Credits: Siquijor + Apo Island Snorkeling! Coco Grove Beach Resort by Christian Cenabre , Coco Grove Beach resort and Diving Apo Island by Aloof Nerd If you happen to have your vacation in Siquijor Island or Dumaguete City, might as well make the most of your vacation by visiting the neighboring island, the Apo Island. From Siquijor Island, some resorts offer a trip to Apo Island. But if you are from Dumaguete City, it is budget-wise to commute (take a Ceres Bus) to Malatapay Port , Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental. From there, you can rent a boat or just sign up as a joiner for an Apo Island tour if you are alone. This island has a rich marine life protected by their marine sanctuary. You can see a variety of corals, schools of fishes, and even swim with sea turtles! Not knowing how to swim is not a problem because life jackets are provided. If you didn’t bring your own snorkeling paraphernalia, rentals are available in the island. Just be sure to wear proper swimming attire to avoid excessive exposure under the sun. A guide is provided for every 4 snorkeling tourists to ensure everyone’s safety. They also offer to take pictures and videos while you’re enjoying the sight underwater. There are few rules to follow to maintain the peace underwater, and the guides are sure to explain them and answer questions if you have any. It is also wise to bring your own food because food in the island is a bit costly for the locals buy their supplies from the Negros Island. Or if you don’t want any hassle preparing food and carrying them, just inform some eateries located along the beach, in advance for them to have time to prepare your food. It is really fun to explore everything, most especially those underwater. But may we all be mindful to our actions for they may have a long-lasting effect on our environment. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time. When in Siquijor Island, Oceanlife Explorers Dive and Coco Grove Beach Resorts are offering a day tour trip for Apo Island and back. For Details, just visit the information desk of the resorts or you may contact them @ : Coco Grove Beach Resort Tubod, San Juan, Siquijor Contact No’s: +63917 314 1415 (Globe) +63-35-527-1538+63-35-421-2271web: https://www.cocogrovebeachresort.com Oceanlife Explorers Dive ResortTambisan, Siquijor, SiquijorEmail: oceanlife.explorers@gmail.comContact No: +639264887882Fb: https://www.facebook.com/OceanlifeexplorersSiquijorWeb: https://www.oceanlife-explorers.com Photo Credits To: Allen Valladares
Read More[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Guest post by Lena Browny from lenaonthemove.com. Siquijor Island is located in the Bohol Sea, just only 20 kilometres off the southeast tip of Negros. This magical island in the central Visayas is definitely worth a visit when travelling or backpacking around the Philippines. With beautiful white beaches, incredible diving, gorgeous jungle waterfalls and many cultural hot spots, Siquijor is the perfect location to spend a couple of days filled with many different adventures and activities. Just like many other places in the Philippines, Siquijor is increasingly becoming a paradise for backpackers and budget travelers from around the world. As a Divemaster I spent a few months in Siquijor in 2017. During my stay I did not only explore the dive sites around the island, but also got insight into some local and less touristy spots, which I’d like to share with you. In this post I am going to tell you how to travel Siquijor in 3 days, including suggestions and recommendations for an unforgettable three-day (3 nights) stay on this beautiful island. Of course you could easily spend more time on Siquijor, but I assume most of you have only limited time while travelling around the Philippines. How To Travel Siquijor In 3 Days DAY 1 In order to have most of your short stay in Siquijor, I recommend you make your way to Dumaguete, Negros, or Tagbilaran, Bohol, one day prior to coming to Siquijor. From there you can take a ferry (Ocean Jet, GL Shipping Lines, Alesson Ferries, Lite Ferries) to either Siquijor Town or Larena in the morning. Upon arrival on Siquijor Island, rent a motorcycle or scooter for the length of your stay. There are motorbike rental stations directly at the pier in both Siquijor Town and Larena. The price for a motorbike is approx. PHP 300 / day. From the port, take the Circumferential Road towards San Juan, where you can first go to your accommodation. You’ll find a list with accommodation recommendations for every budget around San Juan here. If you still have the afternoon, relax at the pool or beach in your accommodation and/or take a walk along the beautiful Solangon Beach with its lined up palm trees and stretches of white sand. At around 5.30pm, go towards the bridge in San Juan, where you’ll find Roch Cuisine, a street food barbecue and eatery place with just a few nicely decorated tables and chairs, just before crossing the bridge on the sea front. This place is my personal TopTip and something you should not miss while staying in Siquijor. You can zip a beer or soft drink while watching the sunset and have a delicious dinner once you’re hungry. Dinner will cost you around PHP 100 – 150 depending on how much you want to eat. Just make sure to order your food in time; sometimes they’re completely out of food by 7pm. Sunset at Solangon Beach Rock Cuisine DAY 2 Start