Planning to travel this year? Here's one of “The 19 Best Places to Go in 2019"!
Siargao continues to be favored by international travelers, getting 3rd top rank for travel destinations in 2019 endorsed by Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) editors.
The Mindanao island in the Philippines’ archipelago first made a strong entry into the CNT choice lists after being voted Best Island In Asia in the 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards, along with Boracay and Palawan.
In the gallery of photos for “The 19 Best Places to Go in 2019” published on December 4, CNT editor Megan Spurrell likened Siargao to “Boracay before everyone found out—and better managed.” Boracay was once the most favored island destination in the world but was closed for rehabilitation after suffering the effects of overtourism. Boracay reopened on October 26 to international travelers after being certified for compliance in environmental standards.
Siargao, The Philippines
The desire to skip town for a white-sand tropical paradise is universal—and for a time, everyone’s paradise was Boracay. The semi-remote island in the Philippines had a small stretch of sand, low-strung hammocks, and pastel sunsets every day. It was picture perfect...until it became the poster child for overtourism, with overcrowding, pollution, and, eventually, a complete closure to tourists for six months. Now, Siargao is Boracay before everyone found out—and better managed. 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.
A handful of smaller, equally idyllic islands off the coast of Siargao, like secluded Mamon Island and non-sting jellyfish sanctuary Bucas Grande, are perfect for island hopping. 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. There are luxe accommodations, like the chic villas of Nay Palad Hideaway (formerly Dedon Island Resort), but it hasn’t been overbuilt (yet). Our readers voted Siargao the world’s top island in 2018. Go now—before everyone else does. —Megan Spurrell
CNT cites among Siargao’s charms the legendary Cloud 9 for surfers, clear waters for snorkelers, island-hopping spots, and luxe accommodations.
“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.
A handful of smaller, equally idyllic islands off the coast of Siargao, like secluded Mamon Island and non-sting jellyfish sanctuary Bucas Grande, are perfect for island hopping,” writes Spurrell.
The fact that getting to Siargao is through a connecting flight instead of direct international flight “is a good thing,” says CNT, “Go now—before everyone else does.”
CNT describes Siargao and the 18 other destinations’ common appeal: “It’s having a moment. It comes up a lot—that near-impossible-to-pin-down, can’t-put-our-thumb-on-it logic as to why you should visit somewhere, now.”
Siargao is joined in the CNT-endorsed list, vetted by editors from both Traveler U.S. and Traveller U.K., by legendary travel spots such as Egypt and Japan.
Travelers from around the world surveyed by leading travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) have again given the top 3 spots to Philippine islands.
“The Best Islands in the World: 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards” ranked Siargao, Boracay, and Palawan as the top 3 best islands in Asia.
In 2017 the CNT World’s Best Islands survey also gave thetop ranking to the Philippine islands of Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan.
The 2018 edition of Condé Nast Traveler awards had over 400,000 readers preferring the Philippines’ tourist destinations in the annual survey for best destinations for travel comfort and attractions.
The Philippine islands were ranked among the 30 best islands in the world outside the United States with Siargao, Boracay, and Palawan taking the top 3 in the Asian islands category.
The 31st edition of the CNT awards categorized ranking by region: the best in Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, Caribbean and the Atlantic, Europe, North America, and best in the rest of the world.
