Siargao Travel Guide

Siargao Travel Guide 2024: Getting There, Things to Do, Beaches, Surfing, Itinerary, Budget 

Traveling to Siargao Island? Our Siargao Travel Guide 2024 covers everything you need to know about the trendiest surf island in Southeast Asia.
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Traveling to Siargao Island? Our Siargao Travel Guide 2024 covers everything you need to know about the trendiest surf island in Southeast Asia.

I just wrapped up my 1-month stay in Siargao Island. You can guarantee this travel guide to Siargao contains the most up-to-date information. I have been to Siargao quite a few times already. It’s one of the best places in the Philippines that you like to go back to.

👉Find best resorts in Siargao!👈

Siargao Island is the surfing capital of the Philippines located just an hour of flight from Cebu and about 2 hours from Manila. For non-surfers, Siargao Island is still an impressive destination with so many white sand beaches, surrounding islands, and lagoons. If you are wondering how to make the most of your trip, our travel guide to Siargao is the only guide you need.

Siargao Travel Guide
Naked Island (top left), Daku Island (top right), Sugba Lagoon (bottom left), Cloud 9 (bottom right)

This Siargao Travel Guide covers the following:

  • How to get to Siargao
  • Best things to do in Siargao
  • Best Beaches in Siargao
  • Must-visit tourist spots in Siargao
  • Where to stay in Siargao
  • Where to eat in Siargao
  • Internet in Siargao
  • Siargao nightlife
  • Siargao itinerary
  • Siargao budget

👉Book your Manila to Siargao flight!👈

WHAT'S IN THIS POST?

How to Get to Siargao Island

Manila and Cebu are the most common points of origin to Siargao. Here’s how you can get to Siargao from Manila and Cebu:

➡️From Manila

If you are coming from Manila, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia, and Sunlight Air have direct flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Sayak Airport (commonly known as Siargao Airport) in Del Carmen.

The travel takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. But taking into consideration getting to and waiting at the airport, the total travel can take longer than 2 hours.

👉Book your Manila to Siargao flight!👈

One-way flights from Manila to Siargao booked within the week cost around 5,500 PHP (~98 USD) and can go as high as 13,000 PHP (~233 USD). Flights booked weeks prior would cost around 3,500 PHP (~57 USD).

Expect that flights on weekends and holidays are more expensive. For instance, last Holy Week, the cost of a one-way flight from Cebu to Siargao booked 1 week before this long holiday weekend went up to 12,800 PHP (~230 USD).

Nevertheless, Cebu Pacific has frequent seat sale promos. These promos slash the regular cost of flights by 50% and even more.

How to Get From Siargao Airport to General Luna

Outside Siargao Airport, there are vans for hire or V-Hire outside that will take passengers to General Luna. Siargao airport to General Lune fare is 300 PHP (~6 USD). V-Hires are usually packed to full. They carry 12-15 people at a time.

Alternatively, you can charter a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) or a tricycle and expect to pay around 400-500 PHP (~5 USD) or 500-600 PHP (~6 USD), respectively. Habal-habal can take up to 2 passengers, while tricycles can take up to 5 passengers.

👉Book your charter from Siargao Airport to your hotel!👈

➡️From Cebu

If you are coming from Cebu, the same airlines have flights from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to Siargao Airport. The travel time is 1 hour and can take up to 2-3 hours, considering the waiting time. Outside Siargao Airport, catch a van for hire to take you directly to your hotel.

👉Book your Cebu to Siargao flight!👈

Flights from Cebu to Siargao booked a week in advance would cost around 3,500 PHP (~63 USD). Flights booked weeks ahead would cost around 1,600 PHP (~28 USD).

If you are looking for a cheaper way to Siargao Island, your best option is to take an overnight ferry from Cebu City to Surigao City (the nearest city to Siargao) and then another ferry to Siargao.

We highly recommend buying your ticket ahead of time as ferries might be fully booked. Starlite Ferries and Cokaliong Shipping have daily trips to Surigao City. Ferry fare from Cebu City to Surigao City costs between 1,300-1,800 PHP (~27-36 USD). The travel time is 10 hours. Check out our Cebu to Surigao Ferry Schedule and Fare Guide!

