Visitors once filled Siargao with a mix of local backpackers, families, surfers, and curious first-timers. But lately, conversations on the island reveal a noticeable shift. Seats on flights are getting more expensive, and it’s changing who actually makes it to the island.
Rising Airfare, Shifting Crowd
Many locals say the rising airfare is the biggest barrier. A round-trip ticket from Manila or Cebu can easily rival the cost of an international flight, putting a Siargao vacation out of reach for many Filipino travelers. Resorts and small accommodations are starting to notice the impact. Occupancy rates feel thinner, especially with local guests, while foreign travelers, who often budget long in advance, seem to dominate the scene.
The numbers may not be formally tracked, but everyday stories tell the picture. Ask a tricycle driver or a sari-sari store owner and they’ll often echo the same thought: “Mas mahal na kasi ang pamasahe.” What used to be a quick island getaway for Filipinos now feels like a luxury.
The Island Atmosphere at Risk
For foreigners, the dynamic is different. Many already plan extended trips and expect higher travel costs, so they adapt. For locals and domestic visitors, however, even a few thousand pesos can decide whether a trip pushes through or not. This widening gap has created a subtle shift in the island’s atmosphere, fewer barkadas on weekend trips, fewer families exploring together, and more international accents filling cafĂ©s and surf lineups.
The question many quietly ask is what this means for the future of Siargao. Will the island continue to welcome its own people, or will it slowly become a destination that feels out of reach for Filipinos themselves? Unless airfare becomes more accessible, Siargao risks losing that balance, and with it, a part of the cultural mix that once made the island so vibrant.
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