Disclosure: This guide is published by Mariden Resort. While we've aimed for accuracy, we encourage you to research both areas for your trip.
"How much does a Siargao trip cost?" is the most common question we get from guests planning a holiday on Siargao Island, Philippines, whether they're flying in from Manila, Sydney, London, or New York. The honest answer: it depends on your travel style. Backpackers and long-stay digital nomads can get by on ₱700/day ($12 USD) ; couples on a surfing trip or island-hopping holiday usually sit at ₱2,000–3,500/day ($33–58 USD) ; families wanting comfort spend ₱4,000–6,000/day ($67–100 USD) . This guide breaks down every expense category in both PHP and USD so you can plan accurately. Pro tip: Staying in Del Carmen instead of General Luna can save you 30–40% on your entire trip.
USD estimates in this guide use ~₱56–₱58 = $1 USD (typical 2026 range). Check live rates before you travel.
Quick Answer: Daily Budget Ranges
| Travel Style | Daily Budget | USD Equivalent | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Budget | ₱700-1,200/day | $12-20 USD | Backpackers, long-term travelers |
| Mid-Range ⭐ | ₱2,000-3,500/day | $33-58 USD | Couples, small groups, most travelers |
| Comfortable | ₱4,000-6,000/day | $67-100 USD | Families, couples wanting comfort |
Daily Budget Breakdowns
Ultra Budget: ₱700-1,200/day ($12-20 USD)
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₱300–500 (~$5–9 USD), dorm bed or fan room |
| Food | ₱250–400 (~$4–7 USD), carinderias, cook own meals |
| Transport | ₱50–100 (~$1–2 USD), shared tricycle, walk |
| Activities | ₱100–200 (~$2–4 USD), free beaches, mangrove |
Best for: Backpackers, long-term travelers
Trade-offs: Basic accommodation, limited activities, simple meals
Mid-Range: ₱2,000–3,500/day ($33–58 USD) — Recommended
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₱1,200–2,000 (~$21–36 USD), Mariden Double Room |
| Food | ₱500–800 (~$9–14 USD), mix local + tourist restaurants |
| Transport | ₱200–400 (~$4–7 USD), motorbike rental shared |
| Activities | ₱300–500 (~$5–9 USD), 1 paid activity every other day |
Best for: Couples, small groups, most travelers
What you get: Private room, pool access, good food variety, flexibility
This is what most of our guests spend. A Mariden double room starts at ₱1,500/night (~$27 USD) with pool access, WiFi, and airport pickup available (₱200). Check current rates
Comfortable: ₱4,000-6,000/day ($67-100 USD)
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₱2,500–4,000 (~$45–71 USD), A-Frame/Family Room |
| Food | ₱1,000–1,500 (~$18–27 USD), restaurants, some splurges |
| Transport | ₱400–600 (~$7–11 USD), private motorbike or habal-habal |
| Activities | ₱500–1,000 (~$9–18 USD), daily activities, tours |
Best for: Families, couples wanting comfort
What you get: Space, privacy, no compromises, premium experiences
Accommodation Costs by Area
Del Carmen (Lower Prices)
- Cozy Double Room: ₱1,500–2,000/night (~$27–36 USD)
- Twin A-Frame Room: ₱2,500–3,000/night (~$45–54 USD)
- Snug Family Room: ₱3,500–4,500/night (~$63–80 USD)
- Other Del Carmen options: ₱800–2,500/night (~$14–45 USD)
General Luna (Higher Prices)
- Dorm bed: ₱400–700/night (~$7–13 USD)
- Budget private room: ₱1,200–2,000/night (~$21–36 USD)
- Mid-range hotel: ₱2,500–4,000/night (~$45–71 USD)
- Boutique/luxury: ₱5,000–15,000/night (~$89–268 USD)
💡 Savings Tip: Stay in Mariden Double Room in Del Carmen = 20-40% cheaper than General Luna for equivalent quality. See our full Siargao accommodation area guide for a comparison of all five areas, or read our Del Carmen vs GL savings guide for a detailed two-area breakdown.
