A Wellness Guide to Siargao Island
Hi friends! I often get asked for which places I would recommend on the island. I would love to share my personal favorite spots for healthy, plant-based food, yoga practice and other tips if you are visiting Siargao. The island has such a variety of activities for everyone to explore.
This list is by no means exhaustive but hopefully it points you in the right direction if you are coming to Siargao seeking wellness, healing and friendship. There are a lot of wonderful new places that have opened recently that I haven’t been able to visit just yet.
Eat and Drink
Beach Baby Cafe - This sweet cafe is smack in the center of town and is owned by my lovely co-teacher Nicole. I always order their iced ginger juice, rose lattes and light berry smoothie bowls. Pop by if you’re feeling like refreshing and light snacks and drinks.
CEV - The island’s top spot for fresh seafood kinilaw. If you are a vegetarian like me, I recommend their veggie bowl, Salad B and chips and salsa. You can also order their signature cocktails as mocktails.
Bravo - It’s a classic for a reason! Nothing beats sunset tapas at Bravo. Lots of vegan and vegetarian options on their daily menu.
Buonana - The absolute best vegan nice cream ( made from bananas ) for those super humid days
Loka - You can park your board here post-surf as it’s just by Cloud 9. I usually grab their thin-crust veggie pizza and cheese fries. Yum!
Big Belly - The best veggie burgers in town in my book! They also have amazing home made tempeh nuggets made by my wonderful Indonesian friend, Tia.
La Carinderia - THE place to go for home made pasta. Don’t miss their Caramello pasta, polpetta and their eggplant ravioli. They also usually have a vegan weekly special if that’s your jam.
Coco Frio - A colourful roadside space selling all types of coconut drinks. You can find me here with a girl friend people-watching over an iced ca phe sua or coco vaso. If you’re feeling snacky, pop over to Isla Cucina for cheese rolls and ube pan de sal to go with your drink.
Cocopelli - A newly-opened cold press juicery right by the Boulevard which is partnered with Island Deli. I’d recommend a quick stopover here if you need supplies for island-hopping.
Shanti Shanty - A family-run cafe where everything is made with so much love and care - bread, cookies, alt milks and more . Try their ginger healer drink, Filipino latte and veggie sandwich. I always leave here feeling so nourished.
Kawayan Gourmand - There is nothing like their chocolatines and croissants straight from the oven. If you surf Cloud 9 area around 5am, head to Kawayan at 7am for their first batch of warm pastries. There are few things in life that bring me more joy than this combo.
BS - Brunch Spot - The new kid in town ! Cute interiors, seriously good breakfast stacks and I’m going to say - the best cinny bun in town. I love this spot for catch-ups with friends.
Food Lab - A fully plant-based Vietnamese snack shack. They have a special Meatless Monday discount if you are looking for a more affordable weekly vegetarian option. I love their Fried Tofu Banh Mi!
Lokal Hub - This snack bar inside a restored old home is part of the Lokal NGO. They offer delicious iced drinks ( like their famous iced coco coffee ) as well as monggo wraps, mornings chips and protein bowls. Another great spot for a more affordable meal sourced from locally-sourced ingredients.
Lokanto - My personal pick for best falafels on the island ! They have quite a few plant-based options and you can order from Pwesto next door as well.
Barbosa - Most people come here for the parties but they also have a great dinner service with delicious plant-based options by Chef Dave of CEV. Some of the best music on the island can be found here thanks to Jay and Chris. Try to come around 5/6PM to listen to their amazing vinyl record collection while sipping on a mocktail.
Cumin- Delicious Indian and Mediterranean dishes smack in the middle of town. I love their tofu shawarma rice and their mango lassi.
Coffee
Amon - My absolute fave spot for vanilla oat lattes and breakfast toasts. They also have Starlink + WiFi if you need to get work done during the day.
Saint Thomas - a hidden gem in the backroad for delicious iced coffee + non coffee drinks, banana bread and flaky croissants.
Pwesto - Their vanilla bean lattes are hard to beat. If you have a sweet tooth, try their home style apple crumble.
Stay
Diwa - A women-owned eco-house nestled in a quiet neighborhood. Super great for groups travelling together and looking for some distance from the hustle and bustle.
Meraki - A cute, chic hostel right beside Diwa. For those who are more in a mood of wanting to meet other travellers. This accommodation is also located in a safe and quiet area of the island. They have 2 sweet pups named Nala and Zulu who are always ready to greet you when you enter.
Vedya - A beautiful boutique hostel and vegan cafe tucked into the backroad. This space is filled with some of the friendliest people and delicious food. It’s a real community.
Buddha - Simplicity is the key here. Rooms with clean lines at the center of town. A great place to stay if you prefer to walk around or trike. They offer daily yoga, surf lessons with some of the best and premium surfboard rentals.
Kaimana - Cosy, homey and well-finished rooms and villas. Definitely one of the places I recommend to people who have parents visiting.
Lamari - If you’re looking for a high-quality boutique resort with a restaurant, pool, wifi and a genset, Lamari is a great option. Rooms are super comfortable and there’s a great attention to detail here.