the day with a breakfast in either your accommodation or at a neighbor resort if your accommodation does not offer breakfast. For breakfast in San Juan, I also recommend going to either D’Barkads Food Haus or Casa Miranda. Both places are inexpensive and offer good local and international breakfast. After breakfast, take your motorbike to San Juan and follow the road towards Lazi. About 20-25 minutes into the ride, you’ll pass the Century Old Balete Tree on the right. You can stop there for some pictures and a fish spa session (PHP 10) in the small natural pool beneath the 400-year old tree. There are also a couple of souvenir booths, where you can buy souvenirs and some local products, such as coconut massage oil. Continue your ride towards Lazi, where you can visit San Isidore Church. Take a road left towards the center of the island and follow the signs to Cambugahay Falls, probably the most gorgeous waterfalls on Siquijor. Local guides will walk you down to the falls for PHP 20, where you can go for a swim or do a jump using one of the Tarzan lianas. From Cambugahay Falls, follow the bumpy road into the mountains. There are hardly any signs along the way, so take a map where the main roads are marked and/or simply ask locals along the way. If it’s still before 2pm and you’re into some cave action, go to Cantabon Cave, which, apparently, is the nicest of the caves in Siquijor. With a guide you can explore the cave from the inside. Afterwards continue the ride to San Antonio, where you’ll find some of the famous island healers. They can not only give you massages or tell you about your future, they are also believed to have magical powers and may lay their spirit upon you. The price for a healer session is up to you, but I’d suggest you give at least PHP 300-400 just out of respect for the cultural heritage. From San Antonio continue riding to Siquijor Town and follow the Circumferential Road back to San Juan. You can have dinner at Dagsa opposite Coral Cay Resort, a cozy restobar with affordable high-quality local and international dishes, such as sizzling sea food or a Chili-Cheese Burger with fries good for two people. Usually they also have live music every night starting at 7pm. Century old Balete tree Cambugahay Falls Day 3 Exploring the island and its secrets by motorbike is certainly great fun, but the coral reefs off the island’s coast host even more treasures worth discovering. No matter if you’re into diving or just snorkeling, Siquijor has great dive and snorkel sites to offer with tons of aquatic life. Unlike some other Siquijor-bloggers I do not recommend spending a lot of money on going to Apo Island from Siquijor. Apo Island is definitely beautiful and very popular amongst divers, but, to be honest, you get to see pretty much the same coral, fish and turtles when you dive in Siquijor, plus it’s only half the price and chances are very high you’ll […]
Read MoreKamp Aninipot – Siquijor’s Family-Friendly Campground and Hobbit Houses Where are we Sitting at the top of Tacdog Hills, in the town of Siquijor is a magnificent site that offers a beautiful and serene environment; a peaceful place to retreat and unwind from life’s daily grind. Overlooking Siquijor Bay, this 3.9 hectares is nothing but perfect for camping, recreation, and relaxation. It is about 2 kilometers from the town of Siquijor, Siquijor, Philippines, and is close to some of the most beautiful beaches you can find in the island. Who are we We are proud sons and daughters of Siquijor who see the fast development of tourism in our island as a great opportunity and at the same time a huge challenge. We will form partnerships and build relationships in the communities around us to explore and collaborate. We are here to promote, preserve, and protect our beloved island of Siquijor. What we do We own and operate the first family-friendly campground in Siquijor, Philippines dedicated primarily to camping and camping related activities. For our guests, our campground has the following amenities/facilities: Common guest toilets Snack bar & viewing deck Guests grill station – FREE Giant picture frame – to paint a perfect you Flying bike Kids Zipline – the one and only in Siquijor Organic playset Mini-wall climb Bonfire pit Multi-purpose hall – simple gatherings 800 meter-mountain bike and walk trail To those who wanted to stay, we have the following: Tent camping Hobbit huts –Hobbit-inspired huts in Siquijor. Hammock spot Why we named it Kamp Aninipot ? It has been said that the fireflies gave an eerie glow at night that caught the attention of the non-native visitors to come to this island. These fireflies are called “aninipots,” in Cebuano language. We would like to think that these lovely creatures were responsible for opening our island for the world to see its beauty and discover its mystery. Siquijor island is very rich in history and has intrigued so many people – from the Spanish colonizers hundreds of years ago to our modern-day adventurers. We named this campground Kamp Aninipot in honor of those special creatures and to also remind us of how they caught the attention of our early visitors many years ago to set foot in our beloved island. So, would it be safe to say those fireflies or “aninipots” played a very important role in Siquijor’s history? In our humble opinion, yes! The “aninipots” gave Siquijor the appearance of being on fire, thereby earning the