Top 11 Must-Try Products and Delicacies in Siquijor!
Siquijor, a small island province in the Philippines, is not only famous for its stunning beaches and mystical traditions but also for its unique products and delicacies that are a must-try for foodies and travelers alike.
Traveling to Siquijor for the first time? This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to navigate your way inside, save money, and maximize your time.
HOW TO GET TO SIQUIJOR
Direct Flights from Manila, Mactan Cebu International Airport, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and more are being served to Siquijor. Flights are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia.
✓ ENTRY POINT CEBU (MCIA)
- By Airplane (Cebu pacific, Airasia, and Philippine Airlines)
Board a plane going to Siquijor from Cebu.
At Siquijor Airport, ride a tricycle or rent a motorcycle to get to your destination.
Notes:
Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)
Cebu Pacific
Air Asia
Philippine Airlines
Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)
Cebu Pacific
CebGo
AirAsia Zest
Philippine Airlines
✓ ENTRY POINT CEBU (PIER 1)
- By Fast Craft or Fast Boat
CHECK FAST CRAFT SCHEDULE & FARE HERE
From Cebu City, ride Oceanjet to Siquijor. The fast craft serves the route daily. Travel Time is around 5-6 hours. The fare is PHP 1600.00 per person.
At Siquijor Airport, ride a tricycle or rent a motorcycle to get to your destination.
✓ ENTRY POINT ORMOC CITY via LILOAN PORT
- By Fast Craft or Fast Boat or slow boat
From Ormoc, ride any of the boats at Pier 1 or Pier 3 to Cebu City. The fast craft serves the route daily. Travel Time is around 3 hours.
At Cebu City port, ride a taxi going to Cebu South Bus Terminal.
From the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City, you can take a bus bound for Liloan Port. This port is located in Santander, a town at the southern tip of Cebu island. From here, you’ll take a ferry that goes straight to Siquijor.
You can board the bus with “Liloan Port” on its sign. If it’s not available, you can also take a bus with the sign “Bato via Oslob.” This bus will pass through Santander.
A ticket costs 410 PHP ($7) for an air-conditioned bus. The first trip is at 03:00, and there are bus departures every 2 hours until 21:00.
The ferry bound for Siquijor departs at 02:00, so even if you take the last bus, you still have to wait a few hours at the port.
✓ ENTRY POINT CEBU CITY to DUMAGUETE by Bus + Ferry
- By Fast Craft or Fast Boat or slow boat
At the South Bus Terminal in Cebu, there are regular buses to Dumaguete since this town is also a major destination in the south. For this first leg of the trip, the total travel time takes 6 hours, including a 30-minute ferry ride.
Ceres Bus offers hourly trips from 06:00 to 17:00 daily for 480 PHP ($8.50) per person. Note that you also have to pay for the ferry ticket to Dumaguete, which costs 120 PHP ($2.10).
In Bato Port in Santander, the bus will directly board the ferry bound for Negros Oriental. You will have to get off the bus, pay for your ferry ticket, and then sit in the ferry’s passenger seating area.
Once the ferry docks at Tampi Port, you’ll have to board the bus again. Dumaguete Port is still 40 minutes away. You can inform the bus driver or conductor that you wish to be dropped off near the port, which is just a few meters away from the bus terminal.
After that, board the ferry for Siquijor. You can either pick OceanJet, Montenegro Lines, and Aleson Shipping.
HOW TO GET AROUND SIQUIJOR
Getting around Siquijor is relatively easy, and there are several transportation options available for visitors:
✓ BY MOTORCYCLE (self-drive/rent)
Renting a motorcycle or scooter is another popular option for getting around the island. Rental shops can be found in most towns, and prices are typically around 350-500 PHP per day. Having your own transportation gives you more flexibility to explore the island at your own pace.
✓ BY TRICYCLES (rent for a tour) (color red)
Touring around the island for a day is Php 1600.00.
These are the most common form of transportation on the island. They are small motorcycles with sidecars that can accommodate up to three passengers. Tricycles can be found in most towns on the island and can be hired for a reasonable price. They are a great option for short trips around town or to nearby beaches.
Note: Make sure to rent the color red tricycles as they are the accredited tricycles for rent during tours.
✓ BY BICYCLE (rent)
Bicycles can also be rented for a reasonable price and are a great way to explore the island’s scenic roads and countryside. It’s also an eco-friendly way to get around the island.
Note: Make sure to rent the color red tricycles as they are the accredited tricycles for rent during tours.
✓ BY PRIVATE CAR OR VAN
For those who prefer more privacy or have a large group, it’s possible to rent a private car or van with a driver for a day or for the entire stay. This option is more expensive but can be convenient and comfortable for those who want to see the island’s main attractions in one day or those with a lot of luggage.
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Top 11 Must-Try Products and Delicacies in Siquijor!
1. Banana Crackers
Banana crackers are a popular snack in Siquijor, an island province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. As the name suggests, these crackers are made from mashed bananas that are mixed with flour, sugar, and other ingredients to create a crispy, savory treat.
2. Peanut Crunch
Peanut crunch is made from peanuts that have been coated in a crunchy caramelized sugar mixture, creating a sweet and savory treat.
3. Giant Otap
It is a larger version of the traditional otap, a crispy layered biscuit that is popular throughout the country.
4. Peanut Turon
It is a variation of the traditional turon, which is a Filipino snack made with sliced bananas and jackfruit wrapped in a spring roll wrapper and deep-fried until crispy.
