6 Enchanting Things To Do In Siquijor

written on November 17th, 2016 by Kristiana Rule

Siquijor is an island known to be shrouded in mystery. Stories of witch doctors and magic, it even inspired a Filipino movie called Mystic Island, but there’s so much more to this beautiful place.

Here are 6 things you can enjoy in Siquijor.

Cliff jumping Salagdoong beach

Ready for an adrenaline rush? How does a cliff jump sound to you? One way to enjoy Salagdoong’s beautiful turquoise waters would be to jump off a platform 35 feet from the ground. If you’re not up for it (which is truly a shame) you can always enjoy snorkelling and lounging around the beach.

Swing from a Vine at Cambugahay Falls

This three-tiered beauty in Lazi is a tourist favorite. Tranquil and safe enough for kids to swim in, Cambugahay’s cool waters will comfort your feet after trekking the few hundred steps to get to the falls. There’s a Tarzan swing, too, if you’re feeling adventurous. Swing from the vine and splash your way into the pool.

 

If trees could talk, I wonder what tales this 400-year-old balete (banyan) would tell? 🌿 📷: @akosichadkulot #eazytraveler #balete #banyantree #siquijor #itsmorefuninthephilippines #visitphilippinesagain2016 #philippines

A photo posted by Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap (@eazytraveler) on Nov 2, 2016 at 4:06am PDT

Chill by the Century-Old Balete Tree

We’ve all heard the old wives’ tale about Balete Trees and the engkantos that haunt them. In Lazi, there is one such enchanting tree. The Balete tree is said to be 400 years old. Beneath it is a fresh water pool that has fish that nibble on your toes.

Snorkel

The Visayas is blessed with wonderful marine life, and Siquijor has its fair share. With around 20 dive sites all around the island, you can be sure Siquijor’s beaches are more than white sand and crystal clear waters.

Look out for Fireflies

The Spaniards used to call this island Isla del Fuego because of the fiery glow of the fireflies that inhabit the area. You can book a tour during the firefly season. Or you can always camp out and look for them in the trees and shrubs.

Hunt a shaman

Siquijor’s reputation as an island of magic and witch-doctors isn’t really founded on hearsay. In some parts of the island, local bolo-bolo healers use a rock, a straw and a cup of water to heal people’s illnesses. See if you can find them and if the magic of their healing is true.