Southeast Asia 📈Rising

Siargao for Digital Nomads

Surf, slow down, and find your island rhythm

Philippines • Asia/Manila (+8)

TL;DR

Siargao scores 8/10 on our Hustle-Free Index. You'll spend around $1,200/month for a comfortable setup. Siargao is the anti-Bali—fewer crowds, better waves, and an island pace that forces you to slow down. The infrastructure is basic, the internet is what it is, but the lifestyle is pure magic. Perfect for burned-out creatives and payment-frustrated freelancers. It's okay to want both adventure and stability. Here's everything you need to know.

Hustle-Free Index Score

8 /10

Based on safety, happiness, and cost of living data

Quick Facts

Monthly Budget	$1,200 (comfortable)
Visa Situation	30 days visa-free
Internet Speed	30 Mbps avg (Variable)
Best For	Creatives, Freelancers
Skip If	Need reliable fast internet, Prefer city amenities
English Level	Excellent
Safety	Very Safe (Score: 75/100)

Why Siargao Works for Freelancers Like You

Siargao is the anti-Bali—fewer crowds, better waves, and an island pace that forces you to slow down. The infrastructure is basic, the internet is what it is, but the lifestyle is pure magic. It's where surfer-nomads go when Canggu gets too hectic.

"Sunrise surf at Cloud 9 followed by coconut breakfast"

What Makes It Special

✓ World-class surfing (Cloud 9)
✓ Authentic island life, not over-touristy
✓ English widely spoken
✓ Easy visa extensions (up to 3 years)
✓ Tight-knit nomad community

What It Actually Costs

Comfortable Budget: $1,200/month

Housing

$500

Coworking

$100

Food

$250

Transport

$80

Fun & Social

$150

Health

$40

Misc

$80

Total

$1,200

Lean Budget: $770/month ▼

For those who want to stretch their runway. Trade-offs include shared housing, café working instead of coworking, and cooking most meals.

Housing: $300 • Food: $180 • Total: $770

Treat Yourself: $2,000/month ▼

Nice apartment, premium coworking, eating out regularly, and enjoying the city's best experiences.

Housing: $900 • Food: $400 • Total: $2,000

Getting Work Done

WiFi Reality

30 Mbps average • Variable reliability • Power: Occasional Outages

Café Culture

Growing café scene for working

Recommended Coworking Spaces

Kermit Surf & Cowork

Surf breaks • Chill vibe • General Luna

Contact

Visa & Legal Stuff (Don't Panic)

The Quick Answer

You get 30 days visa-free entry .

Tourist Visa Extension

Duration

Up to 3 years (extended)

Income Required

$0/mo

Cost

$30

Renewability

renewable monthly

Processing

same day

Tax Situation

No tax on foreign income for tourists

Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

Living Your Best Sustainable Life

👥

Expat Community

Medium

💻

Nomad Scene

Thriving

🤝

Local Friendliness

Very Welcoming

🍽️

Food Scene

Good

Nightlife: Moderate

The Honest Truth

✓ What's Amazing

• World-class surfing (Cloud 9)
• Authentic island life, not over-touristy
• English widely spoken
• Easy visa extensions (up to 3 years)

⚠ What's Challenging

• Internet unreliable (plan for offline work)
• Limited infrastructure
• Power outages during storms
• Remote location (flights from Manila)
• Typhoon season risks

Skip Siargao If...

• Need reliable fast internet
• Prefer city amenities
• Don't surf or swim

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living for digital nomads in Siargao? ▼

A comfortable lifestyle in Siargao costs approximately $1200/month. This breaks down to: housing $500, food $250, coworking $100, transport $80, entertainment $150, health $40, and miscellaneous $80.

What visa do digital nomads need for Philippines? ▼

Philippines offers 30 days visa-free for most nationalities. There is currently no dedicated digital nomad visa, so most nomads work on tourist visas or do visa runs. Tax note: No tax on foreign income for tourists

How is the internet for remote work in Siargao? ▼

Siargao has variable internet reliability with average speeds of 30 Mbps. Coworking spaces are recommended for reliable connectivity. Occasional power outages may occur.

Is Siargao safe for digital nomads? ▼

Siargao is rated as very safe with a safety score of 75/100. Standard urban precautions apply.

What is the digital nomad community like in Siargao? ▼

The nomad community in Siargao is thriving with a medium expat community. English proficiency is excellent, and locals are very welcoming. Nightlife is moderate. The food scene is good.

Your Next Step

You've done your research. That's already more than most people do.

There's no rush to decide. Siargao will still be here when you're ready.

Take the Freelance Life Quiz

How We Calculate the Hustle-Free Index

Our Hustle-Free Index balances three factors that matter most for sustainable freelance life:

Formula: HFI = (Safety Score × Happiness Score) / Cost of Living Index

Safety Score (75/100): From Numbeo Safety Index
Happiness Score (82/100): World Happiness Report + freelancer surveys
Cost of Living Index (35): Numbeo Cost of Living Index

Last updated: 2026-01-03 • Data sources: Numbeo, World Happiness Report, local research