Siargao featured on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2021
Surrounded by natural wonders, tall coconut trees, and white-sand beaches, Siargao is indeed a gem in the Philippines. It’s no wonder that the teardrop-shaped island has been making it to many international publications, most recent of which is its inclusion on the prestigious TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2021.
The “island off the coast of Mindanao until recently had been best known to a dedicated band of surfers lured by consistent waves. But the secret is out, and new spots are popping up on the island,” writes Duncan Forgan on the feature. Siargao is also named alongside several beautiful places in the world, including attractions in Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
New places and developments in Siargao
Image credit: Department of Tourism – PhilippinesÂ
Forgan first acknowledged that Siargao hadn’t actually been known as a mainstream destination but soon found its way to popularity. Their write-up also included that there are new places and developments to look out for on the island such as the Inara Siargao Resort and additional cell towers.
Image credit: aling_guia
“While destinations such as Boracay, Cebu[,] and Palawan nailed the mass market, the teardrop-Âshaped island off the coast of Mindanao until recently had been best known to a dedicated band of surfers lured by consistent waves. But the secret is out, and new spots are popping up on the island, including the beachfront Inara Siargao Resort, an intimate five-suite property that can be booked on Instagram. Just before COVID-19 shutdowns, Siargao got additional cell towers to improve data connectivity, which will be a boon to tourism when it reopens to vaccinated international travelers,” they write.
The Department of Tourism, as well as the Municipality of General Luna, Surigao del Norte, which urged the local community to follow health protocols, were elated to report the island’s inclusion on the list.
Other Southeast Asian places also made it to the list
Aerial shot of Long Biên Bridge
Image credit:Â Marco VerchÂ
Aside from the Philippines, TIME also recognized many places from our neighboring countries such as Desaru Coast in Malaysia – home to the Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark, Singapore, and Vietnam’s Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc – where the Phu Quoc United Center Resort has just debuted.
Antarctica
Image credit: Rob Oo
Chilly Antarctica, Iceland, and Greenland are among the destinations outside Asia that are also part of the feature.
A network of correspondents and contributors voted
TIME was able to come up with the list through nominations by their international network of correspondents and contributors.
“To compile this list, TIME solicited nominations of places—including countries, regions, cities and towns—from our international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences,” the magazine explained.
TIME names Siargao as one of the world’s greatest places in 2021
There’s indeed a lot to marvel at on the island of Siargao – from its surfing destinations down to its lush landscape that showcases the beauty of natural wonders to the fullest.
We’re definitely eyeing this paradise and hope to visit soon!
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Cover image adapted from: Department of Tourism – PhilippinesÂ