I first dreamed about going to Siargao during a meet up with couchsurfers. One of them told the group about her plan to spend a few days there. That’s why when the movie came out, I was excited to watch it because I wanted to see what I can expect of this island.
We had a very short stay at Siargao, only two days, and sandwiched between two events at CDO. First event was a wedding of a friend and I’ve noted some expenses including the land trip to Surigao.
We left CDO at around 8:20 PM and arrived at Surigao pier at around 4:45 AM. We haven’t pre-booked the boat to Siargao. When we arrived, there were still seats available so we lined up but unfortunately, all three ferries were fully booked for the early morning trips when it was the turn of the lady before us. We bought tickets for the next ferry at 11 AM (Montenegro). I think we arrived at around 2 PM at Dapa Port so it was a half day wasted already.
Kanijugan Homestay
Price: P800/night good for two
What we got: fan room, CR inside the room, a sink outside the CR, free water, mosquito net, porch, wifi signal is not good in our room (I have Globe mobile data)
Location: Walking distance from highway, not walkable to Cloud 9, right next to Paglaom Hostel, walking distance to Kermit and Jing’s Homestay
Fun Fact 1: Cha and I were arguing how to pronounce Kanijugan. I thought it’s “ka-ni-yu-gan” and the spelling was just stylized while she read it as it is spelled. During a down time with the owner, Ate Ling Ling, she revealed it’s just like it’s spelled. One point for Cha! Although, she said it was a tongue twister for foreigners.
Fun Fact 2: Ate Ling Ling is the sister of Jing, of Jing’s Homestay. For me, it’s something amazing to know because back last year when I was disheartened that I didn’t get any reply from a volunteering opportunity in Boracay, I was actually contemplating of Siargao as plan B and contacted Ate Jing about accommodation options.
Just good to know for future reference: We had a chit chat with Ate Ling Ling and she shared her plans about their homestay. One of which is that they’ll turn our fan room into an airconditioned one. They also have monthly rental for P 10,500+ if I remember it right, can be good for two persons.
Overall, we had a very pleasant stay at Ate Ling Ling’s place. She even contacted a habal driver to take us to Dapa port on our last day. They’re not in booking websites but they have a Facebook page and are responsive. Here is Ate Ling Ling’s contact number: 09297093783.
Primitivo
We didn’t stay here but this is where we met up for our tour to Sugba Lagoon. This is also where our tourmates were staying.
Apart from these huts, they have bunk beds too at P350 per head, too, I think. There’s a common CR and kitchen. It’s along the highway and just a walking distance from Kanijugan Homestay.
They aren’t also in online booking sites but Kuya Elisar told us that’s what they prefer which somehow reflected what Ate Ling Ling told us as well. From conversations with these two and from observation, a lot of these homestays are almost always fully booked even without being present in online booking sites. Also, both had voiced out they’d rather have walk in guests and especially those who are staying long term, like about 3 nights or more.
But during our stay, ’cause it was a long weekend due to the Labor Day holiday, we found many travelers who had trouble finding a place to stay. Indeed, Siargao is getting a lot of attention than before, especially with the closure of Boracay.
You can head over to their Facebook page or text Kuya Elisar at 09398923178.
UPDATE as of June 2018: Kuya Elisar informed me that he now owns a homestay just near Primitivo. It’s P1,000 per night for 2 persons. Check out also their Facebook page.
Sugba Lagoon
Our meeting time was around 5:30 AM at Primitivo. We were told we have to be early because we still have to travel to Del Carmen as well as to avoid the peak time of guests going to Sugba Lagoon.
While waiting, we talked to our tourmates. They told us they arrived at Siargao via Del Carmen, an alternate route. All trips for the day were fully booked when they arrived at Surigao port and were told to go to a different port to ride the 10 AM boat going to Del Carmen which costs P 250 something and with 2 1/2 travel time. The thing though is they will travel from Del Carmen to Dapa, then Dapa to General Luna. But rather than staying one night in Surigao, they instead did this. In the photo below, it’s at my back, adjacent to the boats going to Sugba Lagoon.
There’s a story behind why we were on the sides thereafter. Please see the comics below. I don’t want to keep on repeating myself with that story, masaklap.
We stayed there for about two hours. Upon arriving back at Del Carmen, our lunch was waiting for us at Krokodeilos.
Magpupungko Rock Pool
We didn’t stay there for long. We were supposed to have another side trip, to Tayangban Cave, I think, but we cancelled that because of weather conditions. So sad.
Cloud 9, Boardwalk, and Surfing
Of our two days, we’ve always went there in the afternoon so sorry for the dark photos.
And then, our surfing adventure summarized in this comic strip but sorry if it is only Ilonggo friendly. Maybe I will make a translation later (but I don’t think so *evil smile*).
Disclaimer: Please don’t expect Ikit-Agudo-like moves or Instagram.
Here are some prices I took note of to help you plan your budget in Siargao:
Cha and I had trouble finding a ride back to the hostel the day before but on the day we surfed, we made friends with Kuya Jose who was one of those who rent out surf boards along the shores of Cloud 9. He offered us a ride back to our homestay since he lived just around there too. He also offers motorbike rentals. Contact him at 09084700682. Also, you can contact Kuya Melo, my surfing instructor: 09205199456. Kuya Jose revealed he’s a great surfer in Siargao.
We went back to Cagayan again for an important matter through land travel still. Then, we separated because Cha had a flight to Iloilo from Davao while I took this route:
Plane off the options, the easiest probably would have been the Cagayan – Iloilo ferry which is only on Saturdays. Since I have to go back to Iloilo as soon as I can, I took this grueling trip.
That’s it for my quick Siargao trip. I resolve to go back there again to continue my surfing adventures because definitely, it was super bitin. Like the locals told us, as well as travelers I knew who’d been there, you need about a week in this island to truly feel the whole vibe of the island.
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Yeah!
