Siquijor with Kids: Family Travel Guide

Siquijor has a very different feel from places like Bohol and El Nido. It’s quieter, more laid-back, and easy to explore at your own pace. We spent a few days exploring the island with our kids and found plenty to keep them entertained.

Cambugahay Falls

Cambugahay Falls was our favorite stop in Siquijor, and the girls, who were 3 and 5 at the time, absolutely loved it. The turquoise pools are beautiful, and there’s plenty of space to swim and play.

There are quite a few stairs to get down to the falls and back up again. We used a baby carrier for our youngest, which made the walk much easier.

The famous rope swings are another big attraction. They were still a little too young to try them themselves, but that didn’t stop them from encouraging us to have a go. So, of course, we did. 😂

You’ll probably spend a while here, so it’s worth bringing a small snack. Drinks are available near the falls, and we also found a dry bag useful for keeping our valuables dry.

💡 Crew Tip: With little kids, keep walking upstream. The water gets much shallower, and it was the perfect spot for our girls to play.

Lugnason Falls

We also visited Lugnason Falls near San Juan. It’s much smaller than Cambugahay Falls, but we liked that it was quiet and easy to combine with other stops near San Juan.

If you have enough time, it’s worth adding to your day, but if you’re short on time, we’d prioritize Cambugahay Falls.

Old Enchanted Balete Tree

The Old Enchanted Balete Tree is one of Siquijor’s most famous stops and an easy one to add to an island tour. The huge tree stands next to a natural spring where you can sit and let small fish nibble at your feet.

Our girls had very different reactions to the fish spa. Our oldest thought it was fun, while our youngest was absolutely terrified of the fish. 😂

To be honest, we didn’t find the tree itself particularly impressive, but the fish spa definitely made the stop memorable for us.

Paliton Beach

Paliton Beach was our favorite beach in Siquijor and, for us, a must-visit. We loved spending a few relaxed hours here with the kids, especially because there was plenty of space for them to play and swim.

We visited Paliton Beach separately from our tuk-tuk tour and really enjoyed having some time here to relax and swim. You can grab a drink near the beach, although there aren’t many other facilities.

Paliton Beach is also a popular place to watch the sunset. Many island tours finish here for sunset, but by the end of our tuk-tuk tour, the kids were too tired to stay. Luckily, we were staying right on the beach, so we could enjoy the sunset from there instead. Tropical Fun-Ta-Sea was a great base for exploring this part of Siquijor.

If you’re planning to swim, it’s worth checking the local conditions first, as jellyfish can sometimes be present.

Pitogo Cliff

We stopped at Pitogo Cliff during our tuk-tuk tour and mainly enjoyed the views and a quick break by the water.

The kids were still too small to really see over the edge, so we didn’t find it particularly stressful with them. You can also swim here, and cliff jumping is popular when conditions are right, but we didn’t try that with the kids.

For us, it was simply a nice short stop along the way, and you don’t need much time to enjoy it.

Salagdoong Beach

Salagdoong Beach was a great final stop on our tuk-tuk tour and a good place to cool off after a day of exploring. By the time we arrived, everyone was ready for a swim, and it was nice to slow down and spend some time by the water.

Salagdoong is also famous for its cliff-jumping platforms. We skipped those with the kids, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can give them a try. For us, swimming and relaxing was more than enough.

💡 Crew Tip: Bring water shoes. There are quite a few sharp pieces of coral in the water, especially around the areas where you get in.

What about Snorkeling?

If your kids enjoy snorkeling, Siquijor has some good options to explore. Tubod Marine Sanctuary near San Juan is one of the island’s best-known snorkeling spots, with coral reefs and plenty of marine life close to shore.

We didn’t get around to snorkeling during our stay, so we can’t share our own experience, but it’s worth considering if you have extra time or your kids love being in the water.

