4 Days 3 Nights: Dumaguete-Siquijor Itinerary

Dumaguete Siquijor Travel Itinerary

It was a warm summer day in March when we headed for our trip to Siquijor and Dumaguete. It was perfect! The sun was out and the sea breeze was just right for a day out. We were all excited about swimming, getting tanned, and of course, tasting the local delicacies.

Looking for a nearby escape that feels far-flung? Skip the crowds and head for Siquijor, just one and a half-hour ride from Dumaguete, you will find an amazing island that is almost unspoiled. Once you arrived, it's all about total immersion in nature, lots of trees and sea views almost everywhere. It's less crowded and fewer cars which mean no horrible traffic and the air is fresh.

The Little Boracay of Siquijor (Paliton Beach)

No matter where you are in Siquijor, outdoor activities are the main draw - cave exploring, waterfalls sightseeing, snorkeling, diving, and swimming all among the most popular.

Manong Francis stopped on this road to show us the scenery.

If you're looking for nightlife, Siquijor is not the place for you. Siquijor is all about relaxation and just chilling' under the sun. In fact, almost all bars and restaurants are closed at 9PM. However, if you want nightlife, you can head to its sister island Dumaguete.

Here's our 4 Days and 3 Nights Siquijor Dumaguete Itinerary:

Day 1: Dumaguete to Siguijor

Our 4 Days 3 Nights Dumaguete-Siguijor-Dumaguete started in Ninoy Aquino International Airport.  We had our Flight by Cebu Pacific's Seat sale, round trip to Dumaguete City (Sibulan Airport).

Upon arrival at Sibulan Airport, we hired a tricycle for Php100 to take us to Dumaguete Seaport. We passed Siliman University and Dumaguete town proper on our way to the port.

We arrived at Dumaguete Port at around 08:40AM and missed the scheduled ferry boat ride. We waited until 10:00AM for the next boat and had the chance to buy snacks and refreshments at the terminal. A fast-craft ferry by GL Lines saved us 30 minutes of travel time compared to the regular ferry that travels roughly two hours.

Dumaguete Tour and Transportation Rates outside the airport

Upon arrival at Siquijor Seaport at around 11:30AM, we hired a tricycle that would take us to Charisma Resort. We didn't take a tricycle at the terminal at the port's gate because they are pricier than the regular fare. Instead, we walked outside the port and went to St. Francis of Assisi Church.

Saint Francis of Assisi Church's Interior

After taking some pictures and of course, praying, we flagged down a tricycle and negotiated with the driver for a Php150.00 fare.

We reached Charisma Resort at around 12:20 PM and asked the receptionist if they could accommodate us since we didn't have a reservation. Unfortunately, the receptionist told us that Charisma Resort was already fully booked.

Charisma Resort

The good thing was, the tricycle driver we hired offered his help to find a place for us to stay overnight. He drove us to several resorts but all fully booked until we reached Diamond de Siquijor.

The place was nice. We chose an airconditioned room with a double bed and a private bathroom and toilet. We were four in the group and the place was just ideal. We eventually asked our tricycle driver to be our tour guide for the day. Manong Francis, as he introduced himself, agreed with the proposition.

The restaurant of Diamond de Siquijor

Exploring Siquijor Island

We were set to explore Siquijor Island after our late lunch at Diamond de Siquijor. Our first stop was at Enrique Villanueva, "Talingting" for short with the least population among all the municipality of Siquijor. We took our pictures at their beautiful boulevard with a landmark "Smile Talingting".

Talingting Boulevard's smiling visitors.

As we went along the national road of Siquijor, we passed through a bakery called "The Lilibeth Pan Bisaya". It is located at Barangay Binoongan of Talingting. Different variants of bread were being baked here using a makeshift concrete oven for their final baking fired from below and at the top by driftwoods and coconut husks. 

Panky at Lilibeth Pan de Bisaya

The bakery is just a simple hut where all the preparations like the mixing of dough, baking, and selling of bread took place. We bought all kinds of bread for us to take as we went along for our day tour. There were ensaymada, bokayo (soft bread with sweet coconut gratings inside like pan de coco), bibingka, salbaro, and tinalay.

After passing through the bakery, we saw an old house almost ready to fall down. Manong Francis told us that it is the oldest house in Siquijor named Cang-isok House and it is almost 100 years old. We asked him to stop the tricycle to take some pictures.

The Cang Isok House

As we traveled to Salagdoong Beach, we passed the isolated part of Sta. Maria town and traversed the forest road where you will pass lines of tall mahogany and molave trees on both sides of the road. The entrance fee of Salogdoong Beach was Php25.00

Salagdoong Beach is really a remarkable place with spectacular view except for the restaurant food and service. We arrived at the beach around 3:20pm. There are lots of people swimming and taking naps along the beach area. Families, groups of friends and colleagues are enjoying the creamy, fine sand of the beach. 

Salagdoong Beach

A tourist's snapshot during his cliff jumping

There are two beaches to enjoy here. Only separated by a pile of a huge coral rock formation where cliff diving boards were sited. The water on this beach is so charming and fascinating with its deep clear turquoise color where you can almost see what lies beneath.

Salagdoong Beach is famous for cliff diving. There are two diving boards; one is 20 feet high and the other one is 35 feet high. We didn't try those dives though many locals were enjoying and kept on diving.

