“The reason for any journey is this: in a journey, discoveries are made” Kobi Yamada
Coastal Day Tour of Siquijor: First/Second Stop, Day 2
Searching for Accommodation and Short Visit at Capilay Spring
I rarely open a blog post quoting a famous line but at this instance, I feel it’s very appropriate. Growing up and being surrounded by tales of Not Like Ours, Witchcrafts, and Black Magic, I come to think of Siquijor as No Man’s Land, a place where you should not even think of travelling to. Of course I was so young then and mapag paniwala. But I am glad I made the trip last October for it led me to new discoveries.
Sometimes it’s really about wading in and risking, letting go of our preconceived notions if we want to discover what is really out there.
Getting to Siquijor from Dumaguete
We woke up early at 5am. The boys were ready first so they headed to the Jollibee adjacent to Lee Plaza to order our take-out foods. This particular Jollibee branch was just two corners from our hotel, Grand Pensionne Plaza.
Kenneth was last to be ready. We checked out of our affordable hotel in Dumaguete and walked to Jollibee, the boys were still waiting for our meals. The moment all orders were ready, we took it and hailed a tricycle at P10 per person to bring us to Dumaguete Port.
Since we already bought our Delta fast ferries tickets the afternoon before, we didn’t have to line-up. Thank gracious for the line at that early morning was really long. Delta has 6 AM trip only for Mondays to cater those who are going to Siquijor for work. On other days, this fast craft first trip Dumaguete – Siquijor is at 9 AM. Please see this post for more details and ticket prices: Bus and Boat Schedule and Rates
The curious thing about Delta Shipping is that their ‘office’ is unique – it’s a floating office. Hehe. If you are prone to seasickness, staying at their waiting area is not good for you. After depositing his things with us, Titus went back to the pier to keep to solid ground. When it was time for boarding I have to look for him. He walked back to the floating office grudgingly just in time to board the fast craft.
To cut the story short, let me say this; big (rough) waves characterized the cruise from Dumaguete to Siquijor. I am not sure if this is a usual occurrence only during the Amihan or Habagat season or an everyday early morning thing. Don’t forget to bring plastic bags just in case someone can’t handle big waves. It may come in handy like ours. 
Sorry FTB, we need example pic 🙂
After exiting the pier area, we saw tricycles neatly lined-up waiting for passengers. Someone approached us and offered his tricycle for an island tour. At that instance, I was not ready to negotiate yet since I spotted a Tourism Office closeby. I went inside and started chatting up with the police / tourism officer. He was very helpful and took out a Siquijor tourism map and shared to us some info and trivia. We really appreciate the help =)
We found out that these tricycles are “tourist tricycles” which means that all of them are registered with the tourism office and they have to take turns in serving tourists and their rates are regulated. May pila yung tricycles and nakalista who will go next etc which is good, fair distribution of opportunity for the drivers. It’s also better this way for tourists, iwas dumugin ng drivers the moment you exit the pier as is normal in our other tourists islands destinations.
Our tricycle coastal tour costs us P1000 plus P200 since we made an extra side trip and climbed up to the Bulo-bulo healer’s place. If you go for Mountain Eco – Tour it will set you back by another P1000.
And so our Siquijor tour begun….. 🙂
After knowing that we have not reserved any room, our driver offered to bring us to some affordable resorts in San Juan area, saying that it’s where the waves are calm and perfect for swimming plus the area prides itself on its long stretch of real fine white sand. We checked out Charisma Resort as well as JJ Backpackers Village which are next to each other.
Options for Affordable Resort in Siquijor
Rate offered by JJ Backpacker for their dorm room was P 350 per person while Charisma was P1400 for the four of us in their bamboo cottage near the sea. Both are fans only rooms. Who wants aircon at the beach, eh?
Answer: My siblings. 🙄
Sometimes it’s difficult to travel with my brother and sister as each of them has specific requirements when it comes to the place we will stay in. Nicko was not thrilled with the long shoreline to get to the waters while Kenneth did not find enough potential spots for pictures. So we have to pass up on those two resorts but both would have work okay with me especially that they are cheaper than what we ended up with – Salagdoong Resort in the town of Maria at P1800.
Fronting JJs and Charisma Beach Strip
Another advantage if you stay at San Juan area is its cheaper tricycle transfer from a San Juan resort back to Siquijor port. Resort transfer via trike in San Juan will only cost you P50 versus the P500 asking price if you have a tricycle pick you up in Salagdoong in the far town of Maria. Needless to say, I spoiled my siblings.
We also checked Royal Cliff but they were fully booked and they don’t have a beach area as their resort is located on the cliff, hence, the resort name. Heheh but before exiting their place, we took some shots. 🙂
I told our driver that we will go on with the tour and will just stay at Salagdoong. Period. I’m on vacation mode and I don’t want to be harassed.
CAPILAY COLD SPRING
The nearest popular Siquijor tourist spot to San Juan beach resorts is the Capilay Spring Park, that is if you don’t count the Siquijor Church near the port.
During weekends and holidays expect that locals and visitors will come in droves to this free entrance tourist spot in Siquijor. Families and barkadahan will be found enjoying the cool spring water feeding this natural swimming pool. There are also several kiosks or cottages available for day trippers. If you stay in either JJs or Charisma you can jog to this place.
Surrounding the Capilay Spring Park are trees offering some shade as well as flowering plants. This is one well maintained public water park. Kudos to the local government of Siquijor!
There is a bridge in the middle portion of Capilay Spring, this one is a good spot for picture taking as you can see from our pics below.
Mga Turista sa Isla sa Siquijor!
Next Tourist Destination and one of my favorite places in Siquijor is their Centuries-Old Enchanted Balete Tree. Click this post to see pics of Siquijor’s Gigantic, Majestic and Amazing Balete Tree!
To check out the overview and the other top rated tourist destination in the island please GO HERE.
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