👉Get your Cebu to Surigao ferry ticket!👈

Surigao to Siargao via Dapa

At Surigao Port, take a fastcraft ferry to Dapa Port in Siargao Island. The fare is 400-500 PHP (~8-10 USD), depending on the accommodation type. The travel time is 1 hour and 30 minutes. For more details, check out our Surigao to Siargao Ferry Schedule and Fare Guide!

👉Get your Surigao to Siargao ferry ticket!👈

Surigao City Port - Siargao Travel Guide
Passengers during the Holy Week waiting to book tickets to Dapa Port in Siargao (Photo courtesy of Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

Outside Dapa Port, you can charter a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) (up to 2 passengers) or tricycle (up to 5 passengers) to take you to your hotel in General Luna. The fare is 300 PHP (~6 USD) for habal-habal and 300-350 PHP (~6-7 USD) for tricycle. The travel time is 30 minutes.

MV Sean Ferry 2 traversing the Surigao City Port-Dapa-Surigao City Port Siargao Travel Guide
MV Sean Ferry 2 traversing the Surigao City-Dapa-Surigao City route (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

Alternatively, you can take the DATSCO modern jeepney to General Luna. The fare is 30 PHP (~0.5 USD). The DATSCO terminal is only 100 meters away from Dapa Port’s gate. It’s easy to find. Just ask the locals for directions.

DATSCO Siargao Travel Guide
A DATSCO modern jeepney just outside Dapa Port to General Luna (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

Surigao to Siargao via Del Carmen

In case the fastcraft ferries at Dapa Port are fully booked or you don’t want to take the roro ferries which take 4 hours to get to Siargao, you can get to Siargao via Del Carmen.

Head over to Surigao Fastcraft Port (see map). The fare is 400 PHP (~8 USD). The travel time is 2 hours.

Outside Del Carmen Port, you can charter a habal-habal or tricycle to bring you to your hotel in General Luna. The fare is 500 PHP (~10 USD) for habal-habal (up to 2 passengers) or 700 PHP (~14 USD) for tricycles (up to 5 passengers). Travel time is 1 hour.

Fastcraft from Surigao City to Del Carmen
A fastcraft traversing the Surigao City-Del Carmen-Surigao City route (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

Best Things to Do in Siargao Island

Surfing always comes to mind first when it comes to Siargao. However, there are so many other things to do in Siargao.

If you are wondering what activities in Siargao Island you can do, here are some ideas:

1. Learn to Surf

Cloud 9 Siargao Philippines Siargao Travel Guide
A pro surfer under a huge barrel at Cloud 9 in Siargao

Siargao is the surfing capital of the Philippines. It has dozens of surf spots in varying sizes perfect for beginners, intermediate, advanced, and even pro surfers.

Jacking Horse is the most popular surfing spot in Siargao for beginners. Right beside Jacking Horse are Quicksilver (good for beginners and intermediate surfers) and the world-class Cloud 9 (good for advanced and pro surfers).

Surfing lessons start at 500 PHP (~10 USD) per hour, including your surf instructor or guide and surfboard. You can find many surf lessons at Cloud 9.

The entrance fee to Cloud 9 is 100 PHP (~2 USD). You can use the way to Shaka Café to access Cloud 9 for free.

👉Book your surf lesson in Siargao!👈

2. Do Siargao’s Famed Tri-Island Hopping Tour (Guyam Island, Naked Island, Daku Island)

Guyam Island Siargao Philippines Siargao Travel Guide
An aerial view of Guyam Island in Siargao

Island hopping is one of the best things to do in Siargao for non-surfers. Siargao has what is called a “tri-island” which consists of Guyam Island, Daku Island, and Naked Island.

They can be visited through Siargao island hopping tours, which you can book through your hotel, tour agency, or directly at General Luna Tourism Office.

👉Book your Siargao tri-island tour!👈

And just a tip—tell your boatman to bring you to Secret Sandbar near Guyam Island. For me, it’s the best part of the tour where you are swimming on a crystal-clear white sandbar.

Also, a lot of these tours have the option to add Corregidor Island for an additional fee.

