Quick FAQs for Digital Nomads in Siargao

As a digital nomad, understanding the cost of living in Siargao is crucial for budgeting your stay. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of expenses you can expect:

Accommodation:

• Budget: ₱10,000 - ₱20,000/month ($200 - $400)
  • Shared room in a hostel or basic fan room
• Mid-range: ₱20,000 - ₱40,000/month ($400 - $800)
  • Private room or basic apartment with air conditioning
• Luxury: From ₱40,000+/month ($800+)
  • Modern Western/Bali style accomodation

Note: Prices can vary significantly based on location, with General Luna being more expensive than other areas.

Food and Dining:

• Local meal: ₱100 - ₱200 ($2 - $4)
• Mid-range restaurant meal: ₱250 - ₱500 ($5 - $10)
• Western-style meal: ₱350 - ₱800 ($7 - $16)
• Beer at a bar: ₱80 - ₱120 ($1.5 - $2.20)
• Coffee at a cafe: ₱100 - ₱180 ($2 - $3.60)

Cooking at home can significantly reduce food costs.

Transportation:

• Motorbike rental: ₱300 - ₱500/day ($6 - $10), cheaper for long-term rentals
• Fuel: ₱60 - ₱70/liter ($1.20 - $1.40)
• Bicycle rental: ₱150 - ₱300/day ($3 - $6)
• Tricycle: ₱30 - ₱150 per trip ($0.50 - $3), depending on distance
• Car & TukTuk Rental: From ₱1500/day
• Airport Van Shared: ₱300/person to General Luna/Cloud 9

Activities and Entertainment:

• Surf lesson: ₱500 - ₱1,500 ($10 - $30)
• Island hopping tour: ₱1,200 - ₱3,500 ($22 - $60) - Depends on which islands you go to
• Yoga class: ₱300 - ₱500 ($6 - $10)
• Gym membership: ₱1,500 - ₱4,000/month ($30 - $80)

Utilities and Services:

• Internet (home connection Starlink/Fiber): ₱1,500 - ₱3,000/month ($30 - $60)
• Mobile data: ₱500 - ₱1,000/month ($10 - $20) for a decent package
• Electricity: Varies widely, but budget ₱1,500 - ₱3,000/month ($30 - $60) (Sometimes not included in the monthly rent)
• Water: Often included in rent, or around ₱500/month ($10)
• Laundry service: ₱50 - ₱100/kg ($1 - $2)

Coworking Spaces:

• Daily rate: ₱400 - ₱500 ($8 - $10)
• Monthly rate: ₱4,000 - ₱6,000 ($80 - $120)

Sample Monthly Budget:

• Budget traveler: ₱30,000 - ₱50,000 ($600 - $1,000)
• Mid-range: ₱50,000 - ₱80,000 ($1,000 - $1,600)
• Less Budget Conscious: ₱80,000+ ($1,600+)

Remember, these are estimates and can vary based on your lifestyle, the season, and current economic conditions. It's always a good idea to budget a bit extra for unexpected expenses or spontaneous activities.

How to find your accommodation doesn't vary from anywhere else in the world. It's your preferred booking platform! If you are interested in staying long term you can check out Facebook groups like: Siargao Long-Term Rentals

Best Areas to Stay in Siargao for Digital Nomads:

For digital nomads in Siargao, the southern part of the island, particularly the area around General Luna, is the most popular and well-equipped. Let's break down this zone and the northern area. If you want to know where they are on the map, fellow this link:

Siargao - Accommodation Zone Map

Southern Zone: General Luna and Surroundings

This area encompasses General Luna, Cloud 9, Santa Fe, and Malinao. It's the heart of Siargao's tourist and digital nomad scene.

1. General Luna

Best for: Overall amenities, nightlife, and digital nomad infrastructure

• Main tourist hub with the widest range of accommodation, dining, and entertainment options
• Best internet connectivity on the island, with fiber options and Starlink
• Most WiFi-equipped cafés
• Vibrant expat and digital nomad community
• Proximity to many popular surf spots
• Can be crowded and more expensive, especially during peak season

2. Cloud 9

Best for: Surfing enthusiasts, beachfront living

• Home to the famous Cloud 9 surf break
• Easy & Short ride to General Luna
• Beautiful beachfront accommodations
• Slightly quieter than central General Luna, but still lively
• Popular sunset viewing spot

3. Santa Fe

Best for: Quieter atmosphere, proximity to General Luna

• Located just north of General Luna (15min by Scooter)
• More laid-back vibe with fewer tourists
• Beautiful beaches with good surf spots
• Lower accommodation prices compared to General Luna
• Still close enough to access General Luna's amenities
• Limited dining and nightlife options
• Plan to rent a scooter/car if you want to stay here

4. Malinao

Best for: Local living, budget options

• South of General Luna
• More authentic local experience
• Generally cheaper accommodation and food options (but limited)
• Quieter beaches
• Limited Western amenities
• Plan to rent a scooter/car if you want to stay here

Northern Zone

The northern part of Siargao offers a more off-the-beaten-path experience.

