Budget Travel Siquijor: Complete Money-Saving Guide

Siquijor is one of the more affordable island destinations in the Philippines, especially compared to Boracay, Palawan, or Siargao. With smart planning, you can experience this mystical island without emptying your wallet. Here’s how.

Budget Overview

Daily Budget Tiers

Level	Daily Budget	What It Gets You
Shoestring	PHP 800-1,000	Dorm bed, local food, DIY transport
Backpacker	PHP 1,200-1,500	Private budget room, mix of local/tourist food
Comfortable Budget	PHP 1,800-2,500	Nice guesthouse, good meals, all attractions

Total Trip Costs (Excluding Flights)

Trip Length	Shoestring	Backpacker	Comfortable
3 days	PHP 3,500	PHP 5,500	PHP 8,000
5 days	PHP 5,500	PHP 8,500	PHP 13,000
7 days	PHP 7,500	PHP 11,500	PHP 18,000

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Getting There Cheap

Flights to Dumaguete

Budget Tips:

• Book 2-3 weeks in advance minimum
• Tuesday and Wednesday flights are often cheapest
• Use Cebu Pacific for lowest base fares
• Skip checked baggage if possible (carry-on only)
• Monitor sales (airlines regularly discount Dumaguete)

Typical Prices (Manila-Dumaguete):

• Sale fare: PHP 1,500-2,500 one way
• Normal fare: PHP 2,500-4,000 one way
• Peak season: PHP 4,000-6,000 one way

Alternative Routes

Via Cebu (Sometimes Cheaper):

• Manila to Cebu (more flights, more competition)
• Bus from Cebu to Liloan (PHP 200-300)
• Ferry from Liloan to Siquijor (PHP 200-300)
• Total savings: Can be PHP 500-1,000 if Manila-Cebu is on sale

Ferry Only (Cheapest, Longest):

• For the truly adventurous and time-rich
• Shipping lines from Manila to Dumaguete
• 24+ hours, but dramatically cheaper

Ferry to Siquijor

Economy Options:

• Slow ferry (RORO): PHP 150-180 (1.5-2 hours)
• Fast craft economy: PHP 200-250 (45 min)

Save More:

• Take the slow ferry—same destination, half the price
• Bring your own snacks (ferry food is overpriced)

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Cheap Accommodation

Hostels (PHP 350-600/night)

JJ’s Backpackers Village

• Dorm: PHP 350-500
• Private: PHP 800-1,200
• Location: Solangon, San Juan
• Social atmosphere, meets travelers

Other Hostels:

• Check Facebook for newer hostels
• Some guesthouses have dorm options
• Prices competitive during low season

Budget Guesthouses (PHP 500-1,000/night)

Best Budget Options:

• E.I Suites (Siquijor Town): PHP 800-1,500
• Uptown Guesthouse (San Juan): PHP 500-1,000
• Hanna’s Place (San Juan): PHP 600-1,200
• Zosimo’s Inn (Lazi): PHP 500-1,000

What You Get:

• Private room with fan (AC extra)
• Private or shared bathroom
• Basic but clean
• Sometimes breakfast included

Homestays (PHP 400-800/night)

Most Authentic, Cheapest:

• Omandam Homestay (Cantabon): PHP 400-800
• Ocean View Farm (Maria): PHP 500-1,000

Advantages:

• Cheapest private accommodation
• Authentic local experience
• Often includes home cooking
• Off-the-beaten-path locations

Haggling & Discounts

• Long stays: Ask for weekly/monthly rates (20-30% off)
• Low season: Walk-in prices often cheaper
• Direct booking: Skip platform fees (10-15% savings)
• Return visitors: Loyalty discounts at some places

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Cheap Eats

Local Carinderias (PHP 50-100/meal)

The absolute cheapest way to eat well:

What to Expect:

• Point-and-choose from displayed dishes
• Rice included
• Home-cooked Filipino food
• Very filling portions

