The Ultimate Guide
to the Jungle
Here, time moves a little slower, and the rush of the outside world simply fades away.
We are so proud to share this slice of nature with you. If you happen to see us around the property during your stay, please don't be a stranger! We created River Hut to be a genuine refuge from the busy, complicated routines of everyday life. Hidden away from the tourist crowds, our greatest hope is that this space allows you to recharge and reconnect with nature. While the setting is wild, we've thoughtfully curated all the cozy creature comforts you need to feel completely at rest.
River Hut is designed for easygoing, independent travelers who appreciate a comfortable, self-guided stay over resort-style pampering. As a self-sustained accommodation, the space is entirely yours to make your own, giving you the freedom to prepare your own meals and settle in at whatever pace suits you best.
River Hut is more than just a getaway; it is a cherished home that provides a humble livelihood for us and our local family. We want you to fully immerse yourself and have fun, and we simply ask that you treat the cabins with the same gentle care as if they were your own. We appreciate it more than you know.
The Locals
Everyone who works here at River Hut is part of one big family from the immediate community. They have been an integral part of this journey from the very beginning—through design, construction, maintenance, and improvements—and are now here to look after our guests.
Ian will serve as your guide and assist with your check-in and check-out. If you have any questions or need anything during your stay, he will be on hand to help. We have provided his contact number via Airbnb just in case you need to reach him.
Ian is also our friendly and dedicated groundskeeper and maintenance man. He is around the property daily, so if anything goes wrong, he will do his best to resolve it for you as quickly as possible.
Ate Grace and Ate Vergie make up our dedicated cleaning team. You may not always see them, but please know they work tirelessly to ensure the cabins are maintained to a high standard. If anything is missing or needs refreshing, simply let us know, and we will sort it out for you.
Mother Nature
Please remember that we are in the jungle and our cabins feature a native design. We do our best to keep Mother Nature at bay, but sometimes she is out of our control, and we kindly ask that you do your part to assist us with this. If you leave food out on the counters, you can expect some visitors. We have provided a hanging basket for dried snacks as well as a fridge, so it is best to keep your food stored away to prevent chickens, cats, or any other unwanted thieves from helping themselves.
The Tokos... No, they aren't Komodo dragons! And they won't eat you, either!
That loud "TO-KO" noise you hear comes from our bug-eating friends. They are everywhere in the province, so you can expect to hear them in and around River Hut—or any other accommodation on the island, for that matter. Don't worry, they are completely harmless and will actually help take care of the insects for you.
Kitchen & Supplies
Our kitchen is simple, but it is equipped with the essentials you need for a comfortable stay. You will find all the necessary utensils and cookware inside the cupboards. We also provide a few basic ingredients to get you started; cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, and coffee are all available for you to help yourself to. However, if you plan on cooking full meals, it is best to purchase your fresh supplies from the local market.
Fresh towels, soap, and toilet paper are all provided for your comfort. If you happen to run out of any of these essentials during your stay, simply let us know and we will gladly replenish them for you.
Power Shortage
Unfortunately, part of living on an island in the Philippines means you may occasionally experience power cuts, which locals refer to as "brownouts." Welcome to island life!
Fortunately, in our area, these brownouts typically only last for about an hour before the power returns. We have provided emergency lights for you to use during these times.
We recommend using this time to unplug by lighting a fire, reading a book, or doing some firefly spotting out in the garden.
If you happen to be in the middle of cooking when an outage occurs, Ian can provide you with a camping stove. We just ask that you be extra careful when using it, as our cabins are built from natural materials.
Internet
Generally speaking, our internet speeds are perfectly fine for streaming YouTube, browsing social media, and doing light work. However, please remember that we are on an island, so the connection may occasionally slow down. We do our very best to ensure a stable connection, but these fluctuations are unfortunately out of our control.
Wi-Fi Password:bamboobamboo
If we experience a power outage during your stay, you will be left with your thoughts and your beautiful surroundings—we highly encourage you to make the most of them!
Safety
Siquijor province is safe. We rarely experience any issues here but like anywhere else, just take precautions by locking doors when going out and leaving valuables out of sight.
We have CCTV around our land. It is more of a deterrent than anything and to give our guests peace of mind. Just do your part too.
Nature Around us
THE RIVER
Our Enchanted River location is entirely yours to enjoy. Do as you please—grill, bathe in the turquoise waters, or sing at the top of your lungs if the mood strikes. We just kindly ask that you clean up after yourself before you leave.
CAMBUGAHAY FALLS
Walk upstream for about 10 to 20 minutes or take a short scooter ride, and you will find Siquijor's most famous waterfalls. If you head out early, around 6:30 or 7:00 AM, you will likely have the entire place to yourselves before the crowds arrive.
SAMBULAWAN UNDERGROUND RIVER
Just around the corner from our entrance, you will find the underground river. You can hire a guide at the entrance for around 300 pesos to safely explore this subterranean beauty.
Other Gems
LAZI
Lazi has plenty to explore beyond the famous spots. Simply use Google Maps or take a ride around the area, and you are sure to discover something wonderful. There are rice fields, caves, waterfalls, mountain ranges, and, of course, hidden beaches all within a few kilometers.
BEACHES
It is a 30 to 40-minute ride to San Juan, where you can find the most famous of Siquijor's beaches. However, if you fancy something a bit more off the beaten track, head through the back roads toward Maria to find quieter, less-trodden stretches of sand. Some notable spots include Kagasuan Beach, Power Station Beach, Secret Beach, and Monkey Beach.
THE MOUNTAINS
Pin 'Cantabon' on Google Maps and head up into the mountainous area. Here, you will find beautiful forests, the famous Cantabon Cave, and short hikes to explore, along with some of Siquijor's more mystical offerings.
The area between Cantabon and San Antonio is where most of the island's traditional healers live and practice. You can ask the locals to point you in the right direction to experience a Bolo Bolo healing session or a Hilot massage (with mystical oils) for a truly unique and wonderful experience.
Restos & San Juan
AROUND US
Lazi offers a few great options for food. We highly recommend Twenty4 Café, and we can even organize delivery directly to River Hut for you. There is also Jaireen's Resto and El Monte in town, along with plenty of local barbecue spots along Lazi Boulevard. If you do not mind a short 10-minute drive, you can also check out the restaurants along Y-Road.
SAN JUAN
If you prefer more variety, simply head over to the more touristy part of the island in San Juan, where you will be absolutely spoiled for choice.
In San Juan you will find an abundance of cafes, restaurants, resorts, dive shops, and stores selling international products. It is famous for Paliton Beach and incredible sunsets, and it is also the perfect spot to visit if you are looking for some nightlife.
Diving in Siquijor
Dive into Siquijor's incredible underwater world. We highly recommend our friends at Bahura Dive Siquijor, located right here in Lazi.
They offer fun dives, PADI courses, snorkeling tours, Apo Island day trips, and much more.
You can contact them at +639776301339 or reach out via Instagram (@bahura.dive.siquijor) and Facebook (https://web.facebook.com/BahuraDiveSiquijor).
The Jungle Experience.
QUALITY
We’re redefining the standard of regional accommodation. Whatever your budget, expect the best quality rooms and facilities.
COMFORT
Let us focus on everything you need for a comfortable stay, so you can relax and enjoy creating lasting memories.
PERSONAL SERVICE
Once you walk through the doors, you’ll feel like family. We go the extra mile to look after you during your stay.