The two months I spent in Siargao—from mid-September to mid-November 2024—were among the best of my life. I’ve travelled to some incredible places, and I live in the paradise that is Australia’s East Coast, but something about Siargao captured my heart.
Maybe it was the island’s small-town feel, the genuinely kind locals, or the endless palm trees and dreamy tropical weather. My days followed a blissful rhythm: early starts at the coworking space for meetings on Australian time, lunchtime surf checks across the road, waves after work, and a dinners out to finish the day. It was a fulfilling, uncomplicated lifestyle—one I plan to return to soon.
If you’re planning to live and work remotely in Siargao as a digital nomad surfer, one of the most important things to consider is your budget. Below, I’ve broken down exactly what I spent during my 8-week stay—plus typical prices for common items on the island—to help you plan your trip.
What I Spent in 2 Months Living & Surfing in Siargao as a Digital Nomad
I spent 10 nights in General Luna, then 47 nights in Malinao (just south of General Luna). I worked remotely from a co-working space, surfed most days, went to a few fitness classes, and generally ate out for lunch and dinner.
2-Month Budget Breakdown
| PHP | ||
| 10 Nights Airbnb in General Luna | 21,229 | ~2,100 php/night – nice private room and bathroom which a shared kitchen |
| 47 Nights Airbnb in Malinao | 89,684 | ~1,900 php/nigh – nice studio apartment |
| Scooter hire | 12,000 | 6,000/month |
| Co-working space | 10,300 | ~1,470 per week for 7 weeks, dedicated desk |
| Meeting room booking in co-woking space | 200 | 1 hour hire |
| Throwaway exit flight | 2,538 | Required proof of outbound flight within 30 days of arrival |
| Visa exemption | 3,300 | Extended from 30 to 59 days (Australia passport) |
| Sim card | 149 | Globe prepaid |
| Phone plan | 796 | 199 PHP/2 weeks, 8GB data & unlimited calls/texts |
| Discretional spending | 4,150 | Food, boat hires, and other spending – details below |
| Total cost to live, surf, and work in Siargao for 2 months | 144,346 | ~18,350 per week |
My main spending over my surf trip to Siagao was on food and boat hires. With tourism as one of the main industries on the island, Siargao isn’t the cheapest place to travel to in Southeast Asia. However, it’s still great value for money for someone coming from Australia or a similar country. Here’s what you can expect to pay for food, transport, surfing, and more on Siargao.
Siargao Travel Costs: What Things Cost on the Island (2024)
| Vendor | PHP | |
| Food & Drinks | ||
| 1 kg rolled oats | Barna Supplies | 400 |
| 1 kg Quaker rolled oats | Tag Grocery | 260 |
| Natural peanut butter (200 g) | Tag Grocery | 450 |
| Plain Yogurt | Tag Grocery | 120 |
| Coconut oil (100 ml) | Tag Grocery | 250 |
| Eating Out | ||
| Local meal | <200 | |
| Western-style meal | 250-450 | |
| Higher-end meal | 400-800 | |
| Chilli chicken | Emelia’s Restobar | 180 |
| BBQ chicken, rice & veg | EP Bliss Cafe (Malinao) | 150 |
| Large mixed plate of local dishes | Kurvada | 280 |
| Roasted veggie salad | Vedya Siargao | 320 |
| Smoothie bowl | Vedya Siargao | 300 |
| Surfing | ||
| Cloud 9 entrance | 100 | |
| Ocean 9 access (includes parking + locker) | 100 | |
| Boat to Pisangan (from Cemetary) | 150 | |
| Boat to Backdoor (from Cemetary) | 200 | |
| Boat to Boomies/Rock Island (from Jacking Horse) | 250 | |
| Boat to Salvacion (from Salvacion) | 200 | |
| Transport | ||
| Airport transfer (IAO to GL – pre-booked) | 600 | |
| Full scooter tank of regular fuel | 250-300 | |
| Laundry | ||
| Hand-washed & dried | 300 | |
| Machine washed & dried (per 7 kg load) | 270 | |
| Other Items | ||
| 4 pack toilet paper | Tag Grocery | 38 |
| Tote bag | Mindful Market | 700 |
| Eyelash lift | Airbrow Beauty | 650 |
| Lighter | Tag Grocery | 20 |
| Cling film 20m | Tag Grocery | 81 |
| Group fitness class | Crossfit Siargao | 500 |
| Mamon Island day trip – boat and lunch | 1,100 | |
| Parking + entrance fee to Tak Tak falls | 70 |
Don’t forget to factor in the costs of getting to the Philippines and staying safe while you’re there. Here are a few additional things you may need to include in your Siargao travel budget:
Other Costs to Budget for Your Siargao Trip
- Flights (and potential transit through Manila or Cebu)
- Airport transfers in your home country
- Checked baggage and surfboard fees
- Surfboard travel bag
- Travel vaccinations (if required)
- Travel insurance
- Visa (based on your passport and length of stay)
- International Drivers Permit (if you plan to drive or ride a scooter/motocycle)
Ready to Start Planning?
Now that you know what to budget for, you’re one step closer to your dream surf and work trip to Siargao.
Before you go, be sure to check out our Surfing and Remote Work Tips for everything else you need to hit the ground running.
