Introduction 

Are you set to travel to the Philippines but still undecided on which eSIM to buy? That’s a valid concern. After all, the wrong choice will result in patchy connectivity, communication difficulties, and other mishaps that you don’t want to experience during your trip.

To help make your trip to the Pearl of the Orient less stressful and more worthwhile, we put together a guide to buying an eSIM you can use in the country. Read on to learn more and discover the advantages of opting for a local eSIM like the ones we offer at DITO Telecommunity!

How Much Is an eSIM in the Philippines?

Whether you’re buying online before your trip or prefer a complete immersion by purchasing your eSIM after you set foot in the Philippines, it's up to you. Regardless, the price of a digital SIM usable in the country does not vary much, at least if you’re subscribing to a local network. The country’s carriers offer their eSIMs for around ₱99, or a little over $2.

The prices for regional and global eSIMs may be higher because they offer wider coverage. They usually cost from $4 to $50, and the exact price depends on the provider and the data allocation.

Which Should You Buy: Comparing International eSIMs and Local eSIMs 

Do you need to buy an international eSIM or settle for a local one? The answer depends on your travel plans, usage habits, and budget. We compare the situations in which one eSIM type is more beneficial to you than the other.

When To Buy an International eSIM 

We recommend buying an international eSIM online when you’re visiting multiple countries during a single trip. Say, if you’re visiting the Philippines as part of your Southeast Asia escapade. When you have several destinations, the international eSIM is more advantageous as it works in multiple countries, meaning you don’t have to change eSIMs every time you land at a different airport.

If you wish to buy a global eSIM, choose one that offers practical mobile data plans at reasonable prices and accommodates your connectivity needs. Comparing popular international eSIMs can help you make a more informed choice. 

When To Buy a Local eSIM 

If you’re visiting only the Philippines and plan to stay for weeks or months, buying an eSIM from a local provider is more cost-effective. Essentially, you’ll pay the same price for your data plan as the locals do, which is, if you’re from the western parts of the world or from a first-world country, a lot more affordable. Also, you can feel more like a local by choosing a Philippine network carrier for your connectivity needs.

Your choice may be a bit limited, though. There are only three big network carriers in the Philippines with reliable mobile data services, including DITO Telecommunity. If you’re all about maximizing your data budget, reading about the existing network providers in the country is an essential step to ensure you choose the right eSIM. Aside from that, it will also help you to read customer feedback online and weigh the network’s load promos against your criteria. 

How To Buy an eSIM for Your Travel to the Philippines 

To buy an eSIM, follow these steps:

1. Choose whether you want to buy a global eSIM or a local eSIM.
2. Once you’ve made up your mind, visit the network carrier’s website or online shop and buy the eSIM. For international eSIMs, you will also need to purchase a specific plan.
3. After buying your eSIM, activate it using your phone. Go to the settings, add a mobile/cellular plan, and scan the eSIM’s QR code.
4. Restart your phone and configure your eSIM settings.

The ideal way to test your eSIM’s capabilities is when you’re already at your destination. Before you step out of the airport, check your network coverage and buy load plans so you can connect to the internet right away.

Why Opt for an eSIM When Traveling to the Philippines

Buying an eSIM for your next travel to the Philippines yields plenty of advantages, including the following:

Convenience

In the past, travelers who needed a way to contact people would buy a physical SIM card upon arrival in the country they were visiting. It’s a hassle, then, as they will need to swap their SIM for another. Today, you can do away with the hassle of inserting a small chip into your phone thanks to eSIM. And since you can buy the digital SIM ahead of time, you save precious time upon arrival.

Affordability

Connecting to data and communicating with an eSIM is much more affordable than relying on roaming services. With data roaming, you will incur extra charges that are more expensive than domestic load plan rates. Postpaid plans often come with a roaming plan, but if you’re on prepaid, that’s where the costs may rack up.  

In contrast, if you’re using a local eSIM, you can easily access the domestic network’s mobile load plans at local rates, which are usually more affordable. What you would have paid for in roaming charges, you can instead reallocate to more important travel expenses; think: local food, cultural experiences, and handmade souvenirs.

Ease of Use 

An eSIM is easy to activate, allowing you to use it as soon as you arrive in another country. You can complete the setup in a few minutes, provided that your eSIM QR code is valid. Many local eSIM bundles also already come with data access (for DITO’s eSIM, that’s 9 GB of data for 15 days), so you can connect to the local network as soon as you activate your SIM. 

Moreover, reloading is easy because you have a variety of channels to purchase data plans, from the network provider’s official app to local sari-sari stores. With so many options, you’ll have fewer worries about running out of data and not being able to top up. Buying your mobile load from local establishments is yet another way to immerse yourself in the community, adding excitement to your travel. 

Want To Use Mobile Data Like a Local? Try the DITO eSIM Today!

The best travel eSIM is the one that covers all the needs that can come up when you’re in a foreign land. That may be a global eSIM, or a local one, depending on your itinerary. But if you’re looking for a local eSIM, we recommend you try the DITO eSIM Starter Pack. For just less than $2 (₱99), you can expect to enjoy the following advantages:

Affordable Plans

DITO’s prepaid eSIM is your gateway to an array of affordable and practical prepaid data plans, with their prices ranging from $0.50 for 500 MB of data per day to $20 for a month of unlimited data. Here is a list of prepaid mobile load plans that you can use:

• Level-Up Packs - Data top-ups valid for 30 days
• Level-Up Socials - Data top-ups exclusive to social media access
• App Boosters - Combo data plans to access various apps for less than a dollar 
• Data Sachets - Bite-sized data packs with various validity periods
• Unli 5G - Unlimited data plans valid for 7, 15, and 30 days

You can check all the applicable promos on the DITO App!

Flexible Promos

Because they’re prepaid, you can switch from one plan to another to fit your data needs for the day. You may need more data when you’re outdoors the whole day, and less when you expect to stay at your accommodation longer. To make the most of your mobile data reloads, plan when you need mobile data during travel and purchase plans only on those days. 

Note, though, that maximizing your mobile load budget means you need to constantly monitor your usage and validity periods. Fortunately, you can easily do that with the user-friendly DITO App!

5G Capabilities  

DITO’s eSIM is the best choice if you want to enjoy 5G mobile internet speeds and reliability. Depending on your location, you can enjoy internet speeds up to 500 Mbps. Of course, your phone should support 5G networks, and you should be within DITO’s coverage area. The DITO eSIM’s 5G access enables you to perform high-bandwidth activities on mobile data, including playing mobile games when you’re in transit, streaming an episode when queuing at a popular restaurant, or video-calling your loved ones at home. 

City Coverage

When you use the DITO eSIM, you’re guaranteed to connect to a reliable 5G network in Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Davao City. Being online on mobile is helpful when you’re navigating these places, as you will need the internet to find your way around more easily and book services. DITO covers a large part of urban areas and more. To check specific locations, refer to the list on the DITO App!

Conclusion

Buying an eSIM for your upcoming travel to the Philippines is easy, as long as you plan for your connectivity needs ahead of your arrival. If you want to feel more like a local using mobile data, choose DITO’s eSIM. Its ease of activation, reliability, and wide range of promos are enough of a benefit. Check out more about our eSIM via the eShop today!