moniker, Isla de Fuego. Today, we can still see swarms of “aninipots” in Siquijor, and even if their numbers may be dwindling they still continue to mesmerize people both young and old. The people of Siquijor continue to exhibit the many characteristics and symbolic meanings of the lightning bug or “aninipot.” We inspire, we give hope and heal, and we have that inner glow within us that illuminates the world around us. We welcome you to Siquijor and experience the true Siquijodnon hospitality. Experience Siquijor mornings, capture its sunsets, explore, and find out why it’s called the “Mystique Island.” We love and respect this island and we are sure you’ll feel the same! How to get here Coming from Siquijor Pier, the road you are facing will pretty much take you to the campground if you continue to go straight and then turn right at the Y road. The entrance to the campground is on your right. You can take your car inside the campground and is also accessible by motorcycle. Book Now ! More About Kamp Aninipot: http://siquijordirectory.com/directory/kampaninipot/ [wdi_feed id=”41″]
Read MoreMarelle’s Museum contains a world class collection of seashells and marine life, all from the waters of the Philippines. Also included is educational exhibits and a colorful collection of worldwide marine life stamps adorning the walls. Browse for that special gift for a loved one in our beautiful gift shop, all gifts are made by Philippine Artisans. We are proud to have Marelle’s family dining, specializing in fine seafood cuisine, dine under our shaded veranda or romantically under the stars. Also, gaze upon our vast array of botanicals and nesting butterflies. For our special guests , we have clean bathrooms. Marelle’s is a truly peaceful and relaxing place.
Read MoreExperience Siquijor like never before. Siquijor has been well-known for its tranquil beaches, astonishing waterfalls, amazing people and many more. The island has been a favorite destination to tourists, both local and international. They are all been captivated by the island’s mystique and beauty. And now, Siquijor will be adding new offerings to make your vacation worthwhile – Capilay’s Spring Cuisine and Leisure Park. Capilay’s Spring has been considerably improved to add excitement, thrill and fun to your vacation in the beautiful island of Siquijor. It will surely revitalize and refresh your view of the mysterious and striking Island of Fire. Amenities. The park boasts on its clean and safe spring water where you can refresh yourselves on this scorching hot summer. Life jackets and floaters, as well as lifeguards are always available to give you peace-of-mind when enjoying the cold spring. You and your kids will surely love the park’s paddle and electrical bumper boats. To satisfy the thrill-seeking you: watersport activities, walking waterball , wall climbing and many more is offered for you. Wi-fi is also installed in the park to keep you online and brag your fun memories in facebook, twitter and instagram. Food. Whether you are looking for city food or seeking for a more thrilling exotic food, Capilay’s Spring Cuisine and Leisure Park will surely gratify your palette. The park will be offering a variety of dishes in their menu ranging from city food to local and native Filipino dishes to a more exciting and exotic Siquijodnon cuisines. You will never go hungry in the park; whether you are just relaxing or trying the exciting activities the park is offering. In short, Capilay’s Spring Cuisine will surely educate your taste bud. Security. Aside from providing a high-class experience, your security and safety is on the top priority of Capilay’s Spring Cuisine and Leisure Park. Lifeguards will be available to keep your swimming worry-free. CCTV cameras are installed all around the premises. Capilay’s Spring Cuisine and Leisure Park has many fun-filled and exciting activities in stored for you. From live and acoustic bands, videoke challenge to fire dance showcase and many more. The Capilay’s Spring Cuisine and Leisure Park will surely redefine your first impression of Siquijor Island and will make your vacation worthwhile. Make sure you add Capilay’s Spring Cuisine and Leisure Park in your itinerary when you visit the beautiful island of fire and magic — Siquijor. For inquiries please send an SMS or Call +639357572271. Facebook: www.facebook.com/Capilay123SanJuan Instagram: www.instagram.com/capilayspringcuisineleisure [wdi_feed id=”5″]
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The Spanish called Siquijor, during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, the Island of Fire or Isla del Fuego. The beautiful island is often associated with mystic traditions. Nowadays the more holistic approach of the island is setting in and the beautiful wide stretched bounty beaches , lush nature and waterfalls offer a possibility of a different approach in tourism. The island is commonly known as The Healing Paradise. Siquijor is the third smallest province in the Philippines. As well in terms of population as land area.With only as few as 280 people per square km, the island is a quiet place, even int he touristic season between the months October and May. With three seaports the island is within reach of all the neighbouring island. The main road on the island is well maintained and takes visitors around the island in a short time. A side road takes you through the mountains. And new