, Locong, Cabugsayan)
- Salagdoong Beach
- Larena Triad Coffee Shop
- Butterfly Sanctuary
- Holy Mountain
- Capilay Spring Park
- Tulapdos Marine Sanctuary
- Roadtrip around the whole island
Let’s take a closer look at each one!
Before We Begin! A Quick Word on Siquijor’s Tipping Economy
A lot of the spots above don’t have entrance fees (or if they do, it’s super cheap like php20).
However, most have local guides who can help you get to the spot/show you around, and you’re expected to tip these guides.
How much you give is really up to you.
But if you want a reference, I was tipping my guides around php100 ($2) per hour.
Since I was traveling alone, I rarely spent two hours in a place. And if the guide was particularly friendly, I made sure to add a little extra (the most I paid was php400).
Keep that in mind since I won’t be talking about entrance fees below unless there’s a significant one!
Also, I won’t include a “how to get there” section unless there are special instructions!
In Siquijor, it’s either you rent a motorbike and use Google maps, or you get a tour guide to take you around (public transportation is quite poor here).
Now let’s get into it!
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #1: Lagaan Falls – Strikingly Beautiful, Not Super Crowded (Lazi)
If I could only go to ONE spot on the whole island, I would choose Lagaan Falls.
Lazi, Siquijor, is PACKED with Gatorade-blue waterfalls deep in the forest.
Most of these have swing jumps, some have rafts for picture-taking, but ALL of these falls are super refreshing to dip into.
So why is Lagaan my favorite?
Because one:
It’s the second largest of these Gatorade-blue falls.
And two:
Because it’s the second largest, it doesn’t get nearly as many crowds as the largest one (Cambugahay) gets!
What this means is that you get the same breathtaking falls, but you can get it all to yourself (especially if you go early!).
Plus, I really enjoyed the rock slide on the falls.
And the little cave under the falls.
You can even climb out of the cave and stand directly under the splashing water!
This place is PACKED with fun.
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #2: Sambulawan Underground River – Super Unique and Underrated Experience (Lazi)
I’d say the most unique thing you can do in Siquijor is swim in the underground river.
At the entrance, it might look like just another cave.
But as you descend into the darkness, you’ll very quickly hear the noise of a rushing river.
That, my friends, is the Sambulawan underground river. So don your life jacket and prepare to swim through narrow cave walls!
The swim up the river is only 150 meters long and only takes a few minutes to reach the end. The creepy part is that no one, not even the locals, knows how deep the river is.
At the end of the river, you’ll find a room in the cave where you can relax.
It’s quite difficult to get good pictures inside a pitch-black cave, but if you can, you might want to get a picture of the natural Buddha just hanging around here.
After the short river tour, you’ll swim back and your guide can take you deeper into the cave where you’ll come across otherwordly stalactites and stalagmites.
You’ll also see bats hanging overhead, and might encounter some cave spiders too!
Sambulawan Underground River Entrance Fee: Php250 for entrance, life vest, and flashlight! Don’t forget to tip your guide!
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #3: Paliton Beach – Surreal Sunsets (San Juan)
There are world-class beaches all around Siquijor.
But the most famous one of them all is Paliton Beach along the San Juan coast.
Paliton is on the Westernmost side of the island, which means the sunsets here are absolutely glorious. My pictures don’t do it justice!
Speaking of pictures, Paliton is also a very Instagram-worthy beach.
Whether it’s the sunset…
This swing…
Or even this abandoned fishing boat…
You’ll come away from here with lots of pictures to take home!
You can also swim here. I’ve been told that if you swim a little further off, you’ll find a marine sanctuary.
Sadly, I visited during the Habagat season. The waves were just too strong for me to brave the ocean.
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #4: Cambugahay Falls – Most Famous Waterfall (Lazi)
Back to waterfalls.
Cambugahay is the name that everyone knows and talks about.