Daku Island Siargao Philippine Siargao Travel Guide
An aerial view of Daku Island in Siargao

Siargao island hopping rates (tri-island island hopping tours) start at 2,000 PHP (~40 USD) per boat of up to 5 people, plus 45 PHP (~1 USD) admission fee at Guyam Island and an environmental fee of 100 PHP (~2 USD) per head. 

If you want to do a DIY tour in Siargao, book directly at General Luna Tourism Office. In our case, we were just 2 and went there and found 3 other people.

Naked Island Siargao Philippines Siargao Travel Guide
An aerial view of Naked Island in Siargao

We paid 3,500 PHP (~70 USD) for our special tour and divided it by 5. We ended up paying 850 PHP (~15 USD) per person for our whole tri-island hopping tour in Siargao with Secret Sandbar.

For packaged island hopping tours, contact Xiang Travel and Tours via WhatsApp at 0930-264-8788. Price starts at 1,400 PHP (~25 USD) with complimentary coffee and lunch.

👉Book your Siargao tri-island tour!👈

3. Do Sugba Lagoon Island Hopping Tour (Pamomoan Beach, Sugba Lagoon, Kawhagan Island)

Sugba Lagoon Siargao Philippines Siargao Travel Guide
The famed diving board at Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen, Siargao

Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen is another must-visit in Siargao. Sugba Lagoon island hopping tours mainly include Sugba Lagoon where you can do several water activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and board diving.

Tourists have a few options for this tour. We took the tour package that includes Sugba Lagoon, Pamomoan Beach, and Kawhagan Island.

👉Find best resorts in Siargao!👈

Pamomoan Beach Siargao
Pamomoan Beach in Del Carmen, Siargao
Pamomoan Beach Siargao Travel Guide
The coconut trees at Pamomoan Beach (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)
Pamomoan Beach Siargao Travel Guide
The author at Pamomoan Beach in Sugba Lagoon, Siargao (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

We paid 3,050 PHP (~60 USD) for the tour. We were able to find 4 other people at the site, so each person paid 508 PHP (~10 USD) only, plus 50 PHP (~1 USD) entrance fee at Sugba Lagoon and 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) entrance fee at Pamomoan Beach.

Sugba Lagoon Siargao Philippines Siargao Travel Guide
An aerial view of Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen, Siargao

Sugba Lagoon Island Hopping Tours

  • Tour A (Sugba Lagoon) (2,150 PHP or ~38 USD)
  • Tour B (Sugba Lagoon and Kawhagan Island or Pamomoan Beach) (2,700 PHP or ~48 USD)
  • Tour B+ (Suba Lagoon, Kawhagan Island, and Pamomoan Beach) (3,050 PHP or ~54 USD)
  • Tour C (Sugba Lagoon, Kawhagan Sandbar or Pamomoan Beach, and Mangrove View Deck) (3,050 PHP or ~54 USD)
  • Tour D (Sugba Lagoon, Kawhagan Sandbar, Pamomoan Beach, and Mangrove View Deck) (3,650 PHP ) or ~65 USD)
  • Tour E (Mangrove Forest Guided Tour) (2,150 PHP or ~38 USD)
  • Tour F (Magrove View Deck) (600 PHP or ~11 USD)
Kawhagan Island Siargao Travel Guide
The sandbar at Kawhagan Island in Del Carmen, Siargao

You also need to pay the entrance fee of 50 PHP (~1 USD) for locals and 100 (~2 USD) for foreigners for Sugba Lagoon and 50 PHP (~1 USD) for the entrance fee at Pamomoan Beach.

Each boat can carry up to 6 people. There are many tourists at the site, so it should not be a problem to look for other joiners.

👉Find best resorts in Siargao!👈

4.  Explore Siargao’s Inland Tourist Attractions

Magpupungko Rock Pools Siargao Philippines Siargao Travel Guide
An aerial view of Magpupungko Rock Pools in Pilar, Siargao

As one of the best islands in the Philippines, you can guarantee that Siargao has many sights to offer. Outside the gorgeous islands, if you stick to mainland Siargao, you will see some of the top sights in Siargao.

