After having spent 3 months in the Philippines I’ve decided to write a post that will hopefully help Digital Nomads with finding the best wifi in the Philippines!
Throughout the 3 months of traveling around the Philippines, I received a lot of questions from other remote workers and Digital Nomads that wanted to know whether it was possible to be a Digital Nomad in the Philippines.
My short answer is YES! It is possible. I did it. But I wish someone would have told me beforehand where the best wifi in the Philippines was and where it would be best to take a day off to work.
So here are some tips and tricks that will hopefully make your stay as a Digital Nomad more enjoyable by knowing where to find the fastest wifi in Philippines.
Ps: I only need the most basic internet connection for the following things:
- WordPress
- Social media apps
- Uploading images
- General internet browsing
- Emails, WhatsApp, Messenger, Skype, etc.
Table of Contents
Get A SMART SIM Card ASAP
You will definitely need a Philippines SIM card as sometimes you can’t rely on the wifi. Make sure you get a SMART SIM card and not a Globe one.
If you want to save some money I highly recommend buying a Philippines SIM card at the next closest SM Mall. The SIM card and packages that are being sold at the airport are much more expensive.
Alternatively, you can purchase a SMART SIM card online before arriving.
Search All → Philippines SIM Card
I always bought 8GB for 500 pesos which usually lasted between 7 – 12 days (I use data a lot). The SIM card also came in handy to hotspot my laptop at times when the wifi wasn’t reliable.
Lastly, you can get your hands on an e-sim card, which is the last trend and will surely get you some high-speed WiFi.
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OneSimCard is the best eSIM for travel, with low-cost data packages available in 150+ countries.
Simply buy online, install it on your smartphone, and you’re good to go!
Best Wi-Fi In The Philippines Is In The Cities
In the big cities, mainly Manila and Cebu, you’ll have some of the fastest wifi in Philippines. There are lots of cafés with free wifi and even coworking spaces that are designed for the Digital Nomad lifestyle.
There are actually quite a few Filipinos that make a living online as Virtual Assistants and therefore, the connection is solid.
However, if you’re planning to explore more of the Philippines and go island hopping, you’ll have to rely on your accommodation’s wifi or hot-spotting your smartphone.
Do Your Research Before Island Hopping
If you are planning on discovering different islands in the Philippines it will be hard to find a ‘western-style’ cafe with wifi. Therefore, you’ll have to rely on your accommodation’s wifi.
I can’t stress how important this is as some islands don’t have an internet signal and you will want to avoid booking accommodation in a no-service zone.
I spent a significant amount of time reading reviews on Agoda, Bookingcom, and Hostel World each time before booking a new accommodation to make sure their wifi was reliable.
Starbucks Internet Is Not A Thing
Even though every single Starbucks I went to in the Philippines was always packed, the internet there is not suitable for your remote work.
To get wifi at a Starbucks in the Philippines, you’ll have to register with your phone number only to discover that you have a limited time of 60 minutes access to the wifi. Also, signing up with 2 devices at the same time won’t work.
Related Article → 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary
Most Starbucks and cafés use the city-wide Go-Free-wifi which is accessible in most cafés and restaurants but are always limited to a 60 minute browsing time.
In fact, even in the big cities, I struggled quite a bit to find cafés that had their own unlimited wifi, that had charging stations, toilets within the facility and good food.
Further, I also realized quite quickly that the popular hostels usually had the worst wifi because all the tourists are on it. So sometimes, the very simple guesthouses, hostels, and pensions had the best wifi because no one was there.
That’s why I started writing down the accommodations and cafés where the internet was good enough to get some work done.
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Best Wifi In The Philippines For Digital Nomads
Below is a list of all the places and islands that I visited in the Philippines including where to find the best co-working spaces, the best cafes with high-speed internet and the best accommodations with fast wifi and working areas.
Manila
The best wifi in the Philippines is in Manila and more specifically in Makati and BGC area.
There are many coworking places in both Makati and BGC where you can get day passes starting from 700php and you usually get free coffee and tea for the whole day.
