Island of Enchantment: Our First Trip to Siquijor Together

I’ve always loved to travel and explore what the world has to offer—nature, adventure, and all kinds of new experiences. And it became even more perfect because I’m with my love, who makes every trip extra special.

Get ready, dear Hivers and @worldmappin fam, as I take you through our first-time experience in Siquijor. We chose to travel here and spend our vacation after reading reviews saying it’s a beautiful destination—some even say it resembles Siargao.

On the day of our trip, we took a plane to Dumaguete since there’s no direct flight to Siquijor. When we landed, we met up with our friends and grabbed a bottle of beer before catching the ferry to Siquijor Island. It was a lovely, hot afternoon as we boarded the ferry, and the trip took about an hour—or even less.

When we arrived, we immediately looked for a ride to take us to our hotel. We found a tricycle offering a good price, so we took it right away. The ride was about an hour, and there’s just something different—and fun—about traveling through public transportation here. It’s an experience I really wanted him to have in the Philippines, because commuting here feels so unique compared to other countries.

As soon as we arrived at the hotel, it felt amazing to breathe in the fresh air again—the whole place had that relaxing province vibe. It was already late in the afternoon, so we dropped our things in the room and checked our accommodation. We got a room right by the beach, which was really nice. After resting for a bit, we got ready to head out and meet our friends for dinner.

The next day, we started planning our adventure days. We rented a motorbike for our entire stay, and from the moment we began riding around, we were already having so much fun exploring the area. For our first stop, we visited the famous and tourist-favorite Cambugahay Falls. This is known for its stunning waterfalls and crystal-clear turquoise waters. This was such a fun experience—people can swim, try the rope swings, and really soak in the peaceful tropical atmosphere of this natural escape. It’s definitely a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy the raw beauty of the island.

After that, we looked for another spot to explore. We found one, but it was quite far from where we were. It felt like a hidden place—when we arrived, there weren’t even any signs, and we weren’t sure if we were on the right path. Still, we continued walking for about 5–10 minutes until we finally reached the beach. It felt like a private paradise, with only one family there and the rest of the place completely ours. The beach was beautiful—clear waters, white sand, and so peaceful. We loved the quiet, just listening to the sound of the waves and enjoying how calm everything felt. We definitely enjoyed this hidden spot.

We drove back to our hotel with big smiles on our faces. It was such a fun and lovely adventure for both of us—tiring, but completely worth it. After resting for a while, we headed out for dinner at another restaurant.

The next day, we visited another beach called Paliton Beach. It’s also a famous spot, especially for its sunset, and a favorite among tourists. There were more people here, enjoying the clear water, having a bottle of beer, and vibing to the music. We usually stayed here longer because our friends really enjoyed the vibe of the beach and the energy of the people around.

In the next few days, we explored different restaurants and coffee shops before heading to the beach. We even found a Thai restaurant, which we loved since both of us enjoy Thai food and we’re always excited to try and explore new dishes.

Having the opportunity to travel to this enchanting place was truly wonderful and unforgettable. I feel so lucky that I got to experience it with my love, who definitely made the trip even more exciting and fun. I’ll always be grateful for this adventure, and I’m already looking forward to coming back to this laid-back island we both fell in love with.

Until the next adventure beautiful people!

All photos are mine.
Edited using Canva.
Camera used is IPhone.