Since it's almost summer, you can try Siquijor Island this summer!
Witchcraft be damned because the first time I have stepped on the island I was already spell-bounded by its beauty. This was my second time in Siquijor and I made sure to really discover its beauty.
How to get there from Cebu City?
Go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and ride a bus for Dumaguete.
Tip: 5-6 hours travel time so it's better to go at 12 midnight to get there early(mainly because tickets to Siquijor will open at 5am)
Bus fare: 215php (Ceres airconditioned ) + 70php for the roro.
When you arrive in Dumaguete, you can drop in Rizal Boulevard or in Dumaguete Port because that will be the last stop for the bus. Then find the nearest ticket booth bound to Siquijor. You can get there in 1 and a half hour.
Crucial Tip:
In getting a ticket for Siquijor you should be VERY early on the line. Especially on the weekend.
Roro fare: 130php + 15php (terminal fee)
When you arrive in Siquijor port, there are many people who will offer tour packages and all, but..but..but.. We don't want any people involved in our journey not because we are anti-social. But to be hassle free, like there are no people waiting for you.
Tip: So what we did upon arriving in Siquijor , we went to their police assistance booth that’s just by the gate of the port and asked for a copy of the island’s map. It has the list of the island’s tourist spots already. Plus a list of places to stay and the tariff rates for multi-cabs , vans, and tricycles if you want to have a ride. Those pieces of paper are all FOR FREE so all you just need to do is to ask for it. So just by having those papers as your guide, you can tour around the island all by yourselves! After having those paper guides, we asked some of the locals there if where can we rent a motorcycle/scooter to use around the island and there’s just a place near the port where you can rent it.
Motorcycle rate: 350php per day BUT if you have haggling skills it might be much cheaper. (Our was 350 in the first day and 100 in the second day so it is 450php). You also need to provide your driver's license.
Gasoline rate: 45-48php per litre in coke bottle.
If you are traveling in a group , you can rent a tricycle or multi-cab and the driver can be your tour guide.
Tricycle rate: 1,000php good for 3-4 person.
Multi-cab rate: 1,800php good for 5-9 person.
But this might limit your adventure.
Places to visit:
-Capilay Spring Park (free entrance)
-Old Balete Tree and fish spa (5php parking & 10php entrance fee)
-Lagaan Falls (50php entrance fee with guide bc 5-15min trek going to the falls)
-Lazi Old Church and Convent
-Cambugahay Falls (no entrance fee,donation only)
-Siquijor Boulevard (no entrance fee)
-Salagdoong Beach Resort (20php parking fee and 25php entrance fee)
-Coral Cay resort (100php entrance fee,consumable)
-Siquijor Church
-Siquijor Triangular landmark
You can actually do it in two days or less or 1 and a half day.
Tip: Don't be shy to ask the locals because they can speak three dialects (Cebuano, Tagalog , and English) bonus if they can speak Chinese, Japanese or Korean. _
How to get back in Cebu City?
You can ride a roro from Siquijor to Dumaguete and the ticketing booth is just right by the entrance of the port. By the way , 6 PM is the last trip for Siquijor to Dumaguete. So you better secure your tickets earlier than that. 😉
Roro fare: 120php + 14php (terminal fee)
Upon arriving at the Dumaguete port just ride a tricycle going to Dumaguete Ceres Bus Terminal and you can already ride a bus there going back to Cebu.
Tricycle rate: 20-40php per person
When in Dumaguete Ceres Bus Terminal already,find where the buses for Cebu are and ask the person assigned there TO have your names listed for you to be able to have a seat on the buses that are coming. So you pay and get your priority numbers and when the bus/es for Cebu arrives you’ll just get in and find your seat and poof! Back to Cebu City! 😁
Proof of images:
More pics in our album: https://www.facebook.com/joanmarievillarin/media_set?set=a.10209306095664714.1073742011.1092361284&type=3