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
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
Getting Work Done
WiFi Reality
30 Mbps average • Variable reliability • Power: Occasional Outages
Café Culture
Growing café scene for working
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
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.
Similar Cities You Might Love
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: 2025-12-31 • Data sources: Numbeo, World Happiness Report, local research