Siquijor: Tales of Adventure and Enchantment

Hello, travelers!

This is a long overdue post; this happened last December 2022. It's the time of the year when we always go out and travel somewhere to celebrate two of our friends' birthdays: Chiarra on December 9 and Hive account@iamcjestrada on December 10.

We always go camping somewhere when we celebrate birthdays, but this time, we traveled all the way to the island of Siquijor for the weekend just to celebrate their birthdays differently.

SIQUIJOR is an island in the Central Visayas region, where Cebu Island is also located. It is a small island province located south of Cebu. It is more accessible via Dumaguete in Negros Oriental, but there are also ferries from Cebu island, though not on a daily basis.

The Island of Fire or Isla del Fuego is the nickname given to the island by the Spaniards because of its eerie glow from afar when approaching the island, due to its swarms of fireflies that sheltered in the numerous Molave trees native to the island.

Despite being a small island, it offers a lot of activities and beautiful spots to visit that can be toured within a day or two. From beaches to waterfalls to Spanish-era churches, you'll never get bored when you visit the island. These are my personal lists of sites you might want to visit if you happen to visit the island.

Okay, let's start with where we stayed during this trip. Siquijor Sunset Glamping Village is a unique place to stay if you are looking for an aesthetic camping-style experience.

Glamping Tent
Photo by Siquijor Sunset Glamping Village Inc. via their Facebook page.

Located 20 kilometers from Larena Port, the resort is situated in the town of San Juan, where most of the resorts and restaurants are located. The resort also has a restaurant, so you will not starve when you stay there.

Siquijor Sunset Glamping Village Inc.
Photo credits to Chiarra Sebial

Lugnason Falls is a multi-tier waterfall that has tiers named after the 12 astrological signs. Lugnason Falls, being the tallest among the tiers, is located 8 kilometers from our accommodation.

You have the option to go only to Lugnason Falls or do a reverse canyoneering, where you will start at Lugnason Falls and climb your way up to the first tier, which is what we spontaneously did with a guide.

The 400-year-old tree is considered the oldest and biggest tree in the province of Siquijor. Balete trees are believed to be enchanted, inhabited by mythical creatures. Since Siquijor is known for its witchcraft and potions, one should not miss this tree.

The tree is located 14 kilometers from our accommodation, and there is also a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and a fish spa where you can dip your feet and get tickled by those tiny dead-skin-eating fishes.

One should not miss this famous 3-tier waterfall in Siquijor; it is one of the main reasons why this island is famous. From its turquoise water to its freshwater cascades covered by a lush rainforest, it offers a breathtaking sight.

Located in the town of Lazi, 24 kilometers from our accommodation, be prepared to descend and ascend its steep stairs. However, it will be worth it once you arrive at the bottom of the stairs.

The present stone church of San Isidro Parish Church, commonly known as Lazi Church, was built in 1884 by Filipino artisans under the direction of Father Toribio Sánchez.

The church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and has also been nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2006 under the collective group of Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension), together with the churches of Boljoon, Guiuan, Loboc, and Tumauini. [1]

We started our tour for our second and last day at Paliton Beach, where we stopped for a quick photo with its famous swing and a human drone. The beach is renowned for its white sand and the coconut trees that line along the shoreline.

Located 1.7 kilometers from our accommodation, Paliton Beach is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

It was one of the celebrants' wishes to dive with the Barracudas at the Tulapos Marine Sanctuary, so that's what we did on our last destination before heading home.

Barracudas
Photo credits to @iamcjestrada YouTube Channel

Tulapos Marine Sanctuary is a protected marine area in the town of Enrique Villanueva, located 30 kilometers from our accommodation and 10 kilometers from the Larena Port. It is a perfect place for free-diving with the barracudas, but if you are not into free-diving, you can also do some snorkeling, which some of us did.

Aside from the spots that I listed above, there are also some noteworthy spots that we missed during this trip, which I have already been to years ago.

Located in the town of Maria, Salagdoong Man-made forest is one of the biggest Molave forests not only in the Philippines but also in Southeast Asia. Salagdoong derives its name from a Cebuano phrase "salag sa doong" that directly translates to "nest of the doong bird," which is abundant in the area.

You'll pass through this forest when you go to one of the island's beach resorts, the Salagdoong Beach Resort.

Salagdoong Beach Resort is known for its 16 feet and 32 feet cliff jumping spots. The resort also has two white sand coves that are perfect for chilling on the beach, and you can also do some snorkeling in its clear waters.

Bandilaan National Park is located in the island's capital town of Siquijor, Siquijor. It is also the highest point on the entire island, with an elevation of 557 meters above sea level.

The peak has a chapel for a pilgrimage site for locals and a viewing tower that you can climb to have a 360-degree view of the island.

There's so much more to see and explore on the island of Siquijor. Despite its reputation for witchcraft, we can assure you that Siquijor is a safe and welcoming destination for all travelers. The rumors of witches with flying brooms couldn't be further from the truth. Instead, we found ourselves surrounded by warm smiles, friendly locals, and captivating natural beauty at every turn.

Siquijor has truly cast its spell on us, and we can't wait to return to this magical island and create even more unforgettable moments. Until we meet again, Siquijor, thank you for an enchanting adventure beyond our wildest dreams.

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