The butterfly sanctuary has somehow made its way on to the list of top things to do in Siquijor with raving reviews. Personally, we don’t recommend this place, but we will share all the information needed below if you want to go for yourselves. The hundreds of positive google reviews and tour guides recommending this place say otherwise, however, in our opinion it is an overpriced tourist destination that should be skipped. Read on for everything you need to know before visiting the Butterfly Sanctuary Siquijor, from entrance fee, location, how to get there and if its worth it.
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Where Is The Butterfly Sanctuary Siquijor?
You will find the sanctuary in the middle of the island near the highest point of Siquijor. Located in the Cang-apa village just east of Mount Bandilaan past the Mt. Bandilaan National Park coming from San Juan.
How To Get To The Butterfly Sanctuary Siquijor?
The best way to reach the butterfly sanctuary is by scooter, it takes around 30 minutes from San Juan, you can rent a scooter on the island of Siquijor for roughly ₽300-₽500 a day. Alternatively a trike which can also bring you around the island but scooter is definitely the more popular option for tourists on this quiet paradise.
If you choose to come here it fits well after a visit to Cantabon Cave or Mount Bandilaan National Park View Point. There is a place to park your scooter on the side of the road and you will see a sign post and guide ready to welcome you.
If you don’t fancy driving a scooter, the Siquijor Day Tour is perfect to see the highlights.
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How Much Is The Butterfly Sanctuary Siquijor?
It costs ₽100 pesos per person to enter the sanctuary, this is cheap compared to most sites in the western world however quite expensive for the Philippines and what you get to see inside. The money earned supports the conservation project the owner works on, more on this below.
Butterfly Sanctuary Siquijor
The owner of the sanctuary raises 12 different butterfly species which he regularly releases back into the wild. As well as the variety of butterflies, there are also fish and plants for you to observe while you walk around the small, enclosed area. A building with a stand sits just outside the observatory where you can chill out and buy a hot or cold drink.
The winding pathways inside the greenhouse style structure lead you around the edge, allowing you to view all of the flowers, butterflies and plants. As you can see below, its a fairly small structure so wont take you long! 15-20 minutes max.
The gardens of the sanctuary and home are very well kept and overall it is a nice place, I think the main thing to highlight is to keep expectations realistic, this is a local operation running out of the home owners back garden. If ₽100 pesos per person is not much to you in your country then supporting this local operation is the right thing to do!
If you’re heading to Siquijor we have created a full Siquijor Travel Guide to help you!
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Siquijor Hotels, Hostels & Resorts
Siquijor has lots of accommodation whether you’re looking for a dive school, a luxury resort or a budget hostel you’ll be able to find somewhere. We recommend staying in the main hub of San Juan as this is where most of the restaurants are located as well as easy access to most of Siquijor’s best things to do.
Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for San Juan, Siquijor:
Best Places To Stay In Siquijor
$ Budget
Lazy Lizard Hostel
Lazy Lizard is a great budget option for your stay in San Juan. Up from the main road it is quiet, in the jungle and offers scooter hire. There’s options for private rooms or shared dorms.
$$ Mid-Range
Apo Diver’s Resort
Perhaps you want something more luxury or your here for the diving! Apo Diver’s Resort offers sea views on the beach front with a beautiful pool and chill out spot.
$$$ High-End
Coco Grove Beach Resort
Backing onto Tubod Marine Reserve this is a great luxury choice if you love snorkelling. The resort also boasts a large seafront swimming pool, free coffee and breakfast as well as an on-site restaurant.
Spacing
Top Things To Do On Siquijor
We stayed 5 nights on Siquijor and think this is the perfect amount of time to see everything the island has to offer. Here’s our highlights.
Top Pick: Cambugahay Falls
Visit early or don’t bother going, this is our top pick as it was so tranquil at 8am plus we saw an iguana!
Best Beach: Paliton Beach
One of the best snorkelling spots on Siquijor and a hotspot for traveller at sunset. The beach is lined with shacks selling rum for cheaper than water!
Off The Beaten Track: Cantabon Cave
The best cave on Siquijor and still a hidden gem on the island.
Other Blogs On Siquijor
Best Siquijor Tours
Top Tips For Travelling To Siquijor Island
If you’re visiting Siquijor here are our top travel tips:
- Plan your transport – getting to Siquijor can seem confusing so make sure to plan your route and leave early on your travel day.
- Arrive early to Cambugahay Falls to miss the crowds and experience the natural beauty of the area, we arrived at 8am.
- Eat Local, we had some of our favourite food in the Philippines here, mainly from Roadside Diner!
- Rent a scooter to explore the natural attractions. The island is small so it’s the perfect place to learn to ride a scooter, just make sure you wear a helmet.
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Final Thoughts On The Butterfly Sanctuary Siquijor
For us this felt like a tourist trap, it was not worth the cost of ₽200 pesos to see a handful of butterflies, with the drinks also very overpriced. We saw many of the butterflies naturally as we walked around the Mount Bandilaan National Park. It is worth noting that it was a lovely well kept home with conservation in mind. Overall we would recommend spending your money on other other things to do in Siquijor such as Cantabon Cave which is one of the best things we have done in the Philippines.