Explore Siquijor by Tuk-Tuk

Exploring Siquijor by tuk-tuk was one of the highlights for our kids. They loved riding around the island, and it made it easy for us to visit several of the main sights in one day.

Our tuk-tuk tour included stops at Cambugahay Falls, the Old Enchanted Balete Tree, Pitogo Cliff, and Salagdoong Beach.

The only downside? By the end of the day, we were pretty ready to get out of the tuk-tuk too. It’s fun, but the seats aren’t exactly the most comfortable, especially after several hours on the road.

If you’d rather have everything arranged in advance, there are also organized Siquijor island tours that include transportation and several of the island’s main highlights.

For families, we’d definitely choose San Juan. This is where we’d stay again if we returned to Siquijor. There are plenty of restaurants, little shops, and places to stay nearby, and you’re within easy reach of Paliton Beach and many of the island’s main sights.

We also liked having everything we needed close by. After a day of exploring, it was nice to be able to walk to a restaurant or grab something from a small shop without having to get back on a tuk-tuk.

You can find accommodation in other parts of Siquijor too, including around Lazi and closer to the ferry port, but after exploring the island ourselves, San Juan would still be our first choice for a family stay.

Tropical Fun-Ta-Sea: Our Experience

We stayed at Tropical Fun-Ta-Sea, which is right on the beach and worked well for us with the kids. Being directly on the beach was great, especially when we wanted to relax after exploring or watch the sunset without going anywhere.

The main downside for us was that swimming wasn’t always easy at low tide. A pool would have been a nice bonus with the kids, especially after a day of sightseeing. Overall, it was a good place to stay, and we really liked the location.

Coco Grove Beach Resort: A Family-Friendly Resort

We actually wanted to stay at Coco Grove Beach Resort, but it was fully booked when we tried to book it. It has a beautiful beachfront setting, swimming pools, and plenty of space to relax, so it would definitely be on our list for a future trip.

If you’re interested in staying here, we’d recommend booking ahead, especially during busy travel periods.

Nakabalo: A Stylish Option We Visited

We also visited Nakabalo during our stay and really liked it. We went there on a day pass rather than staying overnight, but the resort was beautiful and would definitely be somewhere we’d consider for a future trip.

It felt more stylish and peaceful than the places we stayed, while still being close enough to San Juan.

Having explored Siquijor with our daughters when they were 3 and 5, we found it a great island to visit with toddlers and young kids. They loved the tuk-tuk rides, swimming at Cambugahay Falls, and playing on the beaches.

Traveling with a Toddler

With a toddler, we’d happily visit Siquijor again. There’s plenty to enjoy, and you can easily mix exploring with slower beach days.

A baby carrier is much more practical than a stroller for some of the island’s attractions, especially places with stairs, sand, or uneven paths. We used one with our youngest when we visited Cambugahay Falls.

What About Visiting with a Baby?

With a baby, we’d be a little more hesitant, but we wouldn’t rule Siquijor out. If you love waterfalls, beaches, and a quieter island atmosphere, it can still be a lovely place to visit. We’d just plan the trip very differently from how we explored it with our 3- and 5-year-olds.

The main thing is that exploring Siquijor takes a bit more effort with a baby. You have the heat, stairs and uneven paths at some attractions, and a full day in a tuk-tuk can be a lot with a very young child. We’d keep outings shorter, build in plenty of downtime, and avoid trying to see too much in one day.

A few things we’d keep in mind:

• Baby carrier: We’d definitely bring one instead of relying on a stroller.
• Baby supplies: San Juan has shops where you can pick up some basics, but we’d bring anything specific your baby needs rather than relying on finding it on the island.
• The heat: We’d plan outings around the heat, with plenty of shade, fluids, and breaks.
• Healthcare: Siquijor does have a provincial hospital and other healthcare facilities, but medical care is more limited than on larger, more developed islands. With a very young baby, that’s something we’d personally keep in mind when choosing where to travel.
• Keep it relaxed: Rather than doing a full island tour, we’d pick one or two places and head back to the hotel when the baby needs a break.

