Ronaldo’s Inn Siargao
Ronaldo’s Inn might be the best value in Siargao for those on a budget. A big fan room cottage goes for 300 pesos a night during the off season.
A surfer from Bohol turned me on to this place when I gave him a lift back from Cloud 9. Ronaldo’s is 4 kilometers from the pier and almost in General Luna. There is a big bbq every night and it seems to be a popular watering hole for locals and travelers.
I stayed at Ronaldo’s for 8 nights for a grand total of 2400 pesos making it one of the best values that I have come across anywhere in the Philippines.
Contact Alda 09074214993, 09077397898
note: Ronaldo’s is fully booked during the high season by regulars that come back every year.
Ronaldo’s
Ronaldo’s Inn
Patricks, Satur, and Cherinicole resorts are across the street on the beach. Not bad places to stay either, but the surfing breaks are a few kilometers away in either direction. The “Paradise” break near the port of Dapa is becoming a popular spot for beginning surfers and locals too.
Biboy Gloria cell 09391636914 motorbike rental, guide etc (great guy!)
Cloud 9
Ronaldos
It is common for surfers to go out with the bancas and surf the waves on nearby islands. It’s cheap enough if you pool with a few other guys to share the costs.
Getting to Siargao Island:
Cebu Pacific – There is a daily flight from Cebu where you can catch a connecting flight to Manila.
From Surigao City on the mainland – You can take the express boat (200 pesos) , BritFil fast boat, or the Monteregro ferry (144 pesos) to the port of Dapa on Siargao Island. The fast boats do the trip in 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. Montenegro RORO takes 4 hours but you can take a motorbike or car with you. The cost for the bike is 720 pesos – the regular price is 1440 pesos but there is half fare promo right now. I am not sure if this is a permenatn reduction of if the price is going to jump back up again.
The boat leaves at 6am so you really have to get a jump on it if you are using this option. If you bring a vehicle be sure to have a several copies of youy title and registration so you can get a Bill of Lading or way bill. You will also get hit with a PPA port fee .
Money:
As far as I could tell there is no ATM on Siargao Island so bring enough cash. Some of the resorts accept credit cards but the cheaper ones do not. The exclusive resorts will pick you up from the airport but others can organize the trip with local trike or van drivers.
There are a few carinderias to eat local food and the Dajon restaurant was handy for me because they had wi-fi. They also had pretty good food.
Motorbike rentals:
The going rate for motorcycle rentals seems to be around 300 pesos per day. Most deals are made with local guys that rent out their personal bike. There a few places thet rent out bicycles but I didn’t think to ask the cost.
Surf:
There are plenty of places to take surfing lessons and rent boards. I have been told that it is often a good idea to have a look during low tide so you can scope out where the rocks are so know what areas to avoid when the tide is high.
Around Siarga Island:
Starting from General Luna it is about 144 kilometers round trip to circle the island. The East Coast has some stunning scenery and surf beaches. There are a couple of resorts up towards Burgos but they seemed to be closed during the low season Jan and Feb. The west coast has some mangrove swamps and other scenery that is charateristic of the provinces but the road is in fairly good shape.
Readers update
Ferry costs for motorbike : Surigao to Siargao Island 740 pesos
Janga Bohol to Benonie Mindanao 1500 pesos
Siargao
Ronaldos Inn Siargao
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Wood Boat to Manila Philippines
Thanks for info DP, plan to go there in a couple of months with my brother whom you have met,
Your experiences and trip reports sure make it easy for us.
Will send you a few photos, when there.
Keep up the good work DP
Hi Bruce,
Renoldos Inn only has 3 cottages so if they are full try the Ocean 101 Beach Resort just past Cloud 9. They were offering promo rates too.
The Montenegro Shipping was running a promo on shipping motorcycles too. I paid 720 pesos but the regular fare in 1440 pesos. It’s rather steep but I don’t like to put the bike on pumpboats because of the salt water spray.
cheers
dp
Do you have any contact nos of Ronaldo’s Inn? Thanks.
Hello Mary,
Ronaldo’s Inn Siargao
09074214993
09077397898
Biboy Gloria cell 09391636914 – the former manager
dp
hey thanks! can you give me an estimate how much money should i bring if i plan there to stay for 6 days? did you get tour packages or did you explore Siargao by yourself? and last question, are the ferry trips really have fixed schedule? Thanks :)
Hi Mary,
If you stay at at Rolandos maybe 1000 pesos a day would cover expenses but figure in etxra if you plan to go out on boats, rent surfboards, or motorcycles.
Keep in mind that there will be no cheap accommodation available during the surf competitions.
The ferrys have fixed schedules but you will have to check when you get there. There are at least 3 ferries that make the run.
“From Surigao City on the mainland – You can take the express boat (200 pesos) , BritFil fast boat, or the Monteregro ferry (144 pesos) to the port of Dapa on Siargao Island. The fast boats do the trip in 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. Montenegro RORO takes 4 hours but you can take a motorbike or car with you.”
