The Enchanted Balete Tree, also called the Century-Old Balete Tree, stands in Barangay Campalanas in the municipality of Lazi, close to the highway. It is believed to be the oldest and biggest balete in the province of Siquijor, and it appears on typical island tour itineraries.
\nBalete is the Filipino name for large fig trees of the genus Ficus. They are recognisable for aerial roots that hang from the branches and crawl down toward the ground, which gives older trees a tangled, weathered look. In Philippine folklore, balete trees are commonly said to be the homes of unseen beings, and the Siquijor Provincial Tourism Office says this one is believed to be home to fairies and elves. That reputation is local belief rather than established fact.
\nAges given in popular accounts range from a century or more, the basis of the name some guides use, to about 400 years (Lonely Planet, Wikipedia and a 2019 Philippine Daily Inquirer report) and about 500 years (the Department of Tourism, and \"nearly 500 years\" in the provincial tourism office's description). These are best read as popular estimates rather than measured ages.
\nA natural spring flows from among the roots into a small stream, which has been turned into a pool where small fish gather. Visitors dip their feet in and the fish nibble at dead skin, which travel writers call a fish spa. Charges for the fish spa, if any, change over time, so verify locally.
\nThe tree is usually visited as part of a circuit of Lazi. A typical island day tour pairs it with Cambugahay Falls, the Spanish-era Lazi Church and Convent, and Paliton Beach in San Juan. The convent and the San Isidro Labrador Church are separated by a road in Lazi town.
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