The Old Enchanted Balete Tree Siquijor, Your Full 2025 Guide
On the island of Siquijor where black magic resides, you can find the Old Enchanted Balete Tree. The Balete tree is part of the Ficus or fig family and the scientific name of the Balete Tree is Ficus benjamina Linn. They start their life by germinating on a host tree, they engulf the tree eventually killing it. This is where they get their name ‘Strangler figs’ as they effectively strangle the other tree. Siquijor is home to multiple beautiful balete trees however the ‘Old Enchanted Balete Tree’ has become a must visit for all tourists on the island.
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Folklore About The Old Enchanted Balete Tree
The Balete Tree fits perfectly into Siquijor's Black Magic vibe. Folklore states that mythical creatures live in the tree and perform rituals at night, these creatures include: fairies, elves and spirits. Some Filipino people are superstitious of the tree believing it to cause illness and suffering. Balete Tree leaves are also used in traditional medicines as a cure for wounds and headaches.
Where Is The Old Enchanted Balete Tree Siquijor?
It is located on the South Of the island, along a beautiful windy mountain road. We took our rental scooter up and it was a lovely drive along the quiet Siquijor roads however you could also get a trike or Jeepney from San Juan.
How To Get To The Old Enchanted Balete Tree Siquijor?
If you’re staying in the main hub of San Juan the Enchanted Tree can be found just a 20 minute scooter ride away. We recommend hiring a scooter while in San Juan as this is the best way to get around the island.
If you don’t want to scooter you can hire a trike.
Tip: Share the trike with other travellers heading in the same direction to keep costs down.
How Much Does The Old Enchanted Balete Tree Cost?
If you’re on a tight budget you can see the tree from the roadside for free. The entrance costs ₱20 per person and although its a small area that you get access to, that includes dipping your feet in the fish pond.
What Is At The Old Enchanted Balete Tree?
When you enter the site you are greeted by the 400 year old tree with its hanging roots, the tree is beautiful. If you arrive late or on a weekend the pools around the tree will be crowded slightly taking away from the mystical feel.
There are pools at the base of the tree (the water is provided by a natural spring) which are full of foot eating fish. Many people sit down and allow the fish to nibble at their toes while marvelling at the tree.
There is a small café onsite that serves cold drinks as well as a restaurant serving food. Apart from that there is nothing else to do at the Balete Tree, around the entrance are gift shops which you can enter without paying the entrance fee.
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Should You Visit The Old Enchanted Balete Tree?
For us the experience was over crowded and we weren’t expecting to pay an entrance fee of ₽20 (maybe this is new). You can see the tree from the road and grab a souvenir here. The island is very small and you’re bound to pass the tree while moving around so it’s worth a short stop even if you don’t end up paying.
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What's Nearby The Old Enchanted Balete Tree?
The tree is located on the main road around the island so it is a great stop off to other places such as Salagdoong Beach or Cambugahay Falls.
Best Places To Stay Siquijor
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 the island's attractions.
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Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for San Juan, Siquijor:
Top Things To Do On Siquijor
We stayed 5 nights on Siquijor and think this is the perfect amount of time to see everything the island has to offer. Here’s our highlights.
Top Pick: Cambugahay Falls
Visit early or don’t bother going, this is our top pick as it was so tranquil at 8am plus we saw an iguana!
Best Beach: Salagdoong Beach
An adventure beach with cliff jumps, snorkelling and crystal waters. Although a little drive away, we think it’s worth it.
Off The Beaten Track: Cantabon Cave
Our favourite cave tour of the Philippines and still a hidden gem on the island.
Other Blogs On Siquijor
Best Time To Visit Siquijor
Essential Travel Items You Need
 | Lifestraw - Filtered Water Bottle Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind plus you’re helping the environment! |
 | Jungle Formula - High Deet Mosquito Spray The weak sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high deet percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes. |
 | Water Shoes - Lightweight with Protection Stay protected from Sea Urchins with these, also useful for snorkelling, waterfall hikes and more. We also love our Microfibre Towels and Dry Bag. |
 | Universal Travel Adaptor With Multiple USBs Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country... game changer. |
Top Tips For Travelling The Philippines
If you’re visiting the Philippines here are our top travel tips:
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… oh and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
Agree on taxi prices upfront - when getting into a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, make sure you agree on a price or they have a meter, so many tourists get ripped off with a huge price tag at the end of the ride.
Take it slow - don't feel the need to see all the islands, we recommend picking a few and doing them properly. See the island in full, find some locals and sing Karaoke..
Embrace the chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
For a checklist of what's needed to pack for your trip, read: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories
We love our DJI Mini for all of our drone shots!
Final Thoughts On The Old Enchanted Balete Tree
If you're on the island for a couple of days this makes a good short stop on your way to another attraction. It's interesting to find out about the Folklore surrounding the tree but you won't spend your whole day here.
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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