concrete roads are build everywhere to make the island even more accessible. During the Spanish era starting in 1783 when the Spain annexed the Philippines, the town of Siquijor became the first municipalityas well as the first parish tobe established on the island. Administrated under the diocese of Cebu. For civil administration Siquijor was under the neighbouring island Bohol where the governor was seated. In 1974 the first Augustinian priest arrived on Siquijor, within a few years parishes in Larena, San Juan, Lazi and Maria were founded. For a long time Siquijor has been part of Negros Oriental Province, only to become a sub province in 1901. The Americans obtained rulership over the Philippines when Spain ceded the archipelago to the USA with the treaty of Paris where the American Spanish war ended. A unit of the American Cavalry division was situated on the Island. Appointed by the American military governor James Fugate, a scout with the Californian Volunteers of the U.S. Infantry, was governor over the island of Siquijor for over 16 years. Implementing and organising development programs on the island. Although Siquijor was not near the centre if any military action during World War II, the island was under heavy shelling by the Japanese army between 1942 and 1943. The then Lieutenant Governor of the Island Nicolas Parami refused to pledge alliance to the Japanese was taken from his home in Lazi to Larena and never heard from again. Guerrilla forces, led by Iluminado Jumawanin, assassinated the Japanese governor Shunzo Suzuki in October1942. In June 1943 the Japanese forces finally left Siquijor leaving puppet governor Sebastian Monera ofSan Juan in charge. Again it was the Guerrillas that executed him. The liberating troops arrived on Siquijor in 1944. After battles at sea in which the destroyer USS Renshaw (D-499) was damaged by a Japanese Submarine, and combined battles on land by Filipino military forces and guerillas Siquijor wasliberated in the mid 1945. Siquijor became an independent province on 17 September 1971. And Siquijor Town became the official capitol of the new province. General Information Siquijor is an island in the Visayas Region, located South of Cebu Island and Negros Island across the Cebu Straight. From a certain point of the Island one can overlook even Mindanao inthe far distance. Siquijor has a 102 kilometres coastline, containing rocks, mangroves and white sandy beaches. Mount Malabahoc is the highest point of the island. It reaches about 628 metres (2,060 ft). Siquijor is a coralline island and the giant clam fossil (tridacna) is often found when farmers plough there land. Even on the hilltops you can find shells. Geologically speaking Siquijor is a relative ‘new’ island. The average temperature on Siquijor throughout the year is 27.6 ºC (81.7 ºF) Siquijor has two different climates. A very short dry season from one to three months and a long wet season which is characterised by not very heavy rainfall. The municipality of Lazi has a significant amount of rainfall during the year. Even in the driest month. Languages spoken on Siquijor are Cebuano, and English is often used as second language. Filipino is understood, but rarely used. Ninety five percent of the Island residents are known to be Roman Catholic, the remainder belong to other denominations. Siquijor is well known for its fiestas and festivals with a focus on healing. During those festivals old islanders harvest herbs and roots and tree barks to make potions. Folk legends are shared. For the tourist visiting Siquijor probable the waterfalls, caves, white sandy beaches and coral reefs are the most appealing to visit. On this website you will find all the tourist hotspots, documented with videos and photos, to give you a good impression of the Healing Paradise. Welcome to the beautiful Island of Siquijor. Popular Spots in Siquijor Island, Philippines St Francis of Assisi Church/Bell Tower/Convent ( located somewhere inside the School Campus ) – Siquijor , Siquijor – Picture Taking and others Paliton Beach, San Juan , Siquijor – Ocean View/Sunset View/Sunbathing/Swimming/Picture Taking Capilay Spring Park , San Juan, Siquijor – Swimming at the Spring /Dine and Karaoke at the Restaurant Tubod Beach and Marine Sanctuary, San Juan, Siquijor – Snorkeling/Scuba Diving/Sunbathing/Swimming/Sunset View Lugnason Falls, Napo , San Juan – Swimming/Picture Taking and others Marelle’s Underwater World Museum, Tubod, San Juan – Shell Collections Picture Taking and others Old Balete Tree, Campalanas, Lazi, Siquijor – Fish Spa and others Hapitanan, Lazi , Siquijor ( Overlooking View of Lazi ) – Flying Broom Picture Taking and others Lazi Old Convent , Lazi, Siquijor – Picture taking and others St Isidore de Labrador Church and Mother Mary Grotto, Lazi , Siquijor – Candle Lighting, Picture Taking and others Lagaan Falls, Lazi, Siquijor – Water Jumping, Picture taking and others Cambugahay Falls, Lazi, Siquijor – Water Jumping, Swimming/Picture Taking and others Kagusuan Beach, Minalulan, Maria, Siquijor – Sunbathing/Swimming/Picture Taking/Hammocking and others Salagdoong Beach and Manmade Forest , Maria, Siquijor – Swimming/Snorkeling/Sunbathing/ Cliff Jumping Lilibeth Pan Bisaya , Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor – Local bread and others Cang Isok House, Enrique Villanueva – Picture […]
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