Promenez-vous dans General Luna un après-midi et vous l'entendrez immédiatement : le français. Des couples de Bordeaux, des familles de Lyon, des surfeurs de Hossegor — les voyageurs français ont découvert Siargao et ils ne cessent de revenir.
Walk through General Luna on any afternoon and you'll hear it immediately: French. Couples from Bordeaux, families from Lyon, surfers from Hossegor — French travelers have discovered Siargao, and they keep coming back. Here's why.
The Philippines is Finally on the French Radar
For decades, French travelers in Southeast Asia defaulted to Thailand, Bali, and Vietnam. The Philippines was underrepresented in French travel media and travel agency itineraries. That's changed dramatically in the last three years. Filipino tourism authorities have been actively targeting the French market, French Instagram influencers have been posting Siargao content to millions of followers, and word of mouth has done the rest.
The Bali They Fell in Love With — Before the Crowds
Many French Siargao visitors are "Bali refugees" — travelers who discovered Bali in the 2010s when it was still relatively unspoiled, fell in love with the culture and lifestyle, and now find Bali too commercialized and crowded for their taste. Siargao offers everything Bali used to: stunning nature, surf culture, warm locals, incredible food, and an authenticity that hasn't yet been buried under mass tourism infrastructure.
The key phrase is "yet." French travelers who've been to both places consistently describe Siargao as feeling the way Bali did ten to fifteen years ago.
The Surf Connection
France is one of Europe's top surfing nations. The Basque Country and Brittany have produced world-class surfers for generations, and French surf culture runs deep. Cloud 9 — one of the most famous waves in Asia — is a powerful draw for intermediate and advanced French surfers who want to experience a legendary reef break in an uncrowded, authentic setting.
Even non-surfers benefit from the surf culture: the laid-back vibe, the beach bars, the sunset rituals, and the emphasis on outdoor living that defines General Luna all speak directly to French sensibilities about the good life.
Value for Money is Extraordinary
For French travelers accustomed to European prices, Siargao is genuinely eye-opening:
| Item | Cost in PHP | Approx in EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant meal | ₱150–₱300 | €2.50–€5 |
| Beachfront bungalow/night | ₱1,500–₱3,000 | €25–€50 |
| Scooter rental/day | ₱350–₱400 | €6–€7 |
| Airport transfer | ₱350/person | €6 |
| Island hopping tour | ₱1,200–₱1,500 | €20–€25 |
A well-traveled French visitor can eat extraordinarily well, rent a scooter, do island hopping, and stay in a comfortable villa for a total daily budget of €60–€80. That's extraordinary value by any European standard.
French at Shuttle Siargao
Chez Shuttle Siargao, nous parlons français. Notre équipe peut vous aider à planifier votre transfert depuis l'aéroport et répondre à toutes vos questions en français via WhatsApp. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter dans votre langue — c'est avec plaisir.
At Shuttle Siargao, we speak French. Our team can help you plan your airport transfer and answer all your questions in French via WhatsApp. Don't hesitate to reach out in your language — we're happy to assist.