My personal favorites include Alegria Beach in Siargao’s far north; Coconut Trees View Deck and Canijugan Peak Retreat and Campsite in Dapa, which gives you a panoramic view of a coconut plantation in Barangay Malinao, Dapa and a silhouette view of Daku Island. Magpupungko Rock Pools is a sentimental favorite too, but it gets too crowded when you come late. 

👉Book your Siargao land tour!👈

For more must-visit sights, check out our guide to the Top Tourist Attractions in Siargao!

5. Side Trip to Sohoton and Bucas Grande

Sohoton Cove Soccoro Tourist Destinations in the Philippines
An aerial view of Sohoton Cove National Park in Soccoro, Surigao del Norte

Bucas Grande is located about 2 hours of boat ride south of Siargao. It is famous for its numerous caves, white sand beaches, waterfalls, and lagoons. The entire Bucas Grande Island is part of Socorro, a town of Surigao del Norte, which is the same province Siargao Island is under.

One of the most popular tourist spots in Bucas Grande Island is Sohoton Cove National Park, more commonly known as Sohoton Cove, a maze of interconnected natural water pools located in the southwest part of the island. At Sohoton Cove, you can swim with millions of translucent stingless jellyfish in the vast Tojoman Lagoon or what is more known as Jellyfish Lagoon.

Club Tara Resort is another popular tourist attraction in Bucas Grande. This 3-star resort is distinguishable for its line of overwater villas and a long stretch of wooden boardwalks—all enveloped in limestones and verdant greeneries.

👉Book your Sohoton-Bucas Grande tour!👈

Another highlight at Sohoton Cove is Tiktikan Lagoon or Tiktikan Lake. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, lush greenery, and emerald water, it is a perfect place to do some water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. But even just swimming and chilling makes for a great reward after a long trip.

The best way to get to Bucas Grande Island from Siargao Island is to book a tour. This includes a two-way transfer from Siargao to Bucas Grande and a guided tour around Sohoton Cove, Tiktikan Lagoon, and Club Tara Resort.

You can get to Bucas Grande through a DIY trip. The boat fee ranges between 6,000-7,000 PHP (~100-125 USD) for a two-way transfer. Travel time is 2 hours one way.

👉Book your Sohoton-Bucas Grande tour!👈

For more must-do activities in Siargao, check out the Best Things to Do in Siargao!

Beaches in Siargao Island

Siargao Island beaches are some of the best in the Philippines. Apart from the beaches in islands like Daku Island, Guyam Island, Naked Island, and Secret Sandbar, you can find many white sand beaches in mainland Siargao. All of them are public beaches with no admission needed.

1. General Luna Beach in General Luna

General Lune Beach Siargao Travel Guide
General Luna Beach in Siargao (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

You can access the beach from various entry points within General Luna’s town center through resorts like Barrel Beachfront Sports Bar, Kawili Resort, and Bravo Beach Resort. My favorite way to access this is through a tiny trail beside Barrel Beachfront Resort. The stretch of beach at Patrick’s on the Beach and Siargao Beach Club is also worth considering.

2. Malinao Beach in General Luna

Malinao Beach Siargao Travel Guide
A sunny day at Malinao Beach in General Luna, Siargao

This is my favorite spot to chill at every afternoon if I want to just chill by the beach. Malinao Beach has a long stretch of white sand with a sandbar. It’s located about 4 kilometers from General Luna’s town center.

👉Find best resorts in Siargao!👈

3. Doot Beach in Dapa

Doot Beach Siargao Travel Guide
A sunset at Doot Beach in General Luna, Siargao (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

If you are looking for a more peaceful chill by the beach, Doot Beach is perfect. It’s also a nice spot to view sunsets. At night, this place lights up with hundreds of fireflies. It’s about 2 kilometers away from Malinao Beach.

4. Pacifico Beach in San Isidro

Pacifico Beach Siargao Travel Guide
An aerial view of Pacific Beach in San Isidro, Siargao

Up north, you will find Pacifico Beach, a long stretch of white sand that is popular among surfers. This is one of the best surf spots in Siargao, especially if you want to stay away from the crowds of General Luna’s surf spots.

