8 Best Things to Do in Siquijor (Plus 2 I’d Skip): My Favorite Attractions in Siquijor 2025

I’ve talked to a few people recently about Siquijor—whether it’s worth visiting, what the best things to do are, and how the island compares to other spots in the Philippines. And honestly, I’ve heard all kinds of opinions.

After spending over a week on Siquijor Island myself, I’d say I checked off most of the top attractions and did nearly every activity that gets recommended online. So I feel like I have a pretty solid sense of what’s actually worth doing.

Some friends weren’t totally sold on the island. A few of the tourist spots can feel a little overcrowded or hyped up, though to be fair, Siquijor is still way less touristy than places like Bohol or Cebu.

So, to clear up the confusion a bit, I’m putting together this list based on my own experience: the best things to do in Siquijor, what I really enjoyed, and a couple of activities I honestly think you can skip.

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8 Best Things to Do in Siquijor (Plus 2 I’d Skip): My Favorite Attractions in Siquijor 2025

Top Things to Do in Siquijor – My Experience

After spending just over a week on Siquijor, I feel like I got a pretty good feel for the island and most of the best things to do in Siquijor. I didn’t go scuba diving, but aside from that, I managed to visit most of the major attractions in Siquijor and even a few lesser-known spots too.

Just a heads-up: I was there during Holy Week in April, and it was wild. Power would cut out randomly multiple times a day, the ferries were packed, and hotels were fully booked across the island. So while I had a great time, I also know that Siquijor might feel totally different if you visit at a quieter time of year. Keep that in mind.

I had a scooter for my entire stay, which I definitely recommend. It just gave me all the freedom I needed to explore with no need to wait for tuk-tuks or book tours. I could stop by waterfalls in the morning, go back for a shower in the afternoon, then head to the beach for sunset. That flexibility made a big difference.

What I loved most about Siquijor was how local and low-key it felt, even during one of the busiest weeks of the year. It didn’t have that polished, overly curated vibe that you sometimes get in places like Cebu or Bohol. It felt more real. More relaxed. And honestly, I barely saw any other international tourists while I was there.

Some of my top spots were Cambugahay Falls was a clear favorite. One of the prettiest waterfalls I’ve ever seen, and the rope swings there are just ridiculously fun. I also really loved Pitogo Cliff, there’s something about that spot that reminded me of the Mediterranean. Calm blue water, limestone cliffs and barely anyone around.

8 Best Things to Do in Siquijor (Plus 2 I’d Skip): My Favorite Attractions in Siquijor 2025

1. Cambugahay Falls

Cambugahay Falls was hands down my favorite activity in Siquijor. We drove there on our scooter early in the morning at around 8 or 9 AM from San Juan, which took about an hour. The entrance fee was 100 pesos per person, plus another 50 pesos for unlimited rope swing jumps (which I definitely recommend, don’t be stingy, that’s less than $1).

The waterfall itself was stunning. Bright turquoise water, multiple levels and pools, and when we arrived, it wasn’t crowded at all. We had space to swim, jump, and hang out without feeling rushed or packed in. It’s cheap, it’s fun, and if you come early, you’ll beat the tour groups. This one’s a must in my opinion.

8 Best Things to Do in Siquijor (Plus 2 I’d Skip): My Favorite Attractions in Siquijor 2025

2. Pitogo Cliff

Pitogo Cliff Nature Park, I feel like I say this every time I talk about it, but I don’t care,it seriously reminds me of the Mediterranean, if you look at it from the right angle. The cliffs, the calm blue water… it’s just stunning.

When I went, I didn’t expect much. It was just a random stop on the way back from Cambugahay Falls, but I’m so glad we pulled over. Entrance was only 30 pesos, and you get to jump off a little platform, swim in that crazy-clear ocean water, and take some really pretty photos. I definitely recommend it.

It’s not a full-day activity or anything. If you’re swimming and hanging out, you might spend 30 to 40 minutes here. If you’re just stopping for a quick photo, you’ll be done in five. Either way, it’s worth it.

3. Snorkeling at Tubog Marine Sanctuary

One thing that really surprised me was how fun the snorkeling was at Tubod Marine Sanctuary. It’s right in San Juan, just next to Coco Grove Beach Resort, you know, the big orange luxury hotel you’ve probably driven past at some point.

There’s a little parking area off the main road where you can leave your scooter. From there, it’s just a short walk down a driveway to the beach. You’ll pay a 100-peso entrance fee, and you can either rent snorkel gear or bring your own. Super cheap, super easy.

What I loved most is that you don’t need a tour or boat or anything, you just walk straight into the ocean and you’re surrounded by coral, colorful fish, and if you’re lucky, even turtles. Definitely worth a stop if you’re staying nearby.

4. Cliff Diving at Salagdoong Beach

Salagdoong Beach, on the east coast of Siquijor, is super popular for cliff diving. There are two different platforms at two different heights, and I had a great time jumping off both. That said, I’ve heard mixed reviews, some people think the beach itself isn’t that nice (a bit dirty), and the drive is pretty long (over an hour from San Juan).

Personally, I thought it was a fun experience, but I wouldn’t call it a must-see. If you’re excited about cliff diving and want a bit of an adventure, go for it. But if you’re tight on time or just want to relax, this might be one to skip.

8 Best Things to Do in Siquijor (Plus 2 I’d Skip): My Favorite Attractions in Siquijor 2025

5. Visiting a Healer

Visiting a healer in Siquijor is something I wouldn’t recommend to everyone. It’s a very spiritual and cultural experience, and you should only go if you’re genuinely open to it and willing to respect the traditions of the local people. Siquijor is known for its folklore, and many locals still believe in healing the body and soul, witchcraft, and even demons roaming the island at night.

