The Philippines for Digital Nomads: A Complete Guide

If you are wondering if the Philippines is a good digital nomad base, the simple answer is YES. This country has the best of what digital nomads love about southeast Asia like cheap prices, beautiful beaches and amazing food. But the Philippines is also starkly unique, and you simply must experience it to understand why. Here is your one stop shop guide to The Philippines for digital nomads!

Introduction

The Philippines is a unique destination in Asia, as the only country to have been heavily colonized under Spanish rule. This Spanish influence, and recently American influence, has greatly blended with the traditional culture, that we can experience in the Philippines today. Mission style cathedrals and historic Spanish churches still litter the entire country, telling of its colonial past. Lots of American cars and chain restaurants can be seen around the city of Manila. A visit here today means exploring pristine beaches, world class diving, lush jungles, thriving city life, and that amazingly rich filipino cuisine. But the highlight has to be the general sense of hospitality from locals, who’s kindness is easily the most memorable part of visiting here.

Practical Info

Here’s some important practical tips on planning a stay in The Philippines for digital nomads.

Visa

Most foreign nationals will need to obtain a visa on arrival in the Philippines. The process is quite simple, and only requires you to show proof of an onward flight booked from the Philippines after your trip. Most visas allow for a stay of up to 30 days, with the possibility of an extension.

For more information on getting a visa on arrival in the Philippines, click here.

Wifi

The wifi in The Philippines may surprise you. In May of 2021, the wifi speed in the country averaged 29 mbps download on mobile, and 49 mbps on broadband according to Speed Test.

The countryside is still poorly connected, likely dragging down the average. If you are staying in Manila, or a major city you can expect to have more than decent wifi, and if you don’t it’s easy to find a cafe nearby that does.

But many part of the cities, and even the islands are increasingly becoming connected by fiber optic networks allowing for speedy internet. On some islands like Cebu and even Palawan, you can enjoy fiber optic wifi now. So you don’t have to choose anymore between a beach home base or having internet connection!

SIM Card

It’s still wise to obtain a prepaid SIM card on arrival so you’ll have back up data in case the wifi gives out (which does happen) or to make emergency phone calls. The best SIM card as recommended by a local friend, is Globe. There is a Globe booth in terminal 2 of the airport, if you are flying into Ninoy Aquino Airport in Manila. A basic SIM card valid for 30 days, with 5 GB of data costs 600 PHP ($12.50 USD). You can top up as needed through GOSAKTO.

Download Grab

If you don’t already have it, you’ll need to download Grab. It’s the most reliable method of getting around in the major cities. The price is fixed so you can avoid being ripped off. Traveling by Grab is also the safest way of getting around.

Weather

Climate in The Philippines can largely be divided into two seasons.

Dry Season

Dry season runs from the end of October until May. The best months to visit the Philippines are between October until February, when the temperatures are at their lowest. In these months day time temperatures average between 25 – 27 C across the country, but feel cooler due to trade winds. In April and May, day time temperatures reach up to 30 C, but without the comfort of any wind.

Rain Season

Monsoon season is from June until the end of October. The worst part of the season varies from each area, since the Philippines is sprawled out across hundreds of islands and each experience slightly different weather. As a general rule, the summer months are the rainiest months throughout the country.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in The Philippines is not the cheapest in Southeast Asia, but it’s still cheap. The cost of living in The Philippines for digital nomads can be about $1400 a month, to live comfortably in the cities. If you want to travel a lot you will spend more, but even flights and accommodation can be cheap when booked wisely and not last minute.

Accommodation

An entire apartment in Manila in an up and coming area like, Makati, can cost anywhere between $500 – $700 USD on Airbnb. For a private room, it can be $300 – $400 USD. These apartments are usually modern, well equipped with strong AC, a receptionist, and even a pool and gym.

Food

Food in the Philippines can be cheap, if you eat local food and stay out of upscale restaurants. A sizzling plate of sisig can cost just 250 pesos ($5.23 USD) and a plate of mouthwatering lechon will be similar (both big enough to share). 7-11 also has cheap snacks and hot food to grab and go. For those on a lower budget, food court meals can be as low as $100 – $120 ($2 – $3 USD).

Eating at a hip cafe or a nice restaurant is still cheapish, but the prices increase a lot. A brunch in Makati split between two will cost about $12 USD each. Also, The Philippines has all the big fast food chains you know from home. If you are weak against temptation, these also cost more.

Transport

Getting around the city is easiest using the Grab App. A 15 – 20 minute ride costs 150 – 200 php (around $4 USD).

Getting around the country will require flying, since most of the Philippines are sprawled across the sea on many islands. If you don’t book last minute, a one way flight to another island like Palawan or Boracay can be less than $20 USD.

Activities

Paid activities can cost a lot in the Philippines. If you want to take a boat tour of the islands around Coron and Palawan, expect to pay $50 USD per day (food and snorkels included). Diving trips or swimming with whale sharks in the wild also cost $60 – $80 USD. These are easily balanced by the abundance of free things to do, such as hiking, going to the beach, visiting a volcano or waterfall, etc.

