Getting Salty In Siargao
I have stayed in SO many hostels the last 24 months
(like so many tho..)
But ONE stands out as my favorite, without a shadow of a doubt.
SALTY NOMADS!
Located on Siargao island in the Philippines, Salty Nomads is the best hostel community I have ever been a part of...
Siargao, Philippines
This island is a dream. It is beautiful but rugged, relaxing but adventurous, visited but not overly touristy, and one of my favorite islands.. ever.
Being an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is not the easiest country to travel around. Only two destinations fly to into the tiny airport on Siargao: Cebu City and Manilla. While Palawan, Cebu and Boracay are at the forefront of everyone's mind when they think Philippines.. Siargao is quickly becoming a backpacker favorite.
Like anywhere else I have fallen in love with, the reason is never just about the landscape or the culture. It is the people you encounter and the experiences you have that shape your forever memory of a particular place. I can tell you the exact reason Siargao was so special to me:
The family I entered into at Salty Nomads Siargao Hostel.
Salty Nomads
I heard about Salty Nomads on the Girls Love Travel Facebook group I am in (the same one I met Denise from)! A girl named Laura swore it was the friendliest place she had ever been. I was visiting Siargao over Christmas and I wanted to be surrounded by friendly people to celebrate with. I mean who wants to be alone on Christmas?!
Little did I know I was entering into a beautiful little family.
From the minute I walked into this place I was treated like I was already part of the gang. I was taken around and introduced to every single guest by name the second I walked into the door. I did not even have to try to make friends, it was assumed for me.
The Filipino guys who own and run the hostel are incredible.
A lovely young guy named Geo owns and runs Salty Nomads. Geo is present everyday to take guests surfing, on hikes, for meals and around the island. It is clear that him, and his counterparts J.R, Marvic & Joe love what they do. If their guests are not having fun, either are they.
Together these guys run a whole brand under the name Salty Brothers. They have clothing and JUST opened up a new boutique sister hostel called Lampara. I was able to get a sneak peek at Lampara when it was nearly finished but still under construction, it is beautiful and now finished! Salty Nomads hostel is more budget friendly option while Lampara offers a more upscale hostel experience, making them perfect counterparts.
I love everything these guys have put together.
The atmosphere they have been able to create for their guests is incredible. We had a huge secret santa Christmas Eve party, tons of fun nights out, group sunset viewings, surf sessions, island hopping adventures, and so many pot luck family dinners at the hostel (delicious). Geo and the Salty Bros gang take a lot of pride in the community they have created,
'ONCE A NOMAD, ALWAYS A NOMAD'
They go above and beyond and it truly shows.Â
They treated everyone like family.
Literally, like family, the guys invited me to their family Christmas day boat outing, and other family meals. We spent Christmas day island hopping and eating. They made a huge impact on not only my time in Siargao, but on my entire trip.
The Filipinos in general were super warm and inviting people, the nicest and most genuine of anywhere I have traveled. I experienced this consistently throughout my entire month all around the Philippines! (This is me officially dubbing the Filipinos as the nicest people in the world, according to my travels. Scotland you are my official #2)
THANK YOU SALTY BROS!
With the Philippines being the first country I found myself traveling solo after saying a hard goodbye in Indonesia, this place was exactly what I needed.
Thank you SO much to Geo, J.R., Marvic and the ENTIREÂ Salty Brothers family for making my experience what it was. Salty Nomads is the best hostel in Siargao for a community atmosphere and a kick ass time! If you ever find yourself here, meeting these guys and becoming a part of the Salty Nomad family is a MUST, you will not regret it.
Salty Nomads and Lampara are simply not just places to stay...
they are entire experiences
I was sad to leave, and certain I will return.
P.S the island of Siargao is incredible in and of itself... more on this in a later post!
(This is not a sponsored post, I just really loved this place)
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