HomeAsiaPhilippinesVisayasDumaguete and Siquijor Tour By Marcos Detourist on February 20, 2010I was so happy to kick-off my year of traveling with my first out-of the-region trip this year to Dumaguete City and Siquijor via Kabankalan City (Negros Occidental). I was so pumped about the trip since it was my first time to visit the genteel City of Dumaguete and the mystical island of Siquijor. White Sand Beach in tropical San Juan, SiquijorI originally planned for one night in Dumaguete and three days and two nights in Siquijor but I had to spend one night in Kabankalan City to account for my transport from Iloilo City and extend another night after the trip since I liked Dumaguete City so much and wanted to take more pictures of the place. All in all, my trip bloated to six days and five nights, that’s almost a week! The American built Siliman Hall (circa 1909) in Dumaguete CityOvernight in Kabankalan CityTo get to Dumaguete City from Iloilo, I had to ride a ferry to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental and then take a land trip all the way to Dumaguete City at the other side of Negros Island. I decided to spend one night in Kabankalan City since it was just along the way and I wanted to revisit Mag-aso Falls.Photo of Mag-aso falls during my previous visit to Kabankalan CityUnfortunately, I arrived in Kabankalan City late from Bacolod City since I took the wrong bus, the one with a longer route and multiple stops (economy) when I should have ridden a 1-stop bus to Kabankalan. I didn’t get to visit Mag-aso Falls because it was already too late in the afternoon :( It wasn’t all at a loss though, since I got to take a brief tour of the city and spend some time with my college friend who lives there. Kabankalan City PlazaDay tour of Dumaguete CityThe next day, I took the first trip to Dumaguete. It was still dark when I arrived at the bus terminal. Oftentimes I surprise myself why I’m able to wake up so early for travel trips since I’m (and my friends know me so well for this) a chronic late comer. I arrived in Dumaguete City just in time for breakfast in Sans Rival and meet Eric, who flew in the same morning from Manila. Sans Rival is famous for its Sans Rival (as the name suggests) and sylvannas, they also have tasty meals and other pasties. Breakfast in Sans RivalI loved Sans Rival because everything was sold at student price! After our fill, we dedicated the rest of the day to tour Dumaguete’s most prominent landmarks such as the Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete Belltower, Siliman Hall, and other attractions such as the Siliman Marine Lab, Sidlakan Negros Village, and Oriental Negros Capitol. Strolling along Rizal BoulevardAfterwards, we went to the newly opened Robinsons Place Dumaguete, one of the best designed provincial malls IMO. Robinsons Place DumagueteWe strolled around for a bit while waiting for Lew, a friend from skyscrapercity, Lew was our host for the night and let us stay with him in Bacong, a town located south of Dumaguete.Three Days and Two Nights in SiquijorThe next day, Me and Eric dropped by Bacong Church for a short visit and then went on to Dumaguete Pier to catch the ferry to Siquijor. We took a Delta Ferry, which took us to Siquijor in just one hour. The ferry dropped us off in Siquijor town, the capital of Siquijor Province. I felt so ecstatic the moment I saw Siquijor. Inviting waters in Siquijor PierThe water was so blue and inviting and the whole coastline was covered with white sand. It truly makes for a great first impression for tourists to this paradise island. After our arrival we went straight to the plaza to visit the St. Francis de Assisi (Siquijor) Church, Bell Tower, and Convent. There were several tricycle drivers who hawked us continuously starting from time we stepped out of the pier exit. We did manage to find a driver, who agreed to take us to Hotel Agripino in Salagdoong Beach for P400. We requested him to have a stopover in Larena Church and Belltower along the way. Salagdoong Resort BeachfrontSalagdoong Beach was awesome! The terrain set-up struck me as a smaller version Shangri-la Boracay, wherein there are two beach coves with an islet/rock cliff in between providing a great vantage point of the whole area. We got a double room in Hotel Agripino for just P800, not bad considering the place and service. We were the only locals on the beach that afternoon. During our visit, Siquijor seemed to be more frequented by foreigners than local tourists. Another angle of Salagdoong Beach’s beautiful coastlineSiquijor Island Tour Lazi Church and ConventThe next day, we hired the same driver to tour us to the different attractions of Siquijor Island. For a couple of hours, we were able to visit Santa Maria Church, St. Isidore (Lazi) Church and Convent, Cambugahay Falls, Biggest Balete Tree, San Juan de Capilay Lake, San Juan Church and Belltower, and San Juan Beach. Cambugahay Falls in Lazi, SiquijorThe whole tour cost only P700. We returned to Salagdoong to continue day two of being the only locals bumming out on the beach.Extended Night in Dumaguete CityI was supposed to go back home on the third day but after arriving in Dumaguete that morning and seeing the perfect blue skies, I couldn’t resist extending my stay for one more night in the city. Blue skies dominating the Dumaguete Bell TowerLew joined me later that night to get a feel of Dumaguete’s lively nightlife. Bustling Dumaguete Nightlife along Rizal BoulevardDon’t