Cantabon Cave Siquijor - A Hidden Gem & Top Thing To Do On Siquijor 2024
Cantabon Cave is a must if you’re visiting the Philippine island of Siquijor, perhaps off the beaten track, Cantabon Cave is one of the best cave tours we did in the Philippines. Walk under stalagmites and observe stalactites, learn about columns and marvel at the glittering walls. On top of this you can bathe in healing water, spot bats and see the protected bird nests! Read on to find out everything you need to know about one of the best hidden gems on Siquijor, Cantabon Cave.
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Where Is Cantabon Cave on Siquijor?
Cantabon Cave's location is in the centre of the island on the edge of the Mt. Bandilaan National Park. Located in the mountain town of Cantabon.
How To Get To Cantabon Cave Siquijor?
The best way to reach the cave is by scooter, it takes around 30 minutes from San Juan. You can rent a scooter on the island of Siquijor for ₽250-350 a day.
Be warned though some parts are off road and extremely steep. The best way is to follow the ring road round rather than cutting through back streets that are not paved. We found this out the hard way and ended up driving some pretty intense roads.
You may see a sign for Cantabon Cave’s entrance, this means you’ve gone too far as you need to register at the tourism office first which is located in the town next to the church. Head to the Cantabon Barangay Hall first to get yourself a started.
Once you’ve parked and registered you will need to hire a guide for your underground expedition.
Alternatively if you're not comfortable renting a scooter a trike or private car should all be able to take you to the area of the Mount Bandilaan National Park to see the sights however this option could add up and become costly if traveling from San Juan.
How Much Is Cantabon Cave?
The cave costs ₽600 which provides you with a helmet, head torch and guide. As you’re going to get wet in the cave you can also hire waterproof shoes for an extra cost.
Tip: The ₽600 is for 1-3 People so if you’re traveling solo try and pair up to reduce your cost.
When To Visit Cantabon Cave?
We always believe early is best for any tourist attraction. This means you will often have the site to yourself. If you arrive first to the cave, the water will be clearer as less silt is disturbed compared to the afternoon when lots of people have trampled through.
Don’t worry about the weather as the cave is underground, there won’t be any natural light. One thing to note however, if there has been too much rain the cave may close as the water level rises to dangerous levels.
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What Will You See Inside Cantabon Cave?
Your guide (mostly these are the women from the village) will take you to the entrance of the cave down a steep slope. Before you enter you will be told the cave guidelines which include not taking anything but photos, not touching the formations and not leaving anything.
The first few steps are steep and you will need to watch your head. You are now entering the cave system, all around you are formations of stalactites and stalagmites. You will wade through the water and clamber over rocks for around 1 hour.
Some notable highlights are the glistening white walls, the holy water shower and the plunge pool where you can swim.
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How Are The Formations Inside Cantabon Cave Created?
As water drips from the top of the cave it deposits minerals which build up over thousands of years. Stalactites hang from the ceiling and Stalagmites rise from the floor. The subterranean river also plays a part in eroding the soft limestone rock.
How Difficult Is Cantabon Cave?
Some parts are physically demanding; you will be pushing and pulling yourself up and over rocks. The cave doesn’t get too tight other than the entrance but some places you will crawl and have to watch your head and back as you go.
What We Learnt Inside Cantabon Cave
The guides are very knowledge and share lots of information about the cave. Here are some things we learnt
Swallow Nests - These used to be collected and sold to create an income for the village. They are know protected by the government and instead tourism has taken its place. The swallow nests are a delicacy in China.
Stalactites, Stalagmites and Columns all form in cave from the minerals, many of these are thousands of years old
The length of the cave is 800m
Bats roost high above you, while looking for them remember to keep your mouth shut!
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What To Bring For Cantabon Cave?
You will be getting wet so wear clothes you don’t mind getting soaked, some people choose to wear swimwear inside the cave. You also need a good pair of Water Shoes such as crocs but these can also be hired if you don’t have any.
You are also given a helmet and headtorch however ours were extremely dim lights so we would recommend taking a good Headtorch of your own.
Apart from this, a Go Pro or Waterproof Phone Case are the only other things you need take to get some pictures. We were allowed to leave our rucksack in the cave’s tourist office while we were exploring or you could bring a Dry Bag with you.
Best Places To Stay Siquijor
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 the island's attractions.
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Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for San Juan, Siquijor:
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: Salagdoong Beach
An adventure beach with cliff jumps, snorkelling and crystal waters. Although a little drive away, we think it’s worth it.
Off The Beaten Track: Cantabon Cave
Our favourite cave tour of the Philippines and still a hidden gem on the island.
Other Blogs On Siquijor
Essential Travel Items You Need
 | Lifestraw - Filtered Water Bottle Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind plus you’re helping the environment! |
 | Jungle Formula - High Deet Mosquito Spray The weak sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high deet percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes. |
 | Water Shoes - Lightweight with Protection Stay protected from Sea Urchins with these, also useful for snorkelling, waterfall hikes and more. We also love our Microfibre Towels and Dry Bag. |
 | Universal Travel Adaptor With Multiple USBs Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country... game changer. |
Top Tips For Travelling The Philippines
If you’re visiting the Philippines here are our top travel tips:
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… oh and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
Agree on taxi prices upfront - when getting into a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, make sure you agree on a price or they have a meter, so many tourists get ripped off with a huge price tag at the end of the ride.
Take it slow - don't feel the need to see all the islands, we recommend picking a few and doing them properly. See the island in full, find some locals and sing Karaoke..
Embrace the chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
For a checklist of what's needed to pack for your trip, read: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories
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Final Thoughts On Cantabon Cave
For us this is something you should not miss, to find a hidden gem in a popular tourist area is rare. This cave was the best we experienced in the Philippines and we highly recommend going exploring beneath the earth!
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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