If you’re traveling with a baby, there are easier options such as Bohol or Boracay with kids. Siquijor is still a great choice if you’re happy to take things slowly and don’t mind a little more effort when getting around the island.

Siquijor is fairly easy to explore, but traveling with kids does require a little planning. Here are the practical things we’d keep in mind before visiting, especially if you’re traveling with younger children.

Getting Around Siquijor

The easiest ways to get around Siquijor are by scooter, tuk-tuk/tricycle, or private transfer. Renting a scooter gives you the most freedom and is a popular choice for exploring the island at your own pace.

We didn’t rent one ourselves, as our kids were still only 3 and 5 at the time and we didn’t feel comfortable putting them on a scooter. If our kids were a little older, though, it’s definitely something we’d consider.

For families with younger children, tuk-tuks and tricycles are an easier option. You can arrange a tuk-tuk for a full day or use tricycles for individual rides, so you don’t necessarily need to book a full island tour every time you want to get somewhere.

If you prefer more comfort or flexibility, private drivers and transfers are another option.

How to Get to Siquijor

Siquijor is easiest to reach by ferry from Bohol or Dumaguete. If you’re already traveling around the Visayas, it’s easy to combine Siquijor with other popular destinations such as Bohol, Cebu, or Moalboal.

We originally planned to travel Bohol → Siquijor → Moalboal to see the famous sardine run, but a change to our flight plans meant we eventually traveled from Siquijor to Cebu instead. There are ferry connections linking Siquijor with other islands in the Visayas, so it worked well for our route.

If you’re flying into the region, Dumaguete is another common starting point, with a relatively short ferry crossing to Siquijor.

For ferry routes and current schedules, we usually use 12Go to compare options and check what’s available for our travel dates.

Best Time to Visit Siquijor

We’d recommend visiting Siquijor between December and May, especially if you’re traveling with kids. This is generally the drier season in the Philippines, which means better conditions for beach days, waterfalls, and island trips.

We wouldn’t choose the rainy season for a family trip if we had a choice. From June to November, you’re more likely to deal with rain, stronger winds, and rougher seas, which can affect ferry crossings, boat trips, and beach days. Tropical cyclones can also affect the Philippines during this period.

That doesn’t mean Siquijor is off-limits during the rainy season, but with young kids, we’d rather have the better weather and fewer potential travel disruptions.

How Many Days Do You Need in Siquijor?

For us, 3–4 days is a good amount of time for Siquijor with kids. It gives you enough time for the main sights while still leaving room for beach time and slower days.

With a baby or toddler, we’d actually consider staying a little longer. You don’t need to fill every day with sightseeing, and having a slow morning or an extra afternoon at the beach can make a family trip much more enjoyable.

Eating in Siquijor with Kids

San Juan is the easiest area for eating with kids. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and small shops to choose from, so you won’t have to go far after a day of exploring.

We didn’t come across many restaurants that were specifically geared towards kids or had dedicated kids’ menus, but there was enough choice to find something everyone liked. With younger children, we also liked simply having plenty of options close to where we were staying.

Our favorite was Dolce Amore Pizzeria, which we’d happily recommend if your family enjoys pizza.

Health & Safety in Siquijor

Siquijor is generally a straightforward destination for families, but there are a few things worth keeping in mind.

• Mosquitoes: Bring insect repellent and take the usual precautions, as mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue occur in the Philippines.
• Sun and heat: Days can get very hot, especially when you’re spending hours outside. Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and plan breaks during the hottest part of the day.
• Jellyfish: Jellyfish can sometimes be present around beaches, so check local conditions before letting kids swim.
• Swimming: Natural swimming spots can have uneven or rocky surfaces, so water shoes are useful in some locations.
• Healthcare: Siquijor does have a provincial hospital and other healthcare facilities, but medical care is more limited than on larger, more developed islands.

