As a former travel blogger, I used to chase destinations for the thrill of it—surf breaks, island sunsets, hidden cafés. Then I became a licensed real estate broker and appraiser, and suddenly the way I saw places like Siargao completely changed.

Locals and tourists joke about the “Siargao Curse”—that once you visit, you’ll never want to leave, or if you do, you’ll always come back.

If you stumbled upon this blog because you’re curious about how two solo travelers met in Siargao, enjoyed each other’s company, and found it heartbreaking to let go of the person and the place—this ain’t it.

But I knew someone who experienced the Siargao Curse and chose to stay under its spell. I once traveled with Colz Vidal, a travel influencer who now runs a short-stay business in Siargao. She was once just a fan of the island; now her hotel and corgi café businesses are thriving.

Her story reflects a growing trend I’ve observed as a broker and appraiser—the transformation of digital nomads and travelers into long-term settlers. What started as a passion for travel became a sustainable livelihood rooted in local opportunity. She exchanged the noise of city life for a slower, purpose-driven routine surrounded by nature, community, and her beloved dogs.

From a real estate perspective, this kind of lifestyle migration shapes market behavior. When creatives, entrepreneurs, and digital workers settle in places like Siargao, they stimulate micro-economies—from rentals and cafés to co-living spaces and boutique resorts. What used to be a backpacker’s temporary stopover becomes an ecosystem of income-generating properties, each built around the idea of living where others vacation.

It was a bold decision—to permanently leave Manila and build a new life in Siargao. But it also demonstrates that settlement today isn’t just about owning land—it’s about finding alignment between lifestyle, livelihood, and location.

From Wanderlust to Settlement

Traveling is fleeting; settlement is permanent. That’s the hesitation most people wrestle with: Do I love this place enough to anchor my life here?

As a broker, I know that the romantic pull of a destination isn’t enough. You have to evaluate:

• Is this a prime location or just a trendy one?
• Is the property close to essentials—hospitals, schools, transport hubs—or is it purely lifestyle-driven?
• Will the infrastructure and utilities sustain long-term living, not just peak-season tourism?

The saying in real estate is timeless: location, location, location. In tourism, a prime spot might mean beachfront views. In real estate, it also means accessibility, appreciation potential, and resilience against overdevelopment.

A Dance of Tourism and Real Estate

From my dual lens—blogger and broker—I see tourism and real estate as inseparable. Tourism brings in demand; real estate answers it. But they also shape each other:

• Tourism creates a market for short-term rentals. Beach houses, boutique resorts, and Airbnbs thrive where tourists flock.
• Tourists turn into settlers. The “Siargao Curse” often leads to inquiries about buying land or setting up small enterprises.
• Development shifts the identity of a place. Too much construction risks losing the authenticity that drew visitors in. Here’s where appraisers like me analyze if growth is sustainable or speculative.

There’s another real curse happening in Siargao—it’s gentrification. You can read more about this in my previous published blog here. It’s the side effect of paradise becoming profitable: rising prices, displacement, and the slow erosion of local culture.

A Broker's Advice

If you’re considering Siargao—or any “paradise” location—for real estate, balance the dream with due diligence:

• Study the market: What’s the track record of appreciation in this barangay or town?
• Think long-term: Is it only prime today because it’s trendy, or will demand hold five, ten years from now?
• Plan for dual use: Can the property serve both personal enjoyment and income generation (like rentals)?
• Check compliance: Titles, zoning, and local government regulations matter more here than in travel itineraries.

Closing Thought

The “Siargao Curse” is real—but not in the spooky sense. It’s the gravitational pull of a location so magnetic it tempts you to stay. As a travel blogger, I felt it. As a broker and appraiser, I translate that feeling into practical frameworks: prime location, value growth, and sustainability.

Tourism plants the seed of curiosity. Real estate makes the commitment real. And at the intersection of both lies the age-old truth: it always comes down to location, location, location.