💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from Siargao
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓Surfing Capital of the Philippines with world-class Cloud 9 waves
- ✓Affordable cost of living compared to Western countries
- ✓Growing digital nomad community with dedicated coworking spaces
- ✓Stunning natural attractions from lagoons to rock pools
- ✓Excellent island hopping opportunities to nearby islands
- ✓English widely spoken throughout the Philippines
- ✓Laid-back island lifestyle perfect for work-life balance
- ✓Amazing food scene with diverse international options
- ✓Beautiful year-round tropical weather
- ✓Friendly welcoming locals and strong expat community
✗Disadvantages
- ✗Frequent power outages disrupt work and daily life
- ✗Internet can be unreliable outside coworking spaces
- ✗Limited medical facilities for serious emergencies
- ✗Need scooter for transportation as walkability is low
- ✗More expensive than mainland Philippines destinations
- ✗Rainy season October to February can be intense
- ✗Small island with limited entertainment options
- ✗Flights can be expensive and limited from Manila
- ✗Infrastructure still developing across the island
- ✗Peak season crowds can overwhelm General Luna area
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Siargao
Coco Space
📍 Libertad/Santa Fe, Siargao Island • 170 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Alter Space
📍 Cloud 9/Catangnan, General Luna, Siargao Island • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Lexias Hostel & Workspace
📍 Tourism Road, General Luna, Siargao Island • 50 Mbps • 24/7
Sunday Siargao Cafe & Pool
📍 Tourism Road, General Luna, Siargao Island • 60 Mbps • 24/7
Happiness Beach Resort Workspace
📍 General Luna Beach, Siargao Island • 50 Mbps
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Spotted Pig Cafe
📍 General Luna
White Beard Coffee
📍 General Luna
Bake Siargao
📍 General Luna
Coastal Grounds
📍 Cloud 9
Greenhouse Cafe
📍 General Luna
Lunares Cafe
📍 General Luna
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Siargao
General Luna
The main tourist hub of Siargao and the heart of the digital nomad scene. General Luna offers the widest range of restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightlife on the island. Tourism Road is the main strip with countless dining options from local carinderias to international cuisine. Most coworking spaces and laptop-friendly cafes are here. Walkable within the town center but you will need a scooter to explore beyond. Can feel busy during peak season but has the best infrastructure and community for remote workers.
Cloud 9 & Catangnan
Home to the world-famous Cloud 9 surf break that put Siargao on the map. This area attracts serious surfers and has a distinct surf culture atmosphere. The Cloud 9 boardwalk and viewing tower offer stunning views of surfers riding the barrels. Beachfront restaurants and bars line the coast. Alter Space coworking is located here. More expensive than other areas but perfect for those who want to combine surfing with remote work. Beautiful sunsets and active beach scene.
Santa Fe & Malinao
A quieter alternative to General Luna, this area is home to Coco Space, the best coworking facility on the island. Santa Fe offers a more peaceful atmosphere with growing cafe scene and good internet infrastructure thanks to fiber and Starlink availability. Less touristy than General Luna but still has restaurants and accommodation options. Perfect for digital nomads who prioritize productivity over nightlife. About 10-15 minutes by scooter from General Luna.
North Siargao (Pacifico & Beyond)
The off-the-beaten-path part of Siargao offering remote beaches, powerful surf breaks, and authentic island living. Pacifico has a world-class wave and much fewer crowds than Cloud 9. Accommodation is cheaper but infrastructure is limited with Starlink-only internet in most areas. Beautiful coconut-lined roads and unspoiled nature. Requires scooter for all transportation. Best for adventurous travelers willing to trade convenience for tranquility and lower costs.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Siargao
Cloud 9 Surf Break
The legendary surf spot that made Siargao famous worldwide, Cloud 9 is known for its powerful barreling right-hand waves breaking over shallow reef. Named by American photographer John Callahan after a chocolate bar, it hosts the annual Siargao Cup WSL competition. The iconic wooden boardwalk and three-story viewing tower offer perfect spots to watch surfers ride the barrels. Even non-surfers love the sunset views and beach atmosphere. Surf lessons available for beginners at gentler nearby breaks.
Tres Marias Island Hopping
The quintessential Siargao experience visiting three stunning islands in one day. Naked Island is a bare white sandbar perfect for photos, completely devoid of vegetation and surrounded by turquoise waters. Daku Island is the largest with swaying palms, great for seafood lunch and swimming. Tiny Guyam Island offers intimate beach vibes ideal for relaxing. Tours include snorkeling stops with colorful marine life. Book through General Luna tour operators for the best prices.
