Free printable · getting here
The Siargao arrival checklist.
From the plane to settled-in, in order. The reliable route in is via Cebu, the transfer across the island takes 45 to 60 minutes, and a short first-48-hours list turns a chaotic arrival into an easy one.
Getting here (as of 2026)
- Fly via Cebu: it is the reliable route to Sayak Airport (code IAO), roughly 55 to 80 minutes, and there are no direct Manila flights
- Book morning flights: they are less exposed to the day’s accumulated delays
- A shortboard under 6 feet flies on the Cebgo ATR (pre-book it as a surfboard add-on); longboards take the ferry via Surigao or rent on-island
- Ferry alternative: Surigao City to Dapa on the Evaristo and Sons fastcraft, about 1.5 hours for ≈₱420–520
- Philippine domestic schedules are volatile in 2026: confirm your route with the airline before you pay
Sayak Airport to General Luna
| Option | Typical 2026 cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Shared van | ≈₱300–500 per person | The standard option; leaves when full |
| Private van | ≈₱2,000–4,000 | Whole vehicle, straight to the door |
| Habal-habal (motorbike taxi) | ≈₱350 | You plus one soft bag |
| Environmental fee | ₱20 | Collected in cash on arrival |
Your first 48 hours
- Land with pesos in hand: it is a cash island and the ATMs are unreliable
- Buy a Globe or Smart SIM (register it with your passport); buy in Cebu or in town, not at the tiny Sayak airport
- Rent a scooter for the month (≈₱5,000–9,000): helmet included, your licence is valid 90 days, an International Driving Permit is recommended, and checkpoints check for a licence and helmet
- Set up a water refill: never drink the tap; a 5-gallon refill is ≈₱15–30
- Note the nearest hospital is in Dapa (Siargao Island Medical Center, about 30 to 40 minutes); confirm your insurance covers medical evacuation
Questions we get at the bar
Are there direct flights from Manila to Siargao?
No. As of July 2026 there are no direct flights from Manila to Siargao. The standard route is Manila to Cebu, then Cebu to Siargao. Clark, north of Manila, still has direct flights.
How do you get from Sayak Airport to General Luna?
Shared vans meet arriving flights and charge about ₱300 to ₱500 per person, leaving when full; a private van runs roughly ₱2,000 to ₱4,000. The ride takes 45 to 60 minutes, and a ₱20 environmental fee is collected in cash on arrival.
Is there a hospital in Siargao?
Not in General Luna, which has clinics and a health center for minor issues. The island hospital, Siargao Island Medical Center, is in Dapa, about 30 to 40 minutes away, and serious cases are flown to Cebu. Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is essential.
Want the long version, with the context and the caveats? Read the how-to-get-to-Siargao guide.
Ready to make Siargao home?
Tuloy is nine private ensuite rooms in General Luna, on a simple monthly rate from ₱35,000: Starlink with a PLDT fibre backup, a real desk, a scooter arrangeable at the door, and a community already here.