Is Siquijor Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Siquijor is one of my favorite islands in the Philippines — and if it’s not on your list yet or you’re currently debating whether to visit, this post should give you the answers you’re looking for.

Before we get into the whole “is Siquijor worth visiting” thing, a quick note on pronunciation: it’s SIK-EE-HOR. Just making sure we’re all hearing it right in our heads while reading this.

So, Siquijor. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines, and compared to other popular spots you’ll come across while researching, it’s also one of the least touristy. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on what you’re after but we will get into that in a minute.

I’ve spent some time here and in this article I’ll break it all down for you: What’s the vibe like? Is it cool or kinda overrated? Is it cheap or surprisingly expensive? And ultimately, is it worth visiting?

Is Siquijor worth visiting? My Honest Take and Quick Answer

Quick answer? Yes. 100% yes. I think it’s actually my second favorite island in the Philippines after Siargao.

It’s stunning, with proper white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and way better tides compared to Siargao. Siquijor has loads to do too: beach hopping, cliff jumping, waterfalls… all the usual island fun. But what really stood out to me was that Siquijor actually has some culture to it. That was something I missed on a few other islands.

Siquijor is known as the Filipino capital of black magic, yep, you read that right. Locals believe in witchcraft, healers, and even demons roaming the hills at night. I’m not joking, that stuff is a legit part of the island’s identity. And honestly, it made the whole place feel way more interesting and unique.

Another huge plus for me: it’s way less developed and less touristy. It felt a bit rougher around the edges with more backpackers, more locals, and fewer package holiday tourists. After being in places like Cebu City and Bohol, that shift in vibe was so refreshing.

I genuinely love Siquijor and would pick it over Cebu or Bohol without hesitation.

Check out my Guide on Siargao vs Siquijor too!

What I Expected vs. What I Actually Got in Siquijor – Travel Guide

Before I came to Siquijor, I was expecting something a bit more like Siargao. I’m not even sure why, probably because all the Instagram reels and TikToks show those quick, stunning montages of their favorite spots, and they always lump Siargao and Siquijor together. Both are often rated as people’s top two favorite islands, so naturally, I thought they’d feel kind of similar.

But when I arrived, I quickly realized Siquijor is very different but in a good way. It’s definitely less developed than a lot of the popular tourist islands in the Philippines. That said, if I had to group the islands based on vibe, I’d still say Siquijor is closer to Siargao than to Bohol or Cebu. Mainly because, in my opinion, Cebu and Bohol feel more like mainstream resort tourism, while Siargao and Siquijor feel a bit more raw, local, and cool.

Just to clarify, I’m only comparing these because they’re geographically close-ish, I’m not including Palawan here since that’s in a totally different area.

Anyway, back to Siquijor, it’s less developed, for sure. The main tourist hub is San Juan town, where I stayed. It’s got a few nice restaurants, some good coffee spots, and a couple of bars. But don’t expect a Bali-style vibe like in Siargao. It feels more local and a bit more untouched, which I really appreciated. That said, it’s still built up enough that I could find a decent flat white when I wanted one — priorities, right?

Siquijor also has some gorgeous beaches. Paliton Beach, in particular, is a beauty with soft white sand and clear turquoise water. And where Siquijor does remind me of Siargao is in the nature, it’s incredibly lush, with waterfalls, coconut trees, and that perfect island greenery. You can just hop on a scooter and cruise around inland, discovering quiet beaches and scenic spots that feel totally off-the-grid.

The Vibe: What Siquijor Island really Feels Like

I’ve kind of touched on this already, but to be clear, Siquijor feels way less touristy than a lot of the more popular islands in the Philippines. When it comes to international tourism, you’ll find more backpackers here than “holiday tourists.” There’s a mix of chill travelers, a few hippie types, and people who are totally fine staying somewhere simple if it means getting to experience a more raw, natural side of the Philippines.

That’s not to say there aren’t any resorts or nice hotels, there are a few like Coco Grove Beach Resort, but it’s nothing like Bohol, Cebu, or even Siargao. Siquijor just feels a little more authentic. It’s not overly polished, and that’s exactly what makes it special.

What I Loved About Siquijor

• The beaches felt untouched, no big resorts or rows of restaurants, just quiet, beautiful coastline.
• There’s actually some culture here, with local healers in the mountains and real beliefs in spirits and black magic, which made it way more interesting and exciting.
• The waterfalls were incredible, especially Cambugahay Falls, where I had so much fun with the rope swings and swimming.
• The vibe was way less touristy, which I really appreciated after the more commercial feel of Cebu and Bohol.
• I had some of the best Filipino food at a local eatery called Roadside Diners,  super flavorful and way better than I expected.
• It’s a really affordable island overall. Activities, accommodation, and food were all budget-friendly, which made it easy to enjoy more without overspending.

What I Did Not Like About Siquijor

The power cuts were probably the worst part. I was there during Holy Week and they were doing load shedding,  three hours with power, then three hours without, all day long. It was terrible, especially as someone working remotely. No Wi-Fi, no fan, no charging anything — it just made getting anything done really frustrating. 

But I guess that’s the trade-off when you stay somewhere less touristy and less developed. You can’t have it all. Another small thing was that while most places were cheap, a few restaurants felt ridiculously overpriced for what they served. Not a huge deal, but for such a chill, simple island it did feel a bit off paying those prices for a pretty average meal.

Who Should Visit Siquijor and Who Shouldn’t

If you’re into nature, waterfalls, quiet beaches, and a bit of mystery and culture, you’ll probably love Siquijor. It’s great for backpackers, solo travelers, or anyone who wants to see a less polished, more local side of the Philippines. If you don’t mind a few power cuts or slower Wi-Fi, and you prefer exploring on a scooter over resort-style pampering, Siquijor is fantastic. 

But if you’re after all-day air-con, big hotel buffets, and everything running perfectly all the time, you might be better off in places like Cebu or Bohol. Siquijor isn’t luxury,  it’s chill, a little rough around the edges, and that’s kind of the whole point.

And if you’re a digital nomad with a proper work schedule then I wouldn’t recommend it at all. When I was there during Holy Week, they did load shedding, three hours with power, three hours without, all day long. There also aren’t many good work-friendly cafés or coworking spots. So unless your work is super flexible, it’s probably not the best spot to set up your laptop.

Siquijor or Another Island in the Philippines?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the middle of planning your trip through the Philippines, maybe even backpacking already,  and trying to figure out if Siquijor is worth adding to your itinerary.

Obviously, it depends on what kind of traveler you are, but for me personally? Yes, Siquijor is 100% worth it. In fact, I’d say it’s a must-visit. Siargao is still my favorite island overall, but Siquijor comes in second without a doubt.

So if you’re debating between Bohol or Siquijor? Go to Siquijor. Cebu or Siquijor? Again, Siquijor wins. The only two islands I’d maybe prioritize over Siquijor, especially if you’re on a tight schedule, are Palawan (for the insane scenery in El Nido, Coron, and Balabac) and Siargao (for the surf and the vibes). But outside of those two? Siquijor is the one I’d go back to.

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