Peanut turon is often sold in local markets and street food stalls throughout Siquijor and is a popular snack among locals and visitors alike. It is best enjoyed fresh and hot, straight out of the deep fryer.
5. Banana Crackers
It is a sweet and crumbly dessert that is made with a few simple ingredients, including toasted flour, powdered milk, sugar, and butter.
6. Squash Crackers
These crackers are made using squash, which is a type of vegetable that is commonly used in Filipino cuisine.
These crackers are a great alternative to traditional snacks like potato chips or crackers and are a healthier option since they are made with fresh vegetables. They can be enjoyed on their own as a snack or paired with dips and spreads for a more filling snack.
7. Fruit Wine
As the name suggests, fruit wine is made from a variety of local fruits, which are fermented and aged to create a flavorful and unique drink.
Some of the most popular fruits used to make fruit wine in Siquijor include mangoes, pineapples, and bananas. Other fruits like passion fruit, guava, and dragon fruit are also used to create different varieties of fruit wine.
8. Coco Handicraft
This craft involves using coconut shells and other parts of the coconut tree to create a variety of decorative and functional items.
Coco handicrafts in Siquijor are often sold in local markets and stores, and they are a popular souvenir for visitors to the island. They showcase the rich culture and traditional craft skills of the local community and make for a great gift or decorative item for the home.
9. Love Potion
Love potion is a traditional herbal concoction that is said to have magical properties and is popular in Siquijor, a small island province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. This potion is believed to have the power to attract love and enhance romantic relationships.
The ingredients used in the love potion vary, but they typically include a combination of herbs and spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, and anise. Some versions may also include other natural ingredients like flowers, roots, and oils. These ingredients are blended together and steeped in water or alcohol for several days to infuse the liquid with their properties.
The love potion is typically consumed as a drink, and it is said to work by creating a sense of attraction and enhancing the feelings of love and desire between two people. It is often used by those seeking to improve their romantic relationships or attract a new romantic partner.
10. Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine has been a long-standing tradition in Siquijor, a small island province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. The use of plants and herbs for medicinal purposes has been a common practice for centuries in Siquijor, and it remains an important part of the island’s culture and traditions.
The knowledge of herbal medicine has been passed down through generations of healers, and many locals still rely on these natural remedies for their health needs. Various parts of plants and herbs are used to create herbal medicines, including leaves, flowers, roots, bark, and seeds. These are often prepared in the form of teas, tinctures, poultices, and salves.
Some of the most commonly used plants in Siquijor’s herbal medicine include guava leaves, lagundi, ginger, turmeric, and sambong. Each plant has its own unique properties and is used to treat specific ailments, such as colds, coughs, fever, and stomach problems. In addition to these plants, traditional healers in Siquijor also use other natural remedies, such as coconut oil and honey, for their medicinal properties.
11. Native Bread
Native bread is a type of bread that is popular in Siquijor, a small island province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It is a traditional bread that has been a part of the island’s culture and cuisine for centuries.
The bread is made using locally-sourced ingredients, such as rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. These ingredients are mixed together to form a dough, which is then rolled out and cut into small pieces. The pieces are then rolled into balls and flattened to form small discs, which are then cooked on a griddle or frying pan until they are lightly browned.
Native bread is typically served as a snack or dessert and can be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of toppings, such as butter, jam, or coconut flakes. It has a slightly sweet and chewy texture, with a subtle coconut flavor that makes it unique to Siquijor.
Read more: 27 Best Things to Do in Siquijor
Estimated time to spend in the place?
You will spend around 10 minutes -20 minutes in this place.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are allowed.
Are food and drinks available in the area?
There are establishments that sell food and drinks in the area.
Read More: 101 Things to Do in Cebu
How much are the Entrance Fee and Other Noted Fees?
Entrance Fee: FREE
Healing Festivals and Fiestas?
- Siquijor
- Dilaab Festival on October 3-4
- San Juan
- Bugwas Festival on August 27-28
- Lazi
- Saing Festival on May 14-15
- Maria
- Lubi Festival on May 23-24
- Enrique Villanueva
- Pamukad Festivals on July 15-16
- Larena
- Canoan Festival on May 2-3
Parking Space?
Available and is FREE.
When is the best time to visit the place?
Best time to visit is on any day of their opening days.
Exact Location?
Siquijor Island
How to Get to Healing Festivals in Siquijor?
- If you are on a generous budget, I suggest to hire a tricycle or habal-habal tour guide. Their rate is around P1,600 for the entire Siquijor island which will take almost the entire day. This way, you can also visit other churches like the Santa Maria Church in the town of Maria and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Poblacion.
For more information, contact them at:
- TBA
You may also want to see 13 Best Things to Do in Ormoc, Leyte.
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🏷️10% OFF [SALE] Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City or Mactan Island
🏷️18% OFF Private Cebu & Mactan Twin City Tour
TIPS, NOTES, AND REMINDERS
- Bring extra clothes so that in every corner, the outfit is different.
- Visit on weekdays to avoid the crowd.
- Bring water so that you can’t be dehydrated.
- Outside foods and drinks are prohibited
- The hike is relatively easy, but make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as the trail can be slippery and the weather can be hot and humid.
Read More: 101 Things to Do in Cebu
IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without Shellwander’s notice. Should you know the updated information, please message me on Facebook.
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