This is the video from someone I met in the hostel where I stayed in Siargao. Really inspired by this and decided to go back to video editing and will start on my next trip! So you will be seeing videos of my trips from now on. But this time, here's a video made by Jun Rell who turns out to be one of my new found friends from the island! He's into creating good quality videos and has his own youtube channel so I hope you guys can also check his account and probably hit subscribe when you feel like and love what you see.



Hope you guys will enjoy and share it to your friends and hopefully encourage you more to visit Siargao too!


Helpful links on my Siargao trips below!

Cheap Accommodation In Siargao
Where To Eat In Siargao?
How To Spend Less In Siargao?

First, I haven't eaten all of the food shops and restaurants in Siargao but what I have eaten are one of the best in the island. And thinking all of them now makes me crave for them even more!


Okay, so even before I set foot in the island I've followed most of the people who always visits the island and some who lives there. I am really into visiting the place and I want to try the best it has to offer but of course still on budget. Alam mo naman, tipid biyahero tayo, eh. But some of you would say, how? It's just simple share it with your friends or your new found friends (if they are up for it and good thing mine are!) after all you want to look alluring in your bikini photos right? Nahh, but yeah that'll help I guess.



Moving on, based on the people I am following on instagram I already have this list in my head where to eat but of course, locals suggestion and people who frequently visits the place knows better than I do so I was able to tried other foods the island offers.



'Wag na natin patagalin pa. Below are the list of the restaurants I have tried and my rate of the food and place.



I honestly have top five in no particular order. But I guess these are the most number of times I have eaten at that place in my ten days stay in Siargao. Ooopps, guilty.



1. Kermit. This is the nearest at our hostel, it is just walking distance so yeah I ate here three times. The first time was with the new found friends I've met at the hostel, we had a tiring but fun day island hopping and what a better way to end the day is to eat at something yummy, right? Plus, I thought I might see my super surfer crush there but failed, pero busog naman ang tiyan so happy pa din! HAHA! What we ordered is their pizza, you can create your own pizza based on your choice of toppings. But what I love most is their Seafood Pasta! I really love pizza and pasta and their seafood pasta is exceptional! I suggest you guys try it. And of course, don't forget to try their famous Choco Lava Cake, there's no better dessert than this. :)







Okay, I am really sorry, but I don't have any photo of the seafood pasta. I just realize now. Plus, the second time I ordered the seafood pasta it tastes so salty well same with other served pasta for my friends during our dinner with the rest at the hostel. Anyway, their serving time is really long so I suggest upon arrival is to order immediately plus they are most likely to be full at around seven in the evening and because of that go there as early as six in the evening or made a prior reservation. The price? A bit costly. From 200 up.




2. Mama's Grill. So, on my fifth day stay in the island, I was really craving for isaw or any barbecue food stalls. The friend I've met at the hostel already mentioned this cheap stalls where they sell grilled foods. Surprised by the price of their food that is actually the same back in my place (Bulacan). Cravings satisfied!






I know the photos won't give justice to its taste but I swear its satisfying! Plus so love their sauce, you can choose from, sweet to sweet chili to chili sauce. And, just like Kermit it gets full early so head there as early as 5:30 pm. Grilling starts that time also. And I think I ate here three times as well. :P Price starts at five pesos, that's their isaw and their pork barbecue is only fifteen pesos.




3. Aventino's Pizza. I've been eyeing this restaurant since I saw it but I was like "kakain talaga ko ng pizza dito?" But good thing I did! Their pizza is superb! HAHA The first time I had it during family dinner with the Paglaomers. They deliver so its really a plus because we are dining in at the hostel with the whole bunch at the hostel. I am really a fan of thin crust for I taste the toppings better and theirs didn't disappoint. For only 135 pesos you can have a box of pizza all for yourself. The second time I had was when we are so hungry but so lazy to go out to buy or dine out, since Aventino's delivers pizza, tadah! HAHA lazy assses got full thanks guys ^^










During my last day in the island I crave for their pizza again and decided to dine in at their restaurant. You may refer at the photo above for their prices.




4. Barrel Bar Siargao. I remember Sunne, the owner of the hostel where I am staying mentioned that chicken at Barrel is one of a kind. So during our family dinner at the hostel, aside from pizza, we also ordered Barrel's famous chicken and yes it is exceptional. The next night we dine in at Barrel and indulge again with their superb chicken.







It was Ize (left most photo) and Jo and her mom (right most photo) last night and no better way to end their last dinner is to dine it Barrel. It tastes like no other here in Manila or any resto I've tried. Their chicken tastes really well from the chicken skin up to inside and everything else. HAHA! I am really bad at food blogging. No? :P Their whole chicken costs 250. We ordered two whole chicken! :D They say that their garlic rice is a mus try, I haven't though, but Ize did.




