Introduction

If you’re planning to travel to the Philippines, buying an eSIM is a convenient way to stay online and connected with people from home. International eSIMs are usually the go-to option for their wide coverage, but you can get more perks and experience accurate local network coverage if you subscribe to an eSIM from a local provider.

Whichever eSIM you choose when you visit the Philippines, here is a guide to help you make the most of your purchase. Also, if you want a 5G connection, we recommend checking out DITO Telecommunity's eSIM. Read on to learn more!

Refresher: What Is an eSIM and Why Is It Popular Among Travelers?

An eSIM is an embedded Subscriber Identity Module soldered into your phone’s motherboard. It functions much the same way as a traditional SIM, in that it gives you access to a network provider’s services. However, an eSIM is not removable, and you can activate multiple profiles at once without swapping physical SIM cards.

Those who travel to the Philippines or any other country find an eSIM a convenient tool to stay connected. After all, traveling isn’t as analog as it used to be. Instead of paper maps and asking around, you would have used online maps, internet search, and shared sheets to navigate the place you’re visiting. And you can only do it if you’re connected to the internet. While you can always connect to WiFi, using mobile data is much preferable when you’re on the move. 

An eSIM is important when you’re traveling abroad, because your SIM from home won’t likely work in a foreign land (unless you activate data roaming). Switching to an eSIM that is compatible with the region gives you easy access to mobile data, while sparing you the inconvenience of inserting a tiny card into your device once you’re at the airport arrivals gate.

How Do You Buy an eSIM for Your Travel to the Philippines? 

You can buy an eSIM for your travel to the Philippines from the network provider’s website. You don’t need to pay for shipping, as all you need is a QR code. 

When you get the QR code, go to your phone’s settings, add a SIM Plan, and scan the code to activate your SIM profile. Remember that not all eSIMs work in the Philippines, especially international travel eSIMs, so read the coverage section carefully before making a purchase. Or, you can always buy an eSIM from a local telecom provider, like DITO’s prepaid eSIM starter pack.

Which Is the Best eSIM To Use for Your Philippine Travel?

The best eSIM to use when traveling to the Philippines is the one that meets your connectivity needs. That means you need a SIM that gives you access to a wide range of plans, has a signal, and provides reliable internet.

Flexible Data Plans

You would want to purchase a prepaid eSIM so you can choose from more data plans. Prepaid promos are more generous on price tiers and inclusions — some networks offer 5 GB of data for less than $1!

Wide Network Coverage  

Your eSIM’s network signal will depend on the locations you wish to visit. Before you choose an eSIM, list down the tourist spots you included in your itinerary, then check whether those locations are within the network provider’s coverage area. The ideal scenario is that all the places you wish to visit have a network signal. But if it’s not possible, choose the one with the broadest coverage.

Reliable Internet Speed  

You may have network coverage in your locations, but it will not be worth it if the mobile internet speed is too slow. Remember that you need to be online to search for restaurants, navigate with your online map, or call a loved one to share a glimpse of your travel. You’d want, then, an eSIM that provides fast enough mobile internet; ideally, you’d use a 4G or 5G network. 

How an eSