Hostel Bajala Siargao — Hotel in General Luna

The hostel is located in General Luna, a beautiful area on the island, and although some renovations were still ongoing for the bar and restaurant, they were more than accommodating to accept guests during this period.

The rooms at Hostel Bajala Surigao were impressively clean and newly renovated, thanks to the recent restoration efforts after Typhoon Odette. My family and I opted for a 6-bed room, which we had all to ourselves. The bathrooms were in pristine condition, equipped with hot showers, and thoughtfully included a blower, providing convenience and comfort. The AC in the room was blissfully cold, offering a much-needed respite from the heat of the island, especially for Filipino tourists.

The hostel provided a common kitchen with all the necessary appliances, including a fridge, cooking hobs, cooking utensils, and even a rice cooker. Each guest was allocated a locker in the kitchen and provided with eating utensils and a vacuum tumbler to keep drinks cool—a nice touch to enhance the overall experience.

Another highlight of the hostel was the well-maintained pool with sunbathing seats, where I could unwind and relax. The pool area was cleaned daily, ensuring a hygienic environment for the guests. Additionally, the hostel's Starlink internet connection provided fast and reliable WiFi, ideal for those who needed to work during their stay.

One thing to note during my visit was that the bar and restaurant were still under renovation and not operational at the time. So, there were no hot food options available, and drinks were not being served. However, the staff mentioned that they planned to open these facilities in the coming months, which would undoubtedly enhance the overall guest experience.

Hostel Bajala Surigao also had a beachfront across the main road, allowing guests to enjoy the nearby beach area. For those looking to explore the island, the hostel provided free bicycles for each guest, and if biking wasn't their preference, motorcycle scooters were available for rent at a reasonable price. They also offered tuktuks for rent, albeit a bit more expensive than those in General Luna. However, the added convenience of being able to leave the rented vehicles at the hostel upon departure made it a worthwhile option.

The only minor inconvenience was the distance of the hostel from General Luna, but this was easily mitigated by the tricycles that passed by regularly and could take guests to the town for a fare of 50 pesos.

A word of caution: blackouts were common in the area due to power grid issues, and although the hostel tried to manage the situation with its generator, the intermittent blackouts sometimes affected the charging of electronic devices. Nevertheless, this wasn't the hostel's fault, and they made efforts to address the situation as best as they could.

In conclusion, Hostel Bajala Surigao is an excellent choice for travelers seeking a clean, comfortable, and relaxing place to stay on Siargao Island. The friendly staff, well-maintained amenities, and beautiful beachfront made my stay enjoyable. If you're traveling as a couple, you might want to consider other accommodation options, as the rooms are shared with other guests. With its tranquil atmosphere and thoughtful facilities, I rate Hostel Bajala Surigao a solid 4.5 out of 5 and would gladly stay here again in the future.

Would rate it higher if there was food served and there was a bar. But im sure when i come back, its operational. Will adjust rating when I come back, or...

If you’re looking for a spacious, quiet, aesthetic, clean hostel, and good restaurant staff, Bajala might look like a good option. But if you care about safety, accountability, and professionalism, I cannot recommend this place.

I had a terrible experience at Bajala and would never recommend this hostel to anyone.

During my stay, my motorbike, parked inside their premises, was found damaged. When I reported it, I was given endless excuses: no available CCTV footage, promises from the supervisor that were later withdrawn, and an owner who refused to speak with me directly. I gave them three full days to provide the CCTV footage, but all I heard were excuses: claims of a power outage, a broken monitor, a missing code, and even the supervisor being on “double leave.” The hostel owner also would not allow her supervisor to make phone calls, even in urgent matters, which made the situation worse.

The owner only allowed her supervisor to hand over her phone to me after two policemen came to the hostel. Even then, she was unprofessional, gaslighting me by accusing me of talking over her when I was simply responding to what she was saying. Instead of listening to my concerns, she insisted that I wait 15 days for an “investigation” with no proof or cooperation. She did not even read the email complaint I sent before speaking with me over the phone. I made it clear that I was on vacation and did not have the time to waste on excuses. Shockingly, she even threatened me and instructed me to just report it to the police, after I tried to settle, passing the burden onto me instead of owning up to her responsibility.

As a guest, I was left with no resolution, only frustration and wasted time. All I needed was the security footage which they couldn’t provide. I had to settle the matter myself with the motorbike rental shop. I specifically requested to just not make it a big deal, hence why it was settled between the motorbike owner and myself. This was unacceptable given that the Civil Code of the Philippines clearly places liability on innkeepers for damages to guest property within their premises.

The staff also made me feel judged and unsupported. Worse, I was told by the supervisor herself and some guests that there have been incidents of people being able to access or even use someone else’s bike while inside the hostel premises. If true, this shows just how poor the security is.

Bajala failed on every level: guest care, responsibility, professionalism, basic respect, and sense of urgency. This is not how a legitimate business should operate. Tourists deserve safety and accountability, not indifference, excuses, and rudeness. I strongly advise...

I've been fortunate to stay in numerous hostels in my time travelling. As a result I can safely say that Bajala has to be up there as the best hostel in Asia and easily the best in Siargao.

Easy access to a private beach just a walk across the road from the hostel. Swimming pool within the hostel and staff that tend to your every need with nothing being too much hassle to them! The design of the hostel allows for social interaction with a cinema room and communal kitchen as a solo backpacker I've had no issues with meeting new people. The location looks away from General Luna on a map, but it is only a very short (5 min) motorcycle trip to the heart of the island a trip I actually appreciate as it keeps you away from the noise of the busier area!

The hostel also provides push bikes and scooters in house that are of a high standard and maintained very well.

Regular activities organised by the hostel will be sure to keep you busy even when your not surfing on the island! Highly recommended to anyone looking a 5*...