Food & Drink Costs
Budget Eats
- Carinderia meal: In more local carinderias, expect to spend around ₱80–150 (~$1.40–2.70 USD) per meal in 2025–2026, depending on how many dishes you order.
- Street food: ₱20–50 (~$0.35–0.90 USD)
- Local bakery: ₱15–30 (~$0.25–0.55 USD)
- Sari-sari store snacks: ₱10–50 (~$0.18–0.90 USD)
Mid-Range
- Local restaurant: ₱150–250 (~$2.70–4.50 USD)
- Tourist cafe breakfast: ₱200–350 (~$3.60–6.25 USD)
- Pizza/pasta in GL: ₱250–400 (~$4.50–7.15 USD)
- Seafood dinner: ₱300–500 (~$5.35–8.95 USD)
Splurge
- Fine dining in GL: ₱500–1,000 (~$8.95–17.85 USD)
- Resort restaurant: ₱400–800 (~$7.15–14.30 USD)
- Cocktails: ₱150–300 (~$2.70–5.35 USD) each
💡 Tip: Eat where locals eat = authentic food + 50% cheaper. Ask resort staff for their favorite spots!
For a complete breakdown of what local dishes to try, how the GL restaurant scene compares to Del Carmen carinderias, and what each price level looks like on the ground, see our guide to where to eat in Siargao .
Activity & Tour Costs
Free Activities
- ☑️ Del Carmen mangrove boardwalk : ₱0
- ☑️ Beach hopping: ₱0
- ☑️ Mariden Resort Pool (guests): ₱0
Budget Activities (Under ₱500, ~$8 USD)
- Alegria Beach entrance: ₱20 (~$0.35 USD) per person, parking ₱20 (~$0.35 USD)
- Magpupungko entrance: ₱60–100 (~$1–1.80 USD) per person
- Taktak Falls entrance: around ₱30 (~$0.55 USD) per person
- Maasin River entrance: around ₱20–50 (~$0.35–0.90 USD) per person
- Secret Beach entrance: around ₱20 (~$0.35 USD) per person
- Cloud 9 Boardwalk: ₱100 (~$1.80 USD) per person
- Surf board rental: Around ₱350–500 (~$6.25–8.95 USD) per day
- Motorbike rental: ₱350–500 (~$6.25–8.95 USD)/day
Tours (₱1,000-3,500, ~$17-$59 USD)
- Sugba Lagoon rates and timing , joiner: ₱1,500–1,900 (~$27–34 USD) per person; boat rental ₱1,600–2,150 (~$29–38 USD) per boat; entrance ₱50–100 (~$1–1.80 USD) per person
- tri-island tour rates , joiner: ₱1,500 (~$27 USD) per person, premium ₱2,000 (~$36 USD)
- Sohoton Cove cost and bookings : ₱2,500–3,100 (~$45–55 USD) per person
- Surf lesson: ₱500–800 (~$9–14 USD). Private ₱500–900 (~$9–16 USD) per hour
- Island hopping private: ₱3,000–5,000 (~$54–89 USD)
Transport Costs
From Airport
- Tricycle to Del Carmen: ₱50–100 (~$1–1.80 USD)
- To GL shared van: ₱300 (~$5.35 USD) per person; Habal-habal: ₱150–200 (~$2.70–3.60 USD)
Getting Around
- Tricycle short: ₱20–50 (~$0.35–0.90 USD)
- Tricycle town to town: ₱100–200 (~$1.80–3.60 USD)
- Habal-habal per trip: ₱100–300 (~$1.80–5.35 USD)
- Motorbike rental: ₱350–500 (~$6.25–8.95 USD)/day
- Van rental group: ₱2,500–4,000 (~$45–71 USD)/day
💡 Savings Tip: Rent a motorbike for 3+ days and ask for a discount. Share costs with your travel buddy. See our tricycle and scooter rental rates guide for more tips.