5. Alegria Beach in Santa Monica

Alegria Beach Siargao Travel Guide
Alegria Beach in Santa Monica, Siargao (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

This is hands down the best beach in Siargao Island located in the northernmost part of the island! It’s worth the hour of travel.

👉Find best resorts in Siargao!👈

For more beaches, check out our list of the Best Beaches in Siargao!

Must-Visit Siargao Tourist Spots

Of course, Siargao is not short of places to visit. Besides the beautiful islands and white sand beaches, here are some tourist spots in Siargao that you should consider in your itinerary:

1. Canijugan Peak in Dapa

Canijogan Peak Siargao Travel Guide
The view from one of the view decks at Canijugan Peak in Dapa, Siargao (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

Canijugan Peak Retreat and Campsite is an attraction that has been newly opened to the public. There’s a restaurant and a few view decks at the peak that give you a great view of Dapa’s coconut forests and Daku Island.

Admission is 150 PHP (~3 USD) or a consumable fee of 250 (~5 USD).

👉Book your Siargao land tour!👈

2. Coconut View Deck in Dapa

Coconut View Deck Siargao Travel Guide
The view from the Coconut View Deck in Dapa, Siargao (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

More than a thousand coconuts and a mountain range stood in the backdrop from Siargao’s iconic coconut view deck. It’s best viewed during sunsets. Admission is free.

3. Maasin River in Dapa

Maasin River Siargao Philippines Siargao Travel Guide
A view of Maasin River in Siargao

Known for its iconic bent coconut tree, which now cannot be climbed. They put up a diving board that’s about 30 feet where you can jump.

You can also cruise the Maasin River under the lush greenery and swim in the cold pool at the end. The use of kayaks cost 150 PHP (~3 USD). Admission is 20 PHP (~0.5 USD).

👉Book your Siargao land tour!👈

4. Tayangban Cave Pool in Pilar

Tayangban Cave Pool Siargao Travel Guide
Tayangban Cave Pool in Pilar, Siargao

You can trek through this cave partially submerged in water. At the end of this short trek, you can jump 20 feet into the water. Admission is 100 PHP (~2 USD) plus a 25 PHP (~0.5 USD) scooter parking fee.

5. Magpupungko Rock Pools in Pilar

Magpupungko Rock Pools Siargao Philippines Siargao Travel Guide
An aerial view of Magpupungko Rock Pools in Pilar, Siargao

This tidal pool is only accessible when the tide is low. Always check the tide before coming here. Admission is 50 PHP (~1 USD).

For more tourist spots, check out our list of the Top Tourist Attractions in Siargao!

Surfing in Siargao Island

Siargao has the best and most varied surf breaks in the Philippines. It’s not called the Surfing Capital of the Philippines for nothing. With over 27 kilometers of coastline exposed to swell, Siargao is truly a surfer’s paradise.

Best Time to Surf in Siargao

The best time to visit Siargao for surfing is between July and December when the swells are the best. The peak is between September and October with an average of 15-20 swells for every season.

However, you need to remember a couple of things. According to my local surf instructors, General Luna (the center of most tourist activities in Siargao) is best surfed during the southwest monsoon. Meanwhile, Pilar (the northern part of Siargao) is best during the northeast monsoon. On a good day, the east to northeast swells grow as high as 8-12 feet or even more.

If you are looking for the cleanest swells, visit between July and October. Around this time, the southwest monsoon keeps the swells offshore.

Between May and June is the time you should avoid. Around these months, there are no or little swells as the wind goes from east to southeast. You need to wait for mid to high tide in that case.

Siargao Surf Spots

As the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, you can expect that Siargao has dozens of surf breaks. Here are some of the best surf spots in Siargao:

Siargao Surf Spots - Siargao Travel Guide
Cloud 9 by Oli Bayer (top left), Tuason Point by John Jacobson (top right), Pacifico by Max Fomin (bottom left), Stimpy’s by Project Borderline Free (bottom right)

1. Cloud 9

The surf break that put Siargao Island on the map, Cloud 9 boasts a perfect tubing right-hand reef break. Its prime months are between September and November.

