Meeting the locals is always an interesting experience in the Philippines as they are usually very open and willing to interact with the visitors.
I took a direct flight from Manila and the view from the plane while we approached the island was amazing.
I decided to stay in the town called Pacifico which happens to be very relaxed and laid back if compared with the fast growing and bigger General Luna, where most of the accomodation can be found.
Pacifico was deffinetly the best place to stay in my opinion as the vibe of the town was lovely and the mix of locals and visitors in perfect balance.
The local boats called Bangka are made of wood and with two characteristic poses on the sides to maintain balance. These boats have very little draft, which allows them to navigate very shallow waters.
Surfing is clearly one of the most popular activities in siargao, the island has a lot of surf spots for all levels
The island also has a multitude of waterfalls and caves. My favorites without a doubt Tayangban cove and in the photo Taktak waterfall
In the photo you can see one of my favorite towns on the island: Caridad. The town is made up of wooden houses and the customs are more traditional than in other towns in Siargao. From the first moment I saw it, I fell in love with its beach, atmosphere and crystal clear waters
This palm tree that can be seen in the photo is one of the best known views of the island, local people usually come to have fun and jump into the water from it
This palm tree lined road is also a very popular spot on the island and attracts tourists and instagram fanatics of all kinds
Magpupungko rock pools is also one of the most visited sites, these natural pools with crystal clear water can be enjoyed at low tide
The lushness of the jungle in Siargao is impressive
Wandering around the island on a motorcycle and discovering its corners is undoubtedly one of my favorite activities
The interior of the island is full of small roads between rice paddies and palm groves
The island is full of beautiful beaches, it is in the northeast part of my favorites
The sea in siargao is normally quite rough, which is why it is a destination for surfers
The town of Santa Monica is a very interesting seaside town to visit
The color of the rice fields in contrast to the palm trees and the mountains offers beautiful views
Locals enjoy the beach
The painted wooden structures in the beach areas are perfect to pass the time and hide from the harsh weather
To sum up, Siargao is a very interesting island and it has a lot to offer. I am not surprised that it is getting more and more popular, it certainly has something special. Whether you are looking for waves to surf, quiet beaches, caves to explore or just to get to know the Philippine island lifestyle, Siargao has for sure something for you
