Cantabon Cave.
It’s unexpected. Majestic. Thrilling.
It’s filled with bats, strange birds that nest in the crevices of rock formations, and shadowy pools embodying the cave’s darkness.
An underground river runs through it, and beautiful crystals shine in its blackness.
If you close your eyes, you’ll be enveloped in its ancient energy and eerie nature.
If you’re in Siquijor, I 100% recommend you visit it.
Not sure how or what to expect?
This blog is for you.
In it, we’ll explore:
- What you’ll see at Cantabon Cave
- How to get to Cantabon Cave
- Who can enjoy Cantabon Cave
- How much you’ll spend at Cantabon Cave
- And much more
Let’s go!
Traveling to Siquijor soon? Check out my full Siquijor travel guide here, or check out these 20 other cool Siquijor tourist spots!
Cantabon Cave Fun Facts for the Curious Tourist
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty of visiting Cantabon Cave, here are 3 fun facts about it:
Cantabon Cave Fun Fact #1: Cantabon Is a Beginner-Friendly Cave
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard a lot of caving stories from experts.
The danger, the life-threatening climbs, the thrill of many-meter falls.
Going up ropes and jumping off cliffs with water below.
Not an expert caver yourself?
Don’t worry!
Cantabon is beginner-friendly, and you can enjoy it even if you have never been in a cave before.
I know because I’m not a serious hiker or caver.
I’m reasonably fit, but I can’t go on days-long super-steep hikes (that’s my brother’s thing).
However, I was still able to enjoy Cantabon Cave.
Yes, there are some challenging parts.
Like when we had to crawl on rocks, balance on slippery mud, or cross a chasm over the gushing river.
But they’re not that hard.
There were even families with kids and elderly people there!
So if you’re on the fence because you don’t consider yourself a “caver”…
…don’t worry.
If you’re considerably fit without any injuries, chances are you’ll enjoy Cantabon Cave as much as we did.
Cantabon Cave Fun Fact #2: Cantabon Cave Is Full of Beautiful Crystals
Cantabon Cave is a limestone cave with some stunning stalagmites and stalactites.
With time, calcium carbonate crystals form.
I remember seeing these haunting, glowing formations in the dark.
The eeriness of the light reflecting on their surfaces, their bright, surreal whiteness in the shadows.
In Cantabon, there are whole shelves covered in these crystals.
They’re stunning and definitely a big reason to visit the cave.
Cantabon Cave Fun Fact #3: Birds Led Humans to Discover Cantabon Cave
Story time.
Let’s go way back, a long time ago, before Cantabon Cave was discovered.
Locals in the area around it started noticing strange birds.
Curious, they followed the birds through the dense forest and muddy, rocky, slippery paths.
That’s when they came upon the yawning entrance of the underground cave.
Cantabon Cave is hard to see from aboveground, as its entrance is only a narrow hole in the ground.
You have to climb down over some slippery rocks to get inside.
Anyway, the locals followed the birds into the cave and discovered their nests within crevices of rock.
They harvested these nests and used them in their soups.
Fast forward to today, the birds of Cantabon Cave are protected, and it’s no longer permitted to hunt them and gather their nests.
But the story of how people found the cave remains.
You can ask your guide to tell it to you – this is how we heard the story ourselves.
How to Get to Cantabon Cave (The Easiest Way)
Cantabon Cave is located right in the heart of Siquijor.
If you’re staying in San Juan, Larena, or Siquijor town, it will take you roughly 45 minutes to get to the cave.
You can take a tricycle from any of these towns, but remember to prepare your bargaining skills as there are no fixed prices.
If you’re looking for the easiest way to get to Cantabon Cave, however, I recommend that you drive yourself there on your rented motorcycle.
(It’s easy to find motorcycle rentals in Siquijor. These cost PHP350-700, depending on the model you choose.)
There are several roads that lead to the cave, but I suggest you stick with the highway around the island.
If you’re coming from San Juan, Google will show you the quickest way is through the mountain roads.
However, driving on these mountain roads can be a bit tricky, as these tiny roads are rocky, undermaintained, and kind of tough to navigate.
(YES. We took the back roads, and it was a rock ‘n’ roll experience! If that’s your thing, you can do it too.)
Don’t worry.
No matter which roads you choose to follow, finding Cantabon Cave is pretty straightforward.
Here’s its exact location on Google Maps:
How to Access Cantabon Cave: 3 Easy Steps
Cantabon Cave is a protected area, and you will need a guide to visit it.
Here are 3 steps you need to follow to enjoy this beautiful underground wonder:
- Register at the tourism office
- Short trek to the cave
- Enjoy the cave!
Let’s go through them one by one.
Registration, Payment, and Meeting Your Guide
You’re not allowed to enter Cantabon Cave on your own.
First, you’ll need to visit the tourism office to register, pay, and meet your guide.
This office is located near Cantabon Cave itself.
If you’re not sure where to go, you can get started by visiting the Cantabon Barangay Hall. (You can find its exact location on Google Maps.)
From there, go across the street to the tourism office, where you can register to visit the cave.
