Contacless commute with Paymaya and Beep

Digital financial services leader PayMaya Philippines partners with beep™ to provide commuters a safer way to load up their beep™ cards.

Commuters can enjoy a safe and contactless commute by simply purchasing their beep™ load packages on the PayMaya app. With this load up method, there is no longer a need for face-to-face interactions with the teller, as well as exchange of cash, which can contribute to the further spread of the virus.

PayMaya users can choose among three beep™ load packages on their PayMaya app: P100, P250, and P500 with an additional P5 convenience fee. To buy a load package on PayMaya, simply follow these easy steps:

1. Tap treats on the app homepage 
2. Select a beep™ card load package 
3. Input your beep™ card number, then tap continue 
4. Wait for a purchase confirmation in-app and via SMS 
5. Head over to a beep™ e-load station and tap your card to receive the load package.  

 

Once the beep™ card is loaded, it can already be used on LRT 1, LRT 2, MRT 3, as well as in Point-to-Point (P2P) and Metro Manila city buses. There’s also a growing number of modern PUVs, among other transportation modes, that accept beep™ cards as a payment method.

AF Payments Head of Business Development, Sharon Fong said, “We recognize the challenges and health risks that the daily Filipino commuter faces during the pandemic. We want to help mitigate those health risks by promoting contactless commuting. So instead of paying for your fare with cash that gets passed around by different people, you just tap your beep™ card. Loading your card is also safer and more convenient when you use cashless options, such as PayMaya.”

“As the country reopens, more Filipinos are starting to go back to work and use public transportation. At PayMaya, we’re committed to making cashless options widely available in the transportation sector in order to promote a safer and more convenient commute for the public. Our partnership with beep™ is just one of the many steps we are taking to achieve this goal,” said Shailesh Baidwan, PayMaya President.

Apart from PayMaya, commuters can also reload their beep™ cards through select Smart Padala agents in their neighborhood for a quick and convenient transaction. All they have to do is follow these simple steps:

 

1. Go to your trusted Smart Padala agent and ask if beep load packages are available. 
2. Give the beep™ card account number and load amount. You can load P100, P250, and P500. 
3. Pay for the load amount with the additional P10 service fee. 
4. Head over to a beep™ e-load station and tap your card to receive the purchased load.

 

PayMaya has previously announced its support to the directive released by the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board mandating the use of contactless payments in public utility vehicles as part of the measures in what is dubbed as the “new normal."

In June, it has entered into an agreement ride-hailing app hirna and its partner taxi drivers to be able to accept cashless payments from its customers via PayMaya QR.

PayMaya has also previously equipped taxi operators in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Baguio with contactless payments, and enabled the first digital bus ticketing system with the Araneta Bus Port for cashless payments through credit and debit cards as well as via PayMaya QR.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya enables national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services.

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner touchpoints nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Domestic travel to drive recovery of tourism industry, says survey

Manila, June 29, 2020 – Domestic travel will lead the recovery of the country’s tourism industry with Filipino travelers expecting to go to destinations closer to home and spending less amid lingering health concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

This is the gist of the results of the recent survey conducted on the pandemic’s effects on domestic and international tourism and on Filipinos’ travel behavior in the new normal.

 

The Department of Tourism released the report entitled “Philippine Travel Survey: Insights on Filipino Travel Behavior Post-COVID 19” to various tourism stakeholders in a webinar on Monday (June 29).

 

The key insights of the survey, which was conducted last May among over 12,000 respondents across the country, were:

1. Domestic leisure travel will lead the recovery of Philippine tourism;
2. Majority of travelers expect a reduction of their income and travel budget;
3. Health and safety remains the primary concern of travelers;
4. Travelers prefer reduced-contact activities once leisure travel restrictions are lifted;
5. Travelers prefer online and digital channels for convenience and reduced contact; and
6. Travelers plan to travel close to home.

The survey represents the data-driven efforts of the DOT and tourism stakeholders to restart the local travel industry, which had been gravely affected by restrictions caused by the pandemic.

 

“We believe in a collaborative approach to recovery,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. “The survey, which was distributed online, sought the sentiments and concerns that respondents have concerning domestic travel in light of the pandemic, in order to provide insights to tourism enterprises to better prepare, respond, and serve guests and tourists again.”

 

The travel survey is a joint project of the DOT, the Asian Institute of Management Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism, and Guide to the Philippines. It shows how the public, the government, the private sector, and the academe can collaborate for the industry’s eventual recovery, Puyat said.

