Welcome to Siquijor –
the mystical island of the Philippines!

The official currency in the Philippines is the Philippine peso (abbreviated to ₱ or PHP). This means that you must pay in pesos for all local payments, whether for accommodation, meals or activities. Other currencies are not accepted!

In some restaurants, a few supermarkets and some resorts, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are accepted. However, cashless payment is not as common as in major Philippine cities. Small stores, many local restaurants and stalls generally only accept cash. It is therefore advisable to always have a sufficient amount of cash with you.

There are now plenty of ATMs in Siquijor, so withdrawing money is generally not a problem - although this does not apply to all parts of the island! Most ATMs are located in the towns of San Juan, Larena and Siquijor City. Especially in San Juan there are enough ATMs to get cash.

However, they may be temporarily empty or out of order, so you may have to try another ATM.

ATMs on Siquijor charge a fee for each transaction. This fee is usually around ₱250 or ₱300 (approx. $4.37) per withdrawal. There is also a daily withdrawal limit, which can vary depending on the bank and ATM. Most ATMs in Siquijor allow a maximum amount of ₱10,000 (approx. $174.92) per withdrawal in one transaction, whereby you can make two transactions per day. 

The ATMs on Siquijor have an English interface, making it easier for international travelers to withdraw cash.

Important to avoid high fees: Since you probably don’t have Philippine pesos in your bank account, many ATMs in the Philippines will ask if you want to convert your home currency into Philippine pesos directly at the machine. Most ATMs charge a fee of around 10% for this service. It’s strongly recommended to answer “No” to this question! If you choose “No,” your bank back home will handle the conversion, usually at much better rates. The ATM will still give you your money immediately – regardless of whether you select "Yes" or "No" – but by choosing "No," you can avoid unnecessary fees.

That said, keep in mind that additional fees might still apply from your bank. It’s a good idea to check with your bank about any overseas withdrawal fees before your trip to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

There are only a few specialized exchange offices for currency exchange on Siquijor, so it is often cheaper to exchange money in larger cities.

If you still need to exchange money on the island, you can do so in a Palawan Pawnshop. You can simply enter the term in Google Maps to find a store near you.

Banks also occasionally offer these services, but at very poor rates and often these services are refused altogether if you don't have an account with the bank in question.

Yes, it is common to tip on Siquijor, as in many other parts of the Philippines, especially in restaurants, hotels and for services provided by tour guides. However, tipping is usually not obligatory but a gesture of appreciation for good service and there is no pushy tipping culture.

General Tipping Tips in Siquijor:

Restaurants and Cafés: In restaurants, tipping around 5-10% of the bill is common and greatly appreciated. In some cafés, you pay when you order, before receiving any service, and tipping here is less common.

Hotels: Hotel staff, such as housekeepers or porters, are happy to receive a small tip of around ₱50 (approx. $0.87 ).

Tour Guides: If you take a guided tour, a tip of ₱100-200 (approx. $1.75 – $3.50 ) is common, with more for longer or higher-quality tours.

Other Guides: Other guides, such as those on snorkeling tours, also appreciate a tip of around ₱100 (approx. $1.75). The same goes for guides who are assigned to you at certain waterfalls. If you wish, they often include a photo session while you swing on a vine above the waterfall.

Taxis (Tricycles or Tuk Tuks): Drivers of tricycles and tuk-tuks generally don’t expect tips but will be happy with a small extra.

If you're especially pleased with the service, feel free to give a more generous tip. Locals on Siquijor are very grateful for any form of recognition and really appreciate the gesture. It's also worth noting that in some cases, smaller services may be referred to as a "tip," but the payment is actually required. For example, when photographing sand sculptures on the beach.

In the tourist areas such as Siquijor city or San Juan, there are several small supermarkets where you can buy food and drinks as well as everyday products. By far the largest supermarket on the island is Prince in Larena.

You will also find small stores called “sari-sari” all over the island. Sari-sari stores are small, family-run stores that are widespread in the Philippines. The term “sari-sari” comes from Tagalog and means “miscellaneous” or “all sorts of things”, which reflects the wide mix of goods in these stores. These stores also offer a variety of everyday products for a minimal surcharge, but with a much smaller selection than in larger supermarkets. They are a central part of Filipino neighborhood culture and often the first stop for local purchases.

You will also find many small roadside stalls selling fruit and vegetables. If you look around, almost everyone here is selling something.