The experience gave me a unique look into a side of Filipino culture I hadn’t seen anywhere else in the country. If you’re curious, ask your hotel or homestay owner, they can help arrange a visit with a local driver who knows where to go. And just so you know, this isn’t some wild ayahuasca trip, there are no drugs involved. It’s usually a smoke ceremony or a healing massage.

6. Sunset at Nakabalo Pool

I had such a fun day at Nakabalo Guesthouse. It’s a little homestay, restaurant, and bar located in the hills above San Juan, but the real highlight is the infinity pool overlooking Siquijor and the ocean. The view is incredible, especially at sunset.

We pretty much spent the whole day there. It’s a bit pricey at 1,000 pesos per person for a poolside sunbed, but 600 of that goes toward food and drinks, so you can easily make a day of it—swim, eat, have a few drinks, and catch the sunset. If your accommodation already has a nice pool, maybe this is not a must-do. But if it doesn’t, this is a great little splurge and cool way to spend the day.

8 Best Things to Do in Siquijor (Plus 2 I’d Skip): My Favorite Attractions in Siquijor 2025

7. Paliton Beach

Paliton Beach was for sure my favorite beach in Siquijor. We went there multiple times, it’s only a few minutes from San Juan by scooter, and the water is so clear it looks like a swimming pool. Soft white sand, palm trees, and just a laid-back vibe that makes you want to hang around all afternoon and stay for sunset.

One thing to note though: the tides make a big difference. It’s not quite like Siargao where the sea completely disappears at low tide, but it does get super shallow to the point where swimming isn’t really possible. You can still sit in the water and cool off, but don’t expect to do laps.

Also, when you arrive at the scooter parking lot, don’t stop at the small stretch of sand you first see. Keep walking through the trees along the little path and it’ll lead you to the much bigger and prettier part of the beach. Trust me, it’s worth the extra two minutes.

8. Pizza at Dolce Amore

Okay, this isn’t really an activity, but I’m putting it in here anyway because it was genuinely one of the best meals I had in the Philippines. Dolce Amore is a little Italian-run spot in Siquijor and the pizza here is ridiculously good. Like, proper Neapolitan-style pizza with burrata and spicy salami and all the good stuff. The owners are Italian and import most of the ingredients straight from Italy, so it’s the real deal.

We had the spicy burrata pizza and the bruschetta and I was honestly shocked at how good it was. It’s a little pricier than your average meal in Siquijor, but totally worth it for a date night or just a treat-yourself dinner.

One tip: try to get there early, around 5 PM if you can. They don’t take reservations (as far as I know), and the line gets long fast.

Two Things I Thought Weren’t Worth It

As much as I loved Siquijor, there were a couple of things I did that I probably wouldn’t recommend. I didn’t feel scammed or anything like that—they just didn’t feel worth the time or effort compared to everything else the island has to offer.

Visit the Old Enchanted Balete Tree

I know this spot shows up on pretty much every Siquijor itinerary, but personally, I wouldn’t go out of my way for it. It’s basically just a big old balete tree with a little fish spa underneath, like the kind you see at night markets. Cool if you’ve never done it before, but to be honest, it just felt a bit…meh. The whole thing took about five minutes, and I left thinking, that’s it?

If you happen to be driving past it anyway and feel like a quick stop, fine. But I wouldn’t plan around it or call it a must-see. There’s way better stuff to do on the island.

Visit the Butterfly Sanctuary

This one also didn’t do it for me. It’s a small greenhouse with a few butterflies flying around and a 100-peso entrance fee that felt a bit steep for what you get. Maybe it’s meant to support conservation or something (which I’d totally be on board with), but the whole place just had this weird tourist trap vibe to it.

We walked around for maybe ten minutes and that was kind of it. If you’re into butterflies or looking to fill a super quiet day, maybe it’s your thing. But otherwise, I’d say skip it and use your time for something more exciting, like literally anything else on this list.

Final Thoughts on My Travel Guide for the Best Siquijor Attractions

Overall, I had such a good time in Siquijor. Even though I visited during Holy Week (aka absolute chaos), I still managed to enjoy so much of what the island has to offer. From waterfalls and cliff dives to laid-back beach days and local food spots, Siquijor really surprised me. It felt more local and relaxed than other places I visited in the Philippines, and honestly, that’s what made it so special.

Just rent a scooter, take it slow, and do whatever feels good that day. You don’t need a packed itinerary here—some of my favorite moments came from just pulling over somewhere random. Siquijor is the kind of place where the small stuff ends up being the most memorable.

Check Out My Other Siquijor Guides

Siargao or Siquijor: Siargao vs. Siquijor My Ultimate Comparison

Cafes in Siquijor: My 6 Best Cafes in Siquijor

Restaurants in Siquijor: My Top 9 Siquijor Restaurants

Best Time to Visit Siqujor: When is the best time to visit Siquijor

How to Get to Siquijor: How to Get to Siquijor Travel Guide

Cambugahay Falls Siquijor: My Cambugahay Falls Travel Guide

Is Siquijor Worth Visiting: Is Siquijor Worth Visiting My Honest Review

Siquijor Beaches: The Best Beaches in Siquijor

Digital Nomad in Siquijor: Remote Work in Siquijor, Is it Possible?

Pitogo Cliff: Is Pitogo Cliff Siquijor Worth Visiting?

Siquijor Itinerary: My 3 Days in Siquijor Itinerary

Siquijor Hotels: Where to Stay in Siquijor Island

Paliton Beach: My Quick Guide to Paliton Beach Siquijor

Siquijor Resorts: The Best Beach Resorts in Siquijor Philippines

Siquijor Travel Guide: My Siquijor Island Philippines Travel Guide

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