Explore North Siargao: My Travel Guide to Discover Siargao Beyond General Luna in 2025

Last Updated on May 10, 2025 by Oliver

Siargao is easily one of the coolest islands in the Philippines—and yep, it’s also my personal favorite. There’s just so much to love: great food, amazing surf, fun nightlife, and a relaxed vibe that makes it hard to leave.

But most people only know General Luna, which is down in the south. And if that’s the only part of the island you see, you’re honestly missing out. Northern Siargao feels way more local and laid-back, with quiet beaches and little coastal towns that still feel a little more untouched.

I spent around two months in Siargao all up, and I made the trip north a few times—sometimes just for a day trip, other times for a proper little getaway. It was always worth it. The beaches are gorgeous, the roads are quiet, and it’s the perfect escape from the busyness that General Luna can sometimes bring.

This article is a little guide to help you explore it for yourself, with my own tips, favorite stops, and what to expect when you hit the road. Hopefully by the end of this, you’ll feel ready to hop on a scooter and go see a totally different side of Siargao.

Explore North Siargao: What to Know Before You Go

When you’re visiting Siargao, chances are you’ll be staying in General Luna—and honestly, you should. The food is the best on the island, the community is super fun, and it’s just where everything’s happening. But I do think the north of Siargao deserves more love.

The little towns and beaches up there are absolutely beautiful. If you’ve got time, try to head up for at least a day trip—or even better, spend a night or two. And don’t worry, it’s not some crazy remote jungle like Balabac in Palawan or anything. It’s still small-town local, but there are already a few cute guesthouses, coffee spots, and new little places popping up.

One thing I’d recommend before heading up: check the tides. You’re going for the beaches, and some of them are super rocky at low tide. Try to time your visit to places like Pacifico or Alegria about 1–2 hours before high tide so you get that dreamy clear water and can actually swim. (You can check the Siargao tide chart online—it’s super handy.)

You can book a driver or join a van tour of the north, but if you’re even slightly confident on a scooter, I really think you should drive yourself. It’s such a stunning ride, and having the freedom to stop wherever you want makes it so much better. The road conditions are great, there’s barely any traffic, and honestly, Siargao is one of the easiest places to learn to ride if you’re new. From General Luna all the way up to Alegria takes about 1.5 hours, so definitely plan some stops along the way—otherwise your butt’s going to hate you.

My Experience Traveling to Northern Siargao

Like I mentioned earlier, we ended up staying in Siargao for around two months because we just loved it that much. For the first couple of weeks, we stayed in General Luna, but once we knew we wanted to stick around longer, we moved to Santa Fe—a small town just outside of General Luna that I’d honestly recommend if you’re planning a longer stay. It’s quiet, surrounded by nature, and still close enough to drive down to GL when you want to.

While living there, we met quite a few expats and digital nomads who’d been on the island for years, and they kept mentioning how they’d go up north for weekend trips. We were curious what that actually looked like, so we decided to plan our own little getaway and explore the north of Siargao for a few days.

We booked one night in Pacifico at Pacifico Surf Bayay, which is this cute beachfront spot, and another night in Alegria at DaRosa Del Mar Resort. On the way up, we stopped at Maasin River and Magpupungko Rock Pools—both easy stops if you’re driving yourself.

Pacifico was super chill. The beach there is beautiful—way better than anything in General Luna, especially if you’re looking for a proper swim or surf. The vibe was really laid-back, and the food scene was surprisingly good. I especially loved Common Ground, this little cafe and yoga spot that was so cute with great iced lattes too!

The next day, we jumped back on the scooter and made our way further north. We stopped in Burgos for lunch at Kolekibo, a beachfront vegan café that was such a nice surprise—great food and a perfect place to take a break.

Eventually, we made it up to Alegria, right at the tip of the island. This area is stunning—white sand, barely anyone around, and the sunsets here are unreal. We rode over to Santa Monica in the evening where you can actually catch the sunset over the water (which you don’t get in GL), and went for a quick swim as the sun went down.

We spent the night at DaRosa Del Mar, a peaceful little resort right on the beach, and just took it easy the next morning before heading back down to General Luna. Honestly, it was the perfect weekend beach escape—super easy to do on your own and such a nice break from the busyness of the south.

Where to Stay in North Siargao

Izustarri – One of the coolest-designed hotels in all of Siargao. It’s a stunning villa set right on the cliffs near Burgos, surrounded by jungle with insane ocean views. It’s got a pool, tons of space, and a really unique, upscale vibe—but still feels isolated in the best possible way. If you want a peaceful stay somewhere that feels a little hidden and super special, this is it.

