Siargao

Siargao is for nomads who plan their working day around the tide. The island built its reputation on the Cloud 9 reef break, and the surf culture still sets the tone: early sessions, long lunches, yoga, island-hopping at weekends and a sociable nightlife scene in General Luna. The crowd is young and international, and it is easy to meet people within days of arriving.

Nearly everyone bases themselves in General Luna, either along Tourism Road close to the restaurants or towards Cloud 9 and Catangnan for quicker access to the surf, while Santa Fe offers quieter residential living a short scooter ride away. Coco Space, between General Luna and Santa Fe, runs on solar power and Starlink and charges around PHP 6,000–7,000 a month; Alter Space near Cloud 9 is cheaper and has day and night passes, and Sunday Siargao combines a pool with a work area. Monthly rentals are best found through Facebook groups.

Internet has improved hugely thanks to Starlink, which most coworking spaces, cafés and better hotels now use, but places relying on a mobile SIM in a router can be slow. Power cuts are frequent, and voltage spikes can damage chargers, so choose a space with solar, a generator or a UPS. You will need a scooter. March to October is the best period, with September the surf peak; November to February is wetter and quieter. Expect to spend about USD 1,400 a month.

The island has grown quickly and prices in General Luna now resemble those of a resort town. Healthcare is basic, with serious cases evacuated to the mainland, and road accidents involving scooters are common. Getting here usually involves a connection through Cebu or Clark, and typhoons can disrupt flights late in the year. The party side of General Luna will not suit everyone.