Siquijor Tourist Attractions

In Siquijor, you certainly won’t get bored. There are tons of different things to do and many of them will appeal to all types of traveller.

The Old Enchanted Balete Tree

The Old Enchanted Balete Tree is one of the more interesting and unique things that you will be able to do in Siquijor. It’s a big banyan tree covered in hundreds of roots and vines. Legend has it that it is enchanted and the residents of the island who believe in spirits think it has magical healing powers. There is also a free foot fish spa under the tree where little fish will nibble the dead skin off of your feat leaving them smooth and soft.

Waterfalls

As with much of the Philippines, Siquijor is famous for its waterfalls and Cambugahay is the most famous of them. Located just outside of Lazi, it is a three-tiered waterfall with a rope swing to jump into one of the deeper pools. The entrance fee is only PHP10 so even if you bring a large family along with you, it will still be a cheap experience. It is however, a long walk from the parking lot, so it should only be attempted by travellers who are up for a bit of a hike.

Lugnason Falls are equally beautiful and impressive as Cambugahay, although there are fewer visitors there, possibly due to the bumpy road you have to take to access the falls. There is also a PHP10 entrance fee. The water is blue and deep enough to swim and if you get hungry there are local selling snacks and drinks. During the dry season, the waterfall slows to a trickle so it is better to go for a visit when it is rainy out, as it will be significantly more impressive.

Churches

One of the largest churches in the Philippines is located on Siquijor island: The San Isidro Labrador Convent. Built by the Spanish, construction was finished in 1894. It has been declared a historical landmark and while there are many tourists who come through to see it, it is still in use as a church and if you go on a Sunday, you will see locals celebrating Mass.

The St. Francis of Assisi Church is a great stop for history buffs. This church was built in 1774 in the Spanish Colonial structure. An interesting feature of this church is that the structure’s bell tower is not physically connected to the church itself and is in a plaza a few meters away from the church. Historians believe that it was used as a watchtower, which explains the unusual arrangement.

GoWild Wild West: Kancheron

One of the more bizarre things to do on the island is Kanheron which is a cultural attraction in which everyone dresses up like the American Wild West. It's like a Wild West version of Disneyland in the Philippines. It includes a restaurant, bar, and historical re-enactments and is a great thing for kids to do, or anyone in your family who is interested in cowboys!

Snorkelling

Finally, some of the best snorkelling in the country can be found off of San Juan beach. Of course you can pay a company to take you out in a boat to check out the coral reefs, but you can also swim from just off the shore and see many types of fish and other marine animals in their natural habitat in the rocks off of the beach. If you’re with children who aren’t ready for deep open water, this is a great place to bring your mask, your snorkel and your fins and check out the sea life.