How To Go To Siquijor From Manila: Best & Cheapest Route
Wondering how to get from Manila to Siquijor? Navigating around the Philippines and getting from each island can be interesting with many different options for different types of travellers, and Manila to Siquijor is no exception. If you’re dreaming of the epic island sunsets and serene boat trips then you’ll need to escape the cities and make your way to the islands. This guide compares the cheapest and most efficient ways to go to Siquijor from Manila via Dumaguete, Cebu & Bohol.
In our opinion, Siquijor is one of the Philippines most underrated tourist destinations, often skipped by some backpackers due to it being quiet and laid back, which is maybe why we loved it so much. Dive resorts and hostels line the beachfront of San Juan, making it a perfect base to explore the surrounding oceans and marine life, from giant clams to barracuda and blacktip reef sharks. Read on to find out everything you need to know before embarking on your journey from Manila to Siquijor Island.
How To Get To Siquijor From Manila Map
How To Get To Siquijor From Manila Routes
Contents
Where Is Manila In The Philippines
The Philippines is home to over 7,000 islands which can make navigating your holiday tricky and expensive but well worth it. Many tourists start their trip in the bustling capital city of Manila, a well connected hub with the biggest international airport in the Philippines. Home to roughly 14% of the country's population, Manila can be a hectic place to say the least and a great place to get a feel for the chaos.
Where Is Siquijor In The Philippines
On the opposite side of Manila’s chaos is Siquijor, a small paradise island famous for its black magic and witchcraft by the locals. The island attracts tourists looking to relax on Siquijor’s best beaches and snorkel in the crystal clear surrounding waters. Some of the island’s highlights include Cambugahay Falls, Salagdoong Beach and Mt Bandilaan National Park.
There are three good options to go to Siquijor from Manila which all involve a flight with a connecting ferry, we recommend checking the flight prices of all 3 options and choosing the cheapest.
Manila to Siquijor Route Options
Flight via Dumaguete & Connecting Ferry
The fastest and most convenient option from Manila to Siquijor is via Dumaguete, which is the closest island next to Siquijor with an airport, meaning it has the shortest connecting ferry. The first step of the journey is an internal flight from Manila Ninoy Aquino (MNL) to Dumaguete Sibulan Airport, you’ll then have to get a connecting tricycle or taxi to the Port. The final part of the journey will be the direct ferry to Siquijor which only takes 1 hour.
This is the quickest way to go from Manila to Siquijor and is also good for people who get seasick due to minimal ferry time.
Steps:
Tricycle or Taxi from Sibulan airport to Dumaguete Port (10 mins, ₱20-100)
Tricycle from Siquijor Port to accommodation
Flight via Bohol & Connecting Ferry
Although the ideal route is via Dumaguete, another option is to fly via Bohol instead. The internal flight prices in the Philippines can fluctuate a lot throughout the different islands and seasons, so it's worth checking both routes. Once you’ve landed, you’ll then need to make your way from Bohol to Siquijor, with the easiest option being a direct ferry that only runs once per day.
Steps:
Tricycle or Taxi from Panglao Airport to Tagbiliran City Port (30 mins, From ₱700)
Tricycle from Siquijor Port to accommodation
The direct ferry to Siquijor from Bohol only runs once a day, so if you want to get from Bohol to Siquijor the same day you land you’ll have to catch that or get a connecting ferry via Dumaguete.
Flight via Cebu & Connecting Ferry
The final option to get from Manila to Siquijor is via the island of Cebu, the central hub of the Visayas region of the Philippines. A beautiful island known for its famous Kawasan Falls Canyoneering (which we would highly recommend doing) and the Sardine Run, Cebu should be on your Philippines Itinerary. The first step of this journey is a flight to Cebu City’s Mactan International Airport which is a very popular route with many flight options each day. Then, you’ll need to make your way from Cebu to Siquijor via a 5-6 hour ferry or a bus/taxi to the south of Cebu & then a shorter ferry.
Steps:
Then take one of the Cebu to Siquijor Travel Options:
Connecting flight via Dumaguete (50 mins, From ₱1,700) & ferry (1 hour 30 mins, ₱300)
Bus/Taxi to Liloan Port South Cebu, Ferry to Dumaguete (30 mins, ₱300) & then ferry to Siquijor (1 hour 30 mins, ₱250)
Then finally, a tricycle from Siquijor Port to your accommodation.
The Route We Recommend & Our Experience
The most convenient option to go from Manila to Siquijor is a flight via Dumaguete followed by a short ferry. The total travel time should be approximately 3-4 hours depending on flight schedules and ferry times.
In terms of cost, all options involve an internal flight from Manila, however Cebu will most likely offer the cheapest tickets due to popularity and more flights running per day. Arriving in Cebu then gives you a chance to make your way from Cebu to Siquijor via land and two smaller ferries which is a more budget route than one longer direct ferry.
Booking in advance is also recommended, especially in the Philippines high season (November-April), this will give you the best chance to get cheaper flights. We love 12Go as it allows you to book the local ferries ahead of time rather than last minute at the port. WayAway has also been a really useful flight aggregator price tool we’ve tried out.
Another thing to consider is your itinerary, if you’re planning to visit Cebu or Bohol anyway then add these islands in before visiting Siquijor to break up your journey!
Arriving in Siquijor
Once you’ve arrived in Siquijor Port, you’ll then need to make your way to your hotel or hostel. We recommend staying in San Juan and have written a Siquijor Best Areas to Stay for All Types or Travellers Guide. The island has no public transport options, so the best way to get around is via tricycle or rental scooter.
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Siquijor has lots of accommodation whether you’re looking for a dive school, a luxury resort or a budget hostel you’ll be able to find somewhere. We recommend staying in the main hub of San Juan as this is where most of the restaurants are located as well as easy access to most of Siquijor's best things to do.
We use Booking.com, Agoda and HostelWorld for all of our stays in The Philippines!
Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for San Juan, Siquijor:
Best Siquijor Tours
Top Tips For Travelling To Siquijor Island
If you’re visiting Siquijor here are our top travel tips:
Plan your transport - getting to Siquijor can seem confusing so make sure to plan your route and leave early on your travel day.
Arrive early to Cambugahay Falls to miss the crowds and experience the natural beauty of the area, we arrived at 8am.
Eat Local, we had some of our favourite food in the Philippines here, mainly from Roadside Diner!
Rent a scooter to explore the natural attractions. The island is small so it's the perfect place to learn to ride a scooter, just make sure you wear a helmet.
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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