Enchanting Beauty
SIQUIJOR | Island of Fire/ Isla del Fuego
Siquijor, once named by the Spaniards as “Island of Fire” in English or “Isla del Fuego” in Spanish, is one of the smallest provinces in the country and to be found in Central Visayas (Region VII). It is southeasterly based in the province of Cebu and Dumaguete, Negros Oriental and is southwesterly located from Bohol’s viewpoint.
Its tropical
climate serves as an ideal getaway during summer and it gets a little overcast
during the months of August up until the first weeks of January. The primary livelihood
of the locals is essentially leaned on agriculture; the affluent marine life
gifted locals a comfortable means of living too. Being gradually known as a great travel target,
many money-generating opportunities have opened up for the locals – tour guides,
drivers, resellers of basic and souvenir commodities. The trade and industry is
kept healthy within the adjoining provinces – Dumaguete, Cebu, Bohol up to the the northern part of Mindanao.
HOW TO GET TO SIQUIJOR
BY AIR
Fly to Siquijor from any domestic place of origin in the country – Manila, Cebu, Dumaguete, etc.
Fare depends on the availability and schedule.
Kindly see Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, PAL websites for your reference.
BY LAND/ SEA
HOW TO GET TO DUMAGUETE CITY FROM CEBU CITY (DIRECT)
- Ceres Bus Liner provides daily trips to Dumaguete City; please see table below for your reference.
- The jump-off point in going to Siquijor is the Dumaguete Port; ride a barge boat bound for Siquijor; expect a 45 minute to an hour of sea travel; fare varies but it is between Php 170 - Php 200.
- Once Siquijor Port is reached, you can rent a motor bike for a single journey that will bring you to your desired accommodation; fare varies on the travel distance but it normally starts at Php 50.
- Ceres Bus Liner has regular trips bound for Bato on a 30 minute to an hour interval; take a bus ride bound for Bato; travel time is approximately 3-4 hours; fare is Php 170.
- If you are coming from the town of Badian, Cebu; just take a bus ride with a signage bound for Bato/ Oslob, travel time is an hour, fare is Php 65.
- Get off at Bato terminal and ride a trike or a habal-habal which is bound for Liloan Port, Santander, Cebu. Travel time is 10-15 minutes; fare is between Php 50-60.
- Ride a fast craft bound for Sibulan Port, Dumaguete; travel time is approximately an hour; fare is Php 60 with additional Php 5 for the terminal fee.
- From Sibulan Port, you can either ride a trike bound for Dumagete Port going to Siquijor Port; fare is approximately Php 100; travel time is between 15 – 20 minutes. Another option in going to Dumaguete Port is by riding a PUJ; travel time is approximately 20 – 30 minutes; fare is Php 7.50. Get off at Silliman University and start a leisure walk towards the Port of Dumaguete.
- Ride a barge boat bound for Siquijor; expect a 45 minute to an hour of sea travel; fare varies but it is usually between Php 170 - Php 200.
- Once Siquijor Port is reached, you can rent a motor bike for a single journey that will bring you to your desired accommodation; fare varies on the travel distance but it usually starts at Php 50.
Motor bikes can also be
rented for Php 300/24 hours; an additional P50 is charged if you do not have a
driver’s license.
