SIQUIJOR ISLAND

SIQUIJOR ISLAND

By Henry Libo-on 

Somewhere in this beautiful island of Siquijor lies a hidden beauty, the Cambugahay Falls. It is accessible by public transport like tricycle, "habal-habal" or single motorcycle and the small van called "Carry" or "Talakitok". This is how "Carry" or small van is called when I was in Cebu.

Cambugahay Falls is located about two (2) kilometers from the town of Lazi where you can also find the heritage Spanish Church and Convent. Photos are shown here:

Lazi Convent holds so many tales about the island of Siquijor since its founding in 1783 by secular clergymen.  

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church is also known as Lazi Catholic Church.  This Parish was established in 1857 by the Augustinian and the church was constructed in 1887. It is one of the oldest Baroque Churches in the island of Negros. 

Things to do on Siquijor Island

1.  Diving - For someone like me who only had a one-day scuba diving lesson many decades ago, I will not really enjoy scuba diving at this time of my life, haha.  But Siquijor has beautiful areas for Diving, specifically in the areas of San Juan and the neighboring island of Apo as well as farther west to Sipalay. For example, Apo Diver and Siquijor Divers operate a diving expeditions around Siquijor and nearby areas.

2.  Swimming - There are several beachfront resort hotels around Siquijor. 

3.  Visita Iglesia - I love to visit the churches wherever I go.  At Siquijor, there are historical churches spread around the island.  Examples of these churches are: San Isidro Labrador Church at Lazi Town, Our Lady of Divine Mercy Church, Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish, Maria Church, St. Francis of Assisi Church, and Parish of Saint Augustine, among others. 

4. Century-Old Trees and Fish Spa.

5. Food Trip.  There are nice restaurants and bar located along the roads.  Just take note of these resto-bars once you make a road trip on the island.

6. Souvenir hunting.  There are souvenir shops in major tourist destination on the island and every major town like Larena and Siquijor Town have their own Souvenir Shops.  The Market is also a nice spot to go for souvenir items.

7.  Cang Isok Old House is located along the road at the town of Enrique Villanueva or the Town of Talingting. 

8.  Tinapay Bread Store is actually located along the road in the vicinity of Cang-Isok House.

9. Tulapos Marine Sanctuary
10.  Guiwanon Spring Park
11.  Cambugahay Falls
12. Port of Siquijor
13.   Port of Larena
14. Cantabon Cave
15. Bulo-Bulo Healer
16. Capilay Spring Park
17. Mt. Bandilaan Park
18. Sunset at Salangos Beach
19. The ancestral house of Vice Governor Dingdong Avanzado (at the time of my trip)

20.  Butterfly Sanctuary

21.  Cambugahay Falls

22.  Other privately owned and managed resorts and hotels on the beaches of Siquijor.


For example, I have been to Bruce Resort which has a good view of the sea and the nearby Dumaguete City.  Its native designed cottages is ideal for family and group. Salogdoong Beach Resort is owned by the Provincial Government of Siquijor and it is one of the best beachfront resorts that I love to swim.  

How to get to Cambugahay Falls

If you are on Siquijor Island and you wish to go to Cambugahay Falls, just coordinate with your hotel staff or if you have a rented car, ask the driver to take you to Cabugahay Falls.  If you are on your own and rented a cycle or motorbike, just go to the town of Lazi.  From there, follow the highway until you travelled around 2 kilometers. 

From the highway, stop at the sign board that says "Cambugahay Falls". Then, park your vehicles or motorbike on the parking area on the side of the road. Parking fee ranges from P5.00 to P20.00. Our tour-guide and driver/owner of the mini van arranged everything for us.

From the parking area, cross the street towards the sign board and take a short walk down the concrete steps to the falls. At Cambugahay there are areas where you can spread a small blanket to serve as your picnic spot. Be sure to have a plastic bag where you can place your rubbish and take it with you to be disposed of properly in designated area.



I was informed that there were three (3) falls in the area. The first is the nicest one. It is deep enough that you can enjoy the cool waters running from the two (2) smaller falls located on the upper portion of the first falls. Locals can help you do the "Tarzan" which means holding on to the rope tied to a tall tree and swing yourself until you reach the middle part of the pool and release yourself from the rope and take a sudden splash...this is Tarzan, lol.






Cambugahay Falls is just one of the many tourist spots that you can find in the island of Siquijor. For more information about the tourist spots in Siquijor, please refer to my previous blog (Siquijor: A Timeless Gem) which is available here on this site.

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How To Get To Siquijor Island? 

Let us agree that you are already in the City of Dumaguete, ok? Just go to the Port and look for the Ticket Booth of the Fasctcraft that plies the Dumaguete-Siquijor Island routes. Ride the boat and you will be in the island in around an hour or two.  Just be sure where your port of entry will be, is it Siquijor Port or Larena Port.  Please check the Schedule of Fastcrafts so you can plan your return trip to Dumaguete.  

My Comments:

There are so many things to do on Siquijor Island.  It is just a matter of time to do them all.  If you are on an overnight stay there is nothing much to do but probably rent a Carry or Tricycle and do your tour of the island. It will take you around five (5) hours to visit all the towns depending on your speed and interests of those places you will visit. 

If you go for Scuba Diving you need a week on the island.  Again, it depends on your plan of activities. If I will go back to Siquijor, I might take a 2 nights and 3 days stay.  

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All photos by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre. 

Updated on January 23, 2020 

From the title: 

Siquijor: A Bit Expensive If You Will Only Swim Or Do The Tarzan

Updated March 28, 2020.

Reviewed on May 17, 2023.