Are you looking for an untouched island paradise where you can catch waves during the day and chill out in the evenings? Looks like Siargao might just be for you! It’s likely that you’ll get so comfy in your hammock you’ll end up staying a lot longer than you initially intended. Although Siargao has seen development, it still retains the laid-back surfer vibe that makes it so popular!
So now we need to talk about where to stay in Siargao. Yes, there’s been development and there are some cool hotels and hostels you can bed down in. However, for an authentic experience that will be kind to your pocket and give you an authentic Filipino experience, why not check out Siargao homestays? There’s a whole range of styles and one is guaranteed to suit your personality!
We’ve decided to help you out by putting together this list of the 10 best homestays in Siargao. Hopefully, it’ll make planning your stay just that little bit easier!
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
Our 5 Favorite Homestays in Siargao
Pore’s Homestay
- > $$$
- > 2 Guests
- > Car Rental Service available
- > Beachfront homestay
Colette’s Homestay
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Laptop-friendly workspace
- > Air conditioning
Ilakai Homestay
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Laptop-friendly workspace
- > Fully equipped kitchen
Kubo Tower Room with Kitchen
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Equipped kitchen
- > Children’s Books and Toys
Bayay Nan Surfer Homestay
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Cooking basics and kitchen
- > Two minutes from beach
What is a Homestay?
So what exactly is a homestay? Well, a homestay can be described as a holiday or other period abroad spent staying in the home of a local family. Or, it can simply mean a private house which offers accommodation to paying guests.
These days, some homestays are more “home” than others. In fact, some are so slick and professional that they are closer to guesthouses but they are also suitable if you’re backpacking the Philippines. It should normally be easy to identify what kind of homestay you are looking at from the listing and from reading the guest reviews. It is important to choose the right one for you, and to decide exactly how much interaction you want with your hosts.
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Who Should Take a Homestay in Siargao?
If you are simply looking for the cheapest possible place to crash, then perhaps think about staying in a hostel. Homestays are great for travellers who want to experience life in a typical house, or who do not want to be surrounded by other travellers all of the time.
Homestays are particularly good for people who are doing some kind of volunteering, work placement or course, as the home offers an oasis of tranquility and becomes a home from home.
Before you book your homestay, make sure you check out this guide on what areas to stay in Siargao.
Remember The House Rules
When you book a homestay, remember to respect the house rules. Whilst homestay hosts will always try their best to be flexible to your needs, there may occasionally be some ground rules such as no guests, no drugs or even no alcohol.
There may sometimes even be a curfew. It is important to read the listings and check these things before you book your homestay.
Are Homestays Safe?
If you are booking through a reputable platform, they will have vetted and verified the homestay host very carefully. Guest feedback is also very important and any complaints are carefully investigated. Therefore, homestays are every bit as safe and secure as hostels or hotels.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
Join Homestay.com For More Great Homestays
In this post, we’ve listed 10 awesome properties hand picked from the 4 corners of the internet! However, in case you don’t find what you’re looking for here, we recommend signing up for Homestay.com and having a search yourself. They have 1000’s of homestay listings in over 100 countries!
Join Homestay.comThe Top 10 Homestays in Siargao
Best Homestay in Siargao – Pore’s Homestay
- $$$
- 2 Guests
- Car Rental Service available
- Beachfront homestay
Let’s begin our list of the best homestays in Siargao with this place in General Luna. Right on the beachfront, you’ll not have far to go with your surfboard to catch some waves! However, before that, chill on the balcony with a coffee or a fresh fruit juice. If you don’t like the crowds from General Luna Beach, you’ll be pleased to know this awesome Siargao homestay has its own private beach! Prefer not to get wet? Well, how about exploring the island?
There’s car rental available here, so you can head out and get to know the place a little better. It’s a good shout for a either couple or a solo traveller.
Budget Tip: Dorms in Siargao start from $6USD per bed. They’re the cheapest accommodation in the city. Search for hostels in the area!
Best Value Homestay in Siargao – Colette’s Homestay
- $
- 2 Guests
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Air conditioning
There are plenty of cheap homestays in Siargao, but how do you know which ones are going to give you a great experience? Well, in the main port of Dapa, Colette’s homestay is a fun stay that you’ll hardly notice make a dent in your wallet. It might not be in General Luna, but it’s just a short drive along the main road! Your friendly homestay host is happy for you to use the communal areas of their home too.
That includes the living room, dining area, and the kitchen so you can keep your costs down by preparing your own meals and eating in.
Best Traditional Homestay in Siargao – LOKAL Stay Batanes Room
- $$
- 2 Guests
- Private Terrace
- In the local community
And now for something a little different. Most of Siargao’s homestays are around General Luna and they’ll guarantee you a great time surfing. However, LOKAL stay offers you the opportunity to get involved with local communities in a different way offering unique activities for your Siargao itinerary. You can enjoy a woodworking class with local students or go to the snack bar which has foods made from local farmers’ markets. This authentic rural experience will ensure that you make unforgettable memories during your stay in the Philippines!