 

 

Domestic leisure travel will be a huge driver

 

The survey found that domestic travel will lead the recovery of the Philippine travel industry, with 77 percent of respondents expressing their willingness to travel to local destinations once restrictions are lifted. More than half of the respondents also look forward to travel for leisure or vacation, even in the absence of a vaccine against COVID-19.

 

Popular local tourist spots, especially beaches, are expected to see a surge in visitors. Boracay, Siargao, and Baguio top the list of destinations to visit when travel is permitted again. Filipinos also prefer to travel to destinations closer to home.

 

The majority of the respondents also prefer activities they deem “safe” with limited face-to-face interaction. Top travel activities that are high on their minds are beach trips, road trips, and staycations at 69, 54, and 41 percent, respectively.

 

Domestic travel will be the main priority as fewer people are likely to travel internationally in the near future. This is due to reduced incomes and travel budgets in the light of the pandemic’s impact on the economy.

 

Domestic tourism expenditure expanded from PhP 2.85 trillion in 2018 to PhP 3.14 trillion in 2019. It’s also worth noting that about 10.8% of the 12.7% gross domestic product (GDP) share comes from domestic tourism, making it the biggest contributor to the tourism industry.

 

 

The digital shift

 

Travel plans are also largely going digital, as 72 percent of travelers directly and independently book travel arrangements with establishments online. Nearly half of the respondents will also go with online travel agencies and aggregators.

 

Channels with reduced contact will become the new norm. Majority of Filipinos are expecting tourism establishments to implement self-service processes such as contactless check-in and digital payments.

 

 

Health and safety still travelers’ top priority

 

Although Filipinos expressed a desire to travel as soon as restrictions are lifted, their main concern is still their health and safety. Many said they would only feel comfortable taking their trips once a reliable anti-COVID-19 vaccine or treatment becomes available, and when the situation in the country gets better.

 

The pandemic has raised traveler expectations on health and safety, with more than 80 percent of the respondents expecting tourism establishments to follow best practices in sanitation and health. At least 88 percent of respondents also express willingness to comply with existing health and safety protocols, such as undergoing rapid COVID-19 tests prior to departure and submitting a medical certificate before traveling.

 

Building travelers’ trust and confidence in the industry is vital in ensuring its recovery. The report recommends that establishments and organizations emphasize safety and be transparent in addressing customers’ concerns. It also recommends that tourism stakeholders closely collaborate with other authorities and find ways to innovate and adapt to the new normal—including digital shifts where it is needed—to help manage uncertainties about traveling.

 

Earlier this month, the DOT released new health and safety guidelines in the new normal to local tourism-related sectors such as hotels, resorts, tourist transportation, surfing and restaurants in anticipation of their reopening.

 

To read the full report and survey results, click www.guidetothephilippines.ph/ph-travel-survey.

Foreigners Who Fell In Love With The Philippines

No matter which way you look at it, no matter who you are, the COVID-19 pandemic is definitely a tough situation. Plans, careers, and whole ways of life have undoubtedly been disrupted by the virus, forcing everyone to stay home for their own safety. It’s doubly hard if you’re a traveler in a foreign land when the virus strikes and quarantines are imposed, leaving you with no choice but to stay where you are in order to avoid the risks.

As the Philippines sees millions of tourists every year, it’s inevitable that there would be some travelers who ended up getting stranded in the country as the government ordered a community quarantine to safeguard public health and curb the spread of COVID-19. However, something interesting happened—some foreign nationals chose to stick by the country, having been charmed by everything it has to offer.

Here are some of the amazing stories of their time here:

Chris & Carol of Jumping Places

Chris and Carol, travelers from Brazil, first arrived in the Philippines back in February. They were out on a tour in the Gigantes Islands when they heard about the quarantine, which made them afraid at first—but they eventually thought it was a good decision to stop COVID-19 from spreading. 

After deciding that it was better and safer for them to stay in the Philippines, they moved to El Nido, Palawan, for better amenities. It didn’t take long for them to fall in love with the place for its easy way of life and its breathtaking beauty.

“When I go outside just to get groceries, I know we can’t spend time on the beaches, but just going past it and looking, it’s like a reset button,” said Chris in their vlog that explains their decision. “Filipinos, in general, are just positive people, and that’s helping a lot.”

“We may feel a bit sad sometimes because we miss our families and friends, but at the same time we realized that we are lucky to be stuck in a place like the Philippines,” he continued. “Even the very few people that we meet are being friendly and very nice to us. They’re always smiling even knowing that things are not so good out there, and we think that’s the mindset that we all must try to have.”