11 Money-Saving Tips
Accommodation
- Stay in Del Carmen (30-40% cheaper than GL) - Same attractions, less tourist markup. Note: This guide is written from the perspective of staying in Del Carmen (where Mariden Resort is located), so it naturally highlights the advantages of that part of the island. Most of the island’s restaurants, nightlife, and surf schools are in General Luna, which is about 30 km (roughly 45–60 minutes by motorbike) from Del Carmen.
- Book direct with resort - Avoid OTA fees, often includes perks like airport pickup
- Travel off-peak (June-November) - Many people consider June–November to be the off-peak or rainy season in Siargao, with fewer tourists and lower prices. However, Siargao’s weather is quite unpredictable, and heavy rain and storms are more likely from October onwards. Siargao doesn’t have a true dry season, and you can expect some rain year-round.
- Stay longer for weekly discounts - Most resorts offer 10-20% off for 7+ nights
Food
- Eat at carinderias - In more local carinderias, expect to spend around ₱80–150 (~$1.36-$2.54 USD) per meal in 2025–2026 vs ₱200-300 (~$3-$5 USD) at tourist spots
- Buy food supplies in Dapa (major savings!) - Dapa has the cheapest prices on the island. Stock up on water, snacks, and meals for your day trips. Bring containers to pack food - saves 30-50% compared to buying at tourist spots
- Buy from local markets - Fresh produce, fish at local prices
- Share meals - Portions are often big enough for two
- Drink local beer, not imported - San Miguel vs imported saves ₱50+ (~$0.85+ USD)/bottle
Activities & Transport
- Do free activities - free mangrove forest walk , beach hopping, sunset watching
- Share tour costs - Find other travelers to split boat tours like Sugba Lagoon from Del Carmen (₱1,600-2,150 (~$27-$36 USD) boat divided by 6 people = ₱265-360 (~$4-$6 USD) each) or caves and lagoons tour (Sohoton)
The Biggest Savings: Staying in Del Carmen instead of General Luna can save you 30-40% on accommodation, food, and transport - without sacrificing any Siargao experiences!
Del Carmen vs General Luna: Cost Comparison
| Item | Del Carmen | General Luna |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range room | ₱1,500-2,000 (~$25-$34) | ₱2,500-4,000 (~$42-$68) |
| Local meal | ₱80-120 (~$1.36-$2) | ₱150-250 (~$3-$4) |
| Coffee | ₱50-80 (~$0.85-$1.36) | ₱120-180 (~$2-$3) |
| Tricycle ride | ₱30-50 (~$0.51-$0.85) | ₱50-100 (~$0.85-$1.70) |
| Motorbike rental | ₱400-450 (~$7-$8) | ₱450-600 (~$8-$10) |
| Daily average | ₱2,000-3,000 (~$34-$51) | ₱3,500-5,000 (~$59-$85) |
| Savings | 30-40% | - |
Save up to 40% on your entire trip by choosing Del Carmen as your base. That's ₱1,000-1,500 (~$17-$25 USD) back in your pocket every single day.
View Del Carmen RatesSample Budgets by Trip Length
| Trip Length | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | ₱5,000-7,000 ($83-117 USD) | ₱8,000-12,000 ($133-200 USD) | ₱15,000-20,000 ($250-333 USD) |
| 5-Day Trip | ₱8,000-12,000 ($133-200 USD) | ₱15,000-22,000 ($250-367 USD) | ₱25,000-35,000 ($417-583 USD) |
| 7-Day Trip | ₱12,000-18,000 ($200-300 USD) | ₱22,000-32,000 ($367-533 USD) | ₱35,000-50,000 ($583-833 USD) |
All estimates include accommodation, food, activities, and local transport. Flights not included.
For day-by-day itineraries at each budget level with specific activity recommendations, see our sample Siargao trip plans . To understand the cost differences between staying in Del Carmen versus General Luna, check our location comparison guide .
For flight information and airport arrival tips, see our Siargao Airport Guide .