5. Shaka! For those health conscious out there! This cafe is for you! Shaka serves cold pressed juices, smoothies, power bowls of the freshest fruits and vegetables found in their island. Sorry no photo of their food. Price starts at 180 up.






Other food stops are as follows

Harana - Their desserts are good
Bravo - We didn't try much only their potato fries that tastes really well, best fit for our red sangria (party night :P)
Point-Point - Turo-turo! Yepp! Tipid bess.

This is somehow part two of my previous post "Cheap Accommodation In Siargao" but this time I'll make a guidelines on how you can spend less in Siargao.




I know whenever people will hear "Siargao" they will automatically think of how expensive this trip will be but like any other destinations, you can spend less here too. You just have to know if not all most about the place before heading there. But of course how? Especially if its your first time, right? And, if you are like me a solo traveler. I feel you guys. There are only few over the internet who can help you out with this one because I too had a hard time before. But let me help you with this post. I don't say I'm an expert about the island because it is just my first time there. But my ten days stay gives me a lot of ideas about the place.




So I listed nine points to remember when going to Siargao. This is just based on my experience and the way I see how one can spend less in this beautiful island. I'll update this once I remember some more points.











1. SET A BUDGET. During my planning stage of my Mindanao trip, I allotted 10 days for my Siargao trip. In my mind I know it will be costly but I set a budget for it. I've researched some spots that I want to visit and from there planned my budget for the trip. Setting a budget will help you monitor you expenses.









2. LOOK FOR CHEAP ACCOMMODATION. On my previous post I mentioned where I stayed. Choosing where to stay should be a priority too. You don't want to spend more on this because most likely you will be outside enjoying the island but don't just choose wherever or whatever accommodation there is. You should also consider not just the price but the distance and the benefits of staying there. Like on my part, I stayed at Paglaom Hostel. This place is perfect for any budget travelers out there. You will be going to sleep in a bunk but with mosquito nets (I think this is another plus), you can bring your own food and they have designated container and lockers (with lock) for your foods and drinks, you are allowed to use the kitchen and their refrigerator and any appliances in the kitchen, all these for a 350 per night. Such a steal right?








3. TRAVEL IN NUMBERS. This is the most cheapest way to travel in a place where you can split the expenses with others like boat rentals, car rentals, and of course on food consumption. But of course, there will be times that your friends will not be there or like me who really prefers travelling solo then point number four is four you.










4. MAKE FRIENDS. I honestly not the friendliest out there. I am a self-proclaimed introvert and in my three years of backpacking there is only one person whom I consistently have communication until now. Maybe because my itinerary is always on the go and spontaneous. I didn't expect that my Siargao trip would be this enormous about meeting new people but I'm glad it turned out to be that way because I really enjoyed every day with them. So, what happened was, from the hostel I checked in, I met people who are also solo traveler, and from there we discussed places we want to visit and just divide the total cost. This is way way a lot cheaper. The budget I set is just for the three island because the initial plan is just to visit those three on my own, renting my own boat. But the budget I set takes me to different spots in Siargao because yeah I made a lot of friends.









5. BE EXTRA FRIENDLY. How is this so different from point number four is that along the way or from where the jump off is, if you spot some couple or group of two or three friends, you can always ask them if they want to join your group and divide the total cost among yourselves. The many the better! Of course ask your boatman of the maximum capacity of the boat. This may also apply if you will rent a multicab for a day. Imagine if you can find more to fit in the multicab?









6. RESEARCH WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. Since it is just me alone I list just the places I wanted to visit and the food I want to try. From there I plan the budget and all.  Just read some other points for backup of this ^^








7. BRING/COOK YOUR OWN FOOD. As I've mentioned, look for an accommodation where you can bring and esp cook your own food. Eating fresh and newly cooked is always much better right? Siargao is just like any other places with their own wet and dry market. You can always ask locals where you can find them. I didn't say you should not try any food stalls or restaurant in the island, of course you have to because believe me there are loads to try and loads that is worth your dime. But again, control and set a budget for it. And if you are really on tight budget allot only to food stalls or restaurant you really want to try or heard of on that island. that is worth your bucks.









8. MONITOR YOUR EVERYDAY EXPENSES. Whenever I travel I list all my everyday expenses just to see how am I spending the whole day and when to limit or stop to avoid overbudget. By this you will have a total control on your money.








