Siquijor Land Tour

Siquijor’s most unusual moments come late in the day: a visit to a traditional Bolo Bolo healer, followed by sunset drinks at Bucafe. Before that, you’ll swim beneath Cambugahay Falls, try the fish spa at the Old Enchanted Balete Tree, and stop for island views.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which keeps the day more personal, and I like that entrance fees and transport are already covered. The main drawback is the long, busy schedule. Lunch, drinks, water, towels, and the healer’s $12 service fee are extra, so you’ll need to plan ahead.

Key points at a glance

• Cambugahay Falls gets two full hours, giving you time to swim rather than simply take a photo and leave.
• The Bolo Bolo healing visit adds local culture that is quite different from a standard sightseeing loop.
• Guide Leebert is specifically praised for his island knowledge and care, though another licensed guide may lead your departure.
• The group is capped at 12 people, a useful middle ground between private touring and a large bus excursion.
• Bucafe sunset is the final stop, with the cost of drinks left to you.
• The $50 price includes transport, a guide, and entrance fees, but not food, water, towels, or the healer’s $12 fee.

Why this Siquijor day tour works well

This is a good choice if you want to see several sides of Siquijor without arranging separate rides around the island. In about six hours, you get coast, waterfall, forest, mountain views, traditional healing, and sunset. That range is the tour’s strongest feature.

It also gives you more than a string of viewpoints. The Balete Tree and Bolo Bolo visit bring in the island’s mystical reputation, while Cambugahay Falls provides the active part of the day. The final drink at Bucafe gives the schedule a relaxed finish after a lot of road time.

The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. at SHAKA Cafe on the circumferential road in San Juan. It ends back at the same meeting point. Since the tour uses a small group rather than a large coach, you should expect a more compact outing, but not the flexibility of a private car and guide.

The published price is $50 per person. For a full day of transport, a licensed or certified in-person guide, and all listed admission fees, that is a fair price. You still need to budget for lunch, snacks, bottled water, a towel, and the healer’s $12 service fee per person. Bring cash or confirm the preferred payment method before setting out, since that fee is not included.

Pitogo Cliff starts the day with sea views

The first stop is Pitogo Cliff Nature Park, where you get about 45 minutes for coastal photos and a gentle swim below the cliff. Admission is free.

This is a useful opening stop because it eases you into the day. You can take in the coast, stretch your legs, and get into swimwear early if you plan to enter the water at later stops. The wording describes the swim as gentle, but conditions can change, so use your own judgment and follow the guide’s advice.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a short swim and photographs, not a long beach session. If you prefer a slow morning by the sea, the schedule may feel brisk. If you want a broad sample of Siquijor in one outing, the short visit makes sense.

The Old Enchanted Balete Tree offers a simple fish spa

The tour then moves to the Old Enchanted Balete Tree, with about 20 minutes at the site. Entrance is included, and the main activity is the fish spa at the tree’s roots.

This stop is brief but distinctive. You can place your feet in the water and let the small fish gather around them, while taking in the old tree and its folklore. It is a light, quirky experience rather than a major sightseeing stop, and it gives the day a local character that a standard beach tour would miss.

Do not expect a long visit here. The schedule includes travel time, so you will have just enough time for the fish spa and a few photos. If you dislike having fish around your feet, you can simply enjoy the tree and grounds instead.

Cambugahay Falls is the main swimming stop

Cambugahay Falls receives the largest block of time, about two hours including travel time. That is important. You are not being rushed through a quick photo stop. You have a proper chance to swim in the cool, tiered falls and enjoy the setting.

The falls are the tour’s clearest payoff for anyone who wants time in the water. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and secure footwear suitable for wet conditions. A towel is not included, so pack one from your accommodation.

Two hours sounds generous, but it also covers the movement involved in getting to and from the falls. The exact amount of swimming time may vary with the group and the day’s pace. Still, compared with the other stops, this is where you can slow down.

The practical drawback is that a waterfall visit can be tiring. You will have already made a coastal stop, and more sightseeing follows. If you want to swim at length, use this section well and do not spend all your time on photographs.

The Butterfly Sanctuary keeps the pace gentle

The Siquijor Butterfly Sanctuary is a short 15-minute stop, including travel time. You will see butterflies among green surroundings and get a quieter break after Cambugahay Falls.

This is best viewed as a short nature stop, not a major attraction requiring a large amount of time. The visit adds variety and gives you something different to look at after the water and coastal views. It also keeps the route from becoming a series of waterfalls and lookout points.

Because the stop is brief, you may need to move along with the group. If butterflies are a major reason for booking, this tour does not devote enough time for a slow, detailed visit. If you like variety, the short stop fits neatly into the wider day.

Mount Bandilaan brings the island into view

Next comes Mount Bandilaan National Park, with about 50 minutes including travel time. The stop is built around panoramic views from Mount Bandilaan.

This is where the day shifts from close-up attractions to a broader view of Siquijor. After seeing individual sites, you get a chance to understand the island’s shape and setting from above. Bring a phone or camera, but allow time simply to look around. A viewpoint is often more rewarding when you are not trying to document every minute.

The schedule does not promise a hike or a long walk, so you should think of this as a scenic stop rather than a trekking outing. If you are seeking strenuous activity, Cambugahay Falls will offer more action than Mount Bandilaan. If you want a change of pace and a wider view, this stop earns its place.