Yapak Beach Villas – My favorite place to stay in Pacifico. Yapak has beautiful private villas, a great pool, and even standard hotel rooms—most with ocean views. It’s got that perfect mix of comfort and style without being over the top, and the location right by the beach is ideal.

Pacifico Surf Bayay – This is our go-to little boutique stay in North Siargao. It’s a beachfront surf house with just a few rooms, tons of lush greenery, and a cozy, laid-back vibe. It’s nothing super fancy, but it’s tasteful, chill, and the kind of place you’ll want to come back to.

Pacifico: Surf, Chill Cafes & Beach Vibes

Pacifico is the first proper beach town you’ll hit once you’ve made your way up the coast, and it’s also the most popular one in the north. It’s still way more chilled than General Luna—less built up, fewer people—but when we arrived, there were definitely a few other travelers staying around, which was actually really nice. If GL ever feels a bit too much, Pacifico is the perfect reset.

Quick tip: when you’re searching for it on Google Maps, make sure to type in Pacifico Beach rather than just Pacifico. That’ll take you to the right area where most of the cafes, hotels, and surf breaks are.

Best for: In my opinion, Pacifico is ideal if you want good surf without the chaos and crazy tourism. It’s also a great option if you’re looking to stay somewhere more relaxed and quiet, but still want a bit of atmosphere—without going fully off-grid.

Where to Stay in Pacifico: We stayed at Pacifico Surf Bayay, a boutique little hotel right on the beach. Super peaceful and just a few steps from the ocean. If you’re after something a bit more upscale, Yapak Beach Villas is another really nice option, also right on the beach.

Where to Eat in Pacifico: My favorite spot here is Common Ground—a cute little cafe and yoga space, and hands down the best place for breakfast. If you’re after a more classic breakfast vibe, Manu Brew does really good eggs, bacon, and pancakes. Both are great spots to start your day before heading to the beach.

Burgos: The Quiet North

Burgos is further up the coast and feels a lot quieter than Pacifico. The town itself is actually kind of spread out and has a bit more going on compared to Alegria, which is much smaller. But what I loved most about Burgos was the peace and quiet—it’s the kind of place you come to if you want to switch off for a bit. No big crowds, no loud bars, just the beach, the breeze, and a good excuse to stay off your phone for a while.

Best for: Relaxing, white sand beaches, quiet days, and affordable resorts.

Where to Stay in Burgos: We stayed at a small Airbnb here that was super cozy and tucked away. If you’re looking for something a bit more elevated, Izustarri is absolutely stunning—probably one of the most beautiful boutique villas on the whole island.

Where to Eat in Burgos: I was actually surprised by how many good food spots there were in Burgos. Kolekibo is my go-to for vegan breakfast or lunch, and The Hub by Lokal (yes, the same one from General Luna) has a branch here too—great coffee and food in a really nice setting. Chill Out Cafe is a great spot for sandwiches and has air conditioning to keep you cool!

Alegria: Beaches, Sunsets & Pizza

Alegria is right up at the northern tip of Siargao and it’s honestly one of the most peaceful parts of the island. The beaches here are long, quiet, and barely touched—perfect if you’re after that slow island pace. We came up here for a night and it really felt like a proper escape. There’s not a ton to do, but that’s kind of the point. You come here to swim, nap in the shade, watch the sunset, and eat good food.

Best for: Beachfront stays, peace and quiet, sunset swims, and surprisingly great pizza.

Where to Stay in Alegria: We stayed at Darosa del Mar, a small beachfront resort that was super chill and right on the sand. It’s nothing fancy but really comfortable and the kind of place where you wake up to the sound of waves.

Where to Eat in Alegria: If you’re in Alegria, you have to eat at The Coconut Nut. It’s right by the ocean with this big grassy hangout area that’s perfect for sunset. They make the best pizza we had in North Siargao—we actually went there twice because we couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The Best Things to Do in Siargao North

