Digital Nomad Guide to Siquijor: WiFi, Coworking and Remote Work

Siquijor Island has quietly become one of the most appealing remote work destinations in the Philippines. While Siargao and Bohol grab headlines in digital nomad circles, Siquijor offers something increasingly rare: genuine tranquility, affordable living costs, and improving internet infrastructure, all without the crowds. This guide covers everything you need to know about working remotely from the Mystic Island.

Internet Connectivity: The Reality

The first question every digital nomad asks about Siquijor is about the WiFi. Here is the honest assessment as of early 2026.

Fixed Internet

Globe and PLDT are the primary internet service providers on the island. Fiber connections have been expanding across the main towns of Siquijor, Larena, and Lazi, with speeds reaching 50-100 Mbps in areas with fiber coverage. However, availability varies significantly by location. Accommodations in town centers generally have better connectivity than those in remote coastal or inland areas.

When booking long-term accommodation, always ask the property owner about their specific internet provider and typical speeds. Request a speed test screenshot if possible. Many guesthouses and homestays that cater to long-term guests have invested in reliable connections.

Mobile Data

Mobile data is the most reliable backup and, for many nomads, the primary connection. Globe and Smart both have coverage across the island, though signal strength varies by location and terrain.

Recommended setup: Purchase a local SIM card with a generous data package. Globe’s GoSURF and Smart’s GIGA packages offer 30-day plans with 30GB to unlimited data for PHP 599-999. A dedicated pocket WiFi device (Huawei or similar) with a local SIM gives you flexibility to work from anywhere with cell coverage.

Typical mobile data speeds: 10-30 Mbps download, 5-15 Mbps upload on 4G/LTE. This is sufficient for video calls, file transfers, and most remote work tasks.

Power Reliability

Siquijor’s power grid has improved substantially, but brief outages still occur, particularly during storms. If your work cannot tolerate any downtime, invest in a portable power bank for your laptop (brands like Anker and Baseus make excellent options) and consider accommodation with a generator backup.

Best Cafes and Work-Friendly Spots

Siquijor does not have dedicated coworking spaces in the traditional sense, but several cafes and restaurants welcome remote workers and offer reliable WiFi.

San Juan Area

The San Juan municipality, particularly the stretch from Paliton to Solangon, has the highest concentration of cafes and restaurants catering to travelers and long-term visitors.

Monkey Business Cafe - A popular hangout among the expat and digital nomad community. Reliable WiFi, good coffee, and a relaxed atmosphere that is conducive to focused work. The menu features both local and international dishes, making it easy to stay fueled throughout the day.

Baha Bar - While primarily known as a social spot, Baha Bar offers decent WiFi during daytime hours when it is quieter. The beachfront setting provides a pleasant work environment, though it can get lively in the evenings.

Local coffee shops along the main road in San Juan come and go, but several newer establishments have embraced the work-from-cafe culture with dedicated power outlets, strong WiFi, and comfortable seating. Walk around and test the connection before committing to a full workday.

Siquijor Town

The provincial capital has more traditional eateries, some of which offer WiFi. The area around the town plaza and near the port has the best connectivity. Fewer tourists means fewer people competing for bandwidth.

Lazi

Lazi is quieter still, with fewer cafe options but some hidden gems. The area around Lazi Church and the convent has a handful of spots where you can set up and work. The trade-off is fewer social opportunities but deeper immersion in local island life.

Long-Term Accommodation

For stays of one month or longer, you have several options that go well beyond typical tourist bookings.

Monthly Rental Houses and Apartments

The most cost-effective option for digital nomads is renting a house or apartment by the month. Prices range from PHP 5,000 to PHP 20,000 per month depending on location, size, and amenities. A basic furnished studio or one-bedroom unit in San Juan runs PHP 8,000-12,000. Larger houses with gardens and ocean views go for PHP 15,000-25,000.

Finding monthly rentals often requires local networking. Facebook groups dedicated to Siquijor expats and long-term visitors are the best resource. The groups “Siquijor Expats” and “Siquijor Island Community” regularly feature rental listings. Arriving on the island and asking around in person can also yield deals that never make it online.

Guesthouses with Long-Stay Rates

Many guesthouses offer significant discounts for monthly bookings, typically 30-50% off the nightly rate. A room that costs PHP 1,500 per night might be available for PHP 20,000-25,000 per month. The advantage is that utilities, WiFi, and cleaning are usually included.

Resorts with Work-Friendly Setups

A few higher-end properties have recognized the digital nomad market and offer dedicated work areas, reliable high-speed internet, and long-stay packages. These range from PHP 25,000 to PHP 50,000 per month but often include meals, laundry, and other perks.