Mike and Nelly of Making It Happen

Austrian travel vloggers Mike and Nelly found themselves stuck outside of Manila when the quarantine struck, so they decided to travel to Siargao, where they knew some people. While they admit that their situation is a little difficult, the generosity of Filipinos makes it easier for them to bear as they wait to be able to get back to the capital.

“The Filipino generosity never ceases to surprise me,” said Mike in this vlog entry where Filipino friends hosted them for a get-together on Mother’s Day. “I wish it were like that everywhere on planet Earth, but we are lucky to be in the situation that we can be here in the Philippines.”

“I am very, very grateful that we are able to experience [Filipinos’ hospitality],” added Nelly.

Jmayel and Sacha of Eight Miles From Home

English family Jmayel, Sacha, and their daughter Story are also staying in Siargao, where they feel fortunate to be stuck in. They visited the Philippines as they were looking for a new home, a place to “feel content in”— and ended up in Siargao as a tourist destination right before the government announced a quarantine. 

Siargao provides them a nice, quiet, and inspiring environment where their entire family can stay calm and relaxed while waiting out the quarantine. The family considers the pandemic as some sort of sign that they should be moving—if not to Siargao, then to somewhere in the Philippines in general.

“I love the way it feels on the island, just general day-to-day living. It has a very nice, relaxed vibe,” said Sacha in their vlog entry explaining their circumstances. “The people are wonderful, and the island attracts a good crowd.”

“We are safe & sheltered on what can only be described as a paradise & we are grateful for that each day,” said Jmayel. 

Carson and Zowie of Bisayang Hilaw

American travel vlogger Carson Moody and his Filipina-Australian girlfriend Zowie Palliaer ended up spending their quarantine in Dumaguete City. Carson, who professes a genuine love for the Filipino culture and people with his extensive content immersing himself in it, manages to stay upbeat and positive despite the quarantine. You can check out a glimpse of their daily quarantine life in this vlog entry, which shows them taking it easy in Dumaguete.

“If you look closely, you’ll see raw, authentic Filipino life. A young girl by herself on a bamboo boat with ramshackle homes by the river. Forget the tourist spots. This is what the Philippines is all about, and moments like this will always be my favorite,” says Carson.

Anna and Trevor of the Delightful Travellers

Canadian travel vloggers Anna and Trevor also found themselves stuck in wonderful El Nido, Palawan when the quarantine hit. They arrived in early March and were given the option to repatriate in April, which they turned down after realizing that they had the chance to stay in what they considered one of the most beautiful places in the world.

“We are in one of the most beautiful places in the world—that’s just a nice perk,” said Trevor in their fateful vlog entry in which they discussed their options. “The people have been exceptionally nice to us, we feel right at home, we feel safe. We feel really good about where we are.”

“We don’t know how long we’re going to be here, but we think this is the right thing to do,” said Anna.

George and Lucy of the Juicy Vlog

Manila-based British travel vloggers George and Lucy moved to the Philippines in 2019 to explore everything the country had to offer but got caught up in the quarantine in March. The worst-case scenario hasn’t dampened their spirits and sentiments about the Philippines, as all its sites and experiences still occupy a special place in their hearts.

 “We definitely wanna go back into our family afterward, of course, we do. It’s not gonna be a permanent move back to the UK, we still have [the Philippines],” said George in a recent vlog where a fan asked them about their current plans.

Rod of RodVivKids

Dutch travel vlogger Rod, who documents his travels with Filipina wife Viv and their six kids found themselves stranded in Marabut, Samar as they were spending their vacation. With such a big family, they eventually needed some help to get by, which they were easily able to get from both generous neighbors and fans.

“Thank you so much for helping us out—seeing the deeds, instead of just words,” said Rod of compassionate Filipinos who sent money to help the family in their time of need in a recent vlog entry. “When we say we care for people, we should also show it in our deeds.”

Despite the less-than-ideal situations we’re all facing right now, if there’s anything these positive stories and these enthusiastic foreigners have shown us, it’s that we can always see the bright side of a worst-case scenario—and having breathtaking environments that the Philippines is well-known for and warm, welcoming Filipinos definitely help. 

For the latest travel updates and advisories in relation to COVID-19, visit philippines.travel/safeph.

Until we can travel again, stay home, dream, and #WakeUpInPH by planning your next dream vacation to the Philippines. Check out philippines.travel/wakeupinph.

