The 6 Municipalities of Siquijor: Complete Guide

Siquijor is divided into six municipalities, each with its own character, attractions, and local culture. Understanding these divisions helps you plan your stay and choose the right base for your island adventure. Here’s what each municipality offers.

Quick Overview

1. Siquijor — The Capital

As the provincial capital and largest municipality, Siquijor town serves as the administrative and commercial center of the island. It’s where most visitors first set foot, arriving via the main ferry port from Dumaguete.

What You’ll Find Here

Government and Services:

• Provincial Capitol
• Provincial hospital
• Main police station
• Banks (BDO, Landbank, PNB)
• Post office

Attractions:

• St. Francis of Assisi Church — The main church of the capital town
• Siquijor Port — Gateway to the island
• Capilay Spring Park — Natural spring swimming area
• Surrounding beaches

Vibe: Busy during business hours, quiet at night. More practical than touristy.

Who Should Stay Here

• Travelers arriving late who need a quick overnight
• Those wanting to be near banks and services
• Families seeking a quieter alternative to San Juan

2. San Juan — The Tourist Hub

San Juan is where the action happens. This relatively small municipality has become the de facto tourist center of Siquijor, with the highest concentration of accommodations, restaurants, cafes, and beach resorts.

What You’ll Find Here

Beaches:

• Paliton Beach — White sand, Instagram-famous
• Tubod Marine Sanctuary — Best snorkeling on the island
• Solangon Beach — Popular sunset spot

Dining & Nightlife:

• Baha Bar — Popular sunset bar
• Dagsa — Local favorite
• Numerous cafes and restaurants
• The closest thing to nightlife on the island

Accommodations:

• Coco Grove Beach Resort (luxury)
• JJ’s Backpackers Village (budget)
• Dozens of mid-range options

Vibe: Relaxed tourist atmosphere. Busier than other municipalities but still laid-back by any urban standard.

Who Should Stay Here

• First-time visitors
• Solo travelers wanting to meet others
• Those who want convenience (food, transport, activities)
• Beach lovers

Festival

Bugwas Festival — San Juan’s local celebration featuring street dancing and cultural performances.

3. Lazi — The Cultural Heart

Lazi is where history and nature converge. This municipality is home to Siquijor’s most significant historical landmarks and some of its most beautiful waterfalls.

What You’ll Find Here

Historical Sites:

• Lazi Church (San Isidro Labrador) — National Historical Landmark, built 1884
• Lazi Convent — Once the largest convent in Asia, now a museum
• Colonial-era architecture throughout town

Waterfalls:

• Cambugahay Falls — The island’s most famous multi-tiered waterfall
• Lagaan Falls — Hidden gem, less crowded
• Locong Falls — Accessible and scenic

Mystical Sites:

• Old Enchanted Balete Tree — Centuries-old tree with fish spa

Vibe: Slower pace, more local. Cultural immersion over beach vibes.

Who Should Stay Here

• History and culture enthusiasts
• Waterfall lovers (closer to the falls)
• Those seeking authentic local experience
• Budget travelers (generally cheaper than San Juan)

Festival

Saging Festival — Celebrates banana cultivation, a major local crop.

4. Maria — The Mystical Interior

Maria covers much of Siquijor’s mountainous interior, including the island’s highest point. It’s the most “mystical” of the municipalities, known for its traditional healers and folk medicine practitioners.

What You’ll Find Here

Natural Attractions:

• Mt. Bandilaan — Highest point at 557 meters, hiking trails
• Mt. Bandilaan National Park — Butterfly sanctuary and forest
• Mountain viewpoints

Cultural Experiences:

• Traditional healers (Mananambal) — Folk medicine practitioners
• Healing rituals and herbal remedies
• Less tourist-influenced local culture

Vibe: Rural, agricultural, traditional. This is where the old Siquijor lives.

Who Should Stay Here

• Adventure seekers (hiking, mountain biking)
• Those interested in traditional healing practices
• Travelers wanting complete immersion in rural Filipino life

Festival

Lubi Festival — Celebrates the coconut, with cooking competitions and cultural events.

5. Larena — The Northern Gateway

Larena is Siquijor’s commercial hub and secondary ferry port, receiving boats from Cebu and occasionally Bohol. It’s a practical town more than a tourist destination.

What You’ll Find Here

Transport:

• Larena Port — Ferries from Cebu City and Liloan
• Bus and jeepney terminal

Services:

• Commercial center
• Markets and shops
• Banks

Attractions:

• St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church — Historic church
• Sandugan Beach — Quiet beach area
• Diving and snorkeling sites offshore

Vibe: Busy port town. Practical rather than scenic.

Who Should Stay Here

• Travelers arriving via Cebu ferries
• Budget travelers looking for affordable options
• Divers (good sites nearby)

Festival

Cano-an Festival — Celebrates the paddle, honoring the maritime heritage of the municipality.

6. Enrique Villanueva — The Quiet Corner

The smallest and least developed municipality, Enrique Villanueva offers untouched coastline and a glimpse into what Siquijor was like before tourism. Most visitors pass through without stopping, but there are hidden gems here.

What You’ll Find Here

Attractions:

• Pitogo Cliff — Dramatic coastal cliff formation
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church — Local parish church
• Cantabon Cave — Spelunking adventure nearby
• Secluded beaches

Vibe: Very quiet. The road less traveled.

Who Should Stay Here

• Those seeking complete solitude
• Adventure travelers (caves, cliffs)
• Repeat visitors who’ve “done” the main attractions

Choosing Your Base

For First-Time Visitors: San Juan

San Juan makes the most sense for first-timers. Easy access to restaurants, accommodations, and you can explore the entire island from there via motorcycle.

For Culture & Waterfalls: Lazi

If your main interests are Cambugahay Falls, historic churches, and the Balete Tree, Lazi puts you closer to these attractions.

For Solitude: Enrique Villanueva or Maria

These municipalities have limited tourist infrastructure but offer authentic, crowd-free experiences.

For Practical Needs: Siquijor Town

If you need banks, hospitals, or government services, the capital town has everything.

Getting Between Municipalities

The entire island is connected by one main coastal road (about 72km loop) plus interior roads to Maria and Mt. Bandilaan.

By Motorcycle:

• Complete loop: 2-3 hours without stops
• Any two adjacent municipalities: 15-25 minutes

By Tricycle:

• Available for hire for longer trips
• Negotiate fare before departing

By Public Transport:

• Limited jeepneys run between major towns
• Not tourist-friendly schedule

The Island Loop

Most visitors do a complete “roundabout” tour of the island, hitting attractions in multiple municipalities:

1. San Juan → Paliton Beach, Tubod Sanctuary
2. Lazi → Cambugahay Falls, Lazi Church, Balete Tree
3. Maria → Mt. Bandilaan viewpoint
4. Enrique Villanueva → Cantabon Cave, Pitogo Cliff
5. Larena → Quick stop or skip
6. Siquijor Town → Capilay Spring Park, return to base

This loop can be done in a full day, though two days allows for a more relaxed pace.

Final Thoughts

Each of Siquijor’s six municipalities offers something different. The beauty of this small island is that you can experience them all without extensive travel. Within 20-30 minutes, you can move from the tourist buzz of San Juan to the historical streets of Lazi to the quiet beaches of Enrique Villanueva.

Don’t limit yourself to one area. Rent that motorcycle, hit the road, and discover why each municipality has its own magic.