Where to Find:

• Siquijor town market area
• San Juan poblacion
• Near churches in each municipality
• Along main roads

Typical Meal Cost:

• Rice + one dish: PHP 50-60
• Rice + two dishes: PHP 70-90
• With drink: PHP 80-110

Market Food

Morning Markets:

• Fresh bread (pandesal): PHP 2-5 each
• Fruit: PHP 20-50 for breakfast portion
• Coffee: PHP 10-20

Save More:

• Buy fruit at markets, not resorts
• Picnic supplies for beach days
• Snacks for touring

Budget Restaurants (PHP 100-200/meal)

A step up from carinderias but still affordable:

• Basic Filipino dishes
• Some international options
• Tourist-area locations
• Slightly more atmosphere

Cooking Your Own

If accommodation has kitchen access:

• Market ingredients are very cheap
• Rice, eggs, vegetables = PHP 100 for multiple meals
• Fresh fish from fishermen: PHP 80-150/kg

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Cheap Transport

Motorcycle Rental (Best Value)

Daily Rates:

• Automatic scooter: PHP 350-400/day
• Manual: PHP 300-350/day
• Weekly: PHP 2,000-2,500 (save ~PHP 500)

Fuel:

• Full island loop: PHP 100-150
• Daily average: PHP 50-80

Total Daily Cost: PHP 400-500 for complete freedom

Where to Rent:

• Most accommodations arrange rentals
• Shops near ferry ports
• Compare prices—they vary

Without Motorcycle

Tricycle:

• Short trips: PHP 20-50
• Charter (full day): PHP 1,500-2,500
• Haggle for better rates

Habal-Habal (Motorcycle Taxi):

• Per trip: PHP 30-80
• Cheaper than tricycle
• Ask locals for riders

Walking:

• San Juan is walkable
• Beach to beach in tourist area: 20-30 min walks
• Free but limited range

Hitchhiking:

• Surprisingly easy
• Locals often offer rides
• Culturally acceptable
• Tip appreciated but not required

Free Transport

• Walk within town areas
• Hitch rides with friendly locals
• Share rides with other travelers

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Free & Cheap Attractions

Completely Free

Attraction	Location	Notes
Paliton Beach	San Juan	Famous Instagram beach
Sunset watching	Various	Natural and free
Churches (all 6)	Island-wide	Cultural, historic
Town exploring	Any town	Market, local life
Beach hopping	Coastal road	Many public beaches

Very Cheap (Under PHP 50)

Attraction	Fee	Notes
Cambugahay Falls	PHP 50	The big one
Balete Tree Fish Spa	PHP 50	Includes fish spa
Salagdoong Beach	PHP 40-50	Cliff jumping
Lagaan Falls	PHP 30	Less crowded
Mt. Bandilaan	PHP 20-50	Viewpoint, trails
Tubod Marine Sanctuary	PHP 50	Best snorkeling

Skip or Splurge Carefully

Attraction	Cost	Budget Alternative
Cantabon Cave	PHP 500-800	Skip if tight budget
Organized tours	PHP 1,500-3,000	DIY with motorcycle
Diving	PHP 1,500-2,500	Snorkel instead
Apo Island trip	PHP 2,500-4,000	Consider carefully

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Sample Budget Itineraries

Shoestring (PHP 1,000/day)

Day Budget:

Item	Cost
Dorm bed	PHP 400
Breakfast (market)	PHP 30
Lunch (carinderia)	PHP 80
Dinner (carinderia)	PHP 100
Motorcycle share or hitch	PHP 100
Entrance fees	PHP 100
Misc	PHP 90
Total	PHP 900

Sample Day:

• Walk to Paliton Beach (free)
• Hitch or share ride to Cambugahay (PHP 50)
• Carinderia lunch (PHP 80)
• Balete Tree (PHP 50)
• Walk back or hitch
• Sunset at beach (free)