And while I personally prefer Lagaan, there’s no doubt that this spot is just as beautiful (maybe even a little more)!
The secret to Cambugahay is to come early – before people start popping in. If you can do this on a weekday, that’s even better.
Because trust me, if you can catch Cambugahay empty, it’s a paradise.
You can use the swing jump all you want…
Get on the raft and go under the waterfalls…
Or take a short walk upstream to the other falls of Cambugahay…
Whatever you choose to do, you’re sure to have a fun-filled time at Cambugahay!
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #5: Mt. Bandilaan – Eerie Mountain Forest (Siquijor)
Let’s get this straight:
There are no witches in Siquijor.
If there are any, you’re probably not going to run into them.
Unless…
Okay, maybe if you foolishly drive your scooter up Mt. Bandilaan at night. Then maybe you’ll encounter something.
Because even at midday, the thick foliage of this protected forest blocks out most of the sun.
And since there’s absolutely nobody around, you get a pretty eerie feeling when you’re here, especially if you’re alone!
In the middle of the park, you’ll find the highest point in Siquijor.
There’s a tower there that you can climb to get a beautiful panoramic view of the whole island.
At the base of the tower, you’ll find a quick “stations of the cross” hike you can take.
However, it’s a bit difficult to follow the crosses from #1 to #14 in order. It’s a bit scattered around, so I suspect you’re supposed to have a guide with you.
How to Get to Mt. Bandilaan: There is a direct road from Cantabon Cave to Mt. Bandilaan that doesn’t show up on Google Maps. Passing here can save you a lot of time.
But just a warning! It can get VERY slippery when it rains, so drive with caution.
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #6: Lugnason Falls – Unique Green Waterfall (San Juan)
There are about ten falls in Lazi that all look almost identical to one another.
However, if you go over to San Juan, you’ll find one that is different from the rest.
Lugnason Falls is conveniently just a few minutes away from the main tourist road of Siquijor. And it’s definitely a must-visit!
The water here isn’t Gatorade blue. Instead, it has an enchanting green hue that you probably won’t be able to resist.
The falls itself is also taller than the short ones you find in Lazi. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even climb to the top and jump down into the pool below!
Aside from the falls, you can follow a trail downhill to this odd-looking waterway system.
You can even swim in the center of this pool.
You can also walk upstream from the falls, where you’ll encounter the “zodiac falls,” 12 falls all named after a zodiac sign.
Note: trekking upstream is difficult without a guide who knows the way. I wasn’t able to see all the falls because I wasn’t sure how to get past the dense shrubs.
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #7: Tubod Beach & Marine Sanctuary – Amazing Beach, Dive, and Snorkeling Site (San Juan)
One site that I would’ve LOVED to explore is the Tubod marine sanctuary.
Found right beside Coco Grove Resort, this sanctuary is super easy to access. Plus, all along the road, there are numerous dive shops where you can rent gear to go scuba diving.
I’ve been told that the reef here is full of life and that you can even see schools of barracuda roaming around these waters.
Sadly, I came down with food poisoning on the day I was supposed to dive!
As for snorkeling, it was Habagat season, so I didn’t really want to take my chances with the huge waves.
I was able to chill at the beach, which was already fun by itself. But I can’t help but feel I missed one of the biggest things to do in Siquijor.
So if you have the opportunity to explore this marine sanctuary, make sure you take it!
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #8: Cantabon Cave – Deep Cave Full of Strange Formations (Siquijor)
If Sambulawan Underground River wasn’t enough cave for you, then you’ll love Cantabon Cave!
Cantabon Cave is an 800-meter “hike” deep below the mountains of Siquijor.
While everyone can fit in here, taller people (especially foreigners) might have some difficulty at the entrance, which is just a small opening on the ground.
But don’t worry, this is the only part that gets pretty tight. You will have to crouch and crawl in some sections, but unless you’re claustrophobic, you won’t have problems with the rest of the cave.