2. Jacking Horse

The most common training ground for first-time and beginner surfers, Jacking Horse is best surfed between mid to high tide due to the shallow water and razor-sharp coral reef.

3. Stimpy’s

Accessible by boat, Stimpy’s is best for advanced surfers only.

4. Tuason Point

A short distance from Cloud 9, Tuason Point only became in the past couple of years. Its exposed reef brings consistent left-hand tubing waves. It’s suitable for intermediate to pro surfers only.

5. Pacifico

Pacifico in San Isidro has massive waves for beginners, intermediate, advanced, and expert surfers.

Where to Stay in Siargao Island

If you are wondering where to stay in Siargao Island, we selected the best resorts and villas in Siargao to help you get the best experience. Here are some of them:

1. Kaimana Siargao

Kaimana Siargo - Where to Stay in Siarga - Siargao Travel Guide

Location: Tourism Road, Catangnan, General Luna, Siargao Island

Nearest Beach: With private access to General Luna Beach

Overall Rating: 9.9/10

2. Kalipay Resort Siargao

Kalipay Resort -Where to Stay in Siarga - Siargao Travel Guide

Location: Tourism Road, Catangnan, General Luna, Siargao Island

Nearest Beach: With private access to General Beach

Overall Rating: 9.3/10

3. Las Palmas Villas and Casitas Siargao

Las Palmas Villas and Casitas - Where to Stay in Siarga - Siargao Travel Guide

Location: Tourism Road, Catangnan, General Luna, Siargao Island

Nearest Beach: With private access to General Luna Beach

Overall Rating: 9.1/10

4. Muni Muni Villas Siargao

Muni Muni Villas - Where to Stay in Siarga - Siargao Travel Guide

Location:  Tourism Road, Catangnan, General Luna, Siargao Island

Nearest Beach: With private access to General Luna Beach

Overall Rating: 9.3/10

5. Alaia Hideaway

Alaia Hideaway Siargao - Where to Stay in Siarga - Siargao Travel Guide

Location: Malinao Road, General Luna, Siargao Island

Nearest Beach: A few meters from Malinao Beach

Overall Rating: 9.0/10

Where to Eat in Siargao

Whether you are looking for fancy meals or balling on a budget, Siargao Island has hundreds of restaurants and karenderya (eateries) to choose from. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Kurvada

Kurvada Siargao Where to Eat in Siargao
A plate of lumpiang shanghai, pork schnitzel, and pancit served at Kurvada in Siargao Island

Kurvada is a popular karenderya or eatery serving delicious Filipino food. It gets full fast during lunch and dinner. They also have another karenderya called Derecho, which is just a few meters away.

Price: 100-150 PHP (~2-3 USD) per meal

Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm daily except Sunday (closed)

Location: Tourism Road, General Luna, Siargao Island

2. Lunares Café

Lunares Cafe Where to Eat in Siargao
One of the breakfast options at Lunares Café in Siargao Island

If you want high-quality focaccia sandwiches and salads, Lunares Café is the best in the island. If you are working, they also have fast Wi-Fi.

Price: From 200 PHP (~4 USD) per item

Hours: 7:30 am – 7:30 pm daily

Location: Tourism Road, General Luna, Siargao Island

3. Michael’s Restaurant Siargao

Michael's Restaurant Where to Eat in Siargao
A pair of peri-peri chicken served at Michael’s Restaurant in Siargao Island

A 5-minute drive from GL center, Michael’s Restaurant Siargao is worth visiting for its specialty—the peri-peri chicken and arroz caldo (Filipino chicken rice porridge). They also serve a range of delicious ready-to-eat Filipino food and vegan salads.

Price: From 50 PHP (~1 USD) per item

Hours: 6:00 am – 3:00 am daily

Location: Purok 4, General Luna, Siargao Land

4. Las Barricas Siargao

Las Barricas - Where to Eat in Siargao
Tacos served at Las Barricas in Siargao Island

If you are looking for a restaurant in Siargao serving Mexican cuisine, go to Las Barricas. They serve Mexican staples like fish tacos, carnitas, chorizo, tapas, tres leches, and more.

