Why are surfers so effortlessly cool? Is it the tan? The long, beach-wave hair? Or maybe it’s the laid-back attitude that comes from knowing your next big decision is which wave to catch. Whatever it is, I’ve been drawn to surf culture during my two-week stay in Siargao, a little (relatively untouched) paradise in the Philippines known for its surf, sunsets, and yes, an emerging coworking scene.
As you ride through Siargao on a tuk-tuk (known as tricycles here) or your own rented Honda Scoopy, you’re surrounded by banana palms, coconut trees, and the sweet smell of BBQ meats on sticks lining the streets. The air is thick with humidity, but it’s quickly forgotten when every local greets you with a warm, wide smile and a cheerful “good morning ma’am.” It’s impossible not to feel welcome here.
Coworking in paradise (with a few brownouts)
Siargao is still developing its infrastructure, so let’s just say it keeps you on your toes. I learned about a brownout on my first day — an island term for planned power outages that can last anywhere from a few hours to the entire day. Not ideal when you’re trying to get some work done, but I quickly found a café with a generator (and decent Wi-Fi) to hunker down in.
For the most part, the island’s Wi-Fi is perfect (50mbps! Hallelujah), but the real hero here is Starlink. Yes, even in this tropical paradise, Musk’s internet satellites are saving remote workers. When typhoon Kristina rolled in on day three and knocked out everything else, Starlink was still powering up the coworking spaces (just).
Mornings start with combat sport or yoga, followed by work with a coffee in hand. Afternoons are for a swim or, if you’re more coordinated than me, a surf. A quick scoot to the beach for a sunset San Miguel Light — wiping the rust off the top of the bottle before taking that first sip.
The people you meet
One of the best parts of working remotely from Siargao? The fascinating people you meet. There’s Alex, a Spanish vet who works just six hours a week doing telehealth for sick dogs. Or Jim, a tech journalist from London, writing about the latest innovations in South Korea between surfing sessions. Then there’s Mare, an Italian woman I met who teaches people how to harness AI from the comfort of her hammock.
This is the new wave of digital nomads — not just developers, designers, or content creators, but people from all walks of life carving out careers that allow them to live wherever they want. There are founders, doctors (thanks to telehealth), and even university students who are living remotely while studying for their masters. I met Lukas, the founder of Study Packer, a business helping university students worldwide study remotely.
Cost breakdown: Siargao edition
Here’s the nitty-gritty on what it costs to live and work in this island paradise:
- Overall Score: 9/10
We already want to come back for another month, Siargao’s beauty and community are incredible, but the infrastructure (brownouts, anyone?) keeps it from being a 10. - Internet Score: 7/10
When it’s working, it’s decent, but you’ll want to rely on Starlink or a café with a generator if you need consistency. If you have unmissable meetings, consider buying large quantities of data and keeping an eye on the forecast as storms will affect the signal. - Food
- Cost of chicken and rice lunch: AU$3.50
Simple, sweet sauce, local, and delicious. - We splurged on the fanciest restaurant there… Roots — a seven-course degustation for AU$55 per person (you’d pay $250+ in Perth, Sydney, or Melbourne for this).
- Cost of chicken and rice lunch: AU$3.50
- Cost of a beer (San Miguel): AU$2.50
With the added island charm of rust on the top of the bottle from the humidity. - Cost of a regular latte: AU$4.00
Expensive compared to other food and drinks. - Cost to co-work and co-live: AU$40.00 per night for two people for a private room in a coworking/coliving hostel. We stayed at Lexias, it was perfect.
- Cost of Gym: AU$4.00-$15.00 per day
There is a wide range to choose from: Local joint, AU$4.00 a session, to the cult favourite — Cross Fit — to my favourite, Tawhay which Includes boxing and muay thai classes, iced tea, and aerial yoga. - Surfboard hire: AU$2.50 per hour (add a 1:1 lesson from a pro for AU$15.00 per hour)
- Cost of Living: AU$1,500–$2,100 per month per person or cheaper as a couple (splitting accommodation) depending on your accommodation and lifestyle choices.
Must visit food spots
Filipino BBQ: there’s a local BBQ restaurant on every corner. Service is warm, sauces are sweet, rich and salty. The most famous is chicken adobo, but sisig (sizzling ground pork) and longsilog (sausage, egg and rice for breakfast) are also staples.
Battered fried chicken is also offered EVERYWHERE and likely sweeter than what you are used to. Prices can be rock bottom, leaving with a full belly for less than AU$3.00
Cev Siargao: as the name suggests, it’s a ceviche restaurant serving up the freshest local tuna kinilaw. They run like a well-oiled machine, although while we were there we had a blackout. When everything went dark, the staff casually handed out battery-powered lights to each table and the quiet hum of a generator kicked in for the kitchen. We spent the rest of the meal in enforced romantic dim lighting.
Ohm: The perfect spot for a morning petal [quiet time to read, reflect, journal, do emails]. The WiFi is excellent, and the omelette with Indian spices was stunning.
Monday’s Siargao: One for the early birds, opens at 6:30 am, and also offers a run club.
Roots: This gets a second mention — it’s run by three friends from Spain and Italy, serving Madrid-style tapas with local Filipino ingredients. We tried malasugui carpaccio, calamansi tart, and fresh fat lips with pil pil. Highly recommend.
Island Vibes
The vibe here is pure chill. You can’t help but slow down when you’re surrounded by the ocean, laid-back surfers, and a general feeling that nobody’s in a rush. The coworking community is small but growing, and it’s not hard to find your people here. Everyone is warm and open, whether you’re looking to collaborate on a project, share skills, or just share a beer at the end of the day.
Siargao definitely skews toward the life side of work/life balance. It’s easy to get caught up in the rhythm of the island, with yoga in the mornings, surfing in the afternoons, and plenty of time to relax. That said, when the Wi-Fi’s good, you can get plenty done — it just requires more flexibility than the usual city setup.
How not to be a shit tourist in Siargao
Siargao’s magic lies not just in its waves and sunsets but in its wonderful people and culture. To truly enjoy the island without leaving a negative impact, it’s important to be a thoughtful visitor. Start by respecting local customs — greet people with a smile and learn a few words of Tagalog. Support small businesses by eating at local BBQ spots and hiring local guides for activities like surfing.
Learn these words in Tagalog, it goes a long way:
- Good morning – Magandang umaga [maɡanˌdaŋ ooˈmaɡa] – (literal translation: beautiful morning)
- How are you – kumusta [kuˈmusta] – (derived from cómo está when the Spaniards colonised)
- Thank you – Salamat! [sɑh lɑˈmɑt]
- Delicious! – Masarap [masaˈɾap]
Keep your environmental footprint light — avoid single-use plastics, bring a reusable water bottle, and don’t litter. Be mindful of scarce resources like water and electricity, especially during brownouts. Don’t treat the island as your personal playground; remember, it’s home to a community that relies on its natural beauty for their livelihood.
Final Thoughts
Before visiting Siargao we didn’t know what to expect, but I’m already planning my trip back. It’s a magical spot for those looking to escape the hustle while still staying connected (literally, thanks to Starlink). It’s not without its challenges — like unpredictable power and Wi-Fi — but if you’re willing to roll with the island’s quirks, you’ll be rewarded with stunning scenery, a warm community, and a slower pace of life.
Whether you’re here for the surf, the sunsets, or just a break from the ordinary, Siargao offers a unique coworking and coliving experience that’s hard to beat. Just be sure to pack some patience, a portable Wi-Fi backup, and a bottle opener for that rust-covered San Miguel.
