Conde Nast: Siargao among places to go in 2019

MANILA, Philippines — Siargao has been named as among the 19 places to go in 2019 by international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler.

“This teardrop-shaped island has long been a surf mecca, with more than 15 world-class breaks (including the legendary Cloud 9) and a handful of locally run surf schools to keep beginners busy. The see-your-toes water is heaven for snorkelers, with healthy coral reefs teeming with life,” Megan Spurrell, Conde Nast community editor, said.

The magazine cited Siargao’s Mamon island and its non-sting jellyfish sanctuary Bucas Grande.

“Siargao is slightly harder to get to than other destination islands in the Philippines; there are no international flights and travelers must connect through Manila or Cebu,  but that’s a good thing,” Spurrell said.

Conde Nast described Siargao as “Boracay before everyone found out, and better managed.”

“There are luxe accommodations like the chic villas of Nay Palad Hideaway (formerly Dedon Island Resort), but it hasn’t been overbuilt,” the magazine added.

Turkey, Bhutan and Berlin are among the other places to go next year, according to Conde Nast.

In October, readers of Conde Nast voted for Siargao, which is popular for surfers, as the best island in Asia.

Local property services firm Pinnacle Real Estate and Consulting Services Inc. had earlier described Siargao as the “next big tourist paradise,” citing its “towering waves and dynamic seas facing the Pacific Ocean.”

“There is now ease of putting up businesses and investing, with the availability of properties and buyers and sellers in the area. Investors and businessmen alike have set their eye on developing Siargao, but with a more conscious effort to fashion it into a paradise island, a relatively untouched region which has always been part of its charm,” the report stated.

“Learning from the Boracay experience, there should be a well-thought of and well-planned development in Siargao, specific to sewage and waste management, urban planning and tourism regulations,” it added.