Why It’s Getting Harder to Find Affordable Rent in Siargao

 

Finding a place to rent in Siargao is not as easy as it used to be. What once cost ten thousand pesos a month now often goes for twice that. Even small homes are snapped up quickly. Yet lately, there are fewer tourists, quieter nights in town, and some empty rooms. So why does rent still stay high?

Fewer Tourists, Same Prices

This year, many locals noticed that the island feels slower. Posts on Reddit and Facebook mention fewer visitors and businesses offering discounts just to fill rooms. Early 2025 reports confirmed that tourist arrivals have softened after last year’s recovery. Higher travel costs, frequent power issues, and limited flights have all played a part.

Even with this slowdown, rent in General Luna has not dropped much. Many landlords invested heavily during the tourism boom. They built new units, upgraded interiors, and added WiFi, air conditioning, and generators. These upgrades raised their costs, and now they are holding prices steady to recover investments.

Shifting Between Short and Long Term

Some landlords now switch between short-term and long-term models. When bookings fall, they offer monthly rates. When visitors return, they go back to daily listings on online platforms. It helps them earn steadily, but it also means fewer stable homes for locals and long-stay residents.

Affordable rentals still exist in barangays like Union or Dapa, but they fill fast. Many long-term renters now share homes or move inland to avoid rising costs. Even when demand dips, new listings are limited, so prices rarely stay low for long.

Where It’s Headed

Locals see both sides of the story. Higher property values can mean growth, but they also push families and workers farther from town. Small cafés and surf shops are starting to feel it too. When people move away from the center, daily sales drop and neighborhoods lose their regulars.

For now, the rental market is in a strange middle ground. There are fewer visitors, but the cost of living remains high. The island seems to be waiting for something to give, either a drop in prices or a shift in how housing is managed. Until then, people will keep adjusting, just like they always do here. Because if there is one thing Siargao has taught everyone, it’s how to keep going, even when things keep changing.