What to Pack for Siquijor with Kids

You don’t need anything particularly unusual for Siquijor, but a few things made our trip easier:

• Cash: Bring enough Philippine pesos for smaller restaurants, shops, transport, and other expenses. Card payments aren’t available everywhere, and it’s useful to have cash on hand if an ATM isn’t working or doesn’t accept your card.
• Baby carrier: Much more practical than a stroller at places with stairs, sand, or uneven paths.
• Water shoes: Especially useful at places with rocky or sharp surfaces, such as Salagdoong Beach.
• Dry bag: Handy for keeping phones, wallets, and other valuables dry around waterfalls and beaches.
• Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen, UV swimwear and lightweight clothing for the hot days.
• Baby supplies: Bring enough of anything specific your child needs, as the selection on the island is more limited than in larger destinations.
• Portable travel cot: If you’re traveling with a baby, check whether your accommodation provides one before bringing your own.
• Our Travel Activity Book to keep little ones entertained during flights, transfers and ferry rides.

We really enjoyed our time in Siquijor with the kids and would happily visit again. We loved that the island felt quieter and less hectic than some of the Philippines’ more popular destinations, while still giving us plenty to do, from waterfalls and beaches to tuk-tuk rides and exploring different parts of the island.

For families with toddlers and young kids, we think Siquijor is a particularly good choice if you enjoy exploring rather than looking for a purely resort-based beach vacation. Cambugahay Falls was a highlight for us, Paliton Beach was our favorite beach on the island, and getting around by tuk-tuk made it easy to see several places without driving ourselves.

That said, Siquijor does require a little more planning with very young children. Some activities involve stairs, uneven paths, long days on the road, or limited facilities. With a baby, we’d take things much slower and plan fewer activities each day.

If you’re planning a bigger Philippines with Kids trip, Siquijor is a lovely addition to a route through the Visayas. It also works well alongside destinations such as Bohol, El Nido, or Boracay, depending on the kind of trip you’re looking for.

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📥 Looking for printable travel resources? Visit our Family Travel Shop for travel journals, activity books, packing lists and other family travel printables designed to make your adventures a little easier.

The Little Passport Crew

FAQ: Siquijor with Kids

Is Siquijor good for kids?

Yes, we think Siquijor is a great destination for families with toddlers and young kids. There are beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and plenty of easy-going activities. Our daughters were 3 and 5 when we visited, and they loved Cambugahay Falls, Paliton Beach, and riding around the island by tuk-tuk.

Is Siquijor suitable for a baby under 1 year?

It’s possible, but we’d approach the trip quite differently. We visited with older children, so we can’t speak from firsthand experience with a baby. The stairs at some attractions, uneven paths, tropical heat, and longer tuk-tuk rides mean we’d keep the itinerary relaxed and avoid trying to see too much in one day.
If you’re traveling with a baby, we’d choose accommodation carefully and prioritize shorter outings, plenty of downtime, and easy access to a pool or beach.

Is Siquijor stroller-friendly?

Not particularly. We’d choose a baby or toddler carrier over a stroller if you’re planning to visit the island’s main attractions. Stairs at Cambugahay Falls, sandy beaches, and uneven paths can make a stroller more of a hassle than a help.

Is Siquijor better than Bohol for families?

They offer quite different experiences. Siquijor is smaller, quieter, and more laid-back, while Bohol has more developed tourist infrastructure and a wider range of family attractions and accommodation.
If you prefer a slower island experience with waterfalls and beautiful beaches, we’d choose Siquijor. If convenience, facilities, and a wider variety of activities are more important, Bohol may be the easier choice for families.

Can you visit Siquijor without renting a scooter?

Yes. You don’t need to rent a scooter to explore Siquijor. Tuk-tuks, tricycles, and private transfers make it possible to get around without driving yourself. We explored the island this way with our kids and found it worked well for us.