Where to Stay

The best places for digital nomads are limited to where the wifi is reasonably fast, and where there are a lot of things to do. These are the top 3 bases to choose from.

Makati

Makati is like a sub-city located in the greater Manila area. It’s a hip up and coming neighborhood, where you’ll find cool cafes, beautiful shopping malls and modern high rise apartment buildings. It has a huge expat community, which you can easily meet on a night out at one of the many bars and clubs. Home to great nightlife, and not far from Manila Aquino Airport. It’s easy to use Makati as a comfortable home base, with easy access to the airport for traveling around the country.

Cebu City

If you prefer to be near the beach, but still in the city this is your best option. Cebu City has all the amenities of a large city, with the advantage of being right next to the beach. Here, you’ll obviously have easy access to exploring Cebu and the surrounding islands. With Cebu Pacific flying from Cebu to basically all other airports in the country, this is a prime base for those who will explore more of the islands. In fact, Cebu may be the best home base for traveling around the Philippines.

El Nido

I was surprised to arrive in El Nido and find that my little beach hostel had fiber optic wifi. The wifi here is strong enough to work on, and if you are craving a non-city home base, this is a good option. You still have pretty lively areas and some nightlife. Plus, this region is often regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Philippines. You can easily explore more islands around Palawan and nearby Coron. A true beach lovers paradise.

Things to Do

Most of the highlights in The Philippines involves the ocean. Since it’s mostly an island state, there are a lot of those to explore!

Swim With Wild Whale Sharks

Donsol has a nickname as the whale shark capital of the world. Each year, whale sharks flock here naturally to feed on micro-plankton. You can swim with wild whale sharks ethically here, and trust me this is a bucket list experience you’ll always remember.

Get Fat off Local Food

Beside ocean related activities, the best thing about the Philippines is the food. Unlike other Asian cuisine, filipino food is hearty, filling and heavy on the meat. From lechon (fried pork), to sisig (sizzling pork plate) and everything in between – try it all.

Get PADI Certified

The Philippines is both one of the cheapest and most rewarding places to get PADI certified. Boasting some of the best diving and marine biodiversity, it’s the perfect destinations as your introduction to diving. Getting certified here only costs about 24,00 php ($500 USD), sometimes less.

For more info, click here.

Places to Visit

Here are the top places to visit for digital nomads in the Philippines.

Bohol

Bohol is a true gem, while hot on the tourist trail it’s worth the visit for sure. It’s home to some of the most stunning coral reef, ideal for snorkelers and divers. But the most famous natural attraction are the Chocolate Hills. These hills are characterized by a rounded mound shape, numbering in the hundreds as far as the eye can see.

This area is also home to unique wildlife, including the indigenous tarsiers. Plus some unspoiled villages, white sand beaches, and historic Spanish ruins to discover, all make Bohol a place of endless things to explore.

Siargao

Siargao may be equally loved by both locals and tourists. It remains a less visited destination for foreigners, and hasn’t been overrun by tourism yet. Here, you can still enjoy unspoiled natural beauty from beaches, to diving spots, natural caves, lagoons. If you want to learn to surf, Siargao is a famous spot to give this sport a try. Head to Cloud 9, the most popular surfing beach.

It’s the best place to go for laidback vibes, where you’ll be sipping on a coconut on the beach without hoards of tourists.

Coron

El Nido seems to get more attention, but the true gem is nearby Coron. The beaches here are far more natural, and less spoiled by mass tourism and pollution. The waters here are a striking blue color, and marine life is abundant.

You’ll discover a lot of things unique to this place, including incredibly clear fresh water lakes, where you can see the limestone karst below the surface. For divers, one of the best dive spots can be found here, at the World War 2 era shipwreck. Some other highlights are Kayangan Lake, home to the infamous underwater limestone cliffs, and The Twin Lagoons.

Boracay

It’s a very touristy destination, characterized by high rises and resorts. But the beautiful beaches speak for themselves, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Plus, for the social digital nomad, the nightlife here is lively and thriving. To get your fix of sun and sea, head to White Beach or Balinghai Beach. Both are beautiful stretches of white powdery sand and turquoise blue waters. You will be far from the only person there, but they’re definitely among the best beaches in the world.

Legazpi

Legazpi and the greater Bicol area are overlooked by most travelers. But that only adds to its charm as an offbeat non-touristy destination. Locally famous as the home of Mayon Volcano, a beautiful yet destructive natural force. Around this area you can explore Spanish ruins, underground rivers, jungle hikes and swim with wild whale sharks in nearby Donsol. It’s my must visit “hidden” gem recommendation in the Philippines for digital nomads. It feels very authentic, and the food around here is awesome.

El Nido

El Nido is one of the most popular destinations in The Philippines. On one hand, it’s easy to see why. The beaches are amazing, there are endless beautiful islands to discover, and the marine life is abundant. Sadly, El Nido’s popularity has slightly outgrown its infrastructure. My visit here was plagued by water pollution and food poisoning, a direct result of over-tourism and poor waste management. But it’s also where I saw the most amazing sunset in my life, and some truly beautiful remote islands. Visit for yourself, to form your own opinion. This place is famous for a reason after all.

