Walking distance from the house
Segundas Beach
Our nearest stretch of sand — just a short walk down the road. Quiet, local, and perfect for a morning swim or a sunset stroll without needing a motorbike.
The Siquijor Guidebook
The island we come home to.
Beaches, falls, old churches, food, healers — everything we send our own family and friends to when they visit.
A short introduction
Why Siquijor
Siquijor is a small island in the Central Visayas — about 340 km² and 100,000 people, ringed by white-sand beaches and coral reefs. For most of Philippine history it was known as Isla del Fuego, the island of fire, because at night it seemed to glow from the sea.
Today it's known for something else: healers, folklore, and a slower pace of life than its neighbours. There are no big malls, no traffic, no crowds. There is a lighthouse, a handful of old churches, a market, and a lot of quiet.
This guide is what we'd tell a friend visiting for the first time. It's not exhaustive — it's honest, and it's ours.
One · Beaches, falls & nature
The wild, wet, unhurried side.
Boat from Minalulan
Hidden Beach
Reachable only by a small boat from our village. White sand, glassy turquoise water, almost always empty. Our local boatmen can take you for the morning and pick you up again after lunch.
By motorbike
Cambugahay Falls
Three turquoise tiers with rope swings and cool pools. Go early — by 10 AM the day-trippers arrive. Wear water shoes, the rocks are slippery. A small entrance and guide fee supports the local barangay.
East coast · by motorbike
Salagdoong Beach
A long stretch of clear water, with cliff-jumping platforms if you're brave. The drive through the forest to get there is half the reward. Bring a packed lunch — the on-site food is basic.
West coast · sunset spot
Paliton Beach
The best sunset on Siquijor. Wide white sand, coconut palms bending over the water, a handful of small bars. Go at 5 PM, stay for a beer, drive home slowly in the dusk.
Quieter falls
Lugnason Falls
A single deep pool under a tall fall — much quieter than Cambugahay and lovely for a swim. A short jungle walk from the parking area.
Snorkel spot
Tulapos Marine Sanctuary
One of the island's protected reefs. Good coral, plenty of fish, and calm shallow water. Small entrance fee — the money goes back to reef protection.
Two · Culture & history
Old stone, old stories.
Spanish churches, folk medicine, festivals, and a quiet Catholic rhythm woven through everyday life.
Old Balete Tree & Fish Spa
A 400-year-old balete tree with a spring at its roots. Dip your feet in — tiny fish do the work. Locals believe the tree is enchanted. A small donation to the barangay is customary.
Lazi Convent & Church
One of the oldest and largest convents in Asia (built 1857). Coral-stone walls, dark hardwood floors, and a museum upstairs. Quiet on weekday mornings.
Maria Church
A small, peaceful stone church on the way to Salagdoong. Worth a short stop for the calm and the old bell tower.
San Isidro Labrador (Lazi)
The church across from the convent — one of the largest in the Visayas. The interior is beautiful, especially in late afternoon light.
The healers of Siquijor
Siquijor is famous across the Philippines for its folk healers (mananambal) and mystics. During Holy Week, healers gather in San Antonio to prepare traditional medicines. Visits are possible year-round — go with respect and, ideally, with a local guide.
Century-old sights & festivals
Ask locally about the annual Solili and Araw ng Siquijor festivals (September). Also worth: the old Spanish watchtower ruins scattered along the coast.
Three · Food & places we love
Where we eat.
Small, honest kitchens — grilled fish, fresh mango, cold beer, slow evenings.
Sabas Beach Restaurant (Segundas)
Walking distance from the house. Beachfront dining with fresh seafood and Filipino classics. Feet-in-the-sand kind of place — great for a long lunch.
24seven (Lazi)
About 6 km away — easiest by motorbike. Right on the water in Lazi, with simple Filipino dishes, cold drinks, and a relaxed local crowd. A good stop after the convent or Cambugahay Falls.
Dolce Amore
A local favourite for Italian-style gelato, homemade pasta and thin-crust pizza. Great for a relaxed dinner or a sweet treat after a day at the beach.
Janin's Bistro Siquijor
Small, friendly bistro with a mix of Filipino and international comfort food. Good coffee and a calm atmosphere.
Triad (Larena)
Local food with one of the best views on the island — hilltop overlooking Larena and the sea. Go for sunset and the fresh-catch specials.
Marco Polo Pizza (San Juan)
Wood-fired pizza on the beach at sunset. Simple, honest, family-run. Go early — it fills up.
Kiwi Dive Resort restaurant
Solid Western and Filipino menu, right on the water in Solangon. Good for a lazy lunch after snorkelling.
Baha Ba'r (San Juan)
Live music some evenings, cold beer, casual food. The most-liked hangout on the west coast.
Coco Grove & Coral Cay
Two resort restaurants that welcome outside guests — worth it for a proper Sunday lunch by the sea.
The Larena public market
Best in the early morning. Fresh fish, mangoes, bananas, vegetables. Bring small pesos and a bag. We love cooking market fish on the outdoor kitchen back at the house.
Local sari-sari & carinderias
The tiny roadside eateries (carinderia) are where you'll eat the truest Filipino food. Point at what looks good — adobo, sinigang, grilled tuna belly. Rarely more than PHP 150 a plate.
Four · Getting around & itineraries
How to spend your days.
Segundas
Walking distance from the house. Our nearest beach — good for a morning swim or sunset stroll.
Lazi
About 6 km by motorbike. Home to the old convent, Cambugahay Falls, and simple local eateries like 24seven.
Motorbike
The best way to see the island. PHP 550–650/day. We'll arrange an honest local rental — no markup.
Private driver
A half-day with a driver is easy to arrange. Around PHP 1,500–2,500 depending on the loop.
Boats
For Hidden Beach and snorkelling. We work with boatmen from our own barangay. Around PHP 1,500–2,000 for a morning.
3 days · The essentials
- Day 1 — Settle in. Swim off the beach in front of the house. Sunset at Paliton.
- Day 2 — Cambugahay Falls in the morning, Old Balete Tree on the way back. Dinner at Marco Polo.
- Day 3 — Boat to Hidden Beach for the morning. Slow afternoon on the veranda.
5 days · The full loop
- Days 1–3 above.
- Day 4 — East coast: Maria Church, Salagdoong Beach, packed lunch. Sunset back home.
- Day 5 — Lazi Convent in the morning, Lugnason Falls on the way back, market lunch.
7 days · Slow & deep
- All of the above, spread out.
- Add a full snorkel day at Tulapos.
- Add a healer visit or a cooking morning with our local family.
- Leave one full day with no plans — the island rewards it.
Want us to plan a day for you?
Tell us what you love — quiet beaches, waterfalls, food, old churches — and we'll put together a calm, honest plan with boats, bikes, and drivers arranged.