Perfect Homestay for Digital Nomads – Ilakai Homestay
- $$
- 2 Guests
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Fully equipped kitchen
Whether you’re an aspiring or established digital nomad, you’ll want a laptop-friendly workspace and fast reliable Wi-Fi, right? This share house in Siargao offers just that. The fully equipped kitchen has everything you could want to whip up a morning or evening meal, and there’s complimentary drinking water too. You’ll have no trouble keeping hydrated as you send emails or work on your latest article. You’ve even got your own private balcony or porch – a lovely place to work with inspiration from those sea views!
Perfect Homestay for Groups – Banana Surf Homestay
- $$$
- 4 Guests
- Garden with seating area
- Laundry service on request
Thinking about the best places to stay in Siargao for groups but you don’t want to stay in one of these hostels in Siargao? Check out Banana Surf Homestay. It offers a private bedroom for 4 – although you’ll have to fight over who gets the double bed and who’s in the bunk. As well as your private room, you have access to a small garden which has a seating area and a shared kitchen. If you want to explore the island, you can rent a motorbike or bicycle. And of course, you’re just a stone’s throw from Cloud 9 Beach and yes, you can rent a surfboard!
The price may look expensive, but remember you can split it between four and it starts to look much more affordable!
Best Homestay in Siargao for Couples – Beachfront Room with Amazing Views
- $$
- 2 Guests
- Great location
- Killer view
Travelling with your other half and want somewhere truly special to stay? Then check out this beachfront room with amazing views! And once you open up those French doors, you can run down to the white sand and an uncrowded surf spot! However, most importantly, you get a beautiful master bedroom at this Siargao homestay. Not only is there an awesome view, but also an area outside where you can practice yoga or meditation. We don’t think you’ll be able to find a more romantic homestay in Siargao!
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Homestay in Siargao for Nightlife – Bayay Nan Surfer Homestay
- $$
- 2 Guests
- Cooking basics and kitchen
- Two minutes from beach
General Luna has some pretty epic nightlife, but how do you find somewhere to stay where you won’t disturb your homestay host?! Well, by staying in a Siargao homestay with a bar over the road, of course! Bayay Nan Surfer homestay can be a bit noisy, but if you’re looking for nightlife then you won’t mind that. If you go a bit hard and need a pick me up the next day, you can prepare something in the basic kitchen. Then, head on down to the beach. It’s just two minutes away!
Homestay with All Star-Host Family – Native Bungalow with Hot Shower
- $$
- 4 Guests
- Great location
- Family restaurant on site
If you want to stay with a friendly host family in Siargao, then look no further than this native bungalow. These nipa huts are traditional but packed with all the modcons you could hope for. While you won’t be living with the family who run the place, they’ll go above and beyond to make you feel like part of it. There’s a restaurant on site where you can try exquisite Filipino dishes! And you can expect a good night’s sleep at this Siargao homestay.
It’s in a quiet area but it’s not too far from the local bars!
Best Homestay in Siargao for Families – Kubo Tower Room with Kitchen
- $$
- 2 Guests
- Equipped kitchen
- Children’s Books and Toys
Lots of Siargao homestays have space for one or two guests at most. But what if you’re travelling with the family?! Check out this place. There’s room for up to six in this cosy hut in General Luna. At this homestay in Siargao, you’ve got a communal kitchen, and a dining/picnic area. So, you can feed the whole family! Although Kobo Tower is equipped to cope with families of any ages, this place is great if you have young children. That’s because it has children’s books and toys!
Best Homestay in General Luna – Rembert Garden Bunks by the Sea
- $
- 1 Guest
- Great location
- Chill out room with sea views
Last but not least on our list of the best homestays in Siargao, is this gem for solo travellers. If you’re on your own, these garden bunks by the sea are a great choice. You can meet other travellers in the sea view chill out room and explore the island with them. The landlady is also very happy to introduce you to the tantalising tastes and smells of Filipino cooking for an additional fee. Or, you can prepare your own meals in the shared kitchen.
FAQ about Homestays in Siargao
Here’s what people usually ask us when they look for vacation homes in Siargao.
Don’t Forget Your Siargao Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Siargao Homestays
Did you know that Siargao was recently voted the best island on earth! We’re sure you’ll agree that there’s a lot to choose from! Whether you want to get to know a local community, experience tasty Filipino food, or just find a place to kick back with the whole family, there’s a homestay in Siargao for you!
We just hope we haven’t given you too much choice! If that’s the case, don’t worry. Just head back to the top of the page and go for our favourite homestay in Siargao: Pore’s Homestay. It’s a great combination of good value for money, an awesome location, and a friendly homestay host!
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
