The island of Siargao is the hottest new thing on South East Asia’s backpacker trail. Starting out as a surfer’s haven, Siargao has evolved into a paradise for digital nomads, backpackers, and expats alike. Boasting stunning beaches, world-renowned surf breaks, lush landscapes, and hidden lagoons at a budget-friendly price point, it’s not hard to see how Siargao has exploded onto the scene. Many people compare it to a pre-tourism boom Bali, and I personally see parallels to Puerto Escondido in Mexico, a place I am very fond of.

There is a lot to love about Siargao. It offers a mix of idyllic island life with a growing tourism industry. It’s still at a sweet spot. Much of the tourism is concentrated on one part of the island. While there are large resorts and extravagant restaurants, Siargao is spread out enough that it doesn’t feel too in-your-face. And it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Siargao offers convenience and luxuries that many other Philippine islands might not have for a traveler. Reliable wifi, international cuisine, accommodation, restaurants, and bars that cater to any budget… It’s easy to see how Siargao can suck you in.

Regardless of your travel style, Siargao is an island that belongs on any Philippines travel itinerary. Here’s everything to know before visiting Siargao.

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Table of Contents

• Things To Know Before Going to Siargao
• How To Get To Siargao
• Where To Stay on Siargao
• How To Get Around Siargao
• The Best Things To Do in Siargao
• Nightlife in Siargao
• Final Thoughts on Siargao
• Buy Me A Beer!

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Things To Know Before Going to Siargao

Siargao is a teardrop-shaped island on the south east of the Philippine archipelago. It has recently become a popular tourist destination, and an alternative for younger, trendier travelers to more developed hotspots like Boracay.

The island is home to only one airport, with the airport code IAO. Do not confuse it with the neighboring Surigao. From the airport, it takes between 30 minutes to an hour to reach anywhere on the island. The main tourist hub of Siargao is in General Luna, commonly referred to as GL. There are larger towns like Dapa and Del Carmen, but GL’s proximity to Cloud 9 has made it the hub of Siargao’s tourism industry. Much of the island remains undeveloped, and offers an authentic taste of the rural Philippine life. Even mere minutes upon veering off of General Luna’s Tourism Road, you’ll find pristine, untouched landscapes.

Internet and electricity on the island are fairly reliable, although gets spottier the further you stray from the larger towns. General Luna is a digital nomad hotspot, and even hosts conferences and retreats. You can expect good Wi-Fi, reliable electricity, and an abundance of beautiful cafes and hotels to work from.

For everything else to know about the Philippines, check out my crash course backpacker’s guide to the Philippines.

How To Get To Siargao

Siargao has a small airport serviced by daily flights from Cebu and Manila. If you’re coming from elsewhere in the Philippines or the world, you’ll need to make a transfer in one of those two cities. Once you arrive at the airport, walk outside to find one of the shared vans if you haven’t pre-arranged an airport transfer. An airport shuttle to your accommodation will cost around 300 pesos. Siargao has many different towns all over the island, but the tourist area is centered in General Luna. It’s about a 45-minute ride from the airport.

Where To Stay in Siargao

Siargao has a ton of options catering to any price point. From budget hostels to luxury resorts, Siargao has got you covered. I stayed at quite a few different places, and it can really make or break your stay. Many of the hostels cater to different crowds, with some focusing on surfers, others on digital nomads, and some on partying. Here are my hostel suggestions for Siargao.

Mad Monkey Siargao is the best place to stay for a solo traveler looking for a good time. If you’ve traveled much of South East Asia, you are likely familiar with the Mad Monkey Hostel chain. The hostel itself is really nice, but the atmosphere is fairly party-heavy. It’s a great place to stay if you’re feeling social and want to experience Siargao’s nightlife to its fullest.

Casavia is a boutique hostel right on the beach, and is one of the most boujie-on-a-budget places to stay on the island. The property is absolutely stunning, and I’d recommend it for digital nomads looking for a quieter place to stay. I’d recommend having your own motorbike, as it isn’t on the main road, and the walk can be quite muddy or difficult to navigate in the dark.

Hiraya Surf Hostel and Harana Surf Resort are the go-tos for people looking to learn how to surf, or want to meet fellow surfers. They’re great for surfers of any level, and even non-surfers who just enjoy the more relaxed nature of surf hostels.

How To Get Around Siargao

The main mode of transportation in Siargao are tricycles, or tuk-tuks. It costs between 30-50 pesos to go up and down the main streets of General Luna. The price is per person. Any further out and you’ll likely have to pay more. The price can also increase at night. This is almost guaranteed if you’re stumbling out of a bar desperate to get home at 3 AM.

Renting a motorbike is a good option if you want to explore beyond General Luna, or simply want a faster way of getting around. Siargao gets hot, and sometimes, even a 15-minute walk in that heat can leave you sweating the entire day. Motorbike rentals become cheaper the longer you rent them for, but typically start at 350-400 pesos per day. After three days, this usually drops to around 300 pesos per day, and you can likely get cheaper weekly or even monthly fees if you plan on staying a while.

