Money, SIM cards, emergency numbers and weather — the practical basics for your stay on Siquijor, kept short.
ATMs & Banks
Cash is king on Siquijor: most guesthouses, restaurants and scooter rentals don't take cards. ATMs are limited and occasionally run dry, especially on weekends or around payday. Withdraw more than you think you'll need whenever you find a working machine.
- Metrobank — Siquijor Town (Poblacion). The one most travelers recommend: a flat fee of around ₱250 and conversion at the market rate, better than some other machines on the island. Open in Google Maps
- Landbank — Larena (National Highway corner Magsaysay St). Open in Google Maps
- PNB (Philippine National Bank) — Larena. Open in Google Maps
- DBP (Development Bank of the Philippines) — Siquijor Town. Open in Google Maps
Note: we couldn't independently confirm a BDO or BPI branch actually on the island itself — some guides mention them, but our research only turned up confirmed Metrobank, Landbank, PNB and DBP locations. If in doubt, withdraw extra cash in Cebu, Dumaguete or Tagbilaran before crossing over. Another option many travelers use is Remitly, which lets you send money to yourself and collect cash on the island (with ID) at a good rate, without withdrawal-limit hassles.
SIM Cards & Mobile Data
There's no confirmed dedicated Globe or Smart/TNT retail store on Siquijor itself. The easiest approach is to buy and register a Globe or Smart prepaid SIM (or an eSIM) before you arrive — in Cebu, Dumaguete or at the airport — since ID registration is mandatory for prepaid SIMs in the Philippines. Once on the island, small sari-sari stores and load stations in Siquijor Town and Larena sell prepaid load (call/data credit) for SIMs already activated — just look for "Globe Load" or "Smart Load" signage. Coverage is decent in the main towns but patchy in the hills and along the south coast.
Emergency Numbers
- National emergency hotline: 911 (works nationwide, including on Siquijor).
- Siquijor Provincial Hospital, Legaspi St., Siquijor Town — 0953 110 4069 / 0953 364 1944. Open in Google Maps
- Siquijor Provincial Police Office (PNP) — 0917 274 0879 / (035) 542 5273. Open in Google Maps
- Philippine Coast Guard, Siquijor — 0917 842 7654.
- Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office (PDRRMO) — 0953 209 9165.
These numbers are published by the provincial government and local directories, but contacts for small local offices do change — if unsure, dial 911 first and ask to be connected, or ask your accommodation for the current number.
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Siquijor has two seasons: a dry season from roughly November to May (calmest seas and best diving visibility from March to May), and a wet/rainy season from June to October, driven by the southwest monsoon, with the wettest weeks typically in September–October. Siquijor sits south of the main typhoon corridor, so direct hits are uncommon, but June–November is the higher-risk window for tropical storms, which can disrupt ferries between Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol and Dumaguete. For sunny skies and calm crossings, aim for December–May; for fewer crowds and lower prices, the shoulder months of September–November are a good trade-off if you don't mind occasional showers.