Siago - For anyone looking for a beautiful boutique beachside resort at the center of town, this is a great one. They have a pool, good wifi, a genset and delicious food.
Inara - If you are looking to treat yourself to a luxury stay, this boutique resort is the perfect place to be. Everything is so personal and well-curated.
Maison Bukana - This luxury home is tucked into the very end of quiet Malinao. Perfect for families or groups looking for pampered peace and quiet near the mangroves.
Long Term Accomodation
Dharma Homestay - If you’re staying on the island for longer than a few weeks, I recommend this lovely set of studio apartments nestled on a hill. You can reach them via the owner’s IG; @brianhagedorn. You’ll be in great hands with Brian as your host.
Yoga and Meditation
Lotus Shores - One of the original yoga spaces on the island. Although it has yet to be completely refurbished, the little yoga shala is one of my favourite places to enjoy peace and quiet. Every single teacher here is so gifted.
Buddha Yoga Shala- Another one of the original yoga spaces in Siargao. Super easy to get to if you don’t have your own transportation. Buddha always is so welcoming and they make you feel like family.
Little Shell Yoga Shala - Please stay tuned for our opening date !
Fitness
SOS Gym - A neighborhood gym that focuses on Muay Thai, circuit and boxing. If anyone can motivate you to become strong, Coach Kian can. Friendly resident dogs Kina and Finn will keep you company during your workout.
Catangnan Beach Dojo - A cosy dojo right by Cloud 9 which is run by a couple that offers jiu jitsu, aerial arts and a few more empowering movement practices. They also offer kids’ classes!
Explore
Don’t miss the chance to go up north to Pacifico or Burgos on a scooter or car and just take in the scenery.
I love stopping into Izustarri for lunch as they have loads of hearty plant-based options to choose from. They also have a stunning cliff top brutalist hotel for those who are keen to stay the night.
If you feel like driving further up north, you can scoot all the way to North Dirty Kitchen to enjoy their hilltop view with some snacks.
Santa Fe is also a beautiful area to scooter through if you’re looking for a shorter drive. It’s just a stone’s throw from Catangnan Bridge.
If you’re feeling crafty, book in a pottery workshop with Mansy Abesamis of Siargao Pottery. They work with the wild clay that is naturally found within the island.
Surf
There are so many beautiful surf spots all over the island. I highly recommend working with local surf coaches who know these surf breaks well and who can teach you about the wave.
Some I personally recommend are
Merlan Gubaton - MG taught myself and my 2 brothers to surf. He’s a great and very encouraging coach.
Botiti Surf - headed by the legendary Carlito Nogalo
Kanaway Surf - headed by another local legend, Mang Carding
Agudo Surf - for those wanting to learn from the island’s best female longboarders
Spa + Hair
Sirena Spa - the OG island spot for nails, facials and massages
Keiko Tsukamoto - Keiko is an island treasure. She cuts hair with so much precision, care and love. You can reach her via her IG @keikomucho but be ready for a few weeks’ waitlist.
Tish Mahtani - Head to Tish for a really well-done hair color job or highlights. If you’re after total hair refresh while you’re doing some island healing, she’s your girl. Tish is on the island a few weeks of the month so be sure to book with her in advance at @tishmahtani.
Bodywork
BeyondMyo- If you’re in need of a body tune up / physical therapy, I highly recommend Pat. She offers dry cupping and dry needling. She helped me heal a long term shoulder and wrist injury I had. You can contact her on IG at @beyondmyo.
Shopping
Cote Femme - A one stop shop for all kinds of cute, beachy linen outfits
Mispo - This adorable trinket and souvenir shop is well-curated and located right beside Cote and Buonana
Vinta - You can fill up on bulk essentials like spices, oils and grains while also shopping for high-quality toiletries, home items and clothes. Vinta has got it all! Plus it is right beside Amon.
Bravo Shop - This resort shop is filled with surfboards, cute bikinis, beach accessories and some small locally-made pieces of furniture
Kudo Surf - If you’re looking for more technical surf gear like suits, fins and boards, this shop is your best bet.
A.T.E. - A social enterprise shop in the North filled which empowers women seamstresses on the island. They have loads of locally- created textile products including pouches, bags, home products and dog collars.
Groceries and Delis
TAG - a small grocery in town which stocks a pretty good selection of pantry goods, toiletries, cleaning products as well as some international products. For a bulk run, you can head to the large PureGold in Dapa.
Italian Food Specialists - a one stop shop for Italian cheeses, pasta and sauce as well as other cooking ingredients
Island Deli - a newly-opened deli near the boulevard which shares a space with Cocopelli Juice. They have a nice little selection of healthy snacks, teas and toiletries
Ragu - my friend’s deli which is opening very soon. Keep en eye out for their vegan cheeses and legendary home-made chai.
Lokal Hub - Fresh locally-grown veggies from the North are delivered here every Monday and Friday afternoon. Grab a snack or drink while your veggies are being packed.
Hakot - This is another pretty reliable shop ( beside TGP Pharmacy ) for veggies as well as some cooking ingredients.