leave yet. There’s more!6 Days Dumaguete and Siquijor Itinerary- DIY Travel Tips &…4 Days Negros Oriental Itinerary — Apo Island, Dumaguete,…West-central Negros Road Trip – First time in Kabankalan |…3 days Apo Island & Dumaguete Itinerary - Negros Oriental…Year-end Trip to Bacolod City, Negros OccidentalA look back at 2009; Places I’ve Traveled toComments gene saysFebruary 21, 2010 at 7:41 pm:) I wish Siquijor would remain quaint and seemingly “untouched” by tourists. I would love to go back there. Sans Rival’s Silvanas are so yummy. Wah, daw makaon ako sang silvanas. Barato guid man. Maayo may robinson’s na sa dumaguete. chymera00 saysMarch 9, 2010 at 1:01 amI hope so too. I really live the vibe/atmosphere there. I wished I could have explored more of its mystical side. ezra saysMarch 4, 2010 at 4:36 pmwowww mas lalo koh tuloy nah miss yung negros oriental experience koh… kelan kaya ang next…. nice post poh honey saysMay 3, 2010 at 2:58 pmthanks for this blog and your itinerary & budget blog for dumaguete too. we used it as a guide in our recent trip to dumaguete. Hope you can visit my blog site too at http://www.littlemisshoney.blogspot.com to read our dumaguete/bais adventure too Paz Cuaresma saysMay 7, 2010 at 7:05 amNice trip. How long was the trip from St. Francis to Salagdoong? chymera00 saysMay 10, 2010 at 9:58 pmAround 1-2 hours Vir Antonio saysSeptember 3, 2010 at 11:11 amNice Blog About Dumaguete!!! Mackie07 saysNovember 10, 2010 at 4:53 pmNice post! I really miss my province Siquijor! And your blog made me feel more excited on my February Trip to Dumaguete and Siquijor.I am so proud to be a Siquijorian! (Altho I was born in Manila, my parents are both from Larena, Siquijor). Thanks for visiting our province! Anyone is welcome to see the Island! >*_*< chymera00 saysDecember 2, 2010 at 3:22 amThanks for dropping by Mackie :) Hope you have a great time in Siquijor! peppyvagabond saysMay 20, 2011 at 7:55 amHi. my friend and I are planning on a 4-day Dumaguete-Siquijor trip with day 1 in Siquijor. I hope to spend the first night there but my friend is too hesitant because of the folklore and mystery surrounding the place. I hope the trip pushes through; we included Apo Island (for snorkeling and diving) and Bais City (for dophin watching). pretty tight for a 4-day itinerary. ha! Love your shot of the Cambugahay Falls, so beautiful and mystical. :) chymera00 saysJune 23, 2011 at 4:17 pmOo nga, pretty tight kung mag Siquijor kayo and Apo Island. Parang doable naman siya. Pwede na ma tour ang Siquijor in just one day, Bais is near Dumaguete lng naman … I’m not sure with Apo Island since I haven’t been there. Have fun with tour trip! LINA C. ABOGADIE saysJuly 27, 2011 at 6:42 pmNice pics! I hope to visit Siquijor soon. I really love Dumaguete, nice place and yummy foods. If one visit Dumaguete, he/she should not miss Apo Island, a must-visit island for divers/snorklers. Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:55 amNext time, I’ll make sure to visit Apo Island :) cheapcallsphilippines saysSeptember 16, 2011 at 2:02 pmDumaguete! i wouldnt mind retiring here in my old age. :) thanks for the post! JourneyingPinay saysOctober 10, 2011 at 1:49 amwill be in dumaguete by Feb 2012. :) your photo are so amazing! luveet! micki saysOctober 22, 2011 at 4:47 pmlove reading your entries.. inspires me to travel more… Salagdoong has improved.. the islet/cliff now has slides and diving boards.. Siquijor truly is captivating.. :) Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 6:08 pmOhh… that’s something to look forward to next time i’m in Siquijor. I wanted to try jumping off the cliff but it looked really high so I chickened out, hhaha. Foxykix saysNovember 8, 2011 at 12:44 amI love your blog here… I listed down the spots you visited. It gave me insights on what to expect when I go to Dumaguete and Siquijor this end of November. This has been really helpful. Keep it up! =) Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 7:15 pmThanks you too for dropping by Foxykix Siquijor saysDecember 30, 2011 at 5:28 pmThank you for visiting our place. katie saysOctober 4, 2012 at 8:06 amI am doing a favor to our very kind driver and tour guide when we went to Siquijor.He took care of our valuable belongings while we were walking around, he is very kind and did not complain even if we ended the tour very late, he is a very careful driver and knowledgeable about the island. You can try to haggle with him. Make sure to contact him before going to the island. Other drivers would g ive you very high prices and they will follow you like bees. I posted some of our pictures and amazing spots of Siquijor.Rates: 200 per way (45- min to 1 hour drive from Siquijor port to San Juan or vice versa) 900 – Coastal day tourJoseph’s contact number: 0926-411-0116Please contact him directly to arrange your itinerary and if you have any questions. gerry saysMarch 13, 2013 at 3:35 amhello, ask ko lang if magkano ang nagasto mo sa siquijor alone?..tnx :) rej jaen saysMay 1, 2013 at 7:04 pmHi, any chance that you would happen to drop at Bais for dolphin watching and Manjuyod Sandbar? Great blog! :) Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
gene saysFebruary 21, 2010 at 7:41 pm:) I wish Siquijor would remain quaint and seemingly “untouched” by tourists. I would love to go back there. Sans Rival’s Silvanas are so yummy. Wah, daw makaon ako sang silvanas. Barato guid man. Maayo may robinson’s na sa dumaguete.
