The test for a listing is simple: could someone who has never been to Siargao book this, arrive, and find exactly what they expected?
Location
- The area, and a recognisable landmark. Addresses here are imprecise and map pins are often slightly off.
- Roughly how far from General Luna, and how long it takes.
- What the road in is like, particularly if it is rough after rain.
Guests consistently underestimate distances on Siargao. A place in Pacifico is a very different trip from one in Catangnan, and being upfront about that prevents a guest arriving unhappy.
What is included
Spell it out, and say what is not. On activities in particular, be explicit about entrance fees, lunch, gear and whether anything is paid in cash on the day.
For properties
Bedrooms and beds, bathrooms, air conditioning or fans, hot water, wifi and how reliable it is, kitchen access, power backup, and whether there is somewhere to keep a board.
For activities
Duration and start time, meeting point, group size, fitness or experience required, what to bring, and whether it runs in poor weather.
For rentals
The actual make and model, transmission, condition, what licence a guest needs, whether a helmet is included, whether you deliver, and whether a deposit applies.
Requirements and rules
Anything a guest must bring or show, such as a driving licence or a certification. Anything they must not do. Check-in and check-out times.
Keep rules to what genuinely matters. A long list reads as a warning.
Pricing
Build in your own tax obligations. Anything mandatory must be in the price, since you cannot charge undisclosed amounts on arrival.
What to leave out
Superlatives that mean nothing, and claims you cannot back. "Five minutes from Cloud 9" needs to actually be five minutes.