**
and as always, get lost**
BUS SCHEDULE
Ceres Liner | V. Rama cor JM Basa St., South, North Bus Terminal, Cebu City
6000
Ceres Liner | Bato Terminal, Santander, Cebu
| DAY | TYPE | FROM | ROUTE | DEPARTURE TIME | INTERVAL | FARE | TRAVEL TIME |
| Daily | A/C | Cebu City | Bato/ Oslob | First trip at 3 AM; | every 30 minutes | Php 170 | 3-4 hours |
| last trip at 9 PM | |||||||
| Non-A/C | Cebu City | Bato/ Oslob | First
trip at 3 AM; last trip at 9 PM |
every 30 minutes | Php 150 | 3-4 hours | |
| Daily | A/C | Cebu City | Dumagute | 1:30:00
AM 6:00 AM 10:00 AM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM |
please see schedule | Php 250 | 4-5 hours |
| Daily | Non-A/C | Cebu City | Dumagute | 7:30 AM | please see schedule | Php 200-220 | 4-5 hours |
| DAY | TYPE | FROM | ROUTE | DEPARTURE TIME | INTERVAL | FARE | TRAVEL TIME |
| Monday | A/C | Bato/Oslob | Cebu City | midnight | hourly
starts at midnight until 3 AM 3 AM onwards every 30 minutes |
Php 170 | 3 - 4 hours |
| Monday | Non-A/C | Bato/Oslob | Cebu City | midnight | hourly
starts at midnight until 3 AM 3 AM onwards every 30 minutes |
Php 150 | 3 - 4 hours |
| Tue - Sun | A/C | Bato/Oslob | Cebu City | starts at 3 AM | every 30 minutes | Php 170 | 3 - 4 hours |
| Tue - Sun | Non-A/C | Bato/Oslob | Cebu City | starts at 3 AM | every 30 minutes | Php 150 | 3 - 4 hours |
| Daily | A/C | Dumaguete City | Cebu City | 4:30
AM 6 AM 8:45 AM 12:50 PM 2:30 PM |
please see schedule | Php 250 | 4 - 5 Hours |
| Daily | Non-A/C | Dumaguete City | Cebu City | 10:30 AM | please see schedule | Php 200 - 220 | 4 - 5 Hours |
BOAT SCHEDULE
FROM LILOAN PORT, SANTANDER, CEBU TO SIBULAN PORT & VICE VERSA
Fare ranges from Php 60 – Php 65
Cuadro Alas Navigation
Earliest departure at 4:30 AM; hourly thereafter.
FROM DUMAGUETE PORT TO SIQUIJOR PORT SCHEDULE & VICE VERSA
Fare ranges from Php 130 – Php 210 depending on the type of vessel
Fare ranges from Php 130 – Php 210 depending on the type of vessel
M/V Ciara Joie-1
7:50 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM
M/BCA Jaziel
5:45 AM
M/V GL Express
9:00 AM, 4:00 PM
M/V Marie Kristina
6:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM
STAY | Hostels and Beach Resorts
Several affordable accommodations are widely scattered in the province of Siquijor that will suit a nomad's budget. Prices vary depending on the season and location but it normally ranges from Php 300 up to Php 1000. As of this writing, Siquijor is the cheapest travel destination I have visited.
TIP:
TIP:
- Beachfront resorts and bars, where parties happen when the sun comes down, are mostly situated in the town of San Juan.
- Siquijor and Enrique Villanueva are nearest to the port and main market (merkado).
- Lazi and Maria, the farthest towns, are mostly isolated but their topographies are sensational.
DAS TRAUM GUEST HOUSE | Siquijor Circumferential Road, Pangi, 6225, Siquijor
RATE: Fan room with private toilet and bath at Php 350/ night (located inside the main house on the 2nd floor). Nipa Huts/ fan room with shared toilet and bath at Php 250/ night (located at the garden).
** Each room is inclusive of bedsheets, pillows, at least 2 power outlets, your own coffee table set at the garden and a daily supply of bath towels. Shared kitchen is available inside the main house while grilling can be enjoyed at the garden **
MANGROVE TREE HOUSE | Tulapos Marine Sanctuary; Siquijor Circumferential Road, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor
RATE: Each tree house can be rented at Php 250 -Php 350/ night. No A/C unit or fan is available just the soothing breeze from ashore. The inviting sea is just below these accommodations, just jump from atop or use the ladder and your off to paradise.
** Power outlets are available at the office for free of use **
VILLA MARMARINE DIVE RESORT | Candanay Sur, Siquijor, Siquijor, Circumferential Road, Siquijor
RATE: Non A/C beach front type accommodation starts at Php 1000. In-house restaurant serves daily food and beverage.
** Awesome scenery is granted and can be enjoyed by either a group of adventurers or a solo diva. Dive packages are available upon request **
UNDERTAKE | PILGRIMAGE
An
in-depth expedition must be included in your itinerary once you visit Siquijor.