Siargao Travel Guide 2019 | Things To Do For Non-Surfers

It has been years since I've posted about travel here on my blog, also because I didn't have the time for the past few years. I've been willing to make a new one and we were looking for places to visit and be adventurous then ta-dah! We traveled to Siargao just recently and I'm very excited to share with you my 6-day experience in Siargao, where to go, what to eat and what to do. Here's a quick Siargao travel guide.

Siargao has been recently dubbed as the Best Island this 2019 and I agree to that. With its overflowing sea of beautiful coconut and palm trees, huge and inviting ocean waves, endless clear blue water, a peaceful community and stunning places that are to die for it is a place, everyone must at least visit once in their lives. Located in the South of the Philippines, Siargao Island is a surfer's haven and is one the reason why tourism is rising. Countless foreigners and even locals rush here to experience magnificent waves, but what if you are not the surfer type? Worry not because there are numerous fun activities you can go for!

Now before we step into things to do and places to visit let me share with you how we planned this trip. We only planned this for two months and we visited last June. Now there are two things almost everyone checks first before pushing thru, where to stay and how much is the flight going there (and there's a promo).

WHERE TO STAY IN SIARGAO

- There are lots and lots of places you can choose from, it depends on your preference and purpose whether you are going as a solo backpacker, as a family, barkada or a couple like us.

There are 7 places you can stay in Siargao, Santa Monica, San Benito, San Isidro, Del Carmen, Pilar, Dapa, and General Luna. If you seek food trip, nightlife and tours I recommend staying in General Luna. But you can still stay within the other areas since the commute is easy.

If you are on a tight budget, going solo or even with a group of friends, a perfect option is a hostel. Lampara, Jings, Alpas, and Lumad are some of the hostels my friends recommended. For families or friends who opt for a more private room, Homestay is the best option or if you want to splurge a little I recommend The Hillside Resort, Bravo and Siargao Bleu Resort and Spa. Now if you are a couple like us and are on a tight budget but on the look for a comfortable, clean place and with wifi I recommend Sunflower House Siargao, they don't have a television in the room, but hey you did not visit Siargao to just watch TV right? What I liked about their place is the relaxing front yard where you can lounge, read a book or just lie down while the palm trees cover you from the sun. As of this August, they serve breakfast so that's a plus! You can check them at booking.com for availability and rates. We paid for 10,500 pesos for 5 nights and that's a good deal! It's located on the other side of the main road, but is a 5-7 minute walk to the main road and is near Mama's grill.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO SIARGAO ISLAND

- Cebu Pacific has direct flights from Manila to Siargao! However, if you want a cheaper option,  there's a layover at Cebu which is what we did.

- Philippine Airlines also have direct flights to Siargao

*make sure to score promos with Ceb Pac for cheaper flights. We paid for 14,200+ for 2 round trip tickets with 20kg luggage so that's about 7100+ per head.

Siargao is a breathtaking paradise and one of the main reasons we traveled here is because of the many places and activities you can try. I have been searching and asking friends what travel agency can best help us see the beauty of this place and we found Gotmarked Tours. They have reasonable prices and I liked their photos on their FB page :D If you're a non-surfer I'm sure you'll enjoy every activity here.

Another option is to DIY your own tour, it's easy to get around the area. The most basic mode of transportation are motorcycles or if you are a big group you can rent a van for 2000 pesos (from what I can remember). Getting around is also easy if you don't know how to ride a motorcycle, you can find tricycles everywhere just pay for 20 pesos per head only then 30 pesos if late at night.

Here is a list of their tours, and some photos I took during our trip.

Land Tour: 1700 per head with lunch included
- Coconut Mt. View
- Magpupungko Rock Pool
- Sugba Lagoon
- Maasin River

COCONUT MT. VIEW

One of the most breathtaking view is the Coconut Mt. View. You will easily see this place if you are going to General Luna or Magpupungko Rock Pool. You can come by this place every day and see a land full of coconut trees! Some people also sell bamboo straws for 100 pesos only!

MAGPUPUNGKO ROCK POOLS

The famous Magpupungko Rock Pools is a 45-minute drive from Genera Luna. It is famous for its tidal pool which appears during low tide, which changes daily so better check first. The clear blue and teal water is a stunning view and an inviting spot. You can cliff dive, chill at a cove, snorkel and view the rocks below your feet. Just make sure to wear sandals or swim shoes here since the floor consists of a lot of rocks. 

I didn't get to take a photo of the tidal pool since there's a looot of people swimming and walking around.

