TheLoneRider
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Siquijor
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Country > Philippines > Siquijor Island > San Juan
Date > 2023 > Jan
Activity > Traveling

Traveling



Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023

Capilay Spring

Location Google Map: Capilay Spring, San Juan (municipality), Siquijor Island (province), Philippines

Famously Ignored Natural Spring
The biggest, most visible and best-known natural spring in Siquijor is in San Juan - Capilay Spring. It is also the most underrated and taken for granted. Why? Ironically, perhaps because of its visibility and accessibility. It's right beside the municipal building and along the very public transport route. The park system shows neglect and I only see people take a dip there on weekends.

Back in 2010
I was last there in 2010, enjoyed myself and even surprised that such a wonderful natural water park was free. My fond memories of San Juan were largely because of Capilay Spring. Normally, when you go into a swimming pool, it's usually in chlorine-treated water or perhaps the more expensive salt-water pool. But a natural spring swimming pool? That's rare. Now in Siquijor, I simply had to come back.

Commuting from Cliff Garden
Even though I was booked in Cliff Garden in San Juan, I still had to commute by jeep...with my folding bike. Even though it's ok with the driver and passengers (they are quite tolerant about these things), it was still cumbersome and inconvenient. But at least I'd have a bike transport to explore the rest of San Juan.

Arrival
Alighting at the San Juan poblacion, the water park is right there...across the street from the municipal building. The park was empty and the grounds looked unkept and even neglected. Perhaps it was due to its closure during the plandemic.

Capilay Spring
the span of Capilay Spring water park

There were picnic tables (free) but I didn't see any changing room, so I just wrapped myself with my towel and changed there. I also used my bike as clothesline. It was all good. I'm a mountaineer...used to grit the harsh elements, so this minor inconvenience is nothing.

Taking a Dip
The water wasn't clear...almost murky greenish. But that's because the flooring is natural mud. Only the edge of the spring has been manicured with a concrete perimeter. I had my dive mask with me, but there was nothing to see. Visibility was maybe 6 inches. But the water was refreshing. Even though it wasn't clear, it was clean...as clean as spring water gets when it comes out of the ground. I didn't stay long. I already had my dip and I felt complete already.

Ending Thoughts
Even though Capilay Spring is underrated, it remains the biggest draw of San Juan for me. If I decide to settle around San Juan, it would be because of Capilay Spring. Just think about it...you bathe in natural spring water and a few steps out, you can dip into the salty sea. How magical is that? And Capilay still remains free. I wish the local government can provide more funding to make this place pristine again.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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Next Natural Spring story:

Waterfalls / Spring Blogs
  1. Lagaan Falls Mar 9, 2023
  2. Tibhong Spring Water Source Mar 8, 2023
  3. Bolo-Bolo Natural Spring Mar 2, 2023
  4. Camagung-Ong Natural Spring Feb 28, 2023
  5. Locong Falls Feb 9, 2023
  6. In Search of Tubod Cold Spring Jan 27, 2023
  7. Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023
  8. Freediving Canawa Cold Spring of Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017
  9. Splashing at Can-umantad Falls, Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017
  10. Bathing with the Carabaos at Hagnaon Spring, Camotes Islands Feb 28, 2017
  11. Taking a Dip at Capasanan Spring, Camotes Islands Feb 28, 2017
  12. Exploring Tudela and Busay Falls, Camotes Islands Feb 21, 2017
  13. In Search of Guiwanon Cold Spring Jan 12, 2017
  14. Hurom-Hurom Cold Springs Immersion Dec 11, 2016
  15. Dipping at Bungan-Bungan Spring in Libertad Dec 9, 2016
  16. Exploring Malumpati Spring of Pandan Dec 4-6, 2016
  17. Visiting Igpasungaw Waterfalls Dec 3-4, 2016
  18. Exploring Bugtong Bato Waterfalls, Tibiao Nov 24, 2016
  19. Splashing at Magkawas Falls in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur May 16, 2013
  20. Visiting Lubcon Falls, Surigao del Sur May 13, 2013
  21. Visiting Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan Apr 24, 2013
  22. Exploring Santander, Samboan and Badian, Cebu (Aguinid Falls and Kawasan Falls) Oct 30-31, 2011
  23. Pulangbato Falls and Hot Spring Jul 16, 2011
  24. Splashing in Pulangbato Falls with Cuernos de Negros Jun 5, 2011
  25. Hike to the Japanese Shrine and Casaroro Falls Apr 25, 2010
  26. Island Tour of Siquijor Apr 22, 2010
  27. Tinago Falls of Iligan City Mar 16, 2009
  28. Camiguin (Katibawasan Waterfalls) Mar 9 - 14, 2009
  29. Hike to Bomod-ok Falls November 3, 2006


