Siquijor for Couples: Romantic Getaway Guide

Why Siquijor Is the Philippines’ Most Romantic Secret

While Boracay draws the party crowds and Palawan attracts Instagram influencers, Siquijor quietly offers something rarer: genuine intimacy. This small island in the Visayas — just 343 square kilometers of lush jungle, white sand coves, and turquoise water — has the kind of slow, unhurried pace that lets couples actually connect.

There are no mega-resorts here. No traffic jams. No nightclubs pumping bass until 3 AM. What you’ll find instead are secluded beaches where you might be the only two people for hours, candlelit dinners with your feet in the sand, and sunsets so vivid they feel like a personal gift from the universe.

Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a honeymoon, or simply escaping the noise of daily life together, this guide covers everything you need to create an unforgettable romantic trip to Siquijor.

Best Time to Visit as a Couple

Peak romance season: November to May. Dry weather means reliable sunsets, calm seas for snorkeling together, and warm evenings perfect for beachside dining.

• December–February: Cooler evenings (25–28°C), lower humidity, peak season pricing
• March–May: Hottest months, stunning sunsets, slightly fewer tourists than December
• June–October: Rainy season brings lush greenery and dramatic skies — beautiful in its own way, with significantly lower prices

Pro tip: Visit during a full moon. The moonlight over the ocean from Siquijor’s beaches is otherworldly, and the island’s mystical reputation makes it feel even more magical.

Romantic Accommodations

Luxury & Boutique Stays

Coco Grove Beach Resort — San Juan The island’s most polished resort, with beachfront cottages, a pool overlooking the sea, and an on-site spa. Their garden rooms with private balconies are perfect for couples.

• From ₱5,500/night for a superior room
• Beachfront villas from ₱12,000/night

Salamangka Beach & Dive Resort — San Juan Intimate and eco-conscious, with just a handful of native-style cottages nestled in tropical gardens steps from the beach. The vibe is barefoot luxury at its finest.

• From ₱4,500/night
• The hillside cottage offers the best privacy

Kawayan Holiday Resort — Maria Tucked away from the tourist trail, this resort features spacious bungalows surrounded by bamboo groves and coconut palms. The infinity pool has one of the best sunset views on the island.

• From ₱3,800/night

Mid-Range Hidden Gems

Viking’s Beach Resort — San Juan A small, family-run property with a gorgeous stretch of white sand beach. Simple but well-maintained rooms, excellent food, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere.

• From ₱2,500/night

Cangbangag Beach Cottages — Enrique Villanueva For couples who want isolation, these cottages sit on a quiet stretch of beach far from any tourist hub. Wake up to nothing but waves and birdsong.

• From ₱1,800/night

Budget Romance

You don’t need a luxury resort to have a romantic trip. Several homestays and guesthouses across the island offer clean, comfortable rooms with balconies or terraces.

Ren’s Guesthouse — Larena

• From ₱800/night for a double room

Blue Wave Inn — San Juan

• From ₱1,200/night, steps from Tubod Beach

Sunset Spots That Will Take Your Breath Away

Siquijor’s west-facing coastline delivers some of the most spectacular sunsets in the Visayas. Here are the best spots to watch the sky catch fire together:

1. Paliton Beach

The island’s most famous sunset spot, and for good reason. The long stretch of white sand faces directly west, and the old-growth trees along the shore create stunning silhouettes against the orange sky.

Getting there: 10 minutes south of San Juan town proper. Take the road toward Maria and watch for signs. Tip: Arrive by 5:00 PM to claim a good spot. Bring a blanket and a bottle of local rum.

2. Tubod Beach Marine Sanctuary

The pier at Tubod extends out over the water, giving you an unobstructed 180-degree view of the horizon. Sit at the end with your legs dangling over the edge.

Getting there: Main road through San Juan, well-signed. Entry: ₱50/person

3. Kagusuan Beach

A hidden cove accessible by a steep staircase cut into the cliff. The seclusion makes it feel like your own private sunset theater.

Getting there: Between San Juan and Lazi. Look for a small sign on the main road — the stairs are steep but worth it.

4. Salagdoong Beach Cliff

While most people come here for cliff jumping during the day, the viewpoint at Salagdoong offers a dramatic sunset perspective with the cliffs framing the sky.

Entry: ₱30/person Note: Swimming isn’t advisable at sunset, but the viewing area near the cliffs is stunning.

5. Solangon Beach

Less visited than Paliton, this quiet beach near San Juan offers a similar west-facing view with far fewer people. Several small bars along the sand sell cold drinks.

Romantic Dining Experiences

Beachside & Waterfront

Baha Bar — San Juan A barefoot beach bar with tables in the sand, fairy lights strung through the palms, and fresh seafood served with Filipino-fusion flair. The grilled tuna belly (₱280) paired with a mango shake is heavenly.

• Budget: ₱600–1,200 for two
• Best time: Sunset dinner, arrive by 5:30 PM

Coco Grove Restaurant — San Juan The most “fine dining” experience on the island, with a menu that rotates based on daily catch. Ask for the beachfront table. The seafood platter for two (₱1,500) is a feast.

• Budget: ₱1,200–2,500 for two
• Reservations recommended during peak season

JJ’s Backpackers Village — San Juan Don’t let the name fool you — their garden restaurant with lantern lighting is surprisingly romantic. Filipino comfort food done well, with generous portions.

• Budget: ₱400–800 for two

Hillside & Garden Settings

Salamangka Restaurant — San Juan Open-air dining surrounded by tropical gardens. Their Filipino breakfast is legendary, but dinner by candlelight with the sound of waves in the background is the real draw.