There are tons of eatery in the area so don't worry if you didn't bring any food with you. Prices are reasonable plus you need to try their cassava snack.

There are also a lot of starfish and fishes trapped during low tide, and here we found one!

MAASIN RIVER

When searching for Siargao photos, Maasin river is one of the most searched one because of the famous bent tree where tourists or locals can swing from it. The area is covered with lots of coconut and palm trees making it amazing in photos. You can even take more pictures in the raft locals have, the girl who takes photos there is VERY patient! She even told me she had to take photos of a tourist for an hour just to get that perfect shot! She doesn't ask for any payment, but make sure to give her something for the effort ;)

Also under the bridge you can buy pasalubong, like shirts, hats, refrigerator magnet and other souvenirs, they offer good prices. I didn't find other places in General Luna where to buy souvenirs, so I recommend this place.

SUGBA LAGOON

Take a short day trip to Sugba Lagoon! It's a 20 min boat ride which is passing through numerous mangroves. The boat ride itself is already an adventure! I was scared to death thinking there were crocodiles in the area, but they made sure it's safe. 

Sugba Lagoon is known for this view where you can take photos on the diving board or continue that rush of excitement and jump from it too! Of course, I was too scared to jump so I took a photo of a fellow tourist XD. Even though this place has lots of people from time to time you won't have a problem finding your own space to relax. They have several water activities you can also try like a kayak, paddle boarding, snorkeling, relaxing on a raft, swim or just watch the people jumping from the diving board!

For water activities, I remember we paid 300 for the kayak, the same price for the paddleboard and 500 for the raft.

Kayaking was one experience I didn't know I'd enjoy! Even though the sun was striking hot, the cool water eased the temperature plus the view took our breath away. We rowed from end to end of the lagoon and it was so much fun! I know I panicked at first just the thought that the water is very deep but I conquered it and enjoyed the view.

Day two is our Island hopping and here are the inclusions.

- 1700 per head

- Sohoton Cove

- Bucas Grande Island

- Hagukan Cave

- Magkuku-ob cave

- Jellyfish sanctuary

- Naked island

- Guyam island

- Daku Island

SOHOTON COVE

Sohoton Cove is found outside Siargao and is located at Soccoro which is a 2-hour boat ride from General Luna's port. We departed the port by 7am and reached Sohoton Cove by 9am. Make sure to travel as early as you can to avoid lots of people lining up for the activities. One of the best water activities you can find is in this place, and if you are seeking for adventure you will be thrilled! Since there are water activities, you can rent snorkeling things from the port, I forgot how much since we did not need any.

Upon arrival, our guide gathered us by groups of 4 and 5 for the boat ride to Hagukan Cave. We enjoyed the entire ride since our guide educated us about Sohoton Cove, don't worry I won't spill the beans. It's for you to find out :)

When we arrived at Hagukan Cave the place really amazed us, it may be a small cave but when you go inside you will see how the water illuminates and when you splash you will see how it glows! You can already see the glow under the water in this photo! We enjoyed splashing and fascinated by the luminescent water. Oh by the way the water is 30 feet outside the cave and 15 feet (I think) once inside. The guides are also amazing swimmers because they float with simple flippers and they take your photos! The photo I have here is from my phone, but don't worry I placed it inside a ziplock!

Our next destination was the Magkuku-ob Cave, unfortunately, I didn't have a photo here since there's this extreme activity we'll be doing! This cave is a one-way street, once you go up, you can't get down and the only way to exit is jumping to where you began. Huh just when I thought I can excuse myself, well there's no turning back now! It's a bit claustrophobic inside the cave but it will get your adrenaline up and get ready for the dive! I have a video clip here of me and Kevin jumping!

After that intense cliff dive, we went back to the main port and lined up for the Jellyfish Sanctuary. Unfortunately, it was not high time to see many jellyfish but we were lucky enough to find a lot of cute ones!

Our boatman was a friendly and accommodating person! He always offers to take our photos and let me say he's got skills! 

ISLAND HOPPING (NAKED ISLAND, GUYAM ISLAND, AND DAKU ISLAND)

There are three major Islands every tourist must visit, Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Island. From Sohoton Cove that is another 2-hour boat ride. These Islands are already included in the Island trip, with lunch.

GUYAM ISLAND

One of the smallest islands I've been to! It may be small but there are lots of places to take good photos! You can walk through the entire island in just minutes! But even though it's small, it's paradise!

