Compare
Two cities. One decision.
Line them up side by side. Cheaper, warmer, more alive - see it at a glance.
At a glance
Monthly cost breakdown
Short-let nomad pricing (1-3 months, furnished)
Who thrives here
Siargao
Ideal for
- Sun-and-sea people who don't want to give up city life
- Surfers and ocean-first nomads
- Nomads stretching a runway - freelancers, early founders, sabbaticals
- People looking for a reset - quiet mornings, focus, less city
Probably skip if
- Party-first nomads - you'll get bored
- Anyone who hates humidity or extreme heat
Canggu
Ideal for
- Surfers who want to paddle out before work
- Extroverted nomads - the community is huge and constant
- Founders in a build-in-public phase who thrive on cafés + cowork
- Anyone who wants sun, gym, açaí and beach clubs all in walking scooter distance
Probably skip if
- Peace-seekers - traffic and construction are relentless
- Culture-first travelers - Canggu is a global nomad bubble
- People who dislike scooters - you basically need one
Weather
Siargao
Best months
Average around 28°C. Best months: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.
Canggu
Best months
Tropical. Dry season May-Sep is glorious. Wet season Nov-Mar.
Vibe
Siargao
The Philippines' surf island - palm trees, tricycles, cheap villas, the calmest scene in Southeast Asia.
Canggu
Bali's nomad epicentre: coworkings between rice paddies, longboarders at every break and a warung on every corner.
Neighborhoods to live in
Siargao
General Luna
The main strip - restaurants, coworking, walking distance to Cloud 9.
Cloud 9
The surf break - accommodation right on the point.
Malinao
North side, quieter, jungle inland from the coast.
Catangnan
This coastal barangay mixes surf-oriented accommodation with village life around the northern side of General Luna.
Dapa
The island’s port town has markets, everyday services and a much more local rhythm than the tourism strip.
Canggu
Berawa
Beach clubs, coworking (Dojo), the newest cafés. Center of the scene.
Pererenan
Quieter, rice-field vibe, faster-growing. Where people move when Berawa gets too much.
Batu Bolong
Original nomad Canggu - surf break, Old Man's bar, tighter but iconic.
Padang Linjong
An inland Canggu pocket with villas, cafés and access toward the Echo Beach area.
Babakan
A village area farther inland, where residential lanes and remaining rice fields feel removed from the beach traffic.
Pros & cons
Siargao
Pros
- Genuinely affordable - money goes far
- Warm most of the year, ocean walking distance
- Direct flights to most global hubs
- English is fine in the main nomad neighborhoods
Cons
- Humidity and heat can be brutal outside peak months
- Not a nightlife city - social life happens over dinner
Canggu
Pros
- Ultra-cheap living
- Huge nomad scene
- World-class surf
- Year-round warmth
Cons
- Traffic chaos
- Rainy season floods
- Wi-Fi can wobble
Visa & residency
Siargao
Most passports 30 days visa-free, extendable to 36 months without leaving.
Canggu
B211A visa or new E33G Remote Worker Visa (up to 1 year).
Want to go deeper? Read the full city guides for the full editorial breakdown.