Inside, prepare to get wet!
You don’t have to swim, but some sections have waist-deep water.
However, if you do want to swim, there’s a natural waterfall and swimming pool found about halfway through the cave.
There are also otherworldly rock formations like these rice terraces…
Witch hat…
Shower head…
And many, many others which I’ll leave out so you can go and discover them yourself!
Cantabon Cave Entrance Fee: Cantabon Cave entrance fee is p20/head, light rental php30/head, and the mandatory guide fee of php500 (up to 3pax). There’s an additional fee of php100 per person if you exceed 3 pax.
Fun fact: Cantabon Cave is one of the only spots that has a pretty well-established entrance fee. I’m not sure if that’s something that I’d want for the rest of the island though!
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #9: Old Balete Tree – Fish Foot Spa Under a Giant Tree (Lazi)
Now, I know what you’re thinking…
What the heck is a FISH foot spa?
Believe it or not, it’s where you dip your feet in a small pond, and small fish eat the loose skin from your feet!
Does it hurt?
It’s mostly just ticklish. Think of it as fish nibbling your feet rather than them biting (and the big fish in the pond aren’t too interested in tourists’ feet).
However, once in a while, a particularly feisty fish might take an unusually large bite and it can hurt a bit.
But don’t worry, no one’s ever been wounded or anything over here. Plus, that’s part of the fun of it – you never know how big of a bite you’re going to get!
The pond is cozily nestled under a giant balete tree that is said to be 400-500 years old.
If you’re not from the Philippines, our folklore sees balete trees as the home of all kinds of creatures like fairies, dwarves, spirits, and even demons.
That’s why this place is called the old enchanted balete tree!
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #10: Cangbangag Falls – Secret Spot! The Tallest Waterfall in Siquijor (Larena)
There’s a magical feeling when you find a secret spot on your own.
A spot where even Google Maps won’t help you too much.
So in the spirit of adventure…
I’m not going to tell you how to get to this spot!
You can always ask a tour guide to take you there.
But where’s the fun in that?
Rent a scooter and go find it yourself.
This is the least visited waterfall in Siquijor – and no wonder! It’s hard to get to.
Plus, the water isn’t as enticing as the bright blues and greens of Cambugahay and Lugnason.
Instead, the joy of finding these falls is in the adventure and the solitude of being completely alone deep in the forest of Siquijor.
You can swim here, but I recommend taking the time to just sit or lie down and listen to the flowing water paired with the sound of birds all around you.
It’s magical.
How to Get to Cangbangag Falls: Again, I’m not going to tell you exactly how to get there, since finding it is part of the fun. But here’s a hint!
The road leading to the falls (which Google Maps doesn’t show) is somewhere in Brgy Catamboan, Larena.
The drive is an extremely scenic twisting mountain pass.
Just continue on the road until you get to a point where your motorbike can’t go anymore. Then continue your journey down by foot.
The trek down is pretty steep, but at the end of it, you’ll find one of the most glorious sites in Siquijor, the majestic Cangbangag Falls!
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #11: Hapitanan – Flying Broom Photoshoot Area (Lazi)
Some people hate being stereotyped.
Others, like the folks at Hapitanan, take advantage of it.
So instead of being bothered by Siquijor’s reputation as a witch island, they instead built a little witch-themed stopover by the side of the road!
Hapitanan roughly means “a place that you pass by” in Bisaya (there’s no direct translation). And what a fitting name!
Found right in between the beaches of San Juan, and the waterfalls of Lazi, this spot is the perfect place to take a break and drink some coconut water.
It’s also where you can ride the broom (which is just you, on a platform, doing a jump shot with a broom).
They have a bunch of witch-themed souvenirs that you can get here.
Between the jump shots, the coconut water, and just the overall relaxed vibe, this is the perfect place to “hapit” on your way back to San Juan.