chymera00 saysMarch 9, 2010 at 1:01 amI hope so too. I really live the vibe/atmosphere there. I wished I could have explored more of its mystical side.
ezra saysMarch 4, 2010 at 4:36 pmwowww mas lalo koh tuloy nah miss yung negros oriental experience koh… kelan kaya ang next…. nice post poh
honey saysMay 3, 2010 at 2:58 pmthanks for this blog and your itinerary & budget blog for dumaguete too. we used it as a guide in our recent trip to dumaguete. Hope you can visit my blog site too at http://www.littlemisshoney.blogspot.com to read our dumaguete/bais adventure too
Paz Cuaresma saysMay 7, 2010 at 7:05 amNice trip. How long was the trip from St. Francis to Salagdoong?
Mackie07 saysNovember 10, 2010 at 4:53 pmNice post! I really miss my province Siquijor! And your blog made me feel more excited on my February Trip to Dumaguete and Siquijor.I am so proud to be a Siquijorian! (Altho I was born in Manila, my parents are both from Larena, Siquijor). Thanks for visiting our province! Anyone is welcome to see the Island! >*_*<
chymera00 saysDecember 2, 2010 at 3:22 amThanks for dropping by Mackie :) Hope you have a great time in Siquijor!
peppyvagabond saysMay 20, 2011 at 7:55 amHi. my friend and I are planning on a 4-day Dumaguete-Siquijor trip with day 1 in Siquijor. I hope to spend the first night there but my friend is too hesitant because of the folklore and mystery surrounding the place. I hope the trip pushes through; we included Apo Island (for snorkeling and diving) and Bais City (for dophin watching). pretty tight for a 4-day itinerary. ha! Love your shot of the Cambugahay Falls, so beautiful and mystical. :)
chymera00 saysJune 23, 2011 at 4:17 pmOo nga, pretty tight kung mag Siquijor kayo and Apo Island. Parang doable naman siya. Pwede na ma tour ang Siquijor in just one day, Bais is near Dumaguete lng naman … I’m not sure with Apo Island since I haven’t been there. Have fun with tour trip!
LINA C. ABOGADIE saysJuly 27, 2011 at 6:42 pmNice pics! I hope to visit Siquijor soon. I really love Dumaguete, nice place and yummy foods. If one visit Dumaguete, he/she should not miss Apo Island, a must-visit island for divers/snorklers.
cheapcallsphilippines saysSeptember 16, 2011 at 2:02 pmDumaguete! i wouldnt mind retiring here in my old age. :) thanks for the post!
JourneyingPinay saysOctober 10, 2011 at 1:49 amwill be in dumaguete by Feb 2012. :) your photo are so amazing! luveet!
micki saysOctober 22, 2011 at 4:47 pmlove reading your entries.. inspires me to travel more… Salagdoong has improved.. the islet/cliff now has slides and diving boards.. Siquijor truly is captivating.. :)
Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 6:08 pmOhh… that’s something to look forward to next time i’m in Siquijor. I wanted to try jumping off the cliff but it looked really high so I chickened out, hhaha.
Foxykix saysNovember 8, 2011 at 12:44 amI love your blog here… I listed down the spots you visited. It gave me insights on what to expect when I go to Dumaguete and Siquijor this end of November. This has been really helpful. Keep it up! =)
katie saysOctober 4, 2012 at 8:06 amI am doing a favor to our very kind driver and tour guide when we went to Siquijor.He took care of our valuable belongings while we were walking around, he is very kind and did not complain even if we ended the tour very late, he is a very careful driver and knowledgeable about the island. You can try to haggle with him. Make sure to contact him before going to the island. Other drivers would g ive you very high prices and they will follow you like bees. I posted some of our pictures and amazing spots of Siquijor.Rates: 200 per way (45- min to 1 hour drive from Siquijor port to San Juan or vice versa) 900 – Coastal day tourJoseph’s contact number: 0926-411-0116Please contact him directly to arrange your itinerary and if you have any questions.
gerry saysMarch 13, 2013 at 3:35 amhello, ask ko lang if magkano ang nagasto mo sa siquijor alone?..tnx :)
rej jaen saysMay 1, 2013 at 7:04 pmHi, any chance that you would happen to drop at Bais for dolphin watching and Manjuyod Sandbar? Great blog! :)