• Swim at Pasikon Beach – This was hands down our favorite beach in all of Siargao. It’s a bit of a hidden gem and not many people know about it, which makes it feel extra special. White sand, turquoise water, barely anyone around—just pure paradise.
• Float down the Maasin River –It’s on the way north from General Luna, so it’s a perfect little stop for a break. You can jump off the jumping platform (the bent palm tree doesn’t exist anymore), paddle down the river, or just relax and go for a swim.
• Visit the Magpupungko Rock Pools and Flats – This spot is only worth it if you time it right. You have to go during low tide—otherwise the pools disappear and you won’t see anything. But when it’s low tide, it’s honestly pretty magical.
• Hang out in Pacifico – Chill at the beach, grab a smoothie bowl or pancakes at Common Ground for breakfast, and take in the laid-back vibe. This was one of our favorite places to just slow down.
• Go surfing in Pacifico – If you surf, the waves up here are solid and way less crowded than in General Luna. And if you don’t surf, it’s still a fun spot to watch others out on the water.
• Watch the sunset in Santa Monica – Santa Monica is one of the only places in Siargao where you can actually watch the sun set over the ocean. We came up here one night and swam during golden hour—it was one of the best sunsets we had on the island.
• Stop at the Coconut Tree Viewpoint – This one’s more of a classic Instagram stop, but it’s still worth it. You’ll pass it on the drive up and the view over all the palm trees is pretty epic.
• Grab lunch in Burgos – Kolekibo makes amazing vegan food and the vibe is super relaxed, especially if you grab a table right on the sand. It’s a great mid-way stop if you’re doing a full-day loop.
• Have dinner at The Coconut Nut in Alegria – Their pizza is honestly reason enough to drive to Alegria. Ocean views, a huge lawn to chill on, and the best food we had in the north.

How to Plan Your North Siargao Road Trip

If you’re planning to do this as a day trip or a one- or two-night stay up north, here’s how I’d recommend structuring your drive so you hit all the best spots in the right order:

1. Start early from General Luna – Leave around 7–8 AM if you want to beat the heat and fit in a few good stops.
2. Stop at the Coconut Tree Viewpoint – On the way to Maasin River, there’s a quick photo stop with an amazing view of the countless palm trees in Siargao.
3. First stop: Maasin River – It’s about 20–30 minutes from GL and a perfect quick break to go for a swim, paddle, or just stretch your legs.
4. Magpupungko Rock Pools – Head here next, and make sure to check the tide chart first. You want to be there at low tide to actually see the rock pools.
5. Drive up to Pacifico – This is a great place for brunch or lunch. Common Ground is the go-to. You can also surf or chill on the beach here.
6. Lunch or coffee in Burgos – If you didn’t eat in Pacifico or want a second food stop (no judgment), go to Kolekibo for vegan food or The Hub by Lokal.
7. Head up to Alegria – This is the far north tip of the island. Chill on Pasikon Beach or go for a dip in the ocean.
8. Sunset at Santa Monica – If you’re staying the night up north, ride over to Santa Monica Beach for an oceanfront sunset.
9. Dinner at The Coconut Nut – Wind down your day with pizza and ocean views in Alegria.

Final Thoughts on North Siargao Island

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the effort to head up north—absolutely, 100% yes. North Siargao is quiet, beautiful, way more local, and gives you a completely different experience from the busy café-surf-party scene in General Luna. It’s not for everyone though. If you’re looking for wild nightlife, super fast Wi-Fi, or somewhere to take Zoom calls, this probably isn’t it. But if you want beautiful beaches, peaceful mornings, and a much more authentic feel—this is where you’ll find it.

I’d recommend spending at least 2–3 days up north if you can. A nice split would be 3–4 nights in General Luna to get your fill of good food and community, then heading north for a couple of days to chill out and explore. You can absolutely do it as a day trip, but honestly, staying a night or two makes it so much better and gives you time to really enjoy it without rushing around.

If you’re thinking about it, this is your sign: rent that scooter and go.

Check out all my Siargao Guides

Hotels in Siargao: Where to Stay in Siargao Island Philippines

Cafes in Siargao: The 13 Best Cafes in Siargao

Food in Siargao: The 12 Best Siargao Restaurants

Coworking in Siargao: My 6 Favorite Coworking Spaces & Cafes to Work from

Digital Nomad Siargao: My Digital Nomad Siargao Guide

My Review: Is Siargao Worth Visiting?

Maasin River: My Experience and Tips for Visiting Maasin River

When to Visit Siargao: The Best Time to Visit Siargao

How to Get to Siargao: The Easiest Way to Get to Siargao

Siargao Itinerary: My Perfect 4 Day Siargao Itinerary

Yoga Siargao: My 5 Favorite Yoga Studios in Siargao

Siargao Accommodation: The Best Hotel in Siargao: Las Palmas

North Siargao: Explore the North of Siargao Island

Nightlife in Siargao: The Best Cocktail Bars in Siargao

Beaches Siargao: The Best Beaches in Siargao + 1 Hidden Gem

Siargao or Siquijor: Siargao or Siquijor My Comparison

Best Beach in Siargao: My Guide to Pasikon Beach

Villas in Siargao: The 8 Best Villas in Siargao

What to Do in Siargao: The Best Things to Do in Siargao Island

Siargao Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Siargao Island

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