Siargao on a Budget: Complete Cost Guide (2026)
- Siargao
- Budget
- Surfing
Desk note — the quick answer
A week on Siargao costs ₱12,000–25,000 per person all-in (excluding flights): ₱1,500–2,500/day covers a bed, three meals, a scooter and one tour or lesson. The two big money leaks are trike fares and tour add-ons — both are avoidable. Prices checked August 2026.
Siargao is the Philippines’ best-value island, and it’s not close. But “cheap” only happens if you understand where the money actually goes — because a week on the island can quietly cost as much as Boracay if you let the little charges add up. These are the real numbers from trips we ticketed and ran this year, updated August 2026.
The daily budget that works
| Style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | ₱1,500–2,500 | Dorm bed, street food, surf session, trikes |
| Mid-range | ₱4,000–8,000 | Private room, restaurant meals, scooter, a tour a day |
| Splurge | ₱10,000+ | Boutique hotel, private boats, dining out |
A full week: ₱12,000–25,000 per person including everything but the flight. Staying in Del Carmen instead of General Luna trims 30–40% off the whole trip if you’re really stretching.
The fixed costs
Flights: there’s no Manila–Siargao flight anymore — Siargao service runs from Cebu, Clark and Davao. The reliable routing is Cebu ↔ Siargao (₱3,000–6,000 round trip booked ahead, Cebgo/Sunlight Air). Clark ↔ Siargao exists (~2h20m, Cebgo) but schedules shift — PAL suspended its Clark–Siargao service in May 2026, so route via CEB unless you’re already up north. Check the Siargao route board for current fares.
Airport transfer: Sayak airport to General Luna is 30–40 minutes. Shared van ₱300 (standardized rate); private ₱800. A tricycle from the airport is the scam special — skip it.
Environmental fee: around ₱300, paid once at the airport or tourism office. Keep the receipt; the island-hopping boats will ask for it.
The costs that sneak up on you
Transport (the #1 leak): trikes in General Luna run ₱50–100 for short hops and ₱300+ for the Cloud 9 side. Two round trips a day = ₱600. A scooter is ₱350–600/day (weekly deals from ₱3,000) — it pays for itself by day two and unlocks the north island (Pacifico, Magpupungko) that trikes won’t take you to.
Tours (book direct): the tri-island hop to Guyam/Daku/Naked is ₱1,200–1,800 per person as a joiner with lunch, or about ₱3,000 per boat if you charter up to 5 people — plus ~₱100 environmental fee and small docking fees. Sugba Lagoon runs ₱1,500–2,500 with transfers. Sohoton Cove on Bucas Grande is the big-ticket day (₱2,300–3,100 joiner, all day) — the stingless jellyfish peak March to June. Booking through your hostel is fine; booking through street touts adds ₱300–500 for the same boat.
Surf lessons: ₱800–1,000 for 2 hours including board and a certified instructor. Board rental alone is ₱300–500 — the lesson premium is worth it the first time. Board storage is free at most hostels; lock your board. The Cloud 9 boardwalk itself charges ~₱50–100 to watch.
The food math
- Street food / carinderia: ₱80–200 a meal — grilled pork, rice, mango shakes (₱80–120, and they’re worth it)
- Daku Island grilled tuna: ₱200–350 a serving — the best meal on the island, factor it into the island-hop day
- Tourist restaurants: ₱400–700 a meal — fine for two nights, fatal for seven
- Coffee: ₱120–250. Yes, really. The specialty-coffee scene is a trap for the budget — budget it like a drink, not a utility
Where the money goes in a week (real example)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flight CEB→IAO RT (booked early) | ₱4,500 |
| Airport transfers × 2 | ₱600 |
| Scooter rental × 5 days | ₱2,250 |
| Tri-island hopping (Guyam/Daku/Naked) | ₱1,500 |
| Sugba Lagoon | ₱1,800 |
| 2 surf lessons | ₱1,800 |
| Dorm bed × 7 nights (₱700) | ₱4,900 |
| Food × 7 days (₱450/day mix) | ₱3,150 |
| Eco fees + misc | ₱700 |
| Total | ₱21,200 |
The five savings rules
- Rent a scooter on day one. The island’s best value is mobility.
- Eat where locals eat. The difference between carinderia and tourist restaurant is ₱300 a meal — that’s ₱2,000 a week.
- Book tours direct at the pier. The boat price is the boat price; the middleman is the markup.
- Skip the hostel “surf package.” Lesson + board + transfers bundled at your hostel costs more than booking the same lesson at the boardwalk.
- Cash, in ₱100s and ₱500s. The island’s ATMs run dry and the vendors never have change.
The one date to know
The Siargao International Surfing Cup runs October 16–25, 2026 — upgraded to a World Surf League Qualifying Series event this year. Brilliant to watch, and the worst possible week to turn up hoping for an uncrowded wave or a cheap room.
FAQ
How much does a week in Siargao cost?
₱12,000–25,000 per person all-in, excluding flights. Add ₱4,000–9,000 for the round-trip flight from Cebu, Clark or Davao.
Is Siargao cheaper than Boracay?
Yes — roughly half. Beds, food and tours all run well under Boracay's resort prices. The gap narrows if you eat at tourist restaurants and stay at boutique hotels.
How much is a surf lesson?
₱800–1,000 for two hours including board and a certified instructor. Board-only rental is ₱300–500. Book at the boardwalk, not through hostel packages.
When is Siargao cheapest?
June–October (wet season): rooms drop 30–40% and flights are half-price. It's also surf season — the trade-off is rain and cancelled island hops. The Surfing Cup week (October 16–25) is the exception: everything spikes.
Do I need cash or cards?
Cash. Most of the island runs on it, and the ATMs in General Luna are unreliable. Bring ₱10,000+ and break it into small bills.