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Philippines · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Siargao scores 62/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Siargao requires a high degree of caution due to localized crime and potential social tensions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Philippines · Assessed 13 October 2026
62
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.”
Updated 2026-10-07T11:19:22Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Philippines: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-25T07:02:51.804176-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile not widespread, there are reports of incidents involving tourists, particularly in General Luna.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in busy tourist spots and transportation hubs.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed to Negative
59/100
Recent reports highlight tourist concerns and debates surrounding safety, with some incidents involving confrontations between tourists and locals.
Siargao requires a high degree of caution due to localized crime and potential social tensions.
While Siargao is a popular tourist destination, recent incidents involving tourists and local businesses, alongside broader national advisories, indicate a need for heightened awareness. The island's remoteness can also impact access to emergency services.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Siargao's safety profile indicates a need for a high degree of caution, particularly given recent incidents and broader national advisories. While the island is a popular destination, reports from October 2026 highlight tourist concerns and ongoing safety debates, suggesting a mixed to negative consumer sentiment.
Recent events, such as an attack on a local café by tourists in May 2026 and subsequent statements from the Bureau of Immigration about increasing their presence due to tourist-related crimes, underscore potential friction. The Department of Tourism has also had to defend local business owners against unruly visitors. These incidents, coupled with broader national advisories recommending a high degree of caution, suggest that travelers should remain vigilant.
Travelers should be aware of their surroundings, especially in crowded areas and at night, and respect local laws and customs to avoid potential confrontations. While specific neighborhood crime data is limited, General Luna, as the main tourist hub, is likely to see a moderate risk of petty crime like pickpocketing and bag-snatching. It is also advisable to verify the legitimacy of tour operators and accommodation to avoid scams. The Philippines has a national homicide rate of 4.3 per 100k, which is moderate compared to global averages.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 5 Siargao districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Siargao safety map.
General LunacautionMain tourist hub, but recent incidents involving tourists and locals reported.
Cloud 9cautionPopular surf spot, generally safe but can be crowded; be aware of surroundings.
DapasaferPort town, less tourist-focused, generally lower risk.
PacificosaferQuieter area, known for surfing, fewer reported incidents.
BurgossaferRural area, less tourist traffic, generally safe.
07 · After Dark
While not widespread, there are reports of incidents involving tourists, particularly in General Luna.
After dark, be most careful around General Luna, Cloud 9. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Siargao requires a high degree of caution due to localized crime and potential social tensions. While Siargao is a popular tourist destination, recent incidents involving tourists and local businesses, alongside broader national advisories, indicate a need for heightened awareness. The island's remoteness can also impact access to emergency services. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Siargao report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
Siargao ranks #9 of 9 Philippines destinations we've assessed, scoring 62/100. See the Philippines safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: siargao.json (CC BY 4.0).