Bolo Bolo healing gives the tour its cultural edge

The final section lasts about one hour and 40 minutes, including the visit to a traditional Bolo Bolo healer, the trip to Bucafe, sunset, and the return toward San Juan.

Bolo Bolo healing is associated with Siquijor’s mystical reputation. The visit gives you a chance to see a traditional practice rather than only the island’s natural sights. The tour description presents it as an opportunity to witness the healing process, so approach it with respect and an open mind. It is a cultural encounter, not a substitute for medical care.

The healer’s service costs $12 per person and is not part of the $50 tour price. You can decide if you want to take part, but the available information does not spell out the precise format or length of an individual session. Ask the guide how the visit will work before paying.

This portion has drawn particular praise for giving the day a different feel. One review singled out the healing visit and the final drink as especially enjoyable because they made the tour more varied. That makes sense: after several scenic stops, the healer visit offers a story and a point of connection with Siquijor’s local traditions.

Bucafe provides a relaxed finish

After the healer, you head to Bucafe for sunset. Drinks are not included, so you pay for anything you order there.

I like this ending because it avoids finishing at a parking area or returning immediately after the last attraction. You get time to sit, watch the light change, and talk with the group before heading back to San Juan. It also gives you a chance to buy a drink or simply enjoy the view, depending on your budget.

The sunset is weather-dependent, of course. The tour requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions should result in either a different date or a full refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of people, so a date could be changed or refunded if that minimum is not reached.

The guide can shape the whole day

The experience includes an in-person guide who is licensed or certified. Leebert is named in the supplied feedback, and his local background and care were singled out as major strengths. One account also describes him as being from Siquijor, with extensive experience and knowledge of the island.

That matters on a route like this. The attractions themselves are easy to find, but a guide can explain why the Balete Tree is considered mystical, help the group understand the healer visit, and keep the day moving between stops. The guide also becomes useful when the schedule needs adjusting around swimming, weather, or group pace.

Leebert may not be the guide on every departure, so I would not book solely on the assumption that he will lead your group. Still, the guide’s role is a real part of the tour’s value, especially for the cultural stops.

The tour has a rating of 4.7 from 12 ratings and a recommendation rate of 92 percent. That is a positive record, though the number of ratings is still small. I would treat it as encouraging rather than definitive.

What to bring and how to pace the day

You should arrive ready for both sightseeing and swimming. Pack:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Extra dry clothes
• Bottled water
• Lunch or money for lunch
• Snacks
• Sun protection
• A phone or camera

Water, lunch, snacks, and towels are not included. The itinerary moves through several stops, so bringing your own supplies will save you from relying on whatever is available along the route.

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m., and the total duration is about six hours. Wear something comfortable and practical. You will not be hiking all day, but you will be moving between outdoor sites and water areas.

Most people can take part, according to the provided information. Still, swimming and wet conditions require basic confidence and care. If you have mobility concerns, contact the provider before booking, since the details do not explain the exact access conditions at each stop.

Who should book this Siquijor tour

I would recommend this tour to a first-time Siquijor visitor who wants a broad introduction in one day. It is particularly suited to you if you enjoy swimming, short scenic stops, local traditions, and a small-group setting.

It also works well if you do not want to rent transport or negotiate separate visits around the island. The guide, admission fees, and transport are bundled into one price, which makes planning simple.

You may want another option if you prefer long, unhurried visits at fewer places. The 15-minute Butterfly Sanctuary stop is quick, the Balete Tree visit is short, and the overall route has a lot packed into six hours. A private tour would give you more control, but likely at a higher cost.

You should also think carefully about the healer visit. It is one of the most unusual parts of the day, but it carries a separate fee and may not appeal to everyone. You can still enjoy the natural stops and sunset, but the tour’s character is strongest when you are willing to engage respectfully with Siquijor’s traditional practices.

Is the $50 price good value?

At $50 per person, I see this as good value for a compact island tour. Transport to all sites, entrance fees, and a licensed or certified guide are included. The group limit of 12 keeps the experience smaller than a mass tour without making it private.

Your real cost will be higher once you add food, water, drinks, and the $12 healer fee if you choose it. Even so, the package saves you the work of arranging transport to six separate parts of the island.

The strongest value comes from the range. You get a waterfall with real swimming time, a coastal stop, a fish spa, butterflies, a mountain viewpoint, traditional healing, and sunset. No single stop is the whole reason to book. The appeal is how many different experiences fit into one day.

Should you book it?

Book this Siquijor Land Tour if you want a practical first look at the island, enjoy swimming, and are curious about the Bolo Bolo tradition. The small group, included transport, and strong guide feedback make it an easy choice for many visitors staying in San Juan.

Skip it if you want a lazy beach day, a private schedule, or a long visit at every stop. For most people with one free day, though, the $50 price buys a useful mix of nature, culture, and sunset, with few planning headaches.

FAQ

Where does the Siquijor Land Tour start?

The tour starts at SHAKA Cafe on Siquijor Circumferential Road in San Juan, Siquijor.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the meeting point in San Juan.

What is included in the price?

The $50 price includes a guide, transportation to all listed sites, and all entrance fees. The in-person guide is licensed or certified.

Is the Bolo Bolo healer visit included?

The visit is part of the tour, but the healer’s service costs an additional $12 per person. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, drinks, and a towel are also not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.