The moment you step off the tiny plane at Siargao Airport, you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. Scooters with surfboards pass you, coconut palms are everywhere and life slows down. I fell for its beautiful beaches and shared my favourite spots in my guide to the best things to do on Siargao. One thing deserves careful planning though: where to stay in Siargao.

The island looks small on a map, but distances are surprisingly long. General Luna puts surf spots and cafés on your doorstep. Head north for quieter beaches, palm trees and a completely different side of Siargao. I found a place I still think about. Here are my favourite areas, boutique hotels, beach resorts and villas. Dreaming of a pool all to yourself? Then you will love my separate guide to the best villas in Siargao.

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Mao Mao Surf

Best areas to stay in Siargao

Most travellers land in General Luna and never leave. Yet if you stay in Siargao Island for more than a few days, 4 other bases offer a very different pace. A scooter is the cheapest way to explore the whole island, from around 350 pesos per day, and most accommodations arrange motorbike rentals for you. I loved my road trips here on the wide palm tree roads! Tricycles cover General Luna for 50 to 100 pesos per ride. Bring your international driver’s licence and check that your travel insurance covers scooter riding.

Las Palmas Villas & Casitas

General Luna, the surf and food hub

General Luna is where the action is. Tourism Road is lined with cafés and popular hotels, Cloud 9 is a short ride away and there is a party almost every night. Stay here on your first trip, for surf lessons or if you travel solo and want to meet people fast. Light sleepers: pick a room off the main road.

Santa Fe and Malinao, the calm alternatives

Santa Fe sits just north of General Luna, a quiet area of local houses, long beaches and coffee at Marmelade or Bamboo Surf Café. Malinao, south of town near Secret Beach, has a more romantic and tranquil atmosphere than General Luna, with seaside stays that cost less than those around Cloud 9. You are 10 to 15 minutes by scooter from the bustle of General Luna, which is either the whole point or a dealbreaker depending on what you came for.

Pacifico and Burgos: for a slower pace

Pacifico Beach, about an hour north and facing the open Pacific Ocean, is wilder: a white sandy beach, big waves, a laid back surf scene and coffee at Swell Café or Manu Brew. Burgos lies a bit further towards the northern tip, with sleepy neighbourhoods, ocean views, the secluded beach of Alegria and a relaxed atmosphere at spots like The Hub and Kolekbibo. In North Siargao, kids wave at you, roosters cross the road and life moves wonderfully slowly. The ride from General Luna takes up to 90 minutes through stunning scenery, and the road back becomes very dark, so stay at least 1 night. Grab an eSIM before you leave home so your maps keep working out here.

Vedya Hostel

Best hotels in Siargao

Made for solo travellers and surfers: 2 Siargao Island hotels in General Luna, both easy on the budget without feeling like a cheap hotel.

Mao Mao Surf: Mao Mao Surf is a very popular and affordable accommodation that is almost always fully booked. They also run one of the best surf schools on the island, so you can walk out of your room and straight into a lesson. Message them well ahead of your trip if you want a room in high season. Loved my surf lessons here! They have a swimming pool now, so I will be back soon!

Vedya Hostel: at Vedya Hostel you will easily meet other travellers. Vedya became my home away from home and the café serves the tastiest veggie breakfasts and lunches. Dorms and private rooms, a shared lounge and kitchen, no pool. It is also a great spot to work if you have a deadline haunting you.

Trogon’s Perch

Best resorts in Siargao Island

Most resorts in Siargao Island are tiny by international standards, luxury resorts included: 8 to 15 rooms is normal. Lovely for privacy, a problem when you try to book Siargao accommodation in September.

Soultribe Beach Retreat: Soultribe sits on Malinao Road with its own stretch of beach, an outdoor pool and a handful of wooden cabanas and loft villas for groups. Yoga on an ocean view deck, surf coaching and paddleboards are on site, and the seaside café Khaya cooks with island produce and seafood. Sign up for the communal dinner under fairy lights, twice a week.

Trogon’s Perch: the reason to spend a night in Pacifico. Wide ocean views, an infinity pool and an oceanfront restaurant, far from the General Luna noise. Pro tip: bring cash, the island ATMs do not always work.

Punta Punta Surf Retreat: oceanfront glamping on a point in Cabitoonan, with a private beach area and a plunge pool that looks across the water at Cloud 9. Only 8 rooms: glamping tents, sea view suites and a 2 bedroom surf villa. Arrive by boat if you can. Plant based café with delicious food, 4 course shared dinners and a bonfire to end the night. Tourism Road is 20 to 30 minutes away.

Nay Palad Hideaway: for those who want to splurge, Nay Palad Hideaway is where the glitterati go. Just 10 villas with private beach access in Malinao, and the rate covers everything: meals, massages, yoga, surfing, island hopping and the airport transfer. No wallet needed once you are through the gate. This is the one you book for a milestone birthday, not for a fortnight of backpacking.

Las Palmas Villas & Casitas

Best villas in Siargao

Villas in Siargao usually come with a pool, a gate and the entire property to yourself. Most are tucked away in Santa Fe or General Luna. Book one for a couple of slow nights, or as a reward after a week of dorms. Below are a few of my favourites; for more options with prices and tips per area, have a look at my selection of private pool villas in Siargao.

Las Palmas Villas: Las Palmas Villas is a tropical dream with beautifully designed rooms and a serene pool surrounded by lush plants. I ended my stay on Siargao here. Such a beautiful place! The property sits on Tourism Road, a few steps from General Luna Beach, and splits into villas with a private entrance and smaller casitas around the garden. Thatched roofs, tropical wood and around 10 rooms in total, so it stays quiet even when the island is full. Every room has a private balcony. Breakfast is included and there is a restaurant and bar on site.

