The Philippines' very own Siargao island continues to be Condé Nast Traveler's favorite. According to its forecast, the island is projected to ride its newfound global popularity all the way into 2020. After being voted as the Best Island in the World for 2018 by 429,000 readers, Condé Nast Traveler's editors have now hailed Siargao as the eighth Best Holiday Destination for 2020.
While Siargao might have been selected for its breathtaking views, the island has more to give than just 'gram-worthy shots. "We aim for a best holiday destinations list that is geographically diverse, as well as one that covers a range of trips, from eco-tourism to adventure, to inspire every type of traveler. There are the destinations that have been on our radar for a while, but keep getting better," Condé Nast Traveler writes.
The island is popular among surfers. The international magazine praised Siargao for its "gnarly surf breaks" and its "legendary Cloud 9 barreling wave." Siargao was also compared to Bali, who had its prime decades ago.
"Siargao is fringed with pristine beaches, tree frog-green mangrove forests, and sweeping groves of coconut palms, and it's little wonder tourism here is gathering pace," Traveler describes. "Less than a tenth of the size of Bali, the island feels the way the Indonesian hotspot did three decades ago: scooters with surfboard racks ferry people about the streets, convenience stores pour petrol from glass Coca-Cola bottles, and farmers sell rice—dried on tarpaulins at the side of the main road—at the local market."
Here's to hoping the island remains this beautiful for as long as possible.
Preview.ph. Minor edits have been made by the editors.