Location :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.
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.
(Jan 14-21, 2023) When I booked for 7 nights in an isolated resort in Maria, I prepared myself for the isolation. True enough, I was productive and covered much ground on my online work, plus being fit from all the cycling...more »»
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.
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.
Capilay Spring - San Juan has a free, open-air and public bathing spring right along the highway. It could be cold but definitely refreshing.
Jeeps - there are only 2 routes for jeeps within Siquijor Island - and they are rare. Most people have their own motorcycle transport.
Siquijor Port to Lazi - last trip leaves at 3pm from station near market
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.
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
Lazi to Larena Port - 6am (daily) and 9 am (M-Th)
Food - these were suggested by a local to me
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
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
Siopao - at the Rosita store near Thrifty (P25) in Siquijor Poblacion
Peanut butter - by Rene. Just ask around in Siquijor Poblacion. It's popular
Torta - sweet cakish bread at the Thrifty story in Siquijor Poblacion
Siquijor Island Map Siquijor - Dumaguete Boat Trips(as of Jan 2023)
Montenegro Lines - at Siquijor Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle, 7:30am/10:00am/2:00pm/4:30pm
Aleson Shipping - at Siquijor Port, 6 am and 6 pm daily, 1:30 pm M-Sat, Regular P200.00/pax, Aircon P250.00/pax
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.
Ocean Jet - 8:20 am, at Siquijor Port To Tagbilaran: P800/tourist & open air, 2 hours (arrive 10:20 am), P1200/business class To Cebu(Pier 1): P1600/tourist & open air, 4 hours (arrive 12:40 am), P2400/business class
Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, no Senior Citizen discount for online ticket purchase To Tagbilaran: T-Th-Sun, 3 hours, depart 7 pm - arrive 10 pm, P475/standard (Tourist, PHP 750) To Cebu: T-Th-Sun, 10 hours, depart 7 pm - arrive 5 am, PHP 605/standard (Senior P484), Tourist, PHP 770
Apekoptravel - at Larena Port to Tagbilaran: 1:00 pm, xxx hours, P750
Reserve through call or text: Cleare - 0938 283 4760 | Grace - 0936 534 6564 | Jessel - 0961 759 6711,
Pay via G-Cash: +63-917-880-1464, Email: momovillageadventure@gmail.com,
Facebook messenger: Apekoptravel. Enter your birthday and nationality to get discounts:
0 to 3 years old free,
4 to 9 years old will have 20% discount,
10 years old and above full price,
Filipino Senior Citizens will also have 20% discount
Siquijor - Plaridel Boat Trips(as of Jan 2023)
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.
Suggested Destinations After Siquijor Island
These are the nearest popular destinations from Siquijor by boat
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)
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
Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
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