Best for: Nature lovers, solitude seekers

• Includes areas like Pacifico and Burgos
• Less developed, with fewer tourists
• Beautiful, uncrowded beaches and surf spots
• Lower cost of living
• Closer to attractions like Bendita Beach and Alegria Beach
• Limited amenities for digital nomads
• Internet can be less reliable
• Requires longer travel times to the airport and General Luna

When choosing your area, consider factors like internet reliability, proximity to coworking spaces or cafes, and your preferred lifestyle. Many digital nomads base themselves in the General Luna area for the amenities and community, while exploring the northern parts of the island for day trips or shorter stays.

Remember that internet reliability can vary greatly outside of General Luna, so it's crucial to check with your specific accommodation about their internet speeds and backup options if you plan to stay in the quieter areas.

Nomads in Paradise will take place in General Luna or Cloud 9/Catangnan Area.

Get your ticket now!

Getting to Siargao

By Air

1. International Flights:
   • Fly to Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB) international airports.
   • From there, take a domestic flight to Siargao (IAO).
2. Domestic Flights to Siargao (IAO):
   • Airlines: Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, SunlightAir
   • Flight duration: About 1 hour from Cebu & Davao, 2.5 hours from Manila & Clark
3. Sayak Airport (IAO):
   • Located in Del Carmen, about 45 minutes drive from General Luna
   • Van transfers to General Luna available (₱300 per person General Luna - ₱500 for the North)

By Sea

1. Ferry from Surigao City:
   • Take a flight, bus or ferry to Surigao City
   • Ferry to Dapa Port in Siargao (2-3 hours)
   • Ferries run daily, but schedules can change due to weather

Getting Around in Siargao

Motorbike Rental

• Most popular option for digital nomads
• Cost: ₱300-500 per day (discounts for weekly/monthly rentals)
• Requires a driver's license
• Great for exploring the island independently

Tricycle

• Three-wheeled motorcycles with a sidecar
• Good for short to medium distances
• Can fit 2-3 people
• Cost: Varies based on distance, negotiate before riding

Van Rental

• Available for group trips or island tours
• Cost: Around ₱2500-3500 per day
• Good for day trips to distant parts of the island

Bicycle Rental

• Eco-friendly option for short distances
• Cost: ₱150-300 per day
• Limited to flat areas around General Luna

Boat Trips

• For trips to nearby islands or spots like Cloud 9
• Hire from the General Luna port area
• Prices vary based on destination and group size

As a digital nomad, reliable internet and comfortable workspaces are essential. Here's what you need to know about staying connected and productive in Siargao:

Overall Situation

• Internet in Siargao has improved significantly in recent years but can still be inconsistent.
• Speeds and reliability vary greatly depending on location and provider.

Best Areas for Internet

1. General Luna: Most reliable internet on the island
2. Cloud 9: Generally very good and reliable connectivity
3. Other areas: Can be hit or miss, always check with your accommodation. Fiber exists in Dapa, General Luna, Malinao and Santa Fe. Everywhere else it is only Starlink or Mobile Data.

Internet Speeds

• Average speeds: 5-50 Mbps
• Fiber connections (where available): Up to 300 Mbps
• Satellite Connection (Starlink) Up to 300 DOWN and 100 UP - Average is 100 Down and 20-30 UP when using it alone!

Internet Providers

1. PLDT: Most widely available, offers fiber in some areas
2. Globe: Fiber in General Luna Area, usually PLDT is much better.
3. Starlink: Available across the entire Philippines

Mobile Data

• Reliable backup option
• Providers: Globe, Smart, DITO
• Prepaid SIM cards available at international airports (not Siargao Airport) or in General Luna or Cloud 9 Area. You can also get an eSim from Smart and Globe or any international eSim provider.
• Tip: Get a SIM card from multiple providers for best coverage. If you want to make sure that you are always connected. For the General Luna/Cloud 9 area, Smart is the best operator.

Coworking Space and Cafés

There are three dedicated Coworking Spaces on the island! They typically provide at least one fiber connection and Starlink or two different Starlink connections for their customers and also have Backup Generators for Blackouts.

• Alterspace (Cloud 9)
• CocoSpace (Santa Fe)
• Lexias (Backroad Catangnan)
• Sinag Hostel (Catangnan)
• Angelicas Hostel (General Luna)
• Many Coffee Shops, Restaurants and Resorts are also very Digital Nomad friendly. In the following Work from Siargao Guide you can find a comprehensive list with Nomad friendly F&Bs

This map is created by a local Siargao Nomad. Thank you Rich! With the help of the map you can see which Hotel/Homestay/Restaurant has Starlink, Backup Generator and/or Solar Power. You can also find everything else Digital Nomads are usually looking for in Siargao like laundry shops, gyms, vegetarian/vegan options and more! The map is a work in progress, so by no means a complete overview. It contains all establishments that were referred and recommended by the Siargao Digital Nomad Community!

How does the map work?

Click on the icon in the top-left corner in the map to show the different categories. If it's too small, you can also open the map in Google Maps by clicking on this link: Work from Siargao Map

Meaning of the Symbols:

🌞 - Has solar power
⚡ - Has other backup power e.g. Gas-powered generator
🟡 - Starlink ISP
🟢 - Fiber
🔵 - Undisclosed Internet Service Provider