Price: From 250 PHP (~5 USD) per item

Hours: 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm daily

Location: Tourism Road, General Luna, Siargao Island

5. Siargao Corner Café

Siargao Corner Café
Siargao Corner Café is one of the long-stand cafés in Siargao. (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

For your favorite American breakfast and Filipino meals, head to Siargao Corner Café. Siargao Corner Café serves various waffles, sandwiches, toasts, silog (Filipino fried rice and fried egg), and of course coffee (Vietnamese coffee is a must!).

Price: from 130 PHP (~2.5 USD) per meal

Hours: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm daily

Location: Tourism Road, General Luna, Siargao Island

Siargao Nightlife

Apart from surfing, Siargao is quite popular for its bustling nightlife. Siargao is one of the best tourist destinations in the Philippines with the best nightlife. Here are the best bars in Siargao to get you started:

Siargao Nightlife - Siargao Travel Guide
El Lobo (top left), Siargao Beach Club (top right), Bar 150 (bottom left), Mama Coco (bottom right) (Photos by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

1. El Lobo Siargao

El Lobo is one of the most popular bars in Siargao, especially among younger crowds and local and foreign tourists. El Lobo has live acoustic performances and recent dance-pop sets you can dance to.

Price: From 100 PHP (~2 USD) per drink

Hours: 2:00 pm – 12:00 am

Location: Tourism Road, Purok 3, General Luna, Siargao Island

2. Siargao Beach Club

Right across El Lobo is Siargao Beach Club, a pub-style bar with tables scattered around its open space close to the beach. Siargao Beach Club is popular among Siargao locals of all ages. If you are looking for a beach bar where you can dance, the DJs play recent dance-pop music.

Price: From 100 PHP (~2 USD) per drink

Hours: 4:00 pm – 12:00 am

Location: Tourism Road, Purok 3, General Luna, Siargao Island

3. Mama Coco Siargao

Mama Coco is one of the most popular bars in Siargao. This tight bar is the go-to place among younger crowds with a good mix of local and foreign tourists. The DJs play retro dance hits (mostly from the 80s) on Monday and house and techno on Friday.

Price: From 100 PHP (~2 USD) per drink

Hours: 1:00 pm – 12:00 am

Location: Tourism Road, General Luna, Siargao Island

4. Harana Surf Resort

If you ask any local where to party on a Saturday night, Harana is surely the unanimous answer. This resort’s Saturday events are popular among locals and local and foreign tourists. They play a range of music, from reggae to dance-pop to EDM to house.

Price: From 100 PHP (~2 USD) per drink

Hours: 5:00 pm – 12:00 am on Saturdays

Location: Tuason Point, General Luna, Siargao Island

5. Strum Music Café

If you are looking for modern chill music and love songs, Strum Music Café has live bands composed of passionate people. This is just a tiny bar café right on the edge of the road, so people tend to drink roadside. The crowds are composed of local and foreign tourists. It’s not too big and loud, but the vibe is really cool.

Price: From 70 PHP (~1.5 USD) per drink

Hours: 5:00 pm – 1:00 am

Location: Tourism Road, General Luna, Siargao Island

Internet in Siargao

Is there internet in Siargao? What’s the best internet in Siargao?

Digital nomads, remote professionals, and working travelers know how frustrating it is to not be able to do calls or work just because the internet is bad. Fortunately, the internet in Siargao Island has improved a lot.

I have just been to Siargao for the entire month of April, and I can tell the difference in the internet this month from the last time I went there in 2019. Gone are the days of digital nomads worrying about poor internet connection in Siargao, thanks to Starlink.

Starlink in Siargao Island

Starlink started to become available in the Philippines in the first week of April 2023. You can expect between 50 Mbps and 300 Mbps of internet speed.

The difference between Starlink from fiber optic internet services is that it relies on satellite internet, delivering faster and more reliable internet speeds, especially in remote areas that traditional ISPs cannot reach.

Internet should no longer be a problem for digital nomads in Siargao. Rotating brownouts that last for a couple of seconds to minutes at a time. Although very short, these rotating brownouts occur very often throughout the day.

