Two places, one name
Ask around Siquijor for the "Holy Mountain" and you may be pointed to two different spots. Both are free to visit and both are worth the trip.
- Mount Bandilaan: the island's highest peak, 557 metres, in the centre of Siquijor. Locally it is called the island's holy mountain, a site of pilgrimage and prayer, inside a protected forest reserve of roughly 212 hectares.
- Holy Mountain chapel: a hilltop open-air chapel above Enrique Villanueva, reached by a steep flight of more than 200 concrete steps lined with statues and small shrines.
Mount Bandilaan: what to expect
A forest trail, steep in places, passes a grotto, a prayer garden and a meditation area. At the top there is a small chapel where visitors can light candles, next to a 15-metre viewing tower (roughly 140 to 150 steps) with a 360° view of the island and, on a clear day, neighbouring islands on the horizon. Entrance is free and the site is generally open from 6am to 7pm.
How to get there
There is no public transport up the mountain. The usual options are a rented scooter (around ₱300 per day) or a tricycle or habal-habal from town (roughly ₱100 to ₱300 depending on where you start and the driver). The access road can be steep and winding, and the first stretch from the coast road can be rough or unpaved, so ride carefully, wear a helmet and ask locals at forks. Allow two to three hours for the round trip including the drive through the interior.
The hilltop chapel above Enrique Villanueva
The climb is on rocky steps, so bring comfortable shoes and water; it is best avoided in the midday heat. At the top, the open-air chapel looks over the coastline and hills. Arrive before dawn for sunrise or in late afternoon for softer light and fewer visitors.
Best time to go
Sunset is considered the best moment at the Mount Bandilaan viewing tower, sunrise or late afternoon at the chapel. Early morning also keeps the climb cooler.
Combine it with
The Bandilaan area pairs naturally with the butterfly sanctuary on the edge of the park, and with waterfalls and the Old Balete Tree on the way back to the coast. Ask our team about a guided island tour with transport included.
Details cross-checked with the Holy Mountain and Mount Bandilaan pages on this site and public travel guides, October 2026. Always confirm opening conditions locally.
Keep planning: our full guides to things to do in Siquijor and where to stay in Siquijor, with every address on the island sorted by area.