Having a motorbike allows you to explore the other parts of the island, like the less-crowded beaches of the north, or the various waterfalls and caves scattered throughout the island. I’m not sure about renting a car, but my local friend did mention to me that it was possible. I think it’ll just be Filipino-style where you ask around and find someone to hire for the day. I didn’t see any car rental companies otherwise.

Be sure to have a plan for staying connected while on Siargao. I use Saily eSIM to keep me online during my travels, ensuring that I have internet from the moment I land to when I leave. It’s a game-changer for figuring out directions on the fly, coordinating plans with new hostel mates, or keeping family back home updated. Having an eSIM simply makes travel that much easier. Philippines eSIMs start at just $3, and you can use my code “eli5” for an additional 5% off of your first Saily eSIM.

The Best Things To Do in Siargao

Despite being an idyllic island, Siargao has quite a lot to do. From day trips to hidden coves to surf sessions on world-famous breaks, here are some of the best things to do on Siargao island.

Sohoton Coves

While not on Siargao island itself, I believe this is the most spectacular thing to do while in Siargao. The turquoise waters and dramatic landscapes are similar to what one would find in El Nido or Coron. Sohoton Cove feels like you’ve stepped into a fairy-tale, except the singing birds are swarms of stingless jellyfish. It’s located on Bucas Grande island and can be visited as a long day trip from Siargao. The price ranges from around $50-70 USD. Another option is to catch the boat to Bucas Grande and spend a night or two on the island and give yourself more time and freedom to visit the coves at your own pace.

Sugba Lagoon

Like Sohoton Cove, you’ll have to hop on a boat to reach this magical lagoon. It’s only a 30-minute boat ride from Del Carmen, so can easily be done as a day trip on your own, although tour agencies offer it as the magnum opus of their land tours.

To get to Sugba Lagoon on your own, head to Del Carmen’s port and catch a 30-minute boat ride. You can’t bring food or any single-use drinks with you, and there are no shops or restaurants at the lagoon, so eat up beforehand. At the lagoon, you can swim in its beautiful waters for free, or rent a kayak and explore the quieter corners of the cove. There are also some stingless jellyfish here, although nowhere near the numbers you’ll find at Sohoton.

Magpupungko Rock Pools

Perhaps Siargao’s most famous swimming spot are the tidal flats of Magpupungko. It’s about a 30 minute drive from General Luna, and you’ll want to go at low tide. If it’s high tide when you visit, don’t worry, because there is a long strip of beautiful beach to bide the time on until you can wade into the tidal pools. This is one of the more touristy spots of Siargao, and you’ll have no shortage of restaurants, bars, and shops should you need anything for your beach day.

Maasin River

This river is a popular tourist destination where you can hop on a canoe and float down the river to a small lagoon. The ride is beautiful. I truly enjoyed lazily drifting along the river flanked by mangroves and towering palm trees. The lagoon itself is nothing to write home about, but the cold water is refreshing and a great place for a swim. The boat ride only takes about 30 minutes round trip.

Island-Hopping (Naked Island, Corregidor Island, Guyam)

While many hostels and tour agencies offer their own island-hopping tours, the itineraries are pretty much the same. The cost is typically around 1,500 pesos, although you can potentially get it cheaper if you head to the port in General Luna and find a boat and captain yourself. This is easier if you have a group, although you might be able to tag along last minute with an existing group if you head out early enough. Most itineraries include three islands, Naked Island, Corregidor Island, and Guyam. Corregidor Island is tranquil and beautiful. Naked Island is more of a sandbar in the middle of the sea, but a surreal spot for sunsets.

Surfing at Cloud 9

Cloud 9 is a world-famous surf destination located just 5 minutes away from General Luna. Even if you don’t surf, it’s a stunning beach, and the boardwalk is a great spot to watch the surfers of all levels. There are a few restaurants and bars along Cloud 9, with Shaka being one of my favorites to hang out at.

If you plan on surfing, you can rent a board or book an hour-long lesson for as low as 600 pesos. 

Secret Beach – Doot Beach

About 15 minutes from General Luna, you’ll find a beautiful, secluded beach known as Secret Beach. It really isn’t much of a secret, but every time I went, there were very few people. Many land tours of Siargao start off with Secret Beach, and they only stick around for about 30 minutes in the morning, so you’ll have some fantastic castaway vibes the rest of the day. There are three small shops just outside the beach if you get hungry or thirsty, but you can’t bring food or single-use plastics onto the beach itself. A tricycle ride from General Luna will cost about 100 pesos, or 20 pesos for parking if you have your own motorbike.

Coconut Farm Viewpoint

One of the most iconic views of Siargao is from the Coconut Farm viewing deck. It’s just a little stop on the side of the highway. It doesn’t take long to see, but it’s hard to go anywhere in Siargao without passing by it, so just pull over and take in the views of endless palm trees with the small, lush mountains in the background.

