48 Hours in Siquijor: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

“Once in a while, sa sobrang bilis ng takbo at ingay ng buhay siyudad, we feel the need to get away from it all,” says “Biyahe ni Drew” host Drew Arellano. “At ano pa nga ba ang pinakaepektibong paraan kundi bumiyahe sa probinsyang hindi mo pa napupuntahan—yung lugar na wala ka masyadong alam.”

Enter Siquijor. Even though Drew’s been working as a travel show host for the past eight years, his ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ trip to Siquijor was his first time to see the island province.

Quick Facts

Siquijor also has a reputation for the supernatural. However, Siquijor is a very peaceful island with a low crime rate. Still worried? Drew says he had zero spirit encounters during his stay: “Sa totoo lang, hindi naman nakakatakot eh.”

How to get there

Fly. There’s no airport in Siquijor, so you’ll have to take a flight to Dumaguete City. From Dumaguete’s airport, take a 20-minute taxi ride to the pier. If you’re traveling in a group, you can save by renting a van for this short ride for P400, to be split among all passengers.

Ride. Once you get to the pier, hop on the Fast Craft to Siquijor. For P120 per person, this air-conditioned ride gets you to the island in under an hour.

A friendly reminder
Spotty cell signal in Siquijor. “Patayin ang cellphones, iwan ang tablets, kalimutan ang gadgets,” says Drew.

Where to stay
Drew’s Pick: Coco Grove Beach Resort
Brgy. Tubod, Sitio San Juan, Siquijor

Coco Grove has been in business for 25 years, but you wouldn’t guess it—their clean facilities seem brand new. Their roomy, rustic Coco Lodges go for P4,700 a night, and can house at least two people. Their bathrooms are exceptionally spacious, too.

Salamangka Beach and Dive Resort
Siquijor Circumferential Road, Sitio San Juan, Siquijor

“Kitang-kita naman, this is one of the high-end places in Siquijor,” says Drew. “This place is really, really nice. But of course, it comes with a premium.” A four-course meal at this resort will cost P850; this includes nachos, soup, a plate of steak and pasta, and a slice of homemade chocolate cake.

Their cheapest option, a garden cottage for two, costs P1,500 a night. The most expensive option is their Superior Ocean View Loft. For P8,000 a night, you get the resort’s best view and a personal Jacuzzi bath tub.

Where and what to eat
Coco Grove’s Salamandas

For fresh, high-quality seafood, head to Salamandas, one of Coco Grove’s two beachfront restaurants. We recommend the steamed lapu-lapu in soy ginger and black bean sauce (P660), grilled king prawns in lemon butter sauce (P550) and grilled squid with veggie stuffing (P350). All dishes are good for two to three people, biyaheros!

Pastel

On the go and on a budget? Siquijor’s street food, pastel, is a tightly wrapped packet of rice and ulam, cooked in one go—think of it as a cross between Cebu’s puso and suman. One pastel costs just P5, so you can eat as much as you like! 

What to do
Water activities
Beach resorts like Coco Grove and Salamangka also offer water activities like kayaking, sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Drew had fun with Coco Grove’s friendly, knowledgeable instructor, Rene Juntereal, who took Drew to Siquijor’s thriving coral reefs.

“Just hours ago, naaamoy ko pa yung pollution naririnig ko pa ‘yung mga busina sa EDSA …  Ngayon, nararamdaman ko na ‘yung simoy ng hangin,” says Drew. “Napapakinggan ko na ‘yung tunog ng waves crashing. Ito lang naiisip ko ngayon—ang sarap umupo, humiga, mag-relax.”

You can also head to Salagdoong Beach in Barangay Olang, where you can swim and picnic by clear waters for just P20 per person. All-day cottage rentals cost just P100. Thrill seekers can even cliff dive!

Giant balete and fish spa

To those who believe in Filipino superstitions, balete trees have a bad reputation. But you won’t want to miss Siquijor’s 400-year-old balete tree, a towering giant that’s been around longer than most man-made structures in town. At its base, you’ll find a pool full of tiny “doctor fish” ready to clean your feet of dead skin cells. Admission here is free, but you can drop coins in a piggy bank to help fund area maintenance.

What to buy for pasalubong
Bukayo

Fluffy and filled with sweet coconut jam, Siquijor’s signature bread looks like plain ensaymada but tastes like pan de coco. The light brown buns are made using milk and eggs. “Simula noong natikman ko ito,” a visiting tourist told us, “na-in love na ako.”

Bulul statues

These small, wooden statues reflect Siquijor’s affinity for the spiritual and supernatural. You can find woodcarving shops selling bulul all over the island.

Drew’s Budget
Excluding airfare
Transportation P520
Accommodation P1,200
Food P1,250
Activities P1,000
Total: P3,970

–Cristina Tantengco/PF, GMA News