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Siargao, particularly areas like General Luna, is known for its surf culture, friendly locals, and a laid-back party atmosphere that appeals to travelers looking for a vibrant, social vibe. There are beaches suitable for both new and experienced surfers, and the island typically doesn't feel overcrowded even during high season. There’s also a decent mix of food options and nightlife, including parties almost every night. Coworking spaces do exist and some are equipped with StarLink and generators.
However, the island poses several challenges for remote workers. Power outages and brownouts are frequent, and internet reliability is inconsistent unless you're at a fiber-connected location, which usually comes with higher costs. StarLink can be patchy, especially in cloudy weather. Even with electricity and internet sorted, getting uninterrupted sleep can be difficult due to noise from local activity, parties, or barking dogs. Better accommodations with power backups and good internet are available but command a premium price.
Overall, Siargao is great for a surf and social getaway but remote workers will need to be flexible and invest in the right setup to make it viable for work.
AI-generated summary of reviews
Best vibe I have encountered so far as it is Philippines' holiday island. Everyone is so chill, surf vibe, people are here to enjoy.
2 coworking spaces so far, both equipped with Starlinks and generators (in case of power cuts which are kinda frequent).
Accommodation is relatively ok price wise though not the cheapest.
Food is pretty good, not the best of SEA but definitely OK.
8 months ago
I’ve come to expect a few challenges, but General Luna (including Back Road, Cloud 9, and Malinao) takes it to another level. The people are lovely, the food is ok, housing can be pricey.
TL;DR: If you want to work reliably, find a place with fiber internet and solar power, or a generator that can run all day, which are the more expensive places.
First off, forget about maintaining a regular work schedule. Power cuts, blackouts, and brownouts are the norm here. Whether planned or due to local incidents, the power goes out often. Repairs are fairly swift, but explaining the next 10-hour blackout to clients can become a headache.
The island's power system is woefully under capacity, and everyone knows it. Don’t expect this to change anytime soon. Some hostels, like Laxias, have generators, which are worth their weight in gold.
Even when the power is on, StarLink internet can be unreliable. It might drop out due to reasons nobody knows, or just because it’s a cloudy day. Patience is the only remedy here. Or find a place that has fiber.
If you manage to have both power and the internet, a good night's sleep is the next hurdle. At night, power cuts, or fluctuations, often stop the AC from working, so your bedroom gets hot.
If it’s none of the above, it's probably the noise. People blasting loud music from 6am (locals) or until 3am (guests) are not uncommon. And if that’s not the case, the local dogs will ensure you’re up at odd hours with their barking.
On the bright side, there aren't many mosquitos! So, there’s that.
All in all, not the best spot for getting work done, but if you can roll with the punches, the charm of the place, and surfing might just win you over.
10 months ago
I’ve come to expect a few challenges, but General Luna (including Back Road, Cloud 9, and Malinao) takes it to another level. The people are lovely, the food is ok, housing can be pricey.
TL;DR: If you want to work reliably, find a place with fiber internet and solar power, or a generator that can run all day. Which are the more expensive places.
First off, forget about maintaining a regular work schedule. Power cuts, blackouts, and brownouts are the norm here. Whether planned or due to local incidents, the power goes out often. Repairs are fairly swift, but explaining the next 10-hour blackout to clients can become a headache.
The island's power system is woefully under capacity, and everyone knows it. Don’t expect this to change anytime soon. Some hostels, like Laxias, have generators, which are worth their weight in gold.
Even when the power is on, StarLink internet can be unreliable. It might drop out due to reasons nobody knows, or just because it’s a cloudy day. Patience is the only remedy here. Or find a place that has fiber.
If you manage to have both power and the internet, a good night's sleep is the next hurdle. At night, power cuts, or fluctuations, often stop the AC from working, so your bedroom gets hot.
If it’s none of the above, it's probably the noise. People blasting loud music from 6am (locals) or until 3am (guests) are not uncommon. And if that’s not the case, the local dogs will ensure you’re up at odd hours with their barking.
On the bright side, there aren't many mosquitos! So, there’s that.
All in all, not the best spot for getting work done, but if you can roll with the punches, the charm of the place, and surfing might just win you over.
10 months ago
Siargao is a vibrant Island. Known for its beautiful surfing beaches, both for beginners and professionals Siargao also offers some great parties, almost every night and a nice mix of restaurants. You will see many people in General Luna, but the Island doesn’t feel too crowded, even in peak season. Internet is not great, but you can find places with 100-200/mps
1 year ago
Good surfing on this island. More experienced surfers head to Cloud 9.
6 years ago