Mad Monkey Hostel Siargao

Rooms and decor

If one place in Siargao guarantees you'll never feel lonely arriving solo, it's Mad Monkey Hostel Siargao, the island branch of Mad Monkey — the party-hostel chain backpackers across Southeast Asia know well. Walk in and you feel it right away: this place is designed around meeting people. The common areas are open and bright, with lounge corners, long tables and hangout spots that nudge strangers into saying hello. The vibe is easygoing and unfussy — shorts and flip-flops anywhere. It's an adults-only hostel aimed squarely at younger travelers out for a good time, with both shared dorms that backpackers know well and private rooms for anyone wanting more of their own space. It isn't built around luxury or heavy design — it's built around energy, friendliness and a feeling of being part of the group from your first hour.

Food and amenities

The heart of a stay here is the outdoor pool and the poolside bar, the gathering point for the whole hostel. By day it's where people cool off after surfing or island-hopping; once the sun drops it slowly turns into the social spot where everyone sits with a drink, plays music, talks and plans the next day's trips. Plenty of guests say the same thing — they sat at the poolside bar alone one evening and left with a crew to go surfing and island-hopping with. There are activities and events running often, so no two nights feel dull. Beyond the fun, the hostel has an in-house tour desk that books it all: beginner surf lessons, boat trips to the three classic islets of Naked, Daku and Guyam, and the natural Magpupungko rock pools, plus help with scooter rental and airport transfers. But the thing reviews mention most isn't the facilities — it's the staff, who get consistent praise for being friendly, fun and genuinely caring, starting conversations and pulling people into activities until the whole place feels warm, like traveling with a group of friends.

Location and getting there

Mad Monkey sits in General Luna, near Cloud 9, the surfing heart of Siargao, about 700 metres from the Cloud 9 beach and break — walkable, or a quick scooter ride. That works for people heading out to try the waves and for anyone who just wants to stroll the wooden boardwalk in the evening. The area around it is a lively surf town packed with restaurants, cafes, bars and board-rental shops you can wander all day, a good match for hostel-style travel where you head out and meet people easily. Getting here starts with a flight into Siargao Airport (Sayak/IAO), then about a 40–45 minute drive to General Luna — the hostel can arrange a transfer if you ask ahead. For everything else around the island, whether the Magpupungko rock pools up north or boat trips out to the small islands, renting a scooter is the most flexible and cheapest way to go.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide — the first and biggest point is that Mad Monkey is a party hostel with a busy, lively scene. The strength of fun and socializing comes with the trade-off of noise, especially in the evening when the poolside bar and activities are in full swing. Light sleepers or anyone here for a quiet rest may find it too much; pick a private room over a dorm and ask for one away from the bar and pool zone. Second, it's adults-only, so no children — not a fit for families with young kids or anyone wanting a calm family-resort feel. And because it's budget lodging, the facilities and room sizes are hostel-standard — the dorms especially mean sharing space and bathrooms, with less privacy than a private room or regular resort, so anyone expecting luxury or lots of personal space should adjust. Finally, getting around the island relies on a scooter or hired ride, since there's no convenient public transit like a big city.

Our take

After reading through plenty of real reviews, Mad Monkey Hostel Siargao is a nearly perfect pick for backpackers and solo travelers who come to Siargao mainly to make friends and socialize. The selling points are clear: a friendly vibe that lets solo arrivals find a crew on day one, a pool and poolside bar that pull everyone together, a one-stop tour desk, and staff so fun and attentive the reviews won't stop praising them. If the trip in your head is waking up, riding a scooter to surf Cloud 9, coming back for a swim, then closing the night with drinks and new friends at the poolside bar, this place delivers a clean ten. But if you're after a quiet, private stay, traveling as a family with young kids, or wanting a plush resort with full facilities, the adults-only party scene here may not be the best fit. Overall we give it 8.5/10 — best for backpackers and solo travelers who want new friends, a riotous good time, and a spot near the Cloud 9 waves on a friendly budget.