How Siargao Compares: Bali, Phuket & Other Southeast Asia Beach Destinations (2026)
For travellers coming from the US, UK, Australia, or Canada, the real question isn't just "how much does Siargao cost?" It's "is it cheaper than Bali or Thailand?" Short answer: yes, especially if you base yourself in Del Carmen.
| Destination | Mid-range daily budget (USD) | Typical mid-range room | Local meal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siargao (Del Carmen base) | $33–58 | $27–36 | $1.40–2.70 |
| Siargao (General Luna base) | $55–90 | $45–71 | $2.70–4.50 |
| Bali (Canggu / Ubud) | $60–110 | $45–90 | $3–6 |
| Phuket / Koh Samui | $55–100 | $40–80 | $3–5 |
| El Nido / Coron | $40–70 | $30–55 | $2–4 |
Figures are typical 2026 mid-range budgets and will shift with season and exchange rate. Siargao's biggest advantage for international travellers is accommodation: mid-range rooms in Del Carmen are 30–40% cheaper than equivalent rooms in Canggu or Kata.
Payment, ATMs & Money Tips
Cash is King
- Most places are cash-only
- ATMs available in GL (limited in Del Carmen)
- Bring enough cash for 3-4 days minimum
- International card ATM fees are roughly ₱250 (~$4 USD) per withdrawal.
Where to Withdraw
- BDO - General Luna (branch/ATMs on or near Tourism Road)
- Cantilan Bank - General Luna, Del Carmen, and Dapa
- PNB (Philippine National Bank) - Dapa
- Euronet ATMs - multiple in General Luna. Note: Euronet ATMs are easy to find but usually charge higher fees than local bank ATMs, and travelers have reported occasional issues, so use them mainly as a backup.
💡 Tip: Withdraw larger amounts (₱10,000-20,000, ~$169-$339 USD) to minimize the ₱250 (~$4 USD) ATM fee. Many places are still cash-only, and ATMs sometimes run out of money on weekends. Bring enough cash for several days, and consider setting up GCash or Maya for QR payments at cafes and shops that support them. See our getting around Siargao guide for detailed fare information.
First time in Siargao? We help guests with ATM locations, local food recommendations, and tour bookings, so you spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying the island. Ask us anything
📍 Maximize Your Budget at Mariden Resort
Located in Del Carmen (30–40% cheaper than General Luna), Mariden Resort offers exceptional value for international and domestic travelers alike:
- Double rooms from ₱1,500/night (~$25 USD): Best value in the area
- Airport pickup (₱200): Save ₱200-500 (~$3-$8 USD) vs taxi
- 5 minutes to Sugba Lagoon port: Save on transport
- Pool, WiFi, breakfast available: All-in-one convenience
- Local food recommendations: Eat well, spend less
Siargao Weekly Trip Cost at a Glance (2026)
Estimated total for a 7-day trip. USD estimates based on ~₱56–₱58 = $1 USD.
| Category | Budget (7 days) | Mid-Range (7 days) | Comfortable (7 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₱2,100–3,500 $38–63 USD | ₱8,400–14,000 $150–250 USD | ₱17,500–28,000 $313–500 USD |
| Food | ₱1,750–2,800 $31–50 USD | ₱3,500–5,600 $63–100 USD | ₱7,000–10,500 $125–188 USD |
| Activities | ₱700–1,400 $13–25 USD | ₱2,100–3,500 $38–63 USD | ₱3,500–7,000 $63–125 USD |
| Transport | ₱350–700 $6–13 USD | ₱1,400–2,800 $25–50 USD | ₱2,800–4,200 $50–75 USD |
| Total | ₱4,900–8,400 $88–150 USD | ₱15,400–25,900 $275–463 USD | ₱30,800–49,700 $550–888 USD |
Flights not included. Actual costs vary by season, group size, and personal preferences.
Travelling as a family or group? Message us for a custom quote and we can match most 7-night direct-booking rates and include free airport pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
A week in Siargao costs ₱12,000-18,000 ($200-300 USD) for budget travelers, ₱22,000-32,000 ($367-533 USD) for mid-range, and ₱35,000-50,000 ($583-833 USD) for comfortable travel. This includes accommodation, food, activities, and transport.