Monthly Cost Breakdown

Here is a realistic monthly budget for a digital nomad living in Siquijor:

Budget Level (PHP 20,000-30,000 / USD 360-540 per month)

• Accommodation: PHP 8,000-12,000 (basic rental)
• Food (cooking at home, local eateries): PHP 6,000-10,000
• Transportation (motorcycle rental): PHP 3,000-4,000
• Internet (mobile data top-ups): PHP 1,000-1,500
• Miscellaneous: PHP 2,000-3,000

Comfortable Level (PHP 35,000-55,000 / USD 630-1,000 per month)

• Accommodation: PHP 15,000-25,000 (nice house or guesthouse)
• Food (mix of home cooking and restaurants): PHP 10,000-15,000
• Transportation: PHP 3,500-5,000
• Internet: PHP 1,000-2,000
• Activities and entertainment: PHP 3,000-5,000
• Miscellaneous: PHP 3,000-5,000

These figures make Siquijor one of the most affordable remote work destinations in Southeast Asia. Compare this to Chiang Mai (USD 800-1,200), Bali (USD 1,000-1,500), or even Siargao (PHP 40,000-60,000), and the value becomes clear.

Getting Around

Motorcycle Rental

A motorcycle or scooter is essential for life on the island. Monthly rentals run PHP 3,000-5,000 for a 110-125cc scooter. Ensure the bike comes with proper registration and that you have an appropriate license. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is technically required for foreign nationals, though enforcement varies.

The entire island can be circled in about two hours, so nowhere is truly far. The roads are generally well-maintained, though some inland routes to waterfalls and viewpoints are steep and unpaved.

Tricycle

If you prefer not to drive, tricycles are available for short trips. Fares range from PHP 10-20 for short hops within town to PHP 100-300 for longer routes. However, relying solely on tricycles limits your flexibility significantly.

Practical Tips for Remote Workers

Time Zone Advantage

Siquijor operates on Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8). This works exceptionally well for teams based in Australia (minimal time difference), reasonably well for European teams (afternoon/evening overlap), and requires some adjustment for US-based teams (your mornings align with their evenings).

Healthcare

Siquijor has a provincial hospital in Siquijor town and barangay health centers across the island. For serious medical needs, Dumaguete City is a short ferry ride away and has several well-equipped hospitals. Comprehensive travel or health insurance is strongly recommended.

Banking and ATM Access

ATMs are available in Siquijor town and Larena, but they sometimes run out of cash, especially around holidays and weekends. Maintain a cash buffer and withdraw larger amounts when you can. GCash and Maya (digital wallets) are widely accepted and can be loaded through convenience stores and partner outlets on the island.

Community and Social Life

One of the underrated benefits of working remotely from Siquijor is the tight-knit community. The island attracts a small but genuine group of long-term visitors, freelancers, and location-independent workers. Social connections form quickly because the community is intimate. Beach bonfires, sunset meetups, and shared meals are common. You will not find the large coworking-space networking events of Canggu or Chiang Mai, but you will find authentic human connections.

Visa Considerations

Philippine tourist visas allow an initial stay of 30 days, extendable up to 36 months through the Bureau of Immigration. Extensions are processed at BI offices, with the nearest one to Siquijor located in Dumaguete City. Budget approximately PHP 3,000-5,000 for each two-month extension after the initial period.

Challenges to Be Aware Of

Isolation

Siquijor’s charm is also its limitation. The island is small, and after a few weeks, you will know every road and every restaurant. Some nomads thrive on this simplicity; others feel restless. Consider planning periodic trips to Dumaguete (a 1-hour ferry) or Cebu for variety.

Limited Nightlife and Entertainment

If you need a vibrant social scene after work hours, Siquijor may not satisfy. The island has a handful of bars and restaurants that stay open late, but this is fundamentally a quiet, nature-oriented destination. Bring books, download shows, and learn to appreciate the sound of waves as your evening entertainment.

Inconsistent Services

Some services that are taken for granted in cities (fast food delivery, reliable laundry pickup, hardware stores) are limited or unavailable. Adaptability is a prerequisite for island life.

Is Siquijor Right for You?

Siquijor is ideal for digital nomads who prioritize natural beauty, low costs, and a slower pace of life over convenience and social infrastructure. It works best for:

• Writers, designers, and creative professionals who draw inspiration from nature
• Developers and programmers who need focused, distraction-free environments
• Consultants and freelancers with flexible schedules and asynchronous communication
• Couples or solo travelers seeking a meaningful long-term base

It may not suit those who need rock-solid gigabit internet for constant video streaming, a large expat networking scene, or urban amenities at their doorstep.

Getting Started

The easiest route to Siquijor is through Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental. Flights from Manila and Cebu arrive at Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport daily. From Dumaguete, ferries to Siquijor run multiple times daily, with the crossing taking 1-1.5 hours depending on the vessel.

Plan to spend your first few days exploring the island, testing internet at various locations, and viewing rental options in person before committing to a long-term setup. The investment of time upfront pays dividends in finding the right base for productive remote work.

Siquijor will not give you the fastest internet or the biggest coworking space. What it will give you is space to breathe, think, and do your best work in one of the most beautiful settings in Southeast Asia.