The Philippines for Digital Nomads

The Philippines is easily one of my top picks for digital nomads in Asia. It has the best of both city and natural landscapes, and the people are wonderfully open and friendly. But it does come with a coupe major drawbacks that some travelers may not want to deal with at all. Here are the pros and cons of The Philippines for digital nomads

The Positives

The Beaches

If you love the ocean, this is one of the best destinations in Asia, and even the world. From amazing diving locations, to pristine secluded beaches on remote islands, the possibilities are endless for water babies.

The Philippines is made up of many islands, so you have a lot of options to explore in and around the water.

The Food

The food here is different from the rest of Southeast Asian cuisine, and in a good way. The food is much more heavy and filling; good for the soul, bad for the waistband. From juicy, sizzling meat platters, to savory breakfasts, and some exotic desserts. If you think you know Asian food, come to the Philippines to get a whole new perspective.

Friendly Locals

People in the Philippines seems to be more outgoing than in other parts of Asia. Pair that with the fact that spoken English is common, it becomes very easy to connect with people and make friends. Many travelers regard people here among the friendliest, including myself.

Convenience

Love it or hate it, The Philippines is like the America of Southeast Asia. All around Manila you’ll see American SUV cars, fast food chains, chain restaurants, and mega malls selling all the western brands. If you are missing the conveniences of the west, a stay here fulfills some of the things we miss out on when traveling.

The Negatives

Safety Issues

The Philippines could easily earn the title as the least safe country in Southeast Asia. As a visitor, you don’t really see or feel like you’re in danger necessarily everywhere you go. But just a quick google search and a few seconds of skimming headlines will enlighten you to kidnappings, beheadings, and shooting, on top of the usual pickpocketing and muggings.

If you are a newbie traveler, I am not sure if I’d recommend The Philippines for digital nomads to you, especially if you are a solo traveler. Extra vigilance and prior research is needed to avoid danger while here.

Cost

The Philippines is not nearly as affordable as other Southeast Asian destinations. A monthly apartment in Makati easily costs as much as in The States. A meal out also costs at least $3 -$4 USD. It’s still cheap, but compared to Thailand or Vietnam where meals cost as little as a dollar, it’s quite a bit pricier.

Water Sanitation

Traveling around Asia or anywhere comes with food safety risks, but from personal experience, I’ve never been as sick as I was in the Philippines. It’s possible that the water quality is the main source of the food contamination, but it’s hard to completely avoid. Even though I never drank the water directly, apparently even getting a drop or two in your mouth when showering or brushing your teeth is enough to knock out an entire hostel for a week (true story).

Getting Around

The best that the Philippines has to offer is spread out across its many islands. Getting around will require a lot of flying, and although booking in advance can be very affordable, it’s still a hassle. Going to the airport, going through the long security check to counter terrorism, and all the usual airport hassles gets tiring after a few trips.

Safety in the Philippines for Digital Nomads

Safety in the Philippines may seem bleak when compared to other southeast Asian countries. The Philippines currently ranks at number 129 on the Global Peace Index in 2020. For reference, the US ranks at number 121.

The Philippines low ranking is a result of the high levels of internal conflict, such as the ongoing war between the government and drug cartels. The Philippines does also host its own terrorist groups, tales of kidnappings, and the easy access to weapons certainly doesn’t help the situation. Luckily, these issues are somewhat concentrated in certain areas.

If you plan to travel to The Philippines, it pays to know what areas are danger hotspots, and to avoid them altogether. Ask your host, and brush up on local news about which regions to avoid, and you’ll likely stay out of troubles way for the most part.

But no matter what, certain precautions should be taken. The most petty crime happens in Manila, but some provinces provide the most danger of more heinous crimes. Namely the Mindanao region, as well the entire Sulu and Zamboanga region should all be avoided.

On top of the terrorist and kidnapping threats, picket-pocketing, scams, and muggings are possible basically anywhere. Keep valuable safely hidden to avoid becoming a target.

Solo Female Travel in the Philippines

As a female traveler, I did not encounter any direct threats from being a woman alone. My experience is that most people are super friendly and outgoing, and the level of spoken English makes it very easy to communicate any needs to strangers.

The worst that may happen, is that people may ask you why you are alone. Since Filipino people can speak really good English, they can verbalize what most people in Asia wonder about solo women traveling, which is: why?

It’s just not the norm for a woman to travel alone in these cultures, and they may wonder why you are doing it more so out of confusion or worry. Mostly harmless, but it’s still tiring to continuously explain yourself.

Final Word

The Philippines is an amazing digital nomad destination, as long as you are street savvy, are careful with food and water sanitation, and know how to stay safe. It’s home to diverse landscapes, some of the best beaches, unspoiled jungles, and friendly locals who are happy to meet you. I’d go as far as saying that every digital nomad should include the Philippines on their journey around the world.

And over to you? What was your experience in The Philippines as a digital nomad? Let me know below!