Budget traveler: how to go cheap in Siargao while still enjoying the Island life

If you're a spontaneous and adventurous soul like me, then keeping to the budget usually proves to be quite laborious.

This is for the adventurous soul on a budget..

..Yes, you could actually go cheap in Siargao but still enjoy what the island has to offer

I will be realistic. Frankly, some commodities may come off as pricey. Most of the unfavorable feedback I've heard from my friends about the Island is that it's costly to go and stay there. Come to think of it, the Island relies on getting supplies from other Islands and a huge part of the livelihood of the people comes from tourism. But what I noticed is that the rates are regulated and standardized so you don't get exploited.

But how do you really know if you're being taken advantage of?
Research - online, on-site and by referrals.

do some research online ahead of time
ask your friends who've been to Siargao to get the know-whats about the place and the know-who
do further research on-site by talking to the locals. Ask them, they're really helpful and friendly.

Also, you can actually enjoy the Island even if you're on a budget. How?
Talk to the locals. Spend time with them. They'll help you get a full experience.

I've written a blog about experiencing Siargao with the Locals. Do check it out.
https://steemit.com/travel/@arc.angel/we-got-stranded-in-siargao-experiencing-the-island-life-or-more-than-just-riding-the-waves

I've only been to Siargao once and just for 6 days so there are still a lot of places I haven't been to and a lot of things I have yet to learn about the Island but I do hope these few notes could help you on your trip. For convenience, I've included some links for you to check out.

Accommodation

There are cheap accommodations available in Siargao. You can stay at a dormitel or other places that offers bunk beds. You'll only get to pay around P200-500 per night and be able to stay with your friends in one room but there's a catch, you might share it with strangers. What's great about it though is having the chance to make new friends and maybe meet another adventurous soul.

We stayed in a dormitel across Cloud 9 (where the surfing spot is) and it was really fun as it's busy with activities the whole day. Locals gather there and tourists pass by there to go surf. The location was very convenient for surfing, and so we surfed everyday. Also, we made friends with other tourists who stayed in the dormitel with us.😊 http://bit.ly/dormitel

If you want a more private place, you could check out Siargao Manor Hotel [http://bit.ly/siargao-manor] which is more exclusive but still offers bunk beds and affordable rooms. Their price ranges from P500 (for bunk beds) - P2500 (exclusive rooms). They have their own beach but still relatively near Cloud 9.

Note: I have suggested these places based on positive first-hand experience and good feedback. For safety purposes, be sure to check the reviews or ask for feedback about the place and the people, especially for secluded areas.

Transportation

The common means of transportation in the Island is a motorcycle but it might be a hassle to keep hailing one every time you transfer places and the fare would seem costly as you'd be paying the same amount even if it's just near. You could also opt to walk but that might eat up much of your time which could otherwise be spent on other activities. It'd be convenient for you to go around the island independently if you rent a bicycle, motorbike or a BingGo cab (somewhat like an eco-friendly tricycle) so you don't have to spend too much on fare, and you can divide the cost of the rental. You can rent and self-drive or you can have a driver who'll serve as your tour guide.

Your choice of transportation would depend on your itinerary. Below are estimates of the fare and rentals.

	Fare	Rent
Motorcycle ("habal-habal")	P30 each person	P300-P500 per day (rental could be shared by 2 people)
Bicycle		P100-200 per day (for nearby places)
Tricycle	P20 each person
BingGo cab (somewhat like an eco-friendly tricycle)		P1200-P1500 per day (4-6 person capacity)
Multicab		estimated less than P2000 per day (good for family or friends on tour)
Van	P150 each passenger (per municipality)	P2500 per day (good for family or friends on tour)

*** most of these are estimates and rates may vary.

Note: If you don't know how to drive a motorbike, I suggest that you learn as it is very useful especially in the Islands of the Philippines. It's a common means of transportation in the different Islas (Islands). But remember to drive safe and be careful.

Food, foood, and more fooood..

The food in Siargao is generally expensive but you could find restaurants/"carenderias" that are affordable. There are a lot of great restaurants in the Island but if you want to have a feast without spending too much, you can chip-in, buy from the market and cook on your own. Plus, you can boodle (a Filipino eating tradition where food is piled and laid out on long tables, while everyone eat together with bare hands) with the locals. They sell fresh seafood on the island.

"I just got caught"
📷Kristine

Surfing & adventures

Siargao is mostly known for its waves and surfing. You can have surfing lessons for P500 (hourly rate). To break it down, surfboard rentals cost P200 plus P300 for an instructor. If you think you got the hang of it and you're confident enough to catch & ride the waves on your own, you can just rent a board without getting an instructor. Just make sure you paddle hard.

Some of the best instructors and people we met in Siargao are from "Oh, wow surf" and "Ally surf shop". You don't just take home surfing lessons, you gain friends.

Kuya Baloy of 'oh, wow surf' 📷Rixa Ardaba

If you're not into surfing, there are tons of other activities you can do:

you can go around the Island or go Island hopping, kite surfing, wakeboarding, free diving, or have yoga classes
there is an event every night at a designated place where locals and tourists jam together
or you can just relax & chill, have down-time and bask in the pleasure of enjoying the island life

Most importantly..

Jam with the locals and make friends with other travelers, then you'll understand why a lot of people keeps going back to Siargao. You'll soon find out that it's not about spending a lot of money on your tour that'll make your stay worthwhile. It's the quality of the things you do and the people you meet.

Note: Again, these suggestions are based on positive first-hand experience. You could do your own research so as not to limit your options.

You can check out other posts about Siargao like the ones below so you can plan your itinerary but to quote what I've written on my previous post..

The less you plan everything, the more adventures you'll encounter and the more things you can do. You can plan your tour but leave room for spontaneous activities and for relaxation. Enjoy the luxury of not having to rush all the time. Don't obsess on every detail of your plan and let things fall out naturally. You'll be amazed at how productive and fun your day would turn out to be.

You can do a lot in a day's time. A day's adventure in the Island is a week's worth in the city...but remember to allot time to just relax. It's not everyday that you get to listen to the waves or watch the sky without having to worry if you're late for a meeting.