Butterfly Sanctuary — Attraction in Lazi

The owner of this small and humble start-up butterfly sanctuary is passionate and knowledgeable, releasing 40% of all bred butterflies back onto the island and contributing to the education of the community surrounding waste and plastic management. Employing students and locals alike, this sanctuary costs 100 peso entry, and is a quiet reprieve in the mountains from the beaches surrounding. I recommend a cold drink which you can buy there and a chat with the owner. Many beautiful plants and different types of butterfly pending the season. The owner can fill you in on names and all sorts of interesting information. Come armed with butterfly questions! It is an intimate experience as it is so small. With extensive experience with the Phillipines Government surrounding butterfly conservation programs, and having seen over the course of many years why more is needed to be done, this project is well worth contributing to, and sets an example for the Phillipines and of the power of the people in systemic change. With many plans on extending the breadth and depth of the program, including a guesthouse at the sanctuary, your 100 peso is very much valued. Plus, many beautiful butterflies and flowers to look at, taking in a scenic and calming area on a...

Small Sanctuary, Scenic Route – A Sweet Stop in Siquijor’s Highlands 🦋

We visited the Butterfly Sanctuary in Siquijor late in the afternoon, and while it’s not a major attraction, it offered a calm, welcoming break from the usual tourist stops. The ride up to the island’s highest point was scenic and enjoyable — passing through small villages with playing kids, lush greenery, and winding roads that give you a deeper feel for the island.

At the top, we were greeted warmly by the owner, and the entrance fee was fair. I’ve seen reviews complaining either about the size of the sanctuary or the 100 PHP fee — honestly, what were people expecting on a remote island, and why complain about the equivalent of less than two US dollars? It’s a humble, locally run spot that doesn’t try to be more than it is.

There weren’t many butterflies during our visit, likely due to the late hour near sunset, but still more than enough to watch. And the ride back down rewarded us with beautiful ocean views and a glowing horizon — a real highlight.

Final thought: It’s not a “must-see,” but it’s a sweet, relaxing detour — and on an island where the pace is slower and nature speaks louder, that’s more...

The 100 PHP entrance fee is much too steep for the experience, especially since major tourist spots in Siquijor have entrance or environment fees at the range of 20 to 40 PHP only and you get a lot more out of them than here. There are no placards that describe the different butterfly populations, and there is no guide whatsoever. The caretaker did nothing but collect the entrance fees and just told us to go inside. Easy money for zero effort. The sanctuary itself is a small, cramped area without shade, so on a sunny day, you're not going to enjoy it much. In fairness, there are a lot of butterflies. However, there's limited variability in species. All in all, only kids, butterfly lovers, and photography enthusiasts will come away feeling any sense of satisfaction from this place. Perhaps the service is different if you're a foreigner. If so, it's such a shame that local tourists are by default told to "support" this otherwise promising venture even though it's a low value...