If you’re bringing your digital nomad lifestyle to the Philippines, you need the best travel eSIM to help you stay connected as you fly (or sail) across the country’s thousands of islands. The good news? There are plenty of eSIM options for you. The not-so-good news? The sheer number of options out there can be pretty overwhelming.
To help you decide, we have put together some tips for choosing which eSIM is best for you as you navigate the Pearl of the Orient. Also, we provided some reasons why you ought to consider a DITO eSIM; that is, if you want to go the local eSIM route. Read the rest of this article to get the guidance you need!
If you’re reading this guide, you’re likely one of the digital nomads who believe that eSIMs are better than data roaming, and understandably so. At a glance, eSIMs cost less, have a broader coverage, and are so easy to set up. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
|
Factor |
eSIM |
Data Roaming |
|
Cost |
Starts at $4 for a seven-day data plan |
Starts at $5-$15 a day, depending on data consumption |
|
Coverage |
Has options for local, regional, and global coverage |
Dependent on the network reach |
|
Setup |
Activation requires an eSIM-ready phone and a QR code for the eSIM profile |
Toggling on data roaming on the phone in coverage areas |
The appeal of eSIM also has something to do with its flexibility. Opting for this type of mobile data connectivity enables you to buy prepaid plans — meaning you know exactly how much you spend with each purchase and you have control over whether to splurge or stick to a budget.
With data roaming, you are charged fees based on the number of days and the amount of data you consume after the fact. Because you can’t actually see beforehand how much you’re spending, you may be surprised to incur fees as high as $100. Also, given that digital nomads often stay for long periods in a country, this option might not always be practical.
If you want value-over-price and you don’t really need phone calls and SMS that much, finding the best eSIM for your international travel to the Philippines as a digital nomad is the better and more practical move.
How do you determine which eSIM is best for your travel to the Philippines? Well, you need your eSIM’s capabilities to align with your ideal digital nomad lifestyle. Each nomadic approach is unique, so think hard about what you want to do and accomplish while in the country before you buy an eSIM.
After establishing a clear picture of what your ideal lifestyle will be, consider the following factors:
A nomad eSIM should have broad coverage, given that you will likely be on the move in the Philippines. Most regional and global eSIMs will likely cover the country’s major cities, including Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. However, if you prefer remote towns and islands, a local eSIM may deliver wider coverage.
When choosing an eSIM, decide where you’d use your mobile data while in the country, and pick a carrier with coverage in those locations. Remember, you don’t always need to stick to a single eSIM; that’s one of the perks of having an eSIM-ready phone, and you’d want to make the most of it!
If your digital nomad lifestyle involves video calls, large file uploads, and cloud-based software, you will need reliable internet speeds. You can always rely on your hotel’s WiFi for such tasks, but when you’re on the move, you can only use your mobile data.
The key to maintaining the right Mbps for your online tasks is choosing an eSIM with wide coverage: wherever there’s enough signal, you can enjoy the internet speed you need. Another consideration is whether the eSIM supports 4G or 5G, or both. In the Philippines, we recommend getting an eSIM that connects to both frequencies so you can stay online and enjoy sufficient speed, enough to prevent disruptions in your work and daily online activities.
The cheaper eSIM isn’t always the better choice. What you need to consider more is the value you get in comparison to the price. To do so, check your eSIM’s data allocation, validity period, and supported networks. Some options may be more expensive at face value, but end up being more cost-effective because they offer better coverage, faster speeds, and longer validity befitting a digital nomad lifestyle.
If you’re staying for months or years, opt for a local eSIM, as they’re priced for locals and their plans are more budget-friendly. In the Philippines, the DITO eSIM is one such promising option for its array of practical prepaid mobile plans.
The last thing you would want when you arrive in the Philippines is for your eSIM not to activate for some reason. Say, you’re leaning on a particular eSIM; the next thing you need to do is read reviews about its ease of activation. Check whether the eSIM is generally simple to activate and whether the network’s customer support is helpful.
Ultimately, choose an eSIM that you can activate in minutes. Opt for the ones that you can use after a quick QR code scan and have a dedicated mobile app to help you track your usage and reload prepaid plans.
International eSIM plans are generally pricier than local eSIMs. If you’re staying for just a few weeks in the Philippines and then transferring countries, this fact shouldn’t be much of a problem, since you’ll be able to use your eSIM even after leaving. So long as your budget fits the plans, global eSIMs are the better choice.
However, if you’re spending your digital nomad days in the Philippines for months, your wallet will thank you for choosing a local eSIM. As we’ve mentioned earlier, going local is more budget-friendly, plus you get to experience what it’s like to connect to a network carrier based in the country.
If you are considering a local eSIM over global types, check out the DITO eSIM. Subscribing to the fastest mobile network in the country gives you access to practical prepaid data plans (some with call-and-text allocation, even) and a user-friendly mobile app that can help you track your data usage and buy load promos as many as you need.
Moreover, subscribing to DITO means you can access true 5G. So long as you’re in a coverage area, you can access faster mobile data speeds and higher bandwidth for a smoother online experience.
For digital nomads, the best eSIM for travel to the Philippines is the one that aligns with your lifestyle needs. Before buying one, consider the internet speed, coverage, price-to-value, and convenience that an eSIM offers, and determine whether they’re enough to support your stay in the country.
And if you’re looking to settle for a local eSIM, starting with DITO is a smart move. Check out our eSIM’s complete offerings today and buy yours from the eShop!