Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.”
Updated Thu, 08 May 2025
Full advisory →Is Siquijor safe? 🇵🇭
Philippines · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Siquijor scores 72/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Siquijor is generally safe for visitors, but exercise increased caution due to modest petty‑crime risk and occasional natural‑hazard alerts. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Siquijor 🇵🇭
Philippines · Assessed 18 August 2026
72
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~75% of countries
What drives this score
Crime72/100GoodHomicide 4.3 / 100k
Sentiment84/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability55Fair
Health76Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.”
Updated 2026-07-15T08:55:25Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Philippines: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
78 / 100 (Mostly positive)
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
10k residents
92
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
4.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Philippines4.3World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
70
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery against tourists are rare; most incidents involve petty theft in crowded areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is uncommon but can occur near ferry terminals, beaches, and popular waterfalls; keep bags zipped and valuables out of sight.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
84/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler posts describe feeling safe walking during daylight; night‑time walks are generally safe but streets are poorly lit, leading to occasional trips rather than crime.
Yes — Siquijor is generally safe for visitors, but exercise increased caution due to modest petty‑crime risk and occasional natural‑hazard alerts.
Siquijor scores 68 on the composite safety index, placing it above the world average for crime and health, yet the island’s governance and rule‑of‑law scores are lower, reflecting corruption concerns. Recent traveler reports and local advisories confirm a low‑to‑moderate petty‑crime environment, with the primary safety concerns being road safety on scooters and occasional storm‑related disruptions.
Recent developments
- May 2026TravelSafe‑Abroad published a 2026 safety rating confirming Siquijor as generally safe, highlighting low violent crime but noting scooter accidents and ferry‑crossing hazards— TravelSafe-Abroad.com (May 2026)
- Apr 2026Philippine Coast Guard reported a surge of tourist ferries to Siquijor via Dumaguete port, prompting temporary safety checks on boat operators— pna.gov.ph (Apr 2026)
- Aug 2025Condé Nast Traveler highlighted Siquijor’s off‑peak charm, noting that while crime is low, sudden tropical storms can bring strong winds and heavy rain— Condé Nast Traveler (Aug 2025)
Common scams
- Tourist‑targeted money‑changer short‑changing and ATM skimming
- Overpriced or rigged tricycle fares and scooter rentals
- Drink‑spiking or inflated bar bills in tourist bars
Full briefing
Siquijor is a small, low‑key island in the Philippines that consistently ranks as one of the safer destinations for travelers. The composite safety index of 68 reflects relatively low violent‑crime rates (homicide = 4.3 per 100 k) and strong health‑environment scores, while the governance metrics show room for improvement in rule‑of‑law and corruption perception. Recent travel‑safety articles from May 2026 (TravelSafe‑Abroad) and April 2026 (Philippine Coast Guard) confirm that violent crime against visitors is rare, but they flag practical hazards such as scooter accidents, rough ferry crossings, and occasional storm‑related disruptions during the August‑September wet season.
The biggest safety concerns for a visitor are not violent robberies but rather petty‑theft opportunities in crowded spots like ferry terminals, beaches, and the popular Cambugahay Falls. Pickpocketing remains modest but can increase when tourists leave bags unattended or display valuables. Local scams often involve overpriced tricycle rides, rigged scooter rentals, and money‑changer short‑changing; agreeing on fares beforehand and using reputable operators mitigates these risks. Night safety is generally fine in the main tourist zones, yet many streets lack lighting, so a flashlight or well‑lit path is advisable to avoid trips and falls.
In summary, Siquijor offers a safe environment for travelers who exercise standard vigilance: keep belongings secure, use helmets and reputable transport, and stay informed about weather alerts. With these precautions, you can enjoy the island’s waterfalls, beaches, and unique cultural heritage while minimizing the modest risks that exist.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Siquijor districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Siquijor safety map.
Poblacionavoidknown scam hotspot targeting tourists at night
Lazicautionpopular tourist hub, stay alert after dark due to dim lighting
Siquijor Towncautionbusy waterfront with pickpocketing risk in crowded spots
San Juansaferquiet residential area with low foot traffic at night
Mariasaferrural village, minimal petty crime, easy to navigate
07 · After Dark
Is Siquijor safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery against tourists are rare; most incidents involve petty theft in crowded areas.
After dark, be most careful around Poblacion, Lazi, Siquijor Town. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Siquijor safety FAQ
Is Siquijor safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Siquijor is generally safe for visitors, but exercise increased caution due to modest petty‑crime risk and occasional natural‑hazard alerts. Siquijor scores 68 on the composite safety index, placing it above the world average for crime and health, yet the island’s governance and rule‑of‑law scores are lower, reflecting corruption concerns. Recent traveler reports and local advisories confirm a low‑to‑moderate petty‑crime environment, with the primary safety concerns being road safety on scooters and occasional storm‑related disruptions. (Assessed 18 August 2026.)
Which areas of Siquijor should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Poblacion as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Siquijor?
- Tourist‑targeted money‑changer short‑changing and ATM skimming
- Overpriced or rigged tricycle fares and scooter rentals
- Drink‑spiking or inflated bar bills in tourist bars
How does Siquijor compare with other places in Philippines?
Siquijor ranks #1 of 9 Philippines destinations we've assessed, scoring 72/100. See the Philippines safety overview for the full list.
How is this Siquijor safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Philippines safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: siquijor.json (CC BY 4.0).