I took my motorbike with me but that is an additional expense too. Montenegro had a promo fare of 720 pesos for the bike.
The road from General Luna to the surf break at cloud 9 is around 5 kilometers so walking would get old very fast.
There is a relatively unknown surf area called “Paradise” just outside of the port of Dapa but you will need wheels to get there.
Ronaldo’s has a pretty good grill in the evening and Dajon Grill in town (General Luna) became regular stops for me.
Have fun!
dp
Nice, thanks again for the info’s.
Yeah, i heard that surfing competition is around October-November, we’re going there first week of June. I think our only problem is the ferry ride, I checked over the net and i found that the latest ferry goes at 12pm and we’ll be arriving at Butuan City by 11am. So i think we’ll just have to stay at Surigao overnight if there are no other trips available.
Again, super thanks and your site really helped :)
I forgot to ask one last thing, about the ferry, when we get there, we’ll just buy our ticket and thats it, right? or do we need to book it for reservation? Sorry for asking alot, its our first time to go there :)
Thanks so much,
Mary
Hi Mary,
No need to book ahead – just buy the ticket and you are off. If you brought a vehicle it would be best to book ahead.
Montenegro leaves from a different pier than BritFil and the other ferry.
Happy trip
dp
Yey. Thanks for the help :)
hi dp! is june good for a siargao visit? my friends and I (non-surfers) are planning to go there on the 12th of june. we’d really love to go to Siargao but because of the rain we’re now having second thoughts. will the waves scare us by then?
hi dp! is june good for a siargao visit? my friends and I (non-surfers) are planning to go there on the 12th of june. we’d really love to go there but because of the rain, we’re now having second thoughts. will the waves scare us by then? help will be much appreciated.thanks.
Hi guys,
If Cloud 9 gets a bit to wild you might want to surf “Paradise” near town.
Try calling one of Ronaldos numbers for more info.
Have fun,
dp
Giday DP
Back, been here since 14th last month. Spent the fist weeks in Siquijor and Dumaguete. Heat has been exceptional and ongoing brownouts in Siquijor made life hell. In Cebu now preparing for the next motorcycle adventure.
Some issues with Bruce’s bike. Replacement front tire ordered last week, still not arrived from Manila. We are running Metzeler Endro 3, best thing I have ridden on for the sort of riding we do. As well, rear brake burned up due to stuck master cylinder piston, chain links seized so new chain and sprockets needed. Further, he had the seat reupholstered and it is now worse than before….
We are thinking Cebu-Bogo-Bantyan-Leyte-Bonol-Camigan-Mindanao-Surigao-Negros. Well, that’s the plan but who knows?
Juvee good and happy to see the folks, many days at the beach. I’m getting sick of hanging about in Cebu and want to get going.
When are you back here?
Cheers
Lindsay
Hello Lindsay,
Good to hear that you are on the road again! Especially that Bruce is up and running again – he really took a hit from that dengue fever – had me worried…stopped in and saw him at the hospital.
I hope to be back on the trail again again soon myself…just some details I had to check up on but everything is in order now.
Sounds like a great trip ahead – “We are thinking Cebu-Bogo-Bantyan-Leyte-Bonol-Camigan-Mindanao-Surigao-Negros” wow :)
dp
Hi DP
Finally Bruce’s new front tire has got to Cebu from Manila, we pick it up this afternoon. Away tomorrow 0800 sharp!
Juvee is having a good time with her folks in DGT. They are off to Twin Lakes today, oldest bro bought an inflatable boat they want to ride in. I had to lay a few groundrules over the purchase and wearing of life jackets. Been up there and seen what goes on, locals have no concept of what small boats in deep water can result in.
Any tips for us on the upcoming trip?
Cheers
Lindsay
Hello Lindsay,
Have a great trip mate! I am a tad envious :)
Sounds like Juvee and crew had a good time up at the lake…
I will probably be asking you guys for tips after your trip!
…getting ready to get my butt in gear on this website again – hi to Bruce!
dp
Giday DP
Mate it is a s hot as all hell here in Bantayan. You may not feel quite so envious if you were here! Even on the bike it is not really much better.
We are at a great little resort, the St Bernard. I can’t begin to describe it, except to say I have never seen so many tropical cage birds in one place in my life! Just amazing and the whole place is wonderfully landscaped and neat as a pin.
5:45pm. Just about to settle into a SMB….
Cheers
Lindsay
Hello Lindsay,
For sure – it has been hot as blazes here in Ormoc too. It was raining in the mountains but hot as can be in the lowlands. Thanks for the update!
Keep in touch – we have been getting a lot of electrical outages (brown outs) so I have been falling behind on my website.
Cheers and hello to Bruce-
dp
Giday DP
We are gonna be in Ormoc tomorrow Wed 9th. Catch up for a beer?
Cheers
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay,
Sure, sounds good!
Making a quick trip up the mountain but will be back in the afternoon.
cell 09205553686
dp
Hi DP.
thanks for the informations.!