How to get to Siquijor Island, The Philippines and Experience a truly Island Beauty

My visit

It's my second time to visit the Island. The first one, was way back 2007 and we arrived on the Island quite late in the afternoon. My first impression then as soon as we arrived at the Port was that, it was going to be a laid-back Island. There was not much people at the Port which you usually see on regular ports. Not much motorbikes for rent you see today lining up as soon as you get out of the port's gate. We even had a hard time getting jeep to take us to where we wanted to stay which was in Salagdoong Beach.

St. Francis de Assisi Church, Siquijor

The island, in my younger years, was always featured in several local TV station documentaries because of certain practices by some people doing faith healing down to the sometimes exaggerated ones like black magic. However, once  you arrive to the place, seeing all it's beauty and it's people, you would know and feel that what you hear is not always true.

I so love the place

The roads around the Island are mostly well paved along with a breath of fresh air and sceneries of rice fields or long stretches of virgin white beaches. The people make the most of it's beauty as well. They are very warm with how they accept visitors.

Next Big thing

Renting a motorbike, going around the island  and seeing it's place accessibility getting worked on by the day gets me excited for the future of the Island and I can't wait to visit it again really really soon.

Cambugahay Falls, Siquijor

For my recent trip, I didn't focus on getting to all the tourist spots on the Island because anywhere on it is... I wanted to just take my time and enjoy the beauty that was literally in front of the room where I stayed. The San Juan white beach, stretching for as far as my eyes could see.

Siquijor

Is a fifth income class island province located in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is the third smallest province in the country that has six municipalities (Siquijor, Larena, Lazi, Maria, San Juan, Enrique Villanueva)

Century Old Balete Tree and the Lazi Convent

How to get there

The fastest and easiest way in getting to the Island is through Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. If you are from the other parts of the Philippines, take an airplane to Dumaguete City.

Another gateway for people who will have problems getting an airplane, a bus or a boat that is direct to Dumaguete, would be through Cebu City.

For travelers going through Cebu, you'll have three options. You may take another plane going to Dumaguete or head down to Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and take a CERES bus. Oceanjet fastcraft from Cebu also goes to Siquijor but will pass Tagbilaran Bohol > Dumaguete City > Siquijor first. 

Most local travelers passing through Cebu, will opt to take the CERES bus lines as they offer more trips compared to the other available transportation options mentioned. See bus schedules HERE.

Note:

• CERES bus travel time to Dumaguete City can take 4-5 hours depending on the traffic.
• CERES bus will be transported to Negros Island on car-carrying ferries (RORO). 

CERES Bus on RORO to Negros Island

*CERES: Cebu - Dumaguete = Php. 215.00
*RORO: Cebu - Negros = Php. 70.00

Dumaguete City

Once you arrive at Dumaguete City, if you took the plane, you may charter a tricycle going to Dumaguete port. If you took the CERES bus from Cebu, it will pass by the Dumaguete port area as well. Tell the bus driver or Conductor to drop you off at the highway closest to the port.

Dumaguete Port to Siquijor island

The port offers multiple shipping lines plying for Siquijor. There are small fast crafts available but for safety and convenience take either the Oceanjet fast craft which is bigger and cleaner compared to the others or the normal regular cruising BIG boats as the waves going to the island can sometimes get quite an adventure.

*Oceanjet: Dumaguete - Siquijor = Php. 210.00

Arrival at the Siquijor Port

The port for ships from Dumaguete is located at Siquijor, Siquijor which is the provincial capital of the island. Once you are outside of it, if you want to be able to save money for transportation and you are up for a regular backpacker adventure, you can easily rent a motorbike so you can check on cheap resorts on the Island and decide where to stay. Vans, Jeepneys and Tricycles are available as well.

*Motorbike rental for 24hrs. = Php. 300.00

Recommendations: 

• Buy the things you need in Siquijor, Siquijor area as there is a big difference of item prices in resorts already.
• Rent motorbikes if you know how to drive for easy access to all the places in the island.
• Ask for a free map of the island from the tourism help desk directly located at the gate entrance of the Siquijor port.
• Cheap beach front resorts can be found at San Juan and it's closest to the Port area. 

San Juan, Siquijor

For questions and suggestions feel free to message me using the comment box below, and if you think that this guide helped you, please do share it or click on the facebook like button at the upper right part of the page. Thanks!

    

San Juan Beach Front - Century Old Balete Foot Spa - Cambugahay Falls