Date of Travel: March 4-7, 2025
Airline: Cebu Pacific
Airfare: Php 1,975.56 (seat sale)
Siquijor: A Place of Mystery and Magic
Siquijor has always been one of those places shrouded in mystery. Some people talk about its untouched beauty, while others are more fascinated by the eerie stories tied to it. Either way, I knew I had to see it for myself. So, last September 2024, I finally booked my trip to this so-called mystical island. My flight from NAIA on March 4, 2025 was at 7:55 PM, but I was already at the airport by around 4 or 5 PM.
Before I even left, my officemates kept teasing me. “Be careful! You might not be the same person when you come back!” they said, laughing. Siquijor is known for stories about aswang (shape-shifting creatures) and mambabarang (sorcerers), and they clearly weren’t going to let me forget it. I just laughed along.
I packed light—mostly dresses since it’s an island trip, and of course, sunscreen because I wasn’t about to go home looking like a sunburned lobster. No extra luggage, just the essentials.
While waiting at the airport, I struck up a conversation with a woman from Dumaguete. (For those unfamiliar, there are no direct flights to Siquijor yet, so you have to fly to Dumaguete first, then take a ferry to the island.) She asked where I was headed, and when I said Siquijor, she gave me a knowing look. “Are you traveling alone?” she asked. When I said yes, she nodded and said, “Be careful. I have relatives there, and the stories about witches? They’re real.”
For a brief moment, I felt a chill. But I quickly brushed it off. I laughed, refusing to let superstition kill my excitement. We kept talking about random things until it was time to board. Thankfully, my flight wasn’t delayed and before we went our separate ways inside the plane, we took a quick selfie.
And just like that, I was one step closer to discovering the real Siquijor—beyond the myths and superstitions.
First Night in Dumaguete: A Budget Stay and an Airport Tip
She waited for me as we got off the plane, and before we went our separate ways, we took solo pictures in front of the big Welcome to Negros Oriental tarp at the airport. After that, we said our goodbyes, and I headed out to find a ride to my accommodation for the night.
I took a tricycle to a nearby inn. Before my flight, I had already inquired at HariMariz Dormitory, and they said walk-ins were allowed, so I didn’t bother booking ahead.
The tricycle ride from the airport to HariMariz Dormitory took only about 5 to 10 minutes. Honestly, if I wasn’t so exhausted, I could’ve just walked. The driver charged me ₱250, which, in hindsight, was way too expensive. I later found out that the actual fare should have only been around ₱20-25 if I had just walked a bit further to the highway instead of taking a tricycle directly from the airport. Lesson learned—next time, I’ll take the short walk and save money.
I finally arrived at HariMariz Dormitory around 10 PM. Since I was on a budget, I opted for their dormitory-style room, which was only ₱500 per person—perfect for backpackers and solo travelers who just need a place to sleep.
When I was shown to my room, I couldn’t help but smile. At first, I thought it was just a small space with a double-deck bed. But nope—it was a room with four bunk beds! The ambiance was a bit eerie, and the curtains around each bed had a slightly unsettling color. There was a common bathroom inside, which was convenient.
Luckily, I had the whole room to myself that night. I don’t think I would have been as comfortable if I had to share it with strangers. The setup reminded me of those space pod hotels in Singapore—functional, compact, and perfect for a quick stay.
After settling in, I didn’t waste any more time. I was exhausted, and I had a long day ahead. So, I fixed my things, climbed into bed, and went straight to sleep.
Off to Siquijor: A Morning of Small Surprises
I woke up to my alarm at 6 AM, took a quick shower, and got ready for the day. Since the dormitory’s cook wasn’t available, I couldn’t order breakfast. They actually had a kitchen, but I happened to catch them on the wrong day. No big deal—I just Grabbed some food and ate before heading out.
After breakfast, I took a tricycle to the port, which cost ₱20 from HariMariz Dormitory.
At the port, I bought my ticket to Siquijor. I decided to take a fast craft instead of a Roro (roll-on/roll-off ferry), even though it was a bit pricier, ₱364 plus ₱15 terminal fee. I availed the 9AM schedule. The faster travel time was worth it. I booked with Montenegro Lines—see the schedule and prices below:
The waiting area at the port was impressive—it almost felt like being at an airport. When it was time to board, there was an assigned seating arrangement based on ticket numbers. Mine was 4B, so I was seated near the front, and at first, I had the row to myself.
A little later, a young girl sat beside me. She shyly asked if she could take the window seat because she loved watching big waves. I found that so adorable and told her, “Of course, go ahead!” She was well-behaved, so I even took a picture with her.
Once the ferry started moving, she stood up excitedly, gazing out at the waves. But as time passed, the sea breeze must have made her sleepy. She put on her Pikachu jacket, curled up in her seat, and dozed off. It was the cutest thing!
The ferry ride lasted about an hour, and when we arrived, the heat hit me instantly. I walked out of the port and hopped on another tricycle to meet my tour guide.
Finding the Right Tour Guide
Before my trip, I had already looked for a tour guide in advance. Luckily, I came across Mr. Mhars Perew Prerew, who offered a ₱1,500/day tour via TukTuk or ₱1,300 for a motorcycle tour. Of course, I went for the TukTuk—it had a roof, and I felt more secure. He only asked for a ₱300 down payment.
We agreed to meet at Capilay Spring in San Juan, and I took a ₱200 tricycle ride from the port to get there.
First Stop: The Stunning Pitogo Cliff
We met at our designated spot around 11 AM and immediately headed to our first destination—the famous Pitogo Cliff.
The entrance fee was ₱30, plus a ₱20 parking fee. As soon as we arrived, I quickly changed into a dress. I had traveled in just a t-shirt, but a place this stunning deserved a proper outfit.
Pitogo Cliff is a breathtaking limestone formation with jagged edges and a steep drop into the crystal-clear waters below. From the top, you get an unobstructed view of the endless blue sea, with waves crashing dramatically against the rocks. The contrast between the deep green foliage and the brilliant turquoise water makes it look straight out of a postcard. The cliff is also a popular cliff-diving spot, though I wasn’t planning on taking the plunge—just taking in the view was already mesmerizing.
One of the best things about Pitogo Cliff is the photo and drone services available. When we arrived, my tour guide took my number because there was a queue for drone shots. Thankfully, it wasn’t too crowded since I was traveling on a weekday.
I decided to avail of the drone shots for ₱200 and a regular photo session for ₱50—both in soft copy. The shots were absolutely stunning, and I highly recommend getting drone footage to truly capture the grandeur of the cliffside views.
Of course, I also asked my tour guide to take photos of me at the best spots. And this was just the first stop—yet I was already shaking my head in disbelief at how beautiful Siquijor was.
Check out my part 2 of my 4D3N solo travel at Siquijor here: https://mjtravels.blog/siquijor-4d3n-part-2/