Accommodations with Best Internet in Siargao

Many hostels, hotels, villas, and resorts have used Starlink as their internet service provider. Having Starlink, these accommodations have the fastest internet in Siargao.

Here’s a list of accommodations in Siargao Island that I know have a Starlink internet connection:

Siargao Itinerary and Budget

This Siargao Travel Guide won’t be complete without a sample itinerary and budget. I created a separate post to highlight the schedule of activities and budget for 7 days and 6 nights in Siargao Island. Check it out below:

Siargao Island FAQs

I hope I have covered a lot of your questions about traveling to Siargao Island. If you still have questions, these frequently asked questions might answer them:

1. What is the best month to visit Siargao?

The best time to go to Siargao depends on what you want to experience. Visit in the summer months between March to May if you want the best hot sunny weather.

If you want to ride the best waves, anytime between July and November is a good time. In September, a surfing competition is held in Siargao.

Note that November and December have the biggest waves in Siargao. But it’s also typhoon season when the wildest storms come about in the eastern side of the Philippines.

2. How many days is enough for Siargao?

For timer visitors, 5 days and 4 nights would be enough to explore the top tourist spots in Siargao and experience the best things to do in Siargao. Island hopping activities alone can take up an entire day.

There are at least two island hopping activities I recommend doing: the tri-island hopping (Guyam Island, Daku Island, and Naked Island with options Secret Beach and Corregidor Iskand) and Sugba Lagoon island hopping tour (Sugba Lagoon, Kawhagan Island, and Pamomoan Beach).

If you are looking to explore the northernmost part of Siargao, you need to spend at least 7 days and 6 nights. If you are pressed for time and/or budget, 3 days and 2 nights in Siargao would suffice. Let me know if you are looking for a Siargao itinerary for 3 days and 2 nights so I can create one for you.

3. Is Siargao expensive?

Yes, Siargao is expensive! To put this in perspective, a studio apartment in Siargao costs around 15,000 (~300 USD) per month. Although, you can find apartment as cheap as 9,000 PHP (~190 USD) per month. A basic hostel bunk bed costs 500-800 PHP (~10-15 USD) per night. 

Food at most restaurants ranges between 200 PHP (~4 USD) and 350 (~7 USD) per item. Meanwhile, food at karenderya cost about 50-80 PHP (~1-1.5 USD) for vegetable items and 80-150 PHP (~1.5-3 USD) for meat items.

A bottle of local in Siargao costs 100 PHP (~2 USD), while habal-habal fare within GL is 20 PHP (~0.5 USD) per person.

Here’s a sample breakdown of living costs in Siargao:

  • Hostel accommodation – 500 PHP (~10 USD) per person per night x 30 = 15,000 PHP (~300 USD)
  • Food – 450 PHP (~3 USD) per day x 30 = 13,500 PHP (~245 USD)
  • Transportation – 40 PHP (~1.5 USD) per day  x 30 = 1,200 PHP (~23 USD)

For 29,700 PHP (~535 USD), your basic needs in Siargo Island are already covered. 

4. How much pocket money is needed in Siargao?

Your pocket money in Siargao highly depends on your activities and what you want to see. For 5 days and 4 nights, you can do two island hopping tours and see the most popular tourist spots in Siargao with a 8,000-10,000 PHP (~180-200 USD) budget, including your accommodation and food.

5. What is Siargao best known for?

Siargao Island is known as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines. It has over 21 known surf breaks, the most number among all surf towns in the Philippines.

The world-famous surf break Cloud 9 produces perfect right-hand barrels of up to 8-12 feet on a good season, attracting surfers from all over the world. For non-surfers, Siargao is mostly known for its vibrant nightlife, white sand beaches, and even island life.

Your Ultimate Siargao Island Travel Guide

That’s a wrap for this Siargao Travel Guide! I hope I was able to give you some useful insights on traveling to one of the hottest tourist destinations in Southeast Asia right now.

If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments. I will get back to you ASAP!

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Mario Manlupig
Mario Manlupig

Mario is the Founder of CEBU INSIDER. In March 2018, he left his full-time job at the Philippines' biggest TV network and became a digital nomad, traveling all over the country until the pandemic happened. He now calls Cebu City his home.

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