Numerous churches skirted every single town, cascade enlightenment in contrary
to what the media has put out on horror movie themes.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish | Santa Fe Street, Siquijor, Siquijor, 6225
Lazi Church/ San Isidro Labrador Church | Lazi, Siquijor
An
in-depth expedition must be included in your itinerary once you visit Siquijor.
Numerous churches skirted every single town, cascade enlightenment in contrary
to what the media has put out on horror movie themes.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish | Santa Fe Street, Siquijor, Siquijor, 6225
St. Francis of Assisi Parish | Santa Fe Street, Siquijor, Siquijor, 6225
Lazi Church/ San Isidro Labrador Church | Lazi, Siquijor
Our Mother of Perpetual Help | 6230 Enrique Villanueva, Siquior
San Roque Church | Banban, Siquijor, Siquijor
WITNESS | TREATS BEYOND TRICKS
Old Enchanted Balete Tree | Siquijor Circumferential Road, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor
The 400 year old Balete Tree, housed in the town of Enrique Villanueva, is at reached within an hour of land travel from the port. It is one of the most visited spots in the province due to its mystic historical background. Its folkore, sleeves the town's enchantment, accustom mutual respect to the unknown and unseen. Universally, it reminds humans to live in requited tolerance with other beings - good, bad, metaphysical or supernatural.
A soothing pool sprung just in front of this magical tree offers visitors a foot spa; as the collective number of small fishes feast on your dead skin - diligent workers, they are!
Entrance Fee : Php 5
WANDER | INTO THE WOODS AND ABOVE MANGROVES
Tulapos Marine Sanctuary and Mangrove Tree House | Siquijor Circumferential Road, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor
Tulapos Marine Sanctuary and Mangrove Tree
house, where rich marine ecosystem is sheltered, provides a synopsis of what
being on an island is all about - basic accommodation, healthy trees branching
one after another, sea creatures visible if you go on snorkeling or diving and
a panoramic vista of the ocean. Entrance fee of Php 10.
BATHE, PADDLE AND SCOOT|
Salagdoong Beach | Maria, Siquijor
Cliff diving, beach bumming or just serene swimming - oh yeah!
Salagdoong Beach, tucked in the heart of Maria, Siquijor, welcomes enthusiasts for a rare island experience. The coast is made up of white sand with traces of pounded corals and shells, radiating like crystals when the sun is fully risen. Just pay an entrance fee of Php 70, find a spot to set up your hammock and you're off to roll! Cottages are available for rent at Php 100.
EXPERIENCE | A TARZAN ERA
Cambugahay Falls | Circumferential Road, Lazi, Siquijor
After over a hundred steps of trekking - THIS!
In the serendipitous mountains of Lazi, Siquijor, lies this beauty - I could have uttered many adjectives or used idioms to describe this wonderland but when things are too beautiful, you know you just have to keep it low and watch it unfold before your eyes.
Just do it, Love!
TWERK IT LIKE TARZAN | grab the rope, be suspended in the air over 15 meters from the base, swing with all your heart and let go!
Voodoo Dolls, in various colors and sizes, are popular of such effigies used for ritual, healing or display.
TWERK IT LIKE TARZAN | grab the rope, be suspended in the air over 15 meters from the base, swing with all your heart and let go!
** No entrance fee, parking fee at Php 30 **
TAKEAWAY |
keychains sold at Php 35-50/ piece
sold at Php 30-35/piece
Kung hindi kaya sa santong dasalan,
daanin mo sa puspusang pang-gagayuma!
EXPLORE | ROAM LIKE A PRO
.. and in one fraction of a moment, without any details of the sequence, you just know you're on the right track
Straight roads don't make good travelers.
Glide if you must.
Swerve.
Make a few stumbles, get lost.
Get scratched.
Move.
Do your forward.
Ipikit ang mga mga mata
Sa mga ayaw makita
Takpan ang tainga
Sa mga naririnig na di kaaya-aya
Imanhid ang katawan
Sa mga bagay na ayaw damhin
Buksan ang puso
Nang tukso ay lumayo
Paigtingin ang damdamin
At pagmamahal ay sariwain
Kasabay ng alon sa dalampasigan
Ng puting buhangin
At diwa'y paliparin
Gaya ng sarangola sa hangin
- lulu n da
11.29.15
1332 H
grt
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