Sugba Lagoon
A breathtaking emerald lagoon hidden among mangrove forests and limestone cliffs, Sugba Lagoon is one of Siargao's most popular attractions. The turquoise waters are perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming. A wooden diving platform offers cliff jumping for the adventurous. Located in Del Carmen municipality, the boat ride through mangrove channels is part of the experience. A designated 4,000-hectare sanctuary protecting diverse marine life. Can get crowded during peak times.
Magpupungko Rock Pools
A stunning natural wonder where volcanic rock formations create crystal-clear tidal pools during low tide. The pools range from shallow wading areas to deep spots perfect for cliff jumping into emerald waters. Located in Pilar town, about 45 minutes from General Luna, timing your visit with low tide is essential as the pools disappear at high tide. Wear aqua shoes for the sharp coral rocks. One of the most photographed spots on Siargao with dramatic ocean views.
Sohoton Cove National Park
A hidden paradise on nearby Bucas Grande Island featuring enchanting lagoons, limestone caves, and the famous stingless jellyfish sanctuary. Explore the luminescent Hagukan Cave with its magical blue glow, swim through Cathedral Cave's vaulted passages, and witness thousands of golden jellyfish pulsing like living lanterns (swimming with them now restricted for conservation). The dramatic landscape of green limestone cliffs and crystal waters feels otherworldly. Full day trip from Siargao.
Maasin River
Famous for its iconic bent coconut palm and rope swing, Maasin River has become one of Siargao's most Instagram-worthy spots. Swing from the famous palm tree into the cool river waters surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Take a peaceful bamboo raft ride through the coconut-lined riverbanks for a serene experience. Local guides offer assistance with the swing and photos. Visit early morning for the best lighting and fewer crowds. Free entry with small tips for guides.
Tayangban Cave Pool
An adventurous hidden gem featuring an underground cave pool illuminated by natural skylights. Trek through jungle to reach the cave entrance, then descend into the refreshing natural pool surrounded by dramatic limestone formations. Swim through dark cave passages to discover hidden chambers. The crystal-clear cold water is perfect for cooling off after the hike. Local guides are recommended to navigate safely. One of Siargao's more unique and less crowded attractions.
Coconut Mountain View
A scenic viewpoint along Siargao's circumferential road offering endless vistas of coconut palm plantations stretching to the horizon. This photogenic spot perfectly captures the island's tropical landscape with thousands of palms creating a green sea of fronds. Stop during a scooter ride around the island for iconic photos. The road itself is a highlight, winding through coconut groves and offering glimpses of local island life. Free to visit and easily combined with other attractions.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"Siargao exceeded all my expectations as a digital nomad destination. Spent three months here and found the perfect work-life balance. Coco Space became my office with its reliable Starlink, pool breaks, and amazing community. Living costs were around $1,200/month for a nice private room, scooter rental, and eating out most meals. The surf lifestyle is addictive even as a beginner, and Cloud 9 sunsets are unreal. Yes there are power cuts, but coworking spaces have generators. The food scene rivals Bali with incredible cafes. Friendliest community I've encountered anywhere. Already planning my return."
"Siargao is beautiful but comes with trade-offs for remote workers. The good: incredible island hopping, amazing food, welcoming nomad community, and affordable living around $1,000-1,500/month. Coco Space is legit with fast internet. The challenges: power outages happen weekly sometimes daily, you absolutely need a scooter to get anywhere, and the hospital situation makes me nervous. My internet at my rental was unreliable so I worked from coworking spaces most days. Great for a month or two to experience island life, but I wouldn't commit to longer without testing accommodation WiFi first. The surf and sunsets make up for a lot though."
"As someone who needs rock-solid internet for video calls, Siargao was frustrating. The coworking spaces are decent but limited to maybe three real options on the whole island. Power cuts disrupted important meetings despite generators. My Airbnb advertised fast WiFi but it was barely usable. That said, the island itself is paradise, the food scene is surprisingly excellent, and weekends exploring Sugba Lagoon and Magpupungko were highlights of my travels. Cost me about $1,400/month living comfortably. It's a fantastic vacation destination or for work that doesn't require constant connectivity. For hardcore remote work, somewhere with better infrastructure is a safer bet."
Ready to explore Siargao?
Join thousands of nomads who call this city home
View All Cities →