More on San Juan:

San Juan Info
  1. Resorts - San Juan is the district in Siquijor with most of the upscale resorts, and thus the most popular area. The coastline is lined-up with resorts that open up to the coral reef for snorkeling. Fine white sand beaches are rare along the San Juan coast.
  2. Transport - from Siquijor Poblacion, jeep, tricycle and motorcycle rides are available. There are local jeeps and tricycles that charge between PHP 20-40 until San Juan Poblacion. Tricycles and motorcycles can be contracted privately at higher fees.
  3. Capilay Spring - San Juan has a free, open-air and public bathing spring right along the highway. It could be cold but definitely refreshing.

More on Siquijor Island:

Siquijor Island Local Info

Jeeps - there are only 2 routes for jeeps within Siquijor Island - and they are rare. Most people have their own motorcycle transport.

  1. Siquijor Port to Lazi - last trip leaves at 3pm from station near market
  2. Lazi to Siquijor Port - jeeps depart from the Lazi Port area. 5 jeeps, the last trip at 12:30 pm. Lazi to San Juan, P50.
  3. Larena Port to Lazi - jeeps are unpredictable. As of this writing, there is only 1 jeep plying the Larena-Lazi route. This jeep leaves Larena for Lazi at 9:50am. After that, no more jeep. You'll have to take a tricycle to Siquijor Pob for jeeps going to Lazi
  4. Lazi to Larena Port - 6am (daily) and 9 am (M-Th)

Food - these were suggested by a local to me

  1. Lechon manok & liempo - roasted pork belly and chicken at Joel's in Siquijor Poblacion. I've tried this myself...yummy, even if the chicken was no longer hot
  2. Bibingka - sweetened rice cake by Fidy's Bibingka (P30) in Sawang, Maria. I've come back for this and I buy for other people as well as 'pasalubong' - they love this
  3. Siopao - at the Rosita store near Thrifty (P25) in Siquijor Poblacion
  4. Peanut butter - by Rene. Just ask around in Siquijor Poblacion. It's popular
  5. Torta - sweet cakish bread at the Thrifty story in Siquijor Poblacion
Siquijor Island Map
Siquijor
Siquijor - Dumaguete Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)
  1. Montenegro Lines - at Siquijor Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle, 7:30am/10:00am/2:00pm/4:30pm/7:30? or 9:00? pm
  2. Ocean Jet - 40 mins,at Siquijor Port, 0919.066.5964, www.oceanjet.net, marketing@ocenajet.net, 6:00am/6:00pm, P350/pax (tourist/open air), P580/pax (business class)

    Ocean Jet
  3. Atlantis Yohan Express - Siquijor Port or Larena Port?

    Atlantis Yohan Express

    Atlantis Yohan Express
  4. Aleson Shipping Lines - Siquijor Port, P200/reg, P250/a-c, 6:00 am daily, 1:30 pm & 6:30pm M-Sat

    Aleson Shipping Lines

    Aleson Shipping Lines

    Aleson Shipping Lines



Siquijor - Tagbilaran - Cebu City Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)

En route to Cebu City, the ferries usually make a stop-over to Tagbilaran (Bohol) to pick-up more passengers or unload.

  1. Ocean Jet - 2 hours, 8:20am, at Siquijor Port
    To Tagbilaran: P800/tourist & open air, P1200/business class
    To Cebu: ?
  2. Lite Ferries - at Larena Port,
    To Tagbilaran: T-Th-Sun, P475/standard, 7pm, 3 hours, PHP?
    To Cebu: T-Th-Sun, 7pm, 7 hours, PHP 650


Siquijor - Plaridel Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)
  1. Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, T-Th-Sun, 2:00 am, 5 hours, PHP?


Siquijor - Cebu (Liloan) - Cebu City BUS Trip (as of Jan 2023)

There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Larena Port around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port (Sundays at 3 pm) for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) 10 pm.

Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because it goes around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena where it takes the ferry at 1 pm. This saves you the hassle and high transport cost of a tricycle. Besides, it's a long trip from the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.


Sugbo Urban

Sugbo Urban

Suggested Destinations After Siquijor Island

These are the nearest popular destinations from Siquijor by boat

  1. Bohol - Bohol is an island northeast Siquijor. Tourist attractions are Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Monkey, Loboc River Cruise, Beaches of Panglao, whale sharks (recent offering), freediving (recent offering)
  2. Cebu - Cebu City is the usual gateway into the Visayas. But in Cebu Island itself, there are many offerings - Whale Sharks of Oslob, sardine run at Moalboal,Thresher Shark of Malapascua
  3. Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
  4. Dumaguete - Dumaguete is a small charming progressive coastal town in Negros Oriental. Cafe and restaurants line the famous Boulevard Boardwalk. Tourist attractions include Japanese Shrine, Casaroro Falls, snorkeling along the southern coastline (Dauin, Masaplod Norte, etc), Balinsasayao Twin Lakes
  5. Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.

Blogs

Siquijor Blogs
Siquijor Island
  1. May Chronicles May 31, 2023
  2. May Snapshots May 1-31, 2023
  3. My May Yoga Practice: a Journal Apr 1-30, 2023
  4. Learning Cebuano May 1-31, 2023
  5. In Search of a Cool Climate May 25, 2023
  6. The 64 km Bike Ride May 16, 2023
  7. Lazi Fiesta May 15, 2023
  8. Third Eye Opening? May 14, 2023
  9. The Boulevard Opening May 5, 2023
  10. April Snapshots April 1-30, 2023
  11. My April Yoga Practice: a Journal Apr 1-30, 2023
  12. Learning Cebuano...Again! April 1-30, 2023
  13. Kris Visits Siquijor Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2023
  14. Exploring Siquijor with Marky Mar 25 - Apr 11, 2023
  15. Siquijor Healing Festival April 5-8, 2023
  16. The Talk at United Church of Christ April 2, 2023
  17. Mar Snapshots Mar 1-31, 2023
  18. My Mar Yoga Practice: a Journal Mar 1-31, 2023
  19. Vigil for the Ghost Ship of Siquijor March 31, 2023
  20. Judging an Essay on Gender Equality Mar 29, 2023
  21. The Thief, the Shaman, the Elves and the Police Mar 20, 2023
  22. Finally Acquiring the Motorbike Mar 18, 2023
  23. Bitcoin Blunder Mar 15, 2023
  24. Maria's Unsung Beaches Mar 11, 2023
  25. Lagaan Falls Mar 9, 2023
  26. Tibhong Spring Water Source Mar 8, 2023
  27. Bolo-Bolo Natural Spring Mar 2, 2023
  28. Reasons to Get a Wife March 1, 2023
  29. Feb Snapshots Feb 28, 2023
  30. My Feb Yoga Practice: a Journal Feb 21-28, 2023
  31. Camagung-Ong Natural Spring Feb 28, 2023
  32. Heeeere's Johnnie! Feb 26, 2023
  33. Manifesting a Motorbike from Thin Air? Feb 18, 2023
  34. The 'Bad Guy' of Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
  35. Amazement from Drivers License Renewal in Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
  36. Locong Falls Feb 9, 2023
  37. Inguinal Hernia? Goodbye ABS! Feb 4, 2023
  38. Jan Snapshots Dec 31, 2022
  39. In Search of Tubod Cold Spring Jan 27, 2023
  40. 1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana Jan 26, 2023
  41. Lazi's Boulevard Jan 22, 2023
  42. Lazi: A Monthly Stay Jan 21, 2023
  43. 7 Days in Maria, Siquijor Jan 14-21, 2023
  44. Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023
  45. Siquijor: In Search of Resonance Jan 9-14, 2023
  46. Riding Around Siquijor's 86km Coastal Road Apr 3, 2012
  47. Exploring the Cantabon Cave of Siquijor Feb 23, 2012
  48. Jovee and Missy's Excellent Adventure Nov 6-7, 2010
  49. Freediving in Siquijor's Marine Sancturaries Apr 23-24, 2010
  50. Island Tour of Siquijor Apr 22, 2010
  51. Kram's Siquijor Wedding Apr 21, 2010

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