Siargao is moderately priced compared to other Philippine destinations. General Luna (the tourist hub) has higher prices, but Del Carmen offers 30-40% savings on accommodation and food. Budget travelers can spend as little as ₱700/day ($12 USD).
Stay in Del Carmen instead of General Luna (30-40% cheaper), eat at local carinderias (₱80-150/meal, ~$1.36-$2.54 USD), do free activities like the Del Carmen mangrove boardwalk and beaches, rent a motorbike to share costs, and visit during off-peak season (June-November) for accommodation discounts.
Del Carmen is significantly cheaper. Mid-range rooms cost ₱1,500-2,000/night (~$25-$34 USD) vs ₱2,500-4,000 (~$42-$68 USD) in GL. Local meals are ₱80-150 (~$1.36-$2.54 USD) vs ₱150-250 (~$2.54-$4.24 USD) in GL. Overall, expect 30-40% savings by staying in Del Carmen. See our comparison guide for details.
Sugba Lagoon boat tour joiner tours typically cost ₱1,500-1,900/person (~$25-$32 USD). Naked, Daku, Guyam island hopping joiner tours start around ₱1,500/person (~$25 USD). Sohoton Cove tour guide tours run roughly ₱2,500-3,100/person (~$42-$53 USD). Surf lessons cost ₱500-800/hour (~$8-$14 USD). Many free or low-cost attractions are available like Magpupungko low-tide rock pools (₱60-100, ~$1-$2 USD, entrance) and easy waterfall day trip from Del Carmen (Taktak Falls, around ₱30, ~$0.51 USD).
Cash is king in Siargao. Most local restaurants, shops, and tour operators only accept cash. ATMs are available in General Luna and Dapa, but have ₱250 (~$4 USD) fees per withdrawal for international cards. Bring enough cash for 3-4 days minimum and withdraw larger amounts to minimize fees.
Bring at least ₱10,000–20,000 ($180–360 USD) in cash for your first few days. ATMs in General Luna and Dapa charge ₱250 (~$4 USD) per withdrawal for international cards and sometimes run out of cash on weekends. GCash and Maya QR payments are accepted at some cafes and shops but not everywhere.
Siargao is generally cheaper than Bali's tourist areas (Seminyak, Ubud) and comparable to Thailand's islands. Budget travelers can spend ₱700–1,200/day ($12–20 USD) in Siargao. The biggest savings come from staying in Del Carmen instead of the tourist hub of General Luna.
Tipping is not expected in Siargao but is appreciated. For tour guides and boat operators, ₱50–100 ($1–2 USD) per person is a kind gesture. Restaurants do not typically add a service charge, and rounding up the bill is common. There is no obligation to tip tricycle or habal-habal drivers.
Del Carmen: the budget-smart base for Siargao
Staying in Del Carmen instead of General Luna saves money on accommodation without sacrificing access. Mariden Resort offers rooms from ₱1,500/night (~$27 USD) — with airport pickup (₱200), Starlink WiFi, and a pool included. Direct booking gets you the best rate with free cancellation on most dates.
See rooms from ₱1,500/night →Related Guides
Plan Your Trip:
- family Siargao itinerary - Day-by-day trip plans with budgets
- which side of Siargao to stay on - Del Carmen vs General Luna comparison
- Siargao weather by month - Weather and seasonal planning
- getting around Siargao - Scooters, tricycles, and vans
- Siargao Airport Guide - Arrivals and transfers
Free & Budget Activities:
- the Philippines' largest mangrove forest - Free nature walk
- Alegria Beach guide - ₱40 (~$0.68 USD) (₱20 entrance + ₱20 parking)
- Magpupungko entrance fee and times - ₱60-100 (~$1-$2 USD) entrance
- Taktak Falls waterfall guide - ₱30-50 (~$0.51-$0.85 USD) entrance