DAKU ISLAND

Daku means big, and this is the biggest island among the three. Daku island surprised me because there are families who do live here and they serve a feast of seafood! The island is also covered with tall palm trees which gives shade and coolness to the air.

They also sell delicious lemonade! The man who was selling these mentioned he came from Cavite and moved to Daku for the love of his life, that's sweet! People here are accommodating and the island is a great place to relax. Since it's a big island you can play beach volleyball here, they also have huts where you can eat while enjoying the view, or maybe watch the sunset.

NAKED ISLAND

The name of the island says it all! It's a small sandbar with just a little grass but not much. Sunbathe all you can!

COCONUT ROAD

North Land Tour is a private tour, but since there are only 2 of us that is 3500 per head. I don't recommend taking this one however since you can DIY the tour. And we did not get to see the other places :(

One of my goals, when we traveled to Siargao, is to take a lot of photos in the iconic areas and remember each moment and reminisce it. Good thing there are lots of places to capture and experience! This coconut road is one of the most sought after places to take photos and we did not let this pass.

PACIFICO BEACH

If you want a little time away from the crowd of General Luna, Pacifico beach is the place you should go. Going to Pacifico beach may be a long drive especially if you're only traveling by motorcycle, but it's worth it. This peaceful side of the island is a hideaway from the toxic city in Manila. There are some homestay available in the area if you want a more private place. 

TAKTAK FALLS

Taktak Falls is also way up North of the island and is not a place that's overly crowded. There is an entrance fee if you're planning to visit, I forgot how much but it won't exceed 50 pesos. There are also cottages if you are planning on staying longer and eat.

ALEGRIA BEACH FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE VIEW

We went up North and didn't know it was low tide. But although you can see the seabed it's still a wonderful view. We found this view from the lighthouse which is a little bit hard to find since the roadside is covered with plants, but if you look closely you will see and opening. Going to the lighthouse was a bit challenging because there are TONS of rocks you'll walk on going up. It's like hiking but harder XD

The view was still worth it.

Now for all the tour we paid for 13800 for 2 people.

WHERE TO EAT IN SIARGAO

We've seen the places one can go if you're not a surfer, now let's take a look at the places you can eat! Some photos of the places are not here but don't worry I'll add them on my list. Note that since the island is full of tourists, the food price is a little bit up there but still reasonable.

1. Bake Siargao
- If you're looking for a breakfast place with good food and interiors, Bake Siargao is a must-try. They open from 7am - 5pm Thursday to Tuesday. They offer all-day breakfast here. Oh, and it's just walking distance from Sunflower house!

2. Shaka Siargao Cafe 
- Enjoy a protein bowl from Shaka while watching the waves at cloud nine. They are open daily from 6:30am to 5:30pm, just writing this makes me want to eat a whole bowl of their bomdai (nope I forgot the name) but it's so freakin good! One bowl will keep you full until noon. Prices of their bowls start at 250 pesos.

3. Never miss dining at Kermit!

- Kermit is one of the famous dining places you can visit, but make sure to come in early if you want to eat dinner here. Their desserts and pizza are a must-try here. They have great service plus the place and ambiance are wonderful.

*TIP come by 3-4pm and stay until pizzas are available! They serve them by 5pm. We got there by 4pm and got the desserts for then waited until 5pm to order the pizza. By 6pm the whole place is already packed!

CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE AND MANGO FLOAT OF KERMIT

4. Barrel Sports bar Siargao

- If you want a more open and sports bar type of restaurant, Barrel is a must-try. They serve this mouthwatering Jack Daniels Burger! One burger can make you full already, and partner this with their potato wedges, yum!

5. Cantina

- Lechon Kawali and liempo please!

6. Mama's Grill

- For grilled seafood or meat! Their marination is sooo freakin good! I recommend the grilled chicken.

7. Their famous Pandecoco near the church!

8. Bravo if you want to be a little fancy

9. Balai Tomas for shrimp and sisig!

They have a lot of other restaurants you can try, but these are the most recommended ones :)

If you're looking for nightlife the location is different every day, to give way for the restaurants to accommodate more people, just ask the locals where the party is going for that day.

So that's it! if you're asking how much did we spend for everything, that's 53,500. I know it's pricey, but you can still travel here on a budget especially if your going solo or in a big group. It's a definite must-travel place if you want to relax, or seek adventure!

For more information you can contact and find Sunflower Homes Siargao and Gotmarked Tours on facebook.

I hope this helps, if ever you have questions just comment down and I'll try my best to answer everything!