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #12: Lazi Church & Convent – Old Buildings in the Lazi Town Center (Lazi)
Confession time:
I’m not a big fan of old churches and buildings. And I probably won’t go out of my way to see one.
However, these two are quite special.
The Lazi Church is one of the best-kept old churches around. And was even nominated as a UNESCO heritage site for its baroque-style exterior.
But what really makes this place special is the giant convent just across the road.
Built in 1884, the Lazi Convent is said to be the oldest and largest convent in all of Asia.
Today, these two buildings still stand strong and beautiful.
The trees all around them provide shade from the blazing sun. And thanks to its location, it’s a great place to chill and snap some photos after diving into the nearby waterfalls all day.
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #13: The Other Lazi Falls – Kawasan Falls, Locong Falls, Cabugsayan Falls (Lazi)
Does Siquijor ever run out of falls???
No, no it does not.
If Lagaan, Cambugahay, Lugnason, the Zodiac Falls, and Cangbangag weren’t enough, there’s still a BUNCH of waterfalls all found on the same river as Lagaan.
All of these falls are pretty similar to one another.
They’re all Gatorade blue, they usually have rope swings, they’re all VERY refreshing, and some of them (like Kawasan), have a small cave under the falls as well.
So here’s the thing:
You really don’t need to visit all of these falls.
If you’ve already been to Cambugahay and Lagaan, there’s nothing more to see here. Just smaller versions of those two.
But if the thought of going somewhere off the beaten path excites you, or if you want to make sure that there’s absolutely no one else with you, these are the falls to visit!
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #14: Salagdoong Beach – Cozy Beach with Manmade Forest (Maria)
On the eastern side of the island, you’ll find Salagdoong beach.
The place was a tourist hotspot before Covid arrived.
People used to go to the little islet just off the beach, and use the diving board to jump into the sea!
Recently, however, it’s gotten a lot quieter. With no lifeguards around and renovations going on, there was no diving or even swimming allowed when I visited.
Update October 15, 2023: Salagdoong is now open for swimming and cliff jumping! More reasons to come visit!
Nevertheless, it was still a nice place to chill as I drove around the entire island.
And I’m pretty sure the place is going to bounce back very soon!
As I’ve mentioned, there were renovations going on. The resorts in the area were gearing up to go into full operation mode once again.
Also, to get to Salagdoong beach, you’ll have to pass through the Salagdoong forest – a lovely manmade forest that’s perfect for getting pictures.
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #15: Larena Triad Coffee Shop – Coffee Shop on a Hill Overlooking Larena (Larena)
There aren’t many famous restaurants in Siquijor.
However, if you’re passing through Larena, I highly recommend a stop at the Larena Triad Coffee Shop.
Found on the top of a hill, the view you get from here is very pleasant.
You can see the town of Larena below. And far off, you can even see silhouettes of Negros and south Cebu on the horizon.
For drinks, they serve all your favorite coffees like latte, cappuccino, mocha, americano, etc.
And they also serve lots of food.
This “coffee shop” is actually a restaurant. Their menu is super diverse, and you can get everything from burgers to fried chicken.
Larena is quite far away from the main tourist zones. And the food isn’t outstanding that you have to make the trip here.
However, if you’re in the area, it’s probably the best place to go and grab lunch, dinner, or snacks!
How to Get to Larena Triad Coffee Shop: IMPORTANT! When searching for this coffee shop, make sure you search for its exact name. There is another spot in Google labeled “Larena Triad Restaurant & Bakeshop.” That is NOT where you want to go! There’s literally nothing there (trust me, I’ve been there!)
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #16: Butterfly Sanctuary – Small Garden With Lots of Colorful Butterflies (Lazi)
Tucked away in the hills of Siquijor is a small sanctuary for butterflies.
In the garden, you’ll find plenty of flowers and even more butterflies with all kinds of colors.
There are black and yellow butterflies:
Orange butterflies:
Brown butterflies:
And even these black butterflies with bright blue underbellies (unfortunately, I wasn’t able to picture the blue):
Overall, the place isn’t extraordinary.
