Where to Stay in Siquijor: A Digital Nomad's Honest Guide to Accommodations

Andre Serrano
3 days ago
6 min read

After 11 months of living in Siquijor and running Eden Coworking, I've seen every accommodation mistake digital nomads make. I've also seen people nail it from day one. The difference? Understanding what you actually need versus what looks good on Booking.com.

Here's the thing about Siquijor - where you stay shapes your entire experience. And unlike most travel guides written by people who spent three days here, I'm going to tell you the truth about each area and accommodation option.

Let's start with the geography, because this matters more than you think.

The San Juan Question: Infrastructure vs. Scenery

Siquijor has several municipalities, but there's one that matters most for digital nomads: San Juan.

Most hotels, restaurants, shops, bars, and basically everything else are in San Juan. It's the hub. The infrastructure. The place where things actually work consistently.

Here's the interesting part - most of the natural tourist attractions (waterfalls, caves, beaches) are NOT in San Juan. Go figure, right? They're spread across other areas like Lazi and Maria. But the drives are manageable - 40 minutes max, maybe 1 hour to the furthest spots. Not bad at all.

So most tourists and digital nomads stay in San Juan, taking advantage of the infrastructure, then drive out during the day to explore the natural spots. It's the practical choice.

When San Juan ISN'T Your Answer

If you don't need to work remotely and you're just here for a honeymoon or pure vacation? Then yeah, consider staying in Lazi or Maria. You'll find cheaper accommodation options and some very premium spots in beautiful, quieter settings.

But if you need to work remotely, or you just want options at the end of your day - restaurants, bars, other digital nomads to grab dinner with - then San Juan is your choice. No questions about it.

Now let's talk specific accommodations in San Juan.

Budget/Backpacker: The Reliable Duo

For backpackers and budget-conscious digital nomads, I give you two options - the same ones I always recommend: Blue House and Fable hostels.

These are the two most popular hostels on the island, and for good reason. Best service, best community, and most importantly - both have alternative electricity sources (generator and solar).

Remember what I said about power cuts being part of the Siquijor experience? These hostels have you covered.

Blue House

Price: ₱600-900 per night for a dorm bed
Beach location
Reliable backup power
Good WiFi

Fable Hostel

Price: ₱600-900 per night for a dorm bed
The best social atmosphere
Generator backup
Solid internet

Both are great choices. Pick based on whether you want beach vibes (Blue House) or strong community vibes (Fable). You can't go wrong with either.

Mid-Range: Private Room, Reasonable Price to where to stay in Siquijor

Don't want to share a room but don't want to break the bank? I have two favorites that I used to stay at myself.

Belle's Accommodation

Price: ₱1,500-2,000 per night

Belle's accommodation was one of my go-to spots. Great location, beachfront, spacious room with AC. The vibe is chill, the price is right, and you're right on the beach.

The catch? No generator or solar. So when the power cuts happen (and they will), you're sleeping in the heat. Just being honest. If you're okay with that trade-off for the price and location, Belle's is solid.

Palm Haven

Price: ₱1,800-2,500 per night

Palm Haven with Starlink is a one-bedroom villa with one of the most affordable prices for what you get. You have your own room, with AC and with powerful Starlink. And here's the big one - if the power goes down, your internet will still work. Their accommodation is not powered by generator entirely but the internet is. So your remote work is always safe. Even if in darkness 🌚

The location isn't super central (about 10 minutes drive from the center of San Juan), but if you have a scooter (which you should), that's nothing. For digital nomads who want privacy, backup power, and the option to cook, this is a great choice.

Premium: When You Want the Full Experience

If you want something more premium, Siquijor actually has some stunning options. Here are the ones I personally recommend - and I mean personally. These aren't just places I found online.

Jungle Kingdomes

Price: ₱4,000-7,000+ per night

I don't even know where to start with this place. Jungle Kingdomes is Beautiful. Charming. Unique. Those words don't do it justice.

They have a natural swimming pool, a cafe/bar with one of the best views in San Juan, and sometimes they host movie nights. The vibe is just... special.

But here's what really makes Jungle Kingdomes: the owners. Charlene and Craig are some of the coolest people on the island. Take Craig for a skateboard session and you might just make a friend for life. (Tip for you: Craig has his own Half-Pipe 😉 )That's not hyperbole - they're genuinely great humans who've created something unique.

If you want an accommodation that feels less like a hotel and more like staying at a friend's incredible property, this is it.

Salamanka Resort

Price: ₱5,000-8,000+ per night

Salamanka resort is a top-tier accommodation in Siquijor. A bit more distant from the center of San Juan, but once you see the property, you'll understand why that doesn't matter.

Super spacious. Beachfront. They have a gym, a big pool, and basically everything you need for a comfortable stay. If you want resort-level amenities while still being in Siquijor, Salamaka delivers.

This is the spot for digital nomads who are doing well financially and want to treat themselves. Work during the day, gym in the afternoon, pool at sunset. That's the Salamaka life.

The Accommodation Strategy for Digital Nomads

Here's what I've learned after nearly a year and talking to hundreds of digital nomads:

First 1-2 weeks: Start in a hostel (Blue House or Fable). Get to know the island, meet people, figure out your routine. The community aspect helps you settle in.

After 2 weeks: If you're staying longer, consider moving to a mid-range or premium spot. By then you know if you want beachfront, central location, or quiet seclusion. You know which restaurants you like, where you work best, what matters to you.

Long-term (2+ months): Look for monthly rental deals. Many accommodations will negotiate significantly for long stays. I've seen people get 30-40% off by committing to a month or longer.

The Power Cut Reality (Again)

I keep coming back to this because it matters: power cuts are real and frequent in Siquijor.

If you're a digital nomad with deadlines, client calls, and work that can't wait, accommodation with backup power isn't a luxury - it's a necessity. That's why I always mention which places have generators or solar.

Belle's Accommodation is great, but let's be real - the internet isn't super reliable, and when that power goes out at 2pm and you have a client call at 3pm, you've got a problem. The good thing? Belle's is right next to Eden Coworking. So you have your plan B literally next door if you need reliable internet and backup power for work.

Beyond San Juan: The Quiet Life

I mentioned earlier that if you don't need to work remotely, Lazi and Maria are worth considering. Let me expand on that.

Lazi has some beautiful, quiet accommodations. You're closer to Cambugahay Falls, Cafe 24 (best Kare Kare in the Philippines, don't argue with me), and a more local, slower vibe.

Maria is even quieter. More rural, more authentic, cheaper prices.

The trade-off? Fewer restaurant options at night. Longer drives to San Juan if you want the social scene. Less infrastructure overall.

For remote workers, I honestly don't recommend it unless you're very comfortable with isolation and have a backup plan for reliable internet. But for people on vacation? It could be perfect.

I personally don't have any accommodation recommendation to give at the moment. But as soon as I explore more those areas I will let you know.

Final Thoughts

Where you stay in Siquijor matters, but it's not everything. I've seen digital nomads thrive in basic hostels and struggle in premium resorts. It's more about understanding what YOU need to do your best work and live your best life.

What matters most:

Reliable internet (or a plan for when it fails)
Backup power (or acceptance of the heat)
Location that matches your lifestyle (social vs. quiet)
Budget that doesn't stress you out

Get those right, and you'll love your time in Siquijor regardless of whether you're in a ₱600 hostel bed or a ₱7,000 villa.

When you arrive, take a breath, give yourself time to adjust, and remember - nearly everyone I know who came to Siquijor for two weeks ended up staying two months. The island has a way of making you want to extend.

See you here.