9. BRING JUST THE EXACT MONEY. I know this can be like a disadvantage esp if there's any emergency but what I did is I bring just the budget I planned and always had a backup but hid it away from my wallet and make a promise to myself not to touch it unless it is really really that important. After all, we are all promise-abiding citizen right?









Tips
- Paglaom Hostel accommodation is just 350 per night (you may bring your own food to cook, they have stove and refrigerator that you can use without any additional cost)
- You may rent a multicab all for yourself we had ours for only 2500 with a driver and split the expenses to eight of us)
- There are van rentals for a day for 2500 to 3500. Self drive and with a driver too.
- Habal-habal rental is 350 for a day. Max is 3 in habal-habal
- Bike rental is 150 for a day.
- Island Hopping to Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island is 1500 per boat, maximum is 8. But later on we found out that there are some who offers 1300 per boat. This is just around boulevard where they dock their boats. The store before it on the right side.
- Magpupungko Tidal Flats and Lagoon can be reached through land ride (habal, multicab, or van) if you rent a any of those for a day you can also visit the falls and the caves and pacifico.
- Sugba Lagoon can be reached through land and boat. This is a bit expensive so be sure to be with lots of friends and travelers to lessen the expenses. Boat rental is about 1600.
- Bucas Grande and Sohoton is really expensive so make sure to not go there alone. For a group of eight a total of 3500 to 5000 expenses.
- Their market price is the same as everywhere.
- Food stalls and restaurant to check out Mama's Grill, Shaka, Barrel, Kermit, Harana, Aventino's Pizza, Dawi's.
- Surf lesson is 500 for one hour with board. They offer day lesson for less or four hours of lesson for less just asked them they are all nice and accommodating. I suggest looking for "Oh Wow Surf" at Cloud 9


Next Where To Eat In Siargao?

Most people will think that going to Siargao is expensive, well that will be for sure if you don't have any idea about the island. When planning about any trip, most of us diy-ers and cheap-seeker-travelers always look for something that is cheaper but will not jeopardize our trip.



During my planning stage of my adventure at Mindanao, I allotted eleven days for my Siargao trip. I know most people would think why spend that long in a certain place? For me, there's something about this island that needs to be explored and experienced. Good thing I've made the right decision.



Given the nights of my stay at the island, I need to look for cheaper accommodation, and not to brag but I love researching and I know I am really good at that and tadah! found some place to stay at a cheaper price per night. Would you believe that I only spent 3500 pesos for ten nights at Siargao. Such a steal right? That will be 350 pesos per night.



Okay, the place I am talking to is Paglaom Hostel. I've learned about this place over researching on the internet and for me its already cheap so I decided to booked on their website.









The Hostel is a mixed dorm types. Honestly, it is my first time to try mixed dorm accommodation. I've tried single-bed at all girls room when I visited Bohol last year so I know this is going to be another experience for me.



If you are looking for cheap accommodation at Siargao, you may try this Hostel and I know you will not regret it. Its actually one of the best accommodation I had in my experience in travelling alone. The Hostel is around 5 mins away from Cloud 9 and will cost you 20 pesos habal-habal ride but is not along the highway. It's actually inside an area just near the highway, but walking is really good for anyone, plus if you rent your own motorbike it will be piece of cake for you. Though, Paglaom Hostel is not the most cheapest in Siargao, yes you've read that right, but the experience and their hospitality, and how they manage their hostel is more than what you will pay. The owner, Sunne is so vibrant and accommodating and will really help you out around the area. Plus, you will meet a lot of new friends and if you are lucky enough became for keeps.








As I've mentioned, there are a lot of much cheaper accommodation at Siargao, mostly, bunk beds like of the Paglaom, but I don't have much information about it. I just saw it while we are there. The cheapest is around 150 pesos per night and right in front of the highway going to the famous surf spot Cloud 9. You will not miss it because when you get off your ride it's one of the first thing you will see, you can't missed it actually. Along the highway going to Cloud 9 I notice some bunk beds around 300 pesos per night, its near Fat Lips store.

YSLA Beach Resort and Eco Camp is a place to fell in love with. The fact that its eco camp and I'm all support with anything eco friendly I did not hesitate to book on their resort even though their price exceeds my limit per night. They charge a single tent (max of 2 pax) for 1500. Since I'm the only one on this trip all the expenses are all mine. For me, paying thousands overnight is expensive already given that I will just sleep in here and leave the island the next day but part of me can't resist the beauty I saw on their website and of course by staying in here supporting an eco friendly environment.







The resort did not fail me. The crews are all very welcoming and helpful to my needs.







I arrive almost 6 in the evening and they are very much welcoming and assisting me for my island hopping the next day.