SIQUIJOR: Itinerary and Expenses

Siquijor, known to being the place of witchcraft and sorcery which for me makes it enticing and unique. I never expected I'll have such an amazing experience in this small province.

How we got here:
Upon arriving in Dumaguete, we head straight to the seaport near the boulevard where we bought tickets to Siquijor. Fare: Php 250. Travel Time: 45 minutes

PLACES TO VISIT

ST. FRANCIS DE ASSISI CHURCH

This is the sight that welcomed us upon arriving in Siquijor port.

PALITON BEACH

Best to visit during sunset.
Entrance Fee: Free


CAPILAY SPRING PARK

Located in the town plaza where locals usually gathered for swimming and get together. A lot of food stalls are located here as well specially at night.


ENCHANTED BALETE TREE

This massive tree is believed to be around 400-600 years old. Beneath you can submerge your feet in a small pool for fish spa and relax while admiring this enchanting tree.
Entrance Fee: Php 10


HAPITAN CAFE AND RESTAURANT

This is where you can try the illusion of flying in a broomstick.

SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR CHURCH

CAMBUGAHAY FALLS

It's nice to take a refreshing dip to this cold water falls.

You can also try their swings for Php 50 (unlimited) and rafts for Php 20.

SALAGDOONG BEACH

This site is popular for cliff diving. The sand in the beach is not as fine as other beaches in the island but surely you'll still enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the area.
Entrance Fee: Php 75

LUGNASON FALLS

This falls is another spot for those adrenaline junkies out there where you can swing and jump towards the water.


TULAPOS MARINE SANCTUARY

Swam with barracudas, sea turtles and other marine life, we even experienced swimming with a black tip shark and visited giant clams.

GUIWANON SPRING PARK

There are lots of mangroves here. There is also a restaurant where you can eat and have a picnic with the majestic view of the sea.

Itinerary:

This is our itinerary when we went here. You can take it as a guide and modify it depending on your length of stay.

Dumaguete Itinerary and Expenses

Dumaguete is the capital of Negros Oriental. Silvanas, Apo Island and Manjuyod sandbar are some of the reasons why I wanted to visit this city.

APO ISLAND

We registered at Harold's Dive Center, paid Php 1200 which already includes snorkeling equipment. We were even provided weights and weights belt for free. We left Dumaguete City around 7:00AM and arrived in Dauin before 8AM where we took the boat to Apo Island.

Here you will get a chance to swim with sea turtles.

We spent the whole day in the island diving in the area swimming with the turtles and lively corals.


MANJUYOD SANDBAR

The next day, we left our hotel early to Bais for Dolphin Watching and Manjuyod Sandbar. It was a gloomy day and that's the reason why the whole sand bar didn't appear that day. We did really enjoyed the dolphin watching though.

How to Get There:
Take a bus to Bais and get off at Bais Bus Stop. Fare Php 61, Travel time: 1 hour
Hire a boat for to Manjuyod sandbar

VALENCIA

Valencia is one of the municipality in Dumaguete City we visited.

How to get there: Ride a jeepney to Valencia. Fare: 12 Php. Travel Time: 30 minutes.

PULANGBATO FALLS

First stop is in the rustic stones of Pulangbato falls. Entance is Php 50.

SMOKEY MOUNTAIN

On the way to Pulangbato falls is a mountain with geothermal vents of sulfuric smoke. We stopped for a bit and took some pictures.

FOREST CAMP

This nature resort in Valencia is a place where you can relax and also experience some adventures. There are swimming pools, campgrounds, zipline, wall climbing, horses for horse back riding, etc. you can enjoy. 

Entrance fee: Php 100 during weekdays and Php 120 during weekends 

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY

Going back to the city is a visit to the oldest American University in Asia. It has its own Anthropology museum which exhibits some artifacts.

Entrance fee: Php 100
Operating hours: 8:30 AM -11:30 AM, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM, Mondays to Fridays
How to get there: Ride a tricycle and tell the driver to drop you off in Siliman University, this is located at Rizal Boulevard.

Here is a sample 3D2N Itinerary and estimated expenses:
(Itinerary and expenses based on our own trip)

Ilocos Norte: Pagudpud

Time to go at the northernmost  tip of mainland Luzon. It took us 6 hours to get here from Sta. Ana, Tuguegarao though felt it was longer as the bus kept on stopping to get some passengers. Upon arrival, we immediately hop on a tricycle and started our tour. This is not the usual North and South Pagudpud tour, we opted to choose the places we want and skip some tourist spots and it costs us 750 Php/2 person for the places we visited below. 


TIMMANGTANG ROCK

Waves here are a bit strong when we went here last September though we saw some kids swimming at the side.


BANTAY ABOT CAVE

Bantay Abot Caves which means a mountain with a hole. This is not really a cave but a rocky hill that was said to be a result of an earthquake many years ago.

BLUE LAGOON

Located at Miara-ira point at the northern tip of Pagudpud,  this beach has a white sand and bluish water, famous beach destination among travelers.

PATAPAT VIADUCT

A bridge that connects  Maharlika Highway to the Cagayan Valley.


BANGUI WINDMILLS

This was my first time seeing windmills, and they are really huge electric fans. Hahaha

SAUD BEACH

Saud beach has a long shore of white sand, with open-air cottages and trees all around the place. 



How to get there:
Pagudpud can be reached by land through bus lines like Partas and Florida Bus that travels from Cubao/Pasay  to Laoag, Cubao/Pasay to Vigan and by air through Laoag airport.

We came from Tuguegarao and took a bus (GMW Liner) bound for Vigan, terminal is in front of Sta. Ana Market. Travel time is approximately 6 hours, and fare is 365. 

Bus schedule from Sta. Ana Terminal:

Cagayan: Callao Cave

Callao Cave is one of the most popular caves in the Philippines located in Cagayan Province. Made up of seven chambers one of which was turned into a chapel  by the locals.

In getting to the cave, you should ascend the 184 steps. Quite tiring but enjoyable as you will also be able to have a glimpse of the beautiful Pinacunauan River along your way. 

Stairs going up to the cave

Pinacunauan River

Entrance to the cave

 

How to get there:

We find it hard to commute around the area as there are just few public transportation around. We chartered a tricycle from Tuguegarao City. Fare: Php 500 (Roundtrip)