Next, pay your fees to the officer in charge.
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.
If you come without the right kind of footwear, you can rent some for PHP50 per pair.
After registration, payment, and changing of footwear, you’ll be introduced to your guide.
If there are many tourists on that day, you may have to wait in a queue until a guide is available.
Once one is, you’ll be ready to take the short trek to the cave.
Walk to the Cave
The walk from the tourism office to Cantabon Cave is roughly 400 meters.
If you’re a fast walker, you’ll get to the cave’s entrance in around 10 minutes.
If it’s been raining, however, the narrow footpaths will be muddy and slippery.
Take your time and don’t rush!
The area is beautiful, covered with trees and populated with many species of birds.
You can treat the trek as part of the experience, basking in nature and enjoying its unique healing powers.
Enjoy the Cave!
Before entering the cave, your guide will give a brief talk on the guidelines to uphold inside it.
She (lots of the guides are local women) will tell you that you can’t touch anything or take anything but photos.
This briefing lasts around 5 minutes.
Afterwards, you’re ready to go!
What to Expect in Cantabon Cave (A Beautiful, Exhilerating, Fun Experience)
Imagine it.
After the quick guide briefing, you’re ready to step into Cantabon Cave.
Be careful!
The stones leading down from the entrance are slippery, and you can slide and fall if you don’t go slowly.
As soon as you step into the mouth of the cave, the bustling sounds and patchwork sunlight of the forest dim.
A dense silence and darkness reach out their hands to meet you.
These feel like a presence, shadowy, eerie, somehow comforting.
You’re underground now, within the cool, black embrace of the earth.
The guide leads you, and you walk forward.
In some places, there’s thick black mud.
In others, you have to crawl over rocks to maintain your balance.
The river gushes below, a hollow sound in the cavern.
Crystals decorate the low roof and walls, flashing and sparkling in the light of your headlamp.
Now and then, there are cool formations you can take photos with.
Like a crown that fits your head, making you feel like king or queen of the underworld.
Pools of cold water you can swim in.
Or a rock formation that looks just like a shower head!
Shine your light upwards, and you can see bats hanging upside down, their dark wings wrapped around their slender bodies.
You can also hear the cry of the birds the villagers used to hunt, and see their ingenious nests cradled in the rock.
The whole cave is around 800 meters in length, and since you have to double back to exit, the whole trek will take roughly one hour.
Another thing to expect: you will be tired after!
At least I was.
Maybe it’s the adrenaline, the slippery trek, the cold swim, the balancing over rocks and crossing streams – but the whole experience left me tired.
In a good way, of course!
Who Can Enjoy Cantabon Cave?
Everyone!
As mentioned, Cantabon Cave is beginner-friendly.
When we were there, we noticed big groups of whole families enjoying the cave.
That’s right – adults, little kids, even grandparents!
However, you need to be reasonably fit and healthy. I wouldn’t recommend this for someone who has trouble balancing, since there are some slippery areas.
Otherwise, there’s no reason at all that you can’t enjoy Cantabon Cave.
Unless you’re scared of the dark and bats, of course!
How Much Will You Spend in Cantabon Cave?
PHP600.
At minimum.
This is the guide and environmental fee, plus the headlamps you and your group will need.
If you’re doing the cave alone, you’ll have to cover the entire fee.
However, if you’re traveling with others, you can split the fee.
One guide can take 3 people maximum, so that’s PHP200 per head for the guide and headlamps.
If you don’t have proper footwear, you can rent a pair at the tourism office for PHP150.
Other expenses include snacks and drinks, which are available in small “sari-sari” stores around the tourism office.
I recommend you bring some cash when you visit.
A lot of these tiny stores don’t have online banking (obviously), so some good, old-fashioned paper bills will come in handy.
As I said, you will be tired and thirsty after the cave experience.
So go ahead and buy a freezing cold Coke and some chips in one of the stores!
This will get you smiles from the locals – another thing that makes it worth it.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Cantabon Cave?
The best time to visit Cantabon Cave is in the summer, during sunnier weather.
Heavy rainfall can cause the river inside the cave to rise, becoming dangerous.
We visited in June, which is the end of summer in the Philippines.
The weather was still nice and sunny, but not scorching hot (like it is in April and May).
It’s also best to visit the cave in the morning, before the water becomes sullied by too many tourists.
If you’re in Siquijor for more than a few days, visit during a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Cantabon Cave: Siquijor’s Beautiful, Mysterious Underground Experience
Siquijor Island is in itself a haunting, mysterious place.
With witch stories, centuries-old caves, and faith healers, it’s well-known for its aura of magic and mythology.
Cantabon Cave is no different.
Lying under the scarred, dense forests of the island, it waits in silence and darkness.
Populated by bats and strange birds.
Sparkling with crystals.
Crossed by a shadowy river.
If you love adventure and want to do it underground, in the dark, you will love Cantabon Cave.
I know I loved it.
100%.
Note: don’t forget to check out my full Siquijor travel guide or tourist spots article (there are 20 more!)