Free printable · cost of living
The Siargao cost-of-living checklist.
A one-page, honest monthly budget for General Luna in 2026: what a month really costs, line by line, in ranges you can plan against. One choice moves your total more than everything else put together, and it is where you sleep.
Three realistic monthly budgets (2026)
| Tier | Per month | What it buys |
|---|---|---|
| Frugal | ≈₱35,000–55,000 | Budget room or monthly dorm, local food, own scooter, cafe wifi, light aircon |
| Comfortable | ≈₱65,000–100,000 | Private room or studio, mixed dining, scooter, coworking, moderate aircon, a weekly activity |
| Higher-end | ₱120,000+ | Villa or nice apartment, mostly restaurant dining, heavy aircon, private tours |
Rent by room type (monthly, General Luna)
| Type | Monthly (2026) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm bed (monthly) | ≈₱9,000–15,000 | Confirm the monthly discount directly |
| Budget private room / homestay | ≈₱15,000–25,000 | The island's biggest category |
| Mid-range room / studio | ≈₱25,000–45,000 | Where most working stays land |
| Villa / apartment | ≈₱45,000–100,000+ | Whole place; best value shared |
The monthly cost checklist
- Food: carinderia meal ≈₱80–150, tourist cafe main ≈₱150–450, specialty coffee ≈₱120–180, home groceries ≈₱2,000–4,000 a week
- Scooter: ≈₱5,000–9,000 a month negotiated directly, plus fuel at ≈₱52–72 a litre
- SIM and data: SIM ≈₱40–50, monthly data from ≈₱500 for 20GB
- Coworking: ≈₱250 a day, or ≈₱2,500–7,000 a month for a membership
- Electricity: ≈₱1,500–3,000 with light aircon, ≈₱4,000–8,000+ with heavy aircon (the biggest hidden bill)
- Drinking water: a 5-gallon refill ≈₱15–30 (never drink the tap)
- Laundry: ≈₱50–90 a kilo, wash-dry-fold
- Surf and fun: a lesson ≈₱500–1,000 an hour, a joiner island-hopping day ≈₱1,500–1,900
Budget for a cash island
- General Luna has only a handful of ATMs, they are unreliable, and they run dry on weekends and holidays.
- Foreign cards are sometimes refused, with withdrawal fees around ₱200–250.
- Withdraw a buffer before you arrive or early in your stay, carry small bills, and set up GCash as a backup rather than your only plan.
Questions we get at the bar
How much does it cost to live in Siargao per month?
For a long-stay visitor in 2026, roughly ₱35,000 to ₱55,000 a month lives frugally, ₱65,000 to ₱100,000 is comfortable, and ₱120,000 and up is a higher-end villa lifestyle. Your accommodation choice moves the total more than everything else combined, so pick the room first.
How much is rent in Siargao?
Monthly, in 2026: a budget private room or homestay runs roughly ₱15,000 to ₱25,000, a mid-range room or studio ₱25,000 to ₱45,000, and a nicer villa or apartment ₱45,000 to ₱100,000 or more. Monthly rates are 50 to 70 percent below the nightly prices, and the best long-stay deals are arranged directly.
Do I need a lot of cash in Siargao?
Yes. Siargao runs largely on cash. ATMs in General Luna are few and unreliable, they run out on weekends and holidays, and foreign cards are sometimes rejected, with fees around ₱200 to ₱250. Withdraw a buffer early and keep GCash as a backup.
Want the long version, with the context and the caveats? Read the full cost-of-living 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.