Getting Around Siquijor - Local Transport Guide for Island Exploration
Siquijor is a small, oval-shaped island in the Central Visayas, and that compact size is both its charm and its transport challenge. There is no public bus system, no taxi fleet, and no ride-hailing app that works here. Instead, the island runs on a simpler rhythm: tricycles putter along the 72-kilometer coastal loop road, motorbikes buzz past centuries-old balete trees, and the occasional multicab rumbles between the port town and the municipal centers. If you have spent time in Manila or Cebu, Siquijor will feel like a different country entirely when it comes to getting around.
The main road circles the entire island and connects the six municipalities: Siquijor town (where the main port sits), Larena (the other port and the closest thing to a transport hub), San Juan (the tourist heart with most resorts and restaurants), Lazi, Maria, and Enrique Villanueva. Interior roads branch off to waterfalls, caves, and hilltop viewpoints, though these are often steep, narrow, and occasionally unpaved. Most travelers either rent a motorbike and explore at their own pace or hire a tricycle driver for the day. Understanding these options before you arrive will save you time, money, and the mild panic of stepping off the ferry into a quiet port with no obvious transport waiting.
Timetable
| Taxi Siquijor - Siquijor $ 8.90–22.72 19m – 50m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
You can book trains, buses, taxis, and local transport in Siquijor directly on GoAsia.cc. Use the booking tool on this page to compare all available options and prices in real time.
Renting a motorbike is the most popular and flexible way to explore Siquijor. It lets you stop at waterfalls, beaches, and viewpoints on your own schedule and costs around 350-500 PHP per day. If you are not comfortable riding, hiring a tricycle driver for a full-day island tour is the best alternative.
Transport on Siquijor is affordable. Tricycle rides between nearby towns cost around 20-50 PHP per person. A full-day tricycle charter runs roughly 1,500-2,500 PHP depending on your itinerary. Motorbike rentals are typically 350-500 PHP per day, and fuel for a full loop of the island costs under 200 PHP.
Siquijor is one of the safest islands in the Philippines, and local transport reflects that. Tricycle drivers are generally honest and friendly. The main risk is road safety on a motorbike, particularly on steep interior roads or at night when lighting is minimal. Always wear a helmet and drive cautiously.
No, Grab and other ride-hailing apps do not operate in Siquijor. Transport is arranged in person, either by flagging down a tricycle, asking your accommodation to call a driver, or walking to a tricycle terminal near the port or town plaza. Having your accommodation's contact number handy is useful for arranging pickups.
The individual towns are small enough to walk around, and San Juan's beachfront strip of restaurants and dive shops is pleasant on foot. However, distances between towns and attractions are too far for comfortable walking, especially in tropical heat. You will need motorized transport to move between municipalities or reach inland waterfalls.
Technically, yes. Philippine law requires foreign nationals to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home license. In practice, many rental shops on Siquijor do not check, but police checkpoints do occur and you can be fined without proper documentation. It is worth getting an IDP before your trip.
From Siquijor port, tricycles to San Juan typically cost around 150-300 PHP for the whole vehicle and take 16 to 30 minutes. From Larena port, the ride is slightly longer. Many resorts offer pickup services if you arrange in advance. Tricycle drivers meet arriving ferries, so finding a ride is straightforward.