Siquijor for women travelling alone
Tiny island with waterfalls and healing folklore
- On foot
- car needed
- Getting around
- minimal
- Wifi
- poor
- Places to stay
- 8+ read
01 of 07
The read
Women who find Siquijor tend to return: it is small, quiet, and entirely manageable on your own.
What holds up
- Multiple daily fast ferries run from Dumaguete, the nearest city with an airport, making arrival straightforward.
- San Juan's beach strip is walkable, and scooter rentals are available right at the port or in town for exploring the rest of the island.
- The small traveller community means genuine connections happen quickly at a handful of bars and hostels.
What to weigh
- There is no hospital on the island: anything serious means a ferry back to Dumaguete, so travel insurance with medical evacuation cover matters here.
- ATMs are limited to Siquijor town and Larena port and do not always accept foreign cards reliably; bring enough cash from Dumaguete before you cross.
Siquijor is a small island with a reputation for mysticism and healing traditions that makes it more interesting than your average beach stop. The island takes about an hour to circumnavigate by motorbike, and renting one is the standard way to explore. San Juan is the main tourist area, with a cluster of beach resorts, hostels, and restaurants along the waterfront.
Key stops include Cambugahay Falls (a tiered swimming hole with a rope swing), Salagdoong Beach (cliff jumping), and the old balete tree with a fish spa at its roots. The island is known for traditional healers and folk practices, and you can visit some of these through respectful local guides.
Ferries arrive from Dumaguete (1.5 hours) and occasionally from Bohol. Siquijor is quiet, almost to the point of isolation in the evenings. Plan your evening before dark. The island shuts down early, so bring a book. It rewards a slow pace: two to three days is ideal.
02 of 07
Common questions
What people ask about Siquijor, answered with specifics rather than in general terms.
- How do you get around Siquijor?
- Motorbike is the way. The island loop is about 72km and takes 2 hours on a motorbike without stops. Roads are paved and in reasonable condition. Rentals are available in San Juan and at the Siquijor port. This is by far the most practical transport option.
- Where should you stay in Siquijor on your own?
- Distances in Siquijor are larger than they look on a map, so the area you pick matters more than the property. Tiny island with waterfalls and healing folklore
03 of 07
Where to stay
Each of these has been read rather than listed. The full set is on the stays page.
- Coco Grove Beach Resort
800 metres of white sand beach, three pools, spa treatments, and 24 hour reception.
hotel · 4.5 from 1818 reviews · about $3500 a night - U Story Resort
Women come back for the bungalows sitting right on the water, with sea views from the room itself. Staff are noted as genuinely attentive rather than just present.
hotel · 4.6 from 442 reviews - JJ's Backpackers Village
There is a 20-peso entrance fee, and service slows considerably on busy weekend nights.
hotel · 3.8 from 391 reviews - The Bruce
The resort sits on the beach and is less than ten minutes by scooter from San Juan.
hotel · 4.3 from 343 reviews - SEE-KEE-HOR Cafe and Hostelhostel · 4.7 from 334 reviews
- Nakabalo Guesthouse and Restaurant
Features a swimming pool that is open to day guests for a per-person fee.
homestay · 4.5 from 256 reviews - Villa Marmarine Resort
The resort is described as the closest accommodation to the pier.
hotel · 4.5 from 246 reviews - Mad Monkey Siquijor
Female dorms come with lockers, and staff organise waterfall tours and motorbike hire directly from the hostel. It is quieter than other Mad Monkey branches, which suits some women and disappoints others.
hostel · 4.4 from 234 reviews
04 of 07
What to know
- 01
Mysticism is part of the identity
Siquijor is known across the Philippines for folk healing and traditional medicine. Healers (mananambal) still practise on the island. The annual Holy Week healing festival draws visitors. This is cultural heritage, not tourist performance.
- 02
Small island, small community
The traveller community on Siquijor is tiny compared to Siargao or El Nido. You will see the same faces repeatedly. Hostels like JJ's and the handful of beach bars are where connections happen. If you want social intensity, this is not it. If you want a few genuine connections, it works.
- 03
Cambugahay Falls timing
The tiered waterfall is beautiful but can get crowded with day-trippers from Dumaguete between 11am and 2pm. Early morning or late afternoon visits are quieter. The rope swings are fun but check the water depth first.
- 04
Limited services
ATMs are few (mainly in Siquijor town and Larena port). Not all establishments accept cards. Bring cash from Dumaguete. Medical facilities are basic. The island is genuinely small-town and services reflect that.
05 of 07
Getting around
- 01
Motorbike is the way
The island loop is about 72km and takes 2 hours on a motorbike without stops. Roads are paved and in reasonable condition. Rentals are available in San Juan and at the Siquijor port. This is by far the most practical transport option.
- 02
Tricycles for non-riders
Tricycles can be hired for the day to do the island circuit. Agree on the itinerary and fare before starting. They are also available for short trips within San Juan.
- 03
Walking in San Juan
The San Juan beach strip is walkable. The beach itself connects several resorts and restaurants. Beyond the strip, distances require motorized transport.
- 04
Ferries to and from the island
Fast ferries from Dumaguete (1 hour) and Tagbilaran/Bohol (1.5 hours). Montenegro Shipping and OceanJet operate the routes. Check schedules as they change seasonally. The port is in Siquijor town, not San Juan.
06 of 07
How the day runs
Morning dives at the marine sanctuaries around the island. Salagdoong Beach on the east coast is quieter in the morning. Lazi Church and Convent (one of the oldest in the Philippines) are a morning stop on the island circuit. Coffee options are limited but growing.
The island is small enough that you can start at any point and work your way around.
Cambugahay Falls is the main waterfall, with tiered pools connected by rope swings. The century-old balete tree (enchanted balete tree) with a fish spa at its roots is a unique stop. Paliton Beach on the southwest coast has clear water and fewer people. Afternoon is good for the full island loop by motorbike.
Cambugahay Falls gets busy when tour groups from Dumaguete day trips arrive (usually 11am-2pm). Go earlier or later.
San Juan beach has a handful of restaurants and bars with sunset views. The island gets very quiet after dark. A few beachfront places have acoustic music on weekends. Most travelers eat at their resort or in San Juan and retire early.
Siquijor has limited nightlife by design. If you want evening activity, this is not the island for it.
07 of 07
Neighbourhoods
- 01
Siquijor Town Center
The island's administrative heart featuring the historic belltower, town plaza, and main commercial establishments.
- 02
San Juan Beach Area
The bustling backpacker hub along the western coast with numerous hostels, restaurants, and beach bars.
- 03
Maite Coastal Strip
A scenic coastal stretch connecting San Juan to the southern beaches with cafes and local eateries.
- 04
Southern Beaches & Resorts
The island's premier beach destination featuring upscale resorts, pristine beaches, and luxury accommodations.
- 05
Lazi Heritage Area
A culturally rich area centered around the historic Lazi Convent with multiple waterfalls and natural attractions nearby.