• Budget: ₱800–1,500 for two

Larena Night Market — Larena Not traditionally “romantic,” but sharing street food together — grilled skewers (₱15 each), fresh lumpia (₱20), and halo-halo (₱60) — while wandering a local market is its own kind of intimate experience.

Cook Together

Several accommodations offer kitchen access. Visit the Siquijor public market in the morning, buy fresh fish (₱150–300/kg), vegetables, and fruit, then cook together. It’s one of the most romantic things you can do on the island.

Couples Activities

Waterfall Picnics

Cambugahay Falls is the island’s most popular waterfall, but visit early (before 8:00 AM) and you’ll likely have the first pool to yourselves. Bring a waterproof blanket and breakfast.

For more privacy, head to Lugnason Falls near San Juan. It’s smaller but rarely visited, and the jungle setting feels wonderfully secluded.

Snorkeling Together

The marine sanctuaries around Siquijor have some of the healthiest coral reefs in the Central Visayas. Rent gear (₱150–200/set) and explore:

• Tubod Marine Sanctuary — Easy entry, colorful coral, sea turtles
• Capilay Spring Park — Freshwater swimming in a crystal-clear natural pool (₱20 entry)
• Paliton Marine Sanctuary — Less crowded, excellent visibility

Couples Massage & Spa

Several resorts offer spa services open to non-guests:

Coco Grove Spa — Full-service spa with couples massage rooms. A 60-minute couples massage runs ₱2,500 for two. Their hilot (traditional Filipino massage) is deeply relaxing.

Beachside massages — You’ll find massage therapists on Tubod and Paliton beaches offering 60-minute massages for ₱350–500/person. Not fancy, but having a massage on the beach with the sound of waves is hard to beat.

Hilot healers — For something truly unique, seek out a traditional mananambal (healer) who offers hilot massage. Ask your accommodation to arrange this — it’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Island Tour for Two

Rent a single scooter (₱350–400/day) and circle the island together. The ring road is just 72 kilometers, so you can stop wherever catches your eye. Pack a lunch, bring swimsuits, and have no agenda.

Romantic stops along the ring road:

1. Century-old balete tree in Lazi
2. San Isidro Labrador Church in Lazi (stunning Spanish colonial architecture)
3. Salagdoong Beach for a swim
4. Kagusuan Beach for a secluded cove
5. Paliton Beach for sunset

Sunrise Kayaking

Some resorts offer kayak rentals (₱200–300/hour). Paddling out together at dawn, when the sea is glass-calm and the sky turns pink, is one of the most romantic experiences on the island.

A 3-Day Romantic Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Sunset

• Morning/Afternoon: Arrive via ferry from Dumaguete (1 hour). Check into your accommodation.
• 4:00 PM: Head to Paliton Beach for sunset. Bring drinks and snacks.
• 7:00 PM: Dinner at Baha Bar, feet in the sand.
• 9:00 PM: Walk the beach under the stars.

Day 2: Adventure & Pampering

• 6:30 AM: Early morning visit to Cambugahay Falls (beat the crowds).
• 9:00 AM: Breakfast at your resort or a local café.
• 10:00 AM: Snorkeling at Tubod Marine Sanctuary.
• 12:30 PM: Lunch at JJ’s Backpackers Village.
• 2:00 PM: Couples massage at Coco Grove Spa.
• 5:00 PM: Sunset at Solangon Beach.
• 7:30 PM: Dinner at Salamangka Restaurant.

Day 3: Explore & Depart

• 6:00 AM: Sunrise from your resort’s beach.
• 8:00 AM: Rent a scooter and ride to Lazi. Visit the balete tree and church.
• 10:30 AM: Stop at Salagdoong Beach for a swim.
• 12:30 PM: Lunch at a local eatery in Lazi or Maria.
• 2:00 PM: Return to accommodation, pack up.
• 4:00 PM: Catch the afternoon ferry, or add another night.

Practical Tips for Couples

Money

• ATMs are available in Siquijor town and San Juan, but they sometimes run out of cash. Bring enough pesos for your entire trip, plus a buffer.
• Most romantic restaurants accept cash only. A few upscale resorts take credit cards.
• Budget for two: ₱3,000–6,000/day covers accommodation, food, activities, and transport.

Getting There

• Fly to Dumaguete (DGT) from Manila or Cebu, then take a ferry to Siquijor (1 hour, ₱200–800 depending on ferry class).
• Montenegro and GL ferries run multiple daily departures.

What to Bring

• Reef-safe sunscreen (protect the coral you’ll snorkel over)
• A good waterproof phone case for underwater photos together
• Light layers for cool evenings
• A portable Bluetooth speaker for beach sunsets (keep volume respectful)

Safety

• Siquijor is one of the safest islands in the Philippines. Petty theft is rare, and violent crime is virtually nonexistent.
• The biggest danger is sunburn and scooter accidents. Wear helmets and apply sunscreen liberally.

Connectivity

• Wi-Fi is available at most resorts but can be slow. Consider this a feature, not a bug — disconnect together.
• Globe and Smart have decent 4G coverage in San Juan and Siquijor town. Signal drops in the interior mountains.

Why Siquijor Over Other Philippine Islands

Siquijor won’t give you the polished luxury of a five-star Boracay resort. What it gives you instead is something money can’t buy: space, silence, and the feeling that you’ve discovered somewhere truly special together.

Final Thought

The best romantic trips aren’t about expensive dinners or luxury hotels — they’re about shared experiences in beautiful places. Siquijor delivers this in abundance. Whether you’re watching a sunset from a hidden beach, sharing a plate of grilled fish at a roadside eatery, or swimming together in a turquoise waterfall pool, this island has a way of stripping away the noise and letting you focus on what matters.

Come to Siquijor as a couple. Leave with stories you’ll tell for years.