Another view of Salagdoong Beach

The next stop was at the Municipality of Lazi where San Isidro Labrador Church (Lazi Church) and Lazi Convent are located. We only stopped for about 10 minutes for picture taking. As we entered the church, we noticed that it is simple and old with those hardwoods as its flooring and the coral stones as walls. 

The Lazi Church

On the other side of the road, in front of the church, is the Lazi Convent which also looks old and needs some repairs. We didn't enter the convent because of the ongoing restoration.

Around 4:30pm, we finally reached the enchanting Cambugahay Falls. There was no entrance fee but we paid Php25.00 for the parking fee. We wended down to an uneven 132 steps before reaching the three-tiered waterfalls. The water was light turquoise green and very inviting. There were ropes tied on tree branches for a Tarzan style swing and jump.

Cambugahay Falls

We tried to swing and paid Php 20.00 per person, unlimited swinging and jumps on the falls. At first, we were hesitant to jump but the lifeguard told us that it is not deep.

At around 5:00pm, we left Cambugahay Falls for the famous Balete Tree on the island. On our way to the Balete Tree and Fish Spa site, Manong Francis stopped the tricycle for us to take pictures at the road with Cebu Island in the background.

The Century-Old Balete Tree and a Fish Foot Spa Session

After an hour, we arrived at the Century-Old Enchanted Balete Tree. There was a fish spa beside the tree where visitors often soak their feet and let the small fishes nibble on their dead skin.

Before we called it a day, we first ate our dinner at a restaurant along the highway. They had lots of seafood which we enjoyed. After dinner, we dropped at a convenient store for wines and snacks for evening relaxation.

Day 2: Siguijor to Dumaguete

In the morning we had our free breakfast at the hotel. At 7:30am, Manong Francis came to fetch us to take us to the seaport back to Dumaguete. But, before going to the seaport, he took us to our last destination - Paliton Beach (also called the Little Boracay of Siquijor).

Paliton Beach

Our 10:00AM trip from Siquijor to Dumaguete by a Fast Seacraft for Php170.00 per head was quick. It took us only 45 minutes to reach the Dumaguete seaport.

Dumaguete City and Apo Island

The tricycle driver we rented from the airport to the seaport on our first day was the same driver we hired for Apo Island's jump-off point. We arrived at the Malatapay jump-off point at 11:45am.

A scene at Apo Island

We traveled on a big pump-boat which costs us Php300.00 per head. It was a public boat so we had to wait for a while to get it full. Upon arrival at Apo Island, we waded in knee-deep water to get to the shore. Registration Fee or Marine Sanctuary Fee as they call it costs Php100.00 per head.

Carenderia lined up in Apo Island

We walked to the right side of the island to have our lunch where many restaurants are situated. After lunch, we started swimming with the turtles.

Back to Dumaguete City

After our Apo Island adventure, we headed to Dumaguete City to look for a hostel. Most hostels were fully booked but luckily, we found La Fusion Garden Resort. It was a good place to stay and affordable for backpackers. We strolled Rizal Boulevard at night and eventually had our dinner at Hayahay Tree House Bar and View Deck.

Day 3: Dumaguete to Manjuyod Sandbar

Manjuyod Sandbar

The next morning, we headed to Bais City for the famous Manjuyod Sandbar. We hired a van together with two backpackers we met in Apo Island. For about 1 hour and 40 minutes, we traveled from Dumaguete City to the jump-off point of Manjuyod Sandbar at Sitio Canibol, Brgy. Ikiot, Bais City.

The Manjuyod

While traveling to Manjuyod Sandbar on a boat, the sunrise was giving a dramatic spectacle of the horizon. When we arrived at the site, there was no sandbar! It was high tide, but we still had the chance to walk through shallow waters and enjoy the scenery.

A sandbar starting to appear as water recedes

After some time, a sandbar eventually appeared from afar. It was only a short walk to reach the sandbar though so we went there to explore the area and found starfishes scattered on the sand.

Manjuyod Sandbar is good for those who couldn't swim haha!

We had our lunch at the pump boat we hired and even tried to eat orange sea urchins. The sea urchins were good, and we even asked for more!

Casaroro Falls

Leaving the Manjuyod Sandbar after lunch, we headed to our next destination - the Casaroro Falls in Valencia, Negros Oriental. 

Casaroro Falls

Casaroro Falls will put you in awe with its 100 meters vertical drop waterfalls. It was icy cold when we swam the shallow banks of the plunge pool. We couldn't take the cold water temperature so we only submerged for about five minutes. The roaring sound of the water was also spooky but it was fun visiting the most visited waterfalls in Negros Oriental.

After an hour of rest when we reached our hostel in Dumaguete City, we had our feast of  Bulalo at the Royal Suite Inn Restaurant.

Day 4: Dumaguete to Manila

The last day of our itinerary was all about traveling back home. 

Here's a recap of the places to visit on a 4 Days 3 Nights Dumaguete-Siquijor-Apo Island-Casaroro-Manjuyod Itinerary

Siguijor Island Attractions:

• St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church
• Talingting Boulevard
• Cang Isok House
• Lilibeth's Pan Bisaya
•  Salagdoong Beach
• Lazi Church (San Isidro Labrador Parish Church)
• Lazi Convent
• Cambugahay Falls
• Century-Old Balete Tree and Fish Spa
• Paliton Beach (Little Boracay of Siquijor)

Dumaguete City Places of Interest

• Siliman University
• Rizal Boulevard
• Campanario de Dumaguete

 Valencia Town and Bais City

• Cambugahay Falls
• Manjuyod Sandbar