White Sands Paradise Beach Resort

The location really is quiet, but getting around takes planning. Tricycles rarely come this way and mobile signal is little to none, so having a vehicle and driver arranged for tours or other trips is best. Contacting the driver can be hard too, and you'll probably need Messenger or WhatsApp when you find WiFi. If you want to unplug, though, that isolation works in the resort's favor. Our family room at Whitesands Beach Resort was comfortable and well cared for, with a matrimonial bed, a sturdy bunk bed, fresh-smelling linens, a clean bathroom, and hot showers. The place is tucked away in northern Siargao, a good distance from the busy Pacifico surfing area. It feels quaint and homey, a good hideaway if peace and quiet are what you're after. The restaurant is across the street from the rooms. We liked the pancit guisado, even though service took a while. The suka was the standout. Their sinamak is white rather than the usual clear vinegar and has a distinct umami taste. I wanted to buy some if they sold it, but we left early the next morning and forgot to ask. Smoking is allowed in the restaurant, which took away from the meal. I hope they consider making the dining area smoke-free. There was also a mix-up with my order: I asked several times for no pork in my pancit, but pork still got mixed in. The staff were honest about what happened and agreed to redo it as requested, though I wasn't completely sure it had been remade from scratch. A check-in tip: go to the resort restaurant. We went straight to the rooms and waited a long time for help. There was no mobile signal, but the WiFi password was posted where we could see it, so we connected and reached the caretaker. Without that, we might have waited much longer. Even with those small snags, I'd come back for the quiet, the comfortable bed, and especially the suka.