Pool villas near Cloud 9 and Tuason Point

Catangnan, the stretch between General Luna and Cloud 9, is where most new villas pop up. You walk to the surf with sandy feet and drive to dinner.

Kalima Villas: beachfront villas with direct access to Tuason, a surf break in its own right, with Cloud 9 a 10 minute walk away. Each villa has a saltwater plunge pool, an outdoor kitchen to cook your own meals and an open air bathroom with Balinese touches. Rated 9.8 by more than 50 guests. The beach in front is rocky reef, so this one is for surfers, not swimmers.

Sueños Villas: 4 villas on Tuason Point, each with its own pool of 4 by 2 metres behind tall concrete walls and a roof of cogon grass. Starlink, a proper desk for remote work and a lounge area with a daybed for a third guest. A convenient location too: Cloud 9 and the centre of General Luna are both about 10 minutes on foot. No daily bed making, but fresh linens on arrival.

Siargao villas for group trips and big views

SEACLUB Siargao: the one for a girls trip. Villas from 2 to 4 bedrooms, each with its own pool and garden, vaulted wooden ceilings and an open kitchen. Interconnecting doors mean everyone keeps their own room and still shares breakfast. Room service and massages come to your villa, and Cloud 9 is 10 minutes on foot. Bring a card: this is one of the rare places on the island that does not take cash.

Tanaw Villas: tanaw means view in Filipino, and the name does not exaggerate. The 3 bedroom villa sits on a hill in Catangnan with a suspended infinity pool and a rooftop looking out over ocean, mangroves and palms. A 9.6 from almost 170 reviews, and previous guests keep mentioning the staff by name. There is free parking, payment is cash only and the roads are unlit at night, so arrange your tricycle back before dinner. Town is just a few minutes away.

Where to stay for jungle and privacy

Manao Villas: a boutique resort of standalone luxury villas in Santa Fe, about 80 metres from the beach and close to one of the bigger surf breaks on that side of the island. Your own pool, a bathtub with hot water and an outdoor kitchen, plus a concierge who sets up island trips. Banana and coconut trees for neighbours. The last stretch is a dirt road that turns muddy between December and February.

Kalani River Villas: just 2 villas perched above a river, a scooter ride from General Luna. Each has an infinity pool that seems to run straight into the jungle, plus direct river access and a bamboo raft for guests. Book this one if you would rather wake up to jungle than to waves.

Best hotels in General Luna

Want Cloud 9 at sunrise and dinner within walking distance? Then book in General Luna.

Harana Surf Resort: right on the beach at Tuason Point, just a short walk from Cloud 9. Restaurant, bar and a surf school that meets at the resort. On Saturdays it turns into a beach dance floor, so maybe not the one for an early night.

Kajali Siargao: 12 spacious rooms, from double rooms to family rooms, each in its own patch of garden along one winding saltwater pool. The central location puts you a 7 minute walk from the beach and practically next door to Kermit, yet it is a quiet place: guests say the nightlife never reaches their room. A 9.5 from more than 200 reviews. The only downside: the access road is unpaved and turns muddy after rain.

Bubble Siargao: for something romantic and completely out of the ordinary, sleep under the stars in a transparent dome. Set in the rice fields just outside General Luna, each dome has its own bathroom and outdoor shower. The dome heats up between roughly 08:00 and 16:00, so plan your day outside and come back for the stars.

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Best things to do in Siargao

The three island tour takes you to the white sand beaches of Guyam, Naked Island and Daku by traditional banka boat. Order the mango coffee on Guyam. I promise it is surprisingly delicious! Sugba Lagoon near Del Carmen has emerald water, kayaks and a diving board. The sunset electric skate tour rolls through General Luna at golden hour.

Go to Maasin River around 8 in the morning and you may have the bent palm tree to yourself. Magpupungko Rock Pools reveal their beauty only at low tide. My cafés, surf spots and the street food at Sunset Bridge are all in my complete guide to things to do on Siargao Island. I follow my own Siargao routine pretty religiously when I am here. Curious about my other surf towns? Browse all my Sri Lanka recommendations.

Where to stay in Siargao: Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Siargao?

General Luna is the best area to stay in Siargao for a first trip, with surf, cafés and nightlife close by. Santa Fe and Malinao suit you if you want a peaceful atmosphere 10 to 15 minutes from town. Pacifico is the best place to stay in Siargao for empty beaches and powerful waves.

Where to stay in Siargao as a solo traveller?

Stay in General Luna, at a social place like Vedya Hostel or Happiness Hostel. You meet people instantly, the island is safe and easy to get around on a scooter.

What is the best time to visit Siargao?

March to October is the dry season, with September and October as the peak months for surfing. The rainy season runs roughly from November to February. March to May has the most stable weather for island hopping, and outside the surf peak you get fewer crowds with plenty of sun. Book your hotel early for the surf season.

How many days do you need on Siargao?

5 to 7 days is the sweet spot. Enough time to surf, join one of the island hopping tours, ride to Pacifico and still have lazy café mornings. Split it: 3 or 4 nights in General Luna, 1 or 2 in Pacifico.

How do you get to Siargao?

Siargao Island, Philippines, has its own airport in Del Carmen. Fly there on a propeller plane from Cebu or Clark. From Manila you usually connect in Cebu, so check the current routes before you book. I booked Comfort Class with Philippine Airlines for a few extra euros: priority boarding, lounge access and 25 kilos of luggage. The drive to General Luna takes 45 to 60 minutes, so arrange your transfer before you land and withdraw cash before you fly. The fastcraft from Surigao City takes about 1.5 hours to Dapa, a working port town with local eateries 15 minutes from General Luna.