The Perfect 3-Day Siquijor Itinerary
A practical day-by-day guide to Siquijor covering the best attractions, where to eat, and insider tips for making the most of your island adventure.
Three days in Siquijor is the sweet spot. It’s enough time to hit all the major attractions without rushing, while still leaving room for spontaneous discoveries. Here’s exactly how to spend your time on the island.
Before You Arrive
Getting There: No flights serve Siquijor directly. Take a ferry from Dumaguete (40 minutes, ~800 PHP) or Bohol (90 minutes, ~1,600 PHP). Both cities have airports with frequent connections.
What to Arrange:
- Scooter rental (250 PHP/day) - book through your accommodation
- Cash - ATMs exist but aren’t always reliable
- Accommodation in San Juan (the main tourist hub)
Pro Tip
Arrive on the Dumaguete ferry to Siquijor Port (not Larena). It’s closer to San Juan and most attractions.
Day 1: San Juan & Waterfalls
Morning: Cambugahay Falls (6:30 AM - 10:00 AM)
Start your Siquijor adventure with the island’s most famous waterfall. Leave your accommodation by 6:30 AM to arrive at opening (around 7 AM).
Why early? By 10 AM, tour groups arrive and you’ll wait in line for the rope swing. In the early morning, you might have the turquoise pools entirely to yourself.
Costs:
- Entrance: 100 PHP
- Rope swing (unlimited): 50 PHP
- Parking: 20-30 PHP
What to expect: Three cascading tiers with stunning turquoise water. The rope swing at the first tier is the highlight—swing out over the pool and drop into crystal-clear water.
Cambugahay Falls
Three-tiered waterfall with turquoise pools and famous rope swing
Late Morning: Pitogo Cliff (10:30 AM - 11:30 AM)
On your way back from Cambugahay, stop at Pitogo Cliff. It’s a quick detour that often surprises visitors.
What makes it special: Limestone cliffs overlooking calm, Mediterranean-blue water. The clarity is remarkable—you can see straight to the bottom.
Costs: 30 PHP entrance
Spend 30-40 minutes swimming and jumping off the platform, or just snap photos and continue on.
Afternoon: Tubod Marine Sanctuary (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
After lunch and a break at your accommodation, head to Tubod Marine Sanctuary for snorkeling. It’s right in San Juan, next to Coco Grove Beach Resort.
Why it’s underrated: No boat or tour needed. Walk straight into the water and you’re surrounded by coral, colorful fish, and often sea turtles.
Costs: 100 PHP entrance, gear rental available
Evening: Sunset at Paliton Beach (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
End Day 1 at Paliton Beach for sunset. It’s a few minutes from San Juan and offers the island’s best sunset views.
Pro tip: Walk past the first beach area near the parking lot. Continue through the trees to find the larger, prettier stretch of sand with palm trees.
Dinner: Try Roch Cuisine for waterfront street food, or splurge at Dolce Amore for authentic Italian pizza (arrive by 5 PM for no wait).
Day 2: Island Loop & Adventure
Morning: Salagdoong Beach & Cliff Jumping (7:00 AM - 11:00 AM)
Today you’ll drive the eastern coast to Salagdoong Beach, home to the island’s best cliff jumping.
The drive: About 50 minutes from San Juan. The coastal road is scenic—consider stopping at Kagusuan Beach along the way.
Cliff platforms:
- 5 meters: Beginner-friendly
- 10 meters: For confident jumpers only
Costs: 50 PHP entrance + 20 PHP parking
Important
Only jump at high tide when water is deepest. Check conditions before climbing the platforms. Never jump head-first.
Midday: Lazi Church & Lunch (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM)
On your way back, stop at Lazi Church—the island’s oldest and largest church, completed in 1884. The adjacent convent museum costs about 20 PHP.
Grab lunch in Lazi before continuing.
Afternoon: Century-Old Balete Tree (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM)
Honest take: This 400-year-old enchanted tree with fish spa is on every Siquijor itinerary, but it’s the island’s biggest tourist trap. You’ll spend 5 minutes looking at a tree and dipping your feet in water with nibbling fish.
Stop if you’re passing by. Don’t make it a destination.
Costs: 10-20 PHP entrance
Late Afternoon: Lugnason Falls / Zodiac Falls (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Also called Zodiac Falls, this is a less crowded alternative to Cambugahay. Local guides offer tours to additional waterfalls in the area (tip: around 500 PHP).
Costs: Free (10 PHP parking)
Evening: Nakabalo Pool Sunset
If you want a splurge day, spend the afternoon and sunset at Nakabalo Guesthouse. Their infinity pool overlooks the ocean.
Costs: 1,000 PHP per person (600 PHP credit toward food/drinks)
Day 3: Flexible Exploration
Option A: Day Trip to Apo Island
If you’re a diver or serious snorkeler, book a day trip to Apo Island. It’s about an hour by boat and offers some of the best diving in the Visayas, including guaranteed sea turtle encounters.
Costs: 1,500-3,000 PHP depending on operator and activities
Option B: Revisit Favorites
Spend the morning at whichever spot you loved most. Cambugahay is worth a second visit if you didn’t get empty pools the first time.
Option C: Hidden Gems
- Lagaan Falls: Less crowded waterfall in the interior
- Cangbangag Falls: Remote but stunning
- Quisol Mountain View: Panoramic viewpoint over the island
Final Sunset
Wherever you spend the day, end at Paliton Beach again for sunset. Some moments are worth repeating.
Practical Information
Daily Budget Breakdown
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 500-800 PHP | 1,500-2,500 PHP |
| Food | 300-500 PHP | 600-1,000 PHP |
| Scooter | 250 PHP | 250 PHP |
| Entrance Fees | 200-300 PHP | 300-500 PHP |
| Daily Total | 1,250-1,850 PHP | 2,650-4,250 PHP |
What to Skip
Based on traveler feedback, these attractions aren’t worth prioritizing:
- Butterfly Sanctuary: Small greenhouse, tourist trap vibes, 100 PHP entrance
- Century-Old Balete Tree: Done in 5 minutes, overhyped
- Man-Made Forest: Nice for photos but not a destination
Packing Essentials
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Waterproof phone case or GoPro
- Cash (ATMs are unreliable)
- Water shoes for waterfall climbing
- Dry bag for valuables
Final Thoughts
Siquijor rewards spontaneity. This itinerary gives you structure, but some of the best moments come from random stops—a viewpoint you spotted from the road, a beach with no name, a conversation with a local at a sari-sari store.
Rent the scooter. Wake up early. Stay for sunset. The island reveals itself to those who slow down.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need in Siquijor?
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Siquijor.xyz Editorial Team
Local experts sharing authentic Siquijor experiences
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