POV: You’re in Siquijor, the land of healing and magic.
Maybe you’ve heard a bunch of legends and rumors surrounding the island.
That it’s full of witches.
That someone can put a love potion into your food, and you’re lost.
That strange, enchanted creatures roam the forests after dark.
I once asked my Siquijor native friend about these legends, and whether witches exist on the island, and he said,
“Yes, it’s possible.”
So if you’re on the Isla del Fuego (Island of Fire) also know as The Healing Island…
…you might have heard of the Enchanted Balete Tree.
And of course, you want to visit it.
So here’s everything there is to know about it (how to get there, what to see, popular activities there, and more!)
Enchanted Balete Tree: 3 Fun Facts to Make Your Visit More Interesting
First things first.
The fun facts.
Here’s a handful of them:
Enchanted Balete Tree Fun Fact #1: It’s Also Called the Centuries-Old Balete Tree
The Enchanted Balete Tree is said to be not a hundred years old…
…not two hundred…
…not even three hundred…
…but four hundred years old!
This means it was “born” around the 1600s, long before Magellan and his Spanish sailors arrived in the country.
Imagine that!
For this reason, the Enchanted Balete Tree of Siquijor is sometimes also called The Centuries-Old Balete Tree.
Enchanted Balete Tree Fun Fact #2: Fairies and Creatures Are Rumored to Visit the Tree at Night
If you’re into Filipino folklore, you’ll love this one.
The Balete tree, in Filipino legend, is thought to be a magical tree with huge spiritual significance.
Stories have it that it attracts fairies and mystical creatures, like the aswang (a shape-shifter), the tikbalang (half-human, half-horse), and the dwende (mischivous spirits that reside inside trees).
These creatures make offerings to the tree after dark, to thank it for its protection.
Whether you believe lore like this or not, looking up at the Enchanted Balete Tree, you would think, “Maybe this could be possible!”
It has a haunting presence, with giant trunks and roots reaching down into the earth, great boughs seemingly touching the sky, and a serene, pervasive silence surrounding it.
If you don’t believe me, it’s time to go on that trip to visit the tree yourself!
Enchanted Balete Tree Fun Fact #3: Balete Trees Are Also Called Banyan Trees
If you’re not from the Philippines, chances are you haven’t heard of the “Balete” tree.
But maybe you’ve heard of a Banyan, or Strangeler Fig.
These trees are similar to mangroves, in that roots emerge from their branches and make their way down to the ground.
The roots soon become separate trunks, growing larger with time.
Because of this, any surrounding tree gets choked to death.
Yes, the Balete is a parasitic tree.
Eventually, its host tree dies and decomposes, leaving a hollow in the middle surrounded by a huge collection of separate trunks.
Its boughs rise high into the sky, forming a glorious green canopy and beautiful speckled shade.
But yes, the Balete isn’t only a magical thing.
It’s also a killer, determined to look out for its own survival.
The Enchanted Balete Tree: 3 Things to Do There
Ok, so now you know a bit about the Enchanted Balete Tree and its history.
Ready to visit it yourself?
Of course you are!
Here are 3 things you can do there:
Fun Things to Do at the Enchanted Balete Tree #1: Gaze at the Tree (And Of Course, Take Photos!)
Like I mentioned, seeing Siquijor’s majestic Balete tree would make you wonder if the legends were indeed true.
This is because the tree is impressive.
It towers into the sky, powerful roots forming braids that look almost creepy, bright green leaves reaching fingers into the clouds.
The collection of trunks and roots is huge, a massive, hulking thing that could be an entity itself.
So yes, when you arrive there, the first thing you can do is gaze at it in awe.
Then, start snapping photos!
You can step into the hollows formed by the deaths of host trees, peek outside, and get pretty awesome, eerie shots.
Fun Things to Do at the Enchanted Balete Tree #2: Get Your Feet Nibbled by Fish
Beside the Balete tree is a little pool filled with tilapia fish.
These fish like to nibble at your feet, eating away at old skin cells you no longer need.
You can sit at the edge of the water, bask in the patchwork of sun and shade from the tree, and laugh as the fish bite at your skin.
Don’t worry.
It doesn’t hurt.
It can be surprising at first, but in the end, it’s just like being poked and tickled by smooth, rubbery gums.
Fun Things to Do at the Enchanted Balete Tree #3: Buy Yourself a Spell
Surrounding the Balete tree is a bazaar-like area full of shops.
You can buy a keychain of a voodoo doll on a broomstick.
A love potion in a bottle. (Does it work? Buy it to find out!)
A bottle of herbs for curing ailments (from the island’s many faith healers).
A t-shirt with a witch-themed logo.
Skulls carved out of rock.
Crystals on string necklaces.
You name it.
If you’re looking for a souvenir to take back with you to your island or your country, this place is where you’ll find it.
How to Get to the Enchanted Balete Tree
The best way to get to the Enchanted Balete Tree is by motorcycle.
If you’ve already rented one, then that’s awesome!
Getting around the island without one will be hard.
Don’t worry, though.
There are a ton of shops (especially next to the port) offering motorcycle rental for PHP350-700 (depending on what type of motorcycle you want to rent).
Got your motorcycle?
Great.
Now, drive along the Lazi Circumferential Road.
The Enchanted Balete Tree sits right next to the road.
You’ll see its leaves scraping the sky, its giant trunks and roots like a great hulking mass, and likely a bunch of tourists buying souvenirs at the shops or taking photos with the tree.
You can’t miss it!
But just in case, here’s its exact location on Google Maps:
How Much You’ll Spend at Siquijor’s Enchanted Balete Tree
If you’re on a budget, Siquijor is the place to be.
I mean, everything is cheap!
From waterfalls with PHP20 entrance fees, to free beaches you can step into whenever you feel hot.
The Enchanted Balete Tree is no different.
Entrance is only PHP20 per head.
Parking for your motorcycle is PHP10, and the comfort rooms are PHP5 per use.
Of course, you might spend a little more if you’re going souvenir shopping.
You can find a pretty crystal worth PHP500 or more.
Or an Isla del Fuego t-shirt that costs PHP300-500.
Or maybe a delicious ice candy stick or a snack (pricing depends on what you pick!).
But if you’re just there to gaze at the tree and take in its majesty, PHP35 is the only money going out of your pocket. (That’s not even 1 USD!)
Cool, huh?
Who Will Enjoy Siquijor’s Enchanted Balete Tree?
In short: everyone!
Come alone with nothing but your backpack.
Come with your family (grandma, kids, pets, the whole caboodle!).
Come with a bunch of friends or a lover.
The Enchante Balete Tree resembles a small, simple attraction park with places to chill, snacks, and ample shade.
It’s not hard to get to, and can be enjoyed whether you’re a solo traveller or a large group.
Siquijor’s Enchanted Balete Tree: It’s Time for Some Magic!
Whether you’re a person who’s invested in exploring the folklore of different areas…
…or simply a wanderer who appreciates beauty and ancient things…
…you’ll love Siquijor’s Enchanted Balete Tree.
I mean, we’ll never get the chance to go back in time and experience the 1600s.
Unless a Time Machine is built (hello, AI!).
But when you step next to the magnificent, centuries-old tree, you kind of feel that you’re stepping back in time.
Time is entwined within its roots, its skyward-reaching branches, its majestic trunks.
And when you step into the cool, eerie, dark crevices between the trunks, you can almost feel the whisper of fairies and mystical creatures.
Even if you don’t believe in these things, just gazing on the ancient beauty of nature makes this tree worth visiting.
You won’t regret it, I promise!