Sunset Bridge

The Sunset Bridge, also known as the Afam (foreigner) Bridge, is the place to be for sunset. Not only is it a great spot to catch the sunset, it’s a very lively place with street food vendors and plenty of people to meet and hang out with. The vibe is immaculate and I came here multiple times during my stay in Siargao.

Tayangban Cave Pool

For a unique swimming spot that requires an adventure to get to, check out the Tabangyan Cave. You’ll have to hike and swim through a cave for about 20 minutes before you reach a small lagoon, akin to the cenotes of Mexico. The swim spot can be reached by a short walk from the road, as well, but if you aren’t scared of bats and darkness, the unique adventure through Tabangyan Cave is well worth the extra walking.

Alegria Beach

On the north of the island is arguably the most beautiful beach on Siargao. It’s much quieter than Cloud 9, and much more pristine. It’s about an hour to an hour and a half’s drive from General Luna, but one can easily make a road trip out of it by visiting some stops along the way.

Eat, Eat, Eat

One of the things that surprised me about Siargao was just how good the international cuisine is. I had some incredible Mexican, Peruvian, Japanese, and American food while in Siargao. As loyal as I am to my home country’s cuisine, it was hard not to test out the various restaurants. I never expected to be enjoying Greek moussaka or a Peruvian arroz con mariscos on a rural island in the Philippines, but hey, Siargao is full of surprises. The food scene in Siargao is elite, and even if your day is spent just testing out some new restaurants, it’s a day well spent in Siargao.

Nightlife in Siargao

Nightlife in Siargao is pretty interesting. The bars practically take turns throughout the week on who’s hosting the big party that night. Each night basically has a designated bar that everyone goes to. I like the way this works, because then you always know what the move is. There’s no question where the big party is on any given night.

Mondays belong to Mama Coco, where they host a retro night and spin throwback tunes until midnight. They’ve got a party going every week, but are pretty quiet outside of Mondays and weekends. This made me sad as I was really itching for a good crowd for their Wednesday Latin and reggaeton nights.

Instead, everyone heads over to Goodies for some Wednesday wub wub wubs. I found Tuesdays to be pretty quiet, but most people head to Barbosa. Thursdays, everyone goes wild at Bed and Brew and it becomes almost impossible to move. It wasn’t my scene personally, and I dipped out early to go to Two Brown Boys, which was also packed on a Thursday.

Although every day is treated like the weekend on Siargao, the party scene slightly picks up once Friday rolls around. Friday gets handed back to Mama Coco for their own techno night, while El Lobo plays some more Top 100 vibes to jam out to. Barbosa hosts another techno party on Fridays as well. Saturdays, every heads to Harana for some live music and other performances lasting until midnight. Sunday, Happiness hosts a weekly night market that everyone flocks to for food, drinks, and of course, music.

And that’s a week in Siargao! But, don’t discount other places just because they’re not mentioned in the weekly rotation. Manu was perhaps my favorite bar on the island, an experimental cocktail bar holding fast to its Filipino and Austronesian roots. Extension was my favorite place to enjoy live music. Barrel was pretty crowded on any given night for those looking for a more traditional sports bar type vibe, with darts and billiards.

Most of the time, the main party shuts down right around midnight. At this time, anyone looking to keep the night going heads over to Siargao Beach Club. I don’t know when this place actually closes, because no matter how late I left, they were still going. The party truly doesn’t have to stop in Siargao unless you want it to. There’s a reason why Siargao has become one of the Philippines’ most popular party destinations.

Final Thoughts on Siargao

I had lofty expectations for Siargao, having heard its praises over the years from Filipinos and foreigners alike. I was unsure how to feel about it at first, as I wandered General Luna’s tourism road passing by restaurant after restaurant serving anything but Filipino food. I grew up close to Boracay, and my family would often take a boat straight to its then-undeveloped White Beach. I’d seen firsthand what over-tourism can do when it gets out of control. But Siargao is wildly different from Boracay and is home to a community that vehemently defends it from going down a similar path.

I grew to love Siargao and its laid-back atmosphere. The simplicity of life here can easily suck you in. It’s not a huge island that overwhelms you with things to do, and once you settle into the routine of simply enjoying your day without caring how much you’ve seen or done, then that’s when Siargao captures you. A perfect day can be spent diving into a sparkling lagoon, cruising the motorbike through endless palm trees, grabbing some sunset beers and then dancing the night away. A perfect day can also be spent doing none of that, and simply reading at a beach or meeting a friend for coffee at one of Siargao’s many cafes.

It’s whatever you want it to be, and as someone who’d needed a break after seven months of nonstop travelling, Siargao was the perfect place to exist and to just be.

Buy Me A Beer!

If this post helped you out, please show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by buying me a beer! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated. It allows me to keep writing travel guides to help you all travel the world on a budget.

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