Backpacker (PHP 1,500/day)

Day Budget:

Item	Cost
Budget private room	PHP 700
Breakfast (included or bakery)	PHP 50
Lunch (mix local/tourist)	PHP 150
Dinner (budget restaurant)	PHP 200
Motorcycle rental (shared)	PHP 200
Fuel	PHP 50
Entrance fees	PHP 100
Misc	PHP 50
Total	PHP 1,500

Comfortable Budget (PHP 2,500/day)

Day Budget:

Item	Cost
Nice guesthouse	PHP 1,200
Breakfast (restaurant)	PHP 150
Lunch	PHP 250
Dinner	PHP 350
Motorcycle rental	PHP 400
Fuel	PHP 80
Entrance fees	PHP 150
Misc/treats	PHP 150
Total	PHP 2,530

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Money-Saving Tips

Before You Go

1. Book flights during sales — Sign up for airline newsletters
2. Pack light — Avoid checked baggage fees
3. Bring reusables — Water bottle essential (save PHP 50+/day)
4. Download offline maps — Avoid data costs
5. Bring cash — ATM fees add up

On the Island

1. Share motorcycle rental — Split cost with travel buddy
2. Cook some meals — If you have kitchen access
3. Eat local — Carinderias over tourist restaurants
4. Walk when possible — San Juan is compact
5. Happy hour — Drinks cheaper at sunset specials
6. Stay longer — Weekly rates save money
7. Travel off-peak — June-November prices are lower
8. DIY tours — Skip organized tours, rent motorcycle
9. Pack snacks — Avoid overpriced tourist spot food
10. Free activities — Beach time, walking, sunset watching

ATM Strategy

• Withdraw in Dumaguete before ferry
• Large amounts — Fewer transactions, fewer fees
• BDO/Landbank have lowest fees usually
• Backup cash — ATMs sometimes empty

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Budget Breakdown: 5-Day Trip

Shoestring Version (Total: ~PHP 7,000)

Expense	Cost
Ferry (round trip)	PHP 400
Accommodation (5 nights x PHP 400)	PHP 2,000
Food (5 days x PHP 200)	PHP 1,000
Transport (shared/hitch)	PHP 500
Attractions	PHP 300
Motorcycle share (2 days)	PHP 400
Misc	PHP 400
Total	~PHP 5,000

Excludes flight to Dumaguete

Backpacker Version (Total: ~PHP 10,000)

Expense	Cost
Ferry (round trip)	PHP 500
Accommodation (5 nights x PHP 700)	PHP 3,500
Food (5 days x PHP 400)	PHP 2,000
Motorcycle (5 days x PHP 400)	PHP 2,000
Fuel	PHP 300
Attractions	PHP 400
Misc	PHP 500
Total	~PHP 9,200

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When Budget Travel Works Best

Best Months

• June-November: Rainy season means lower prices
• Weekdays: Cheaper than weekends
• Avoid Holy Week: Prices double, availability zero

Best for Budget Travelers

• Solo travelers (dorm beds available)
• Couples (split private room)
• Flexible schedules (can grab deals)
• Those with cooking skills
• Motorcycle riders (transport savings huge)

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Final Thoughts

Siquijor rewards budget travelers who embrace local life. The best experiences—swimming at Cambugahay, watching sunset at Paliton, riding the coastal road—cost little or nothing.

The island hasn’t been fully developed for mass tourism, which means authenticity comes cheap. Eat at carinderias, stay at guesthouses, rent a motorcycle, and you’ll see the same Siquijor as those spending five times more—maybe more, since you’ll be closer to local life.

Budget travel here isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about smart choices that often lead to richer experiences. The PHP 50 lunch at a carinderia might be the best meal of your trip. The PHP 400 dorm bed puts you in a room full of future friends. The hitched ride becomes a conversation with a local.

Siquijor on a budget isn’t a compromise. It’s a feature.