But if you want to support the conservation of these beautiful creatures, a short trip to the sanctuary is all you need to do.
It’s technically in Lazi, but the closest landmark to it is Mt. Bandilaan – so I’d recommend visiting the sanctuary after that.
Also, if you have good camera gear, this is a great place to get some awesome photos.
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #17: Holy Mountain – Isolated Hill With Giant Cross Overlooking East Siquijor (Enrique Villanueva)
There are two ways to get to Holy Mountain:
The normal way – where you park your bike on the side of the road, then proceed up the steps like a pilgrimage.
Or, the extreme bike-ride way – where you literally drive your scooter up the mountain!
For most people, I’d recommend the first way.
But, if you’re up for an extreme adventure, then the second way is what you should try!
Keep in mind though that you will probably need a guide for the second way. The dirt path leading up the mountain is difficult to find on your own.
My guide and I navigated through rocky roads and mountain passes, all to get to this one, small serene chapel on top of the hill.
The views were very pretty, of course. And the feeling of being completely alone up on a mountain is very peaceful too.
But for the adventurous, try asking a guide to lead you to the motorbike path because it’s a CRAZY ride.
Note: To find Holy Mountain in Google Maps, search for “Healing Mountain.”
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #18: Capilay Spring Park – Free Spring Running Through Town (San Juan)
One spot that you probably won’t miss unless you deliberately avoid it is Capilay Spring Park.
Found right in the center of San Juan (the busiest tourist town), Capilay Spring is a long green natural spring that makes a wonderful chilling spot.
The water is cool and refreshing, and if you’re in for a quick swim, this is a great place to do it. Its shape resembles a lap pool, so you might even get some training in.
It seems to be a local favorite too.
If you come here in the late afternoon, you’ll find plenty of students hanging around the tables.
Overall, it’s a very cozy little park.
Not really a place you should go out of your way for. But since it’s almost never out of the way, Capilay Spring Park is a very nice place to stop by.
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #19: Tulapdos Marine Sanctuary – Diving Spot with Barracuda (Enrique Villanueva)
Getting to the end of our list, we have the Tulapdos marine sanctuary.
This is, once again, a spot that I was unable to visit due to the strong waves!
My guess is that if I did get to snorkel around here, it would be much higher on this list.
But again, everyone that I heard from tells me that this one is one of the best of the bests.
Schools of barracuda, sea turtles, and sometimes even a shark can be found in these waters.
It’s found all the way on the East side of the island, but if you get the opportunity to go, definitely go and take it!
Best Siquijor Tourist Spots #20: Roadtrip Around the Whole Island!
This isn’t a spot, but it’s something you should definitely consider doing.
Rent a motorbike, and drive around the WHOLE island.
That’s right.
Siquijor is only 102km around. If you drive non-stop, you can easily get this done in less than three hours.
But why would you?
You can plot your trip to include some of the tourist spots I mentioned above.
Or you can just drive and take in the beautiful views.
Somewhere in Maria there’s a rice field that turns golden during sunset.
Then there’s this Talingting signage, with a small basketball court with plenty of locals.
Further on in Larena you’ll find this boulevard that’s very reminiscent to the one you get in Dumaguete.
There are so many things you’ll find for yourself if you go on a roadtrip of the whole island.
Whether you have a defined itinerary, or you’re just going where the road takes you, it’s something that’s very worthwhile.
Which Siquijor Spots Are YOU Excited About?
Twenty spots is a lot for such a small island.
But was that all?
No.
Absolutely not.
After a week on the island, I left feeling like there was STILL more to discover.
And so, I’ll leave that up to you now!
I hope this list has been helpful for you in planning your trip.
But remember!
There’s still more that is out there for YOU to discover.
So get out there and find it!
And when you do, let me know in the comments what your favorite spot is!
Cheers!
– Manoling