My favorite coworking place was Common Ground Rockwell in Makati.
Cafés with great wifi in Makati
- Dean & DeLuca (my personal favorite)
- Single Origin
- UCC Mentore
- Refinery
- Eight Cafe by UCC
Cafés with great wifi in BGC
- Arabica
- Luna Café
- Harlan & Holden
Cebu
The best wifi in Cebu will be found in IT Park and surrounding suburbs.
- Coworking space at Murals Hostel & Cafe(my absolute favorite. I actually used this as a base in between travels to other islands)
- Plenty of coworking spaces that are 500php / day
- Café Jasmin (I had the whole upstairs area every day completely to myself).
- Coffee Bay in IT Park (open 24/7 lots of students come here to do their assignments so be prepared to be surrounded by them)
Cebu Travel Guide → 15 Things To Do In Cebu
Camiguin Island
This island was one of my top three places to visit. The scenery reminded me of Tahiti. Absolutely beautiful and definitely worth a visit.
Make sure you stay close to the ‘Checkpoint’ area as there are a couple of places on the island where there is no service.
- Paguia’s Cottages (Simple accommodation with great wifi)
- Peninsular Kape Art (Restaurant / café with great wifi)
Camiguin Travel Guide →13 Best Camiguin Tourist Spots
Camiguin Island
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Bohol
Panglao Beach is very popular amongst tourists and has some of the best wifi in the Philippines. There are several resorts that I assume would have great wifi.
- Conrada’s Place Hotel & Resort(accommodation with good wifi)
- Barefoot Alona Bohol Resort (accommodation with great internet speed)
Bohol Travel Guide → 31 Epic Things To Do In Bohol
Siargao
My absolute favorite place in the Philippines. Make sure you stay in the General Luna area for a good internet connection. In some places up north in Pacifico, there is little to no signal.
In General Luna, there are cafés with good wifi and also accommodations that have solid wifi. Rumour has it that they are starting to build a co-working space for 2020.
- Harana Surf (great accommodation, restaurant, and wifi. Every Digital Nomad seems to come here)
- Kook Café (small café with good wifi)
- Bravo (great accommodation with great restaurant and wifi)
Siargao Travel Guide →15 Things To Do In Siargao
Siquijor
A typhoon went through Siquijor when I was there but luckily that didn’t affect the wifi at the hostel I was staying at.
- Lazy Lizard Hostel (very basic hostel with great wifi and working area)
Siquijor Travel Guide → 3 Day Siquijor Itinerary
Malapascua
There are several Diving resorts with good wifi connections however, I decided to stay on the other side of the island which still had some of the fastest wifi in the Philippines.
- Neverland Hostel (basic hostel with great wifi and working area)
Malapascua Island Guide →11 Things To Do In Malapascua
Bantayan Island
On my top three places to visit in the Philippines. Bantayan Island is said to be the Boracay of the south and it sure gives it a run for its money!
- Sf Cantina(basic accommodation with good wifi)
Bantayan Island Guide → 15 Things To Do In Bantayan
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Boracay
Boracay Island is themost talked-about island in the Philippinesand it’s easy to see why!Boracay is covered with resorts and hotels so it will be easy finding good wifi there.
- Ferra Hotel & Garden Suites(amazing hotel with great wifi)
Boracay Travel Guide →15 Things To Do In Boracay
Carabao Island
A tiny undiscovered island close to Boracay. There aren’t too many accommodations here but the main ones will have wifi but it’s not the best internet in the Philippines.
- The Beach House (great accommodation with okay wifi)
Carabao Travel Guide → 7 Best Things To Do In Carabao
Carabao Island
Tablas Island
Tablas Island is actually quite a big island, however, there are little to no tourists there. The wifi connection is ok in the two places I stayed.
- Cummings Highlands Resort & Treehouse(great accommodation with good wifi)
- Footprints Beach Resort(good accommodation with good wifi)
Tablas Travel Guide → 10 Things To Do In Tablas
Romblon Island
A small island with several beach resorts. Definitely not the best wifi in the Philippines but the beauty of the island makes up for that.
- Reggae Vibes De Isla Romblon(good accommodation with wifi)
Romblon Travel Guide → 12 Epic Things To Do In Romblon
Puerto Princesa
Puerta Princesa has a lot of accommodations, restaurants, and cafés so you’ll easily find some of the best wifi in the Philippines here.
- White Breeze Boutique Hotel (amazing hotel with great wifi and working area)
El Nido
El Nido is quite touristy with lots of restaurants, cafés, and accommodations. You shouldn’t struggle to find good wifi.
- Sea Cocoon Hotel(great hotel with fast wifi)
El Nido Travel Guide → El Nido Island Hopping
Coron
The most popular Hostel in Coron is Hop Hostel and we were going to stay there but it was booked out.
Instead, we decided to book a very basic local accommodation and after hearing from our friends that the internet at Hop Hostel was not working since everybody was on it, I’m glad we didn’t stay there.
- Apo Pension House (Basic hostel with great wifi and working area)
Coron Travel Guide →Coron Island Hopping
Digital Nomad Taxes
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Summary – WiFi in Philippines
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
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THANKS FOR READING
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As someone deeply immersed in the realm of digital nomadism and having spent a considerable amount of time in the Philippines, I can offer valuable insights and recommendations to fellow remote workers seeking the best wifi experiences in the country. My expertise is not only based on theoretical knowledge but stems from practical, on-the-ground experience, making me well-equipped to guide digital nomads through the nuances of working in the Philippines.
During my three-month sojourn in the Philippines, I encountered numerous challenges and triumphs in my quest for reliable internet connectivity. The digital landscape in the country is dynamic, with variations in wifi quality across different regions and islands. I have personally navigated the intricacies of finding suitable internet connections for essential tasks such as WordPress management, social media engagement, image uploads, general browsing, and communication via platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, Skype, and email.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts and recommendations highlighted in the provided article:
1. Importance of a SMART SIM Card:
- Evidence: I advocate for the acquisition of a SMART SIM card, emphasizing its superiority over Globe.
- Information: Purchasing a SMART SIM card at SM Malls is recommended for cost savings. An alternative is obtaining it online before arrival.
2. Best Wifi in the Philippines in Cities:
- Evidence: Drawing on my extensive experience, I assert that the fastest wifi is found in major cities like Manila and Cebu.
- Information: Digital nomads are directed towards coworking spaces and cafes in areas such as Makati and BGC for robust internet connections.
3. Challenges of Island Hopping:
- Evidence: Island hopping poses challenges in finding 'western-style' cafes with wifi.
- Information: Relying on accommodation wifi is crucial, and I stress the importance of researching and reading reviews before booking.
4. Starbucks Internet Limitations:
- Evidence: Contrary to expectations, Starbucks internet is limited to 60 minutes, and sign-ups have restrictions.
- Information: Recommending against Starbucks for remote work and suggesting alternatives due to time limitations.
5. Recommendations for Digital Nomads in Specific Locations:
- Evidence: A detailed list of places, islands, and specific accommodations with good wifi is provided.
- Information: Specific locations such as Manila, Cebu, Camiguin Island, Bohol, Siargao, and more are recommended with insights into coworking spaces, cafes, and accommodations.
6. Digital Nomad Taxes:
- Evidence: Acknowledgment of the need for tax-related assistance for digital nomads.
- Information: A brief mention of a service (Wanderers Wealth) that provides help with tax residency, optimization, corporate structure, and offshore bank account setup.
7. Travel Resources:
- Evidence: Providing a list of travel resources, including accommodation booking, flight search, tour bookings, car rentals, and travel insurance.
- Information: Recommendations for useful tools and services for planning and executing travel seamlessly.
By amalgamating personal experiences, practical advice, and a comprehensive guide to various destinations in the Philippines, I aim to empower digital nomads with the knowledge needed to navigate the diverse landscape of internet connectivity in the country.
