The Siquijor ring road and a Paliton sunset
A day circling the whole of Siquijor on one quiet coastal road, past old churches, spring-fed pools and sleepy fishing villages, ending with sunset on the white sand of Paliton.
- Area
- Siquijor
- Start from
- Siquijor town
- Distance
- about 75 km around the island
- Time needed
- 1 day
- Best season
- All year; drier December – May
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Transport
- Scooter, tricycle or hired car
- Tickets & rules
- Small fees at some beaches and springs
Why go
Siquijor is small enough to circle in a day, and that is the best introduction to it. The coastal road loops right around the island, never far from the sea, passing villages where laundry dries on fences, children wave from bamboo gates and chickens own the road.
Along the way you pass more interesting places than you can visit in one go: the old church of Siquijor town, the coral-stone convent of Lazi, the turquoise Capilay spring in San Juan, and dozens of small beaches. I like to do the loop once on a lazy day and then come back to the places I liked best.
End on the west coast at Paliton beach, a small curve of white sand framed by leaning coconut palms, where the sun sinks behind the hills of Negros and locals gather to swim and chat.
The story
Spanish sailors are said to have called Siquijor Isla del Fuego, the Island of Fire, because at night its trees glowed with countless fireflies. It became a separate province in the 1970s; before that it was part of Negros Oriental.
The island’s reputation for sorcery and healing is famous across the Philippines, and some Filipinos still regard it with nervous curiosity. In reality, everyday life here is quiet, friendly and agricultural, with fishing, farming and small businesses.
The church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Siquijor town, with its separate bell tower, is one of the island’s oldest. The Capilay spring park in San Juan was built around a natural spring, and the cool water was the town’s water source for generations.
Paliton beach is in the village of Paliton, near San Juan. On weekends local families come for picnics, and children run into the water at sunset. It is a simple scene, and that is its beauty.
Getting there
Ferries reach Siquijor from Dumaguete on Negros, roughly an hour or so, and some fast ferries come from Tagbilaran and Cebu with stops; schedules change, so check current services.
Scooters are easy to rent in Siquijor town and San Juan. Tricycle drivers also offer full-day island tours.
A suggested plan
- 8:00Start in Siquijor town; visit the church and bell tower.
- 9:30Ride east to Larena and Maria, stopping at small beaches.
- 11:30Lunch in Lazi near the convent and church.
- 13:30Continue to San Juan; swim at Capilay spring park.
- 16:30Head to Paliton beach and wait for sunset.
Where to stay
San Juan, on the south-west coast, has the most guesthouses and cafés. Siquijor town and Larena are quieter and closer to the ports.
Good to know
- Fill the scooter’s tank in a town; small roadside shops sell petrol in bottles.
- Carry cash; ATMs are limited and can run out.
- Sunset at Paliton is a social event; join in and don’t rush back.
- Roads are narrow with blind bends; drive slowly and use the horn.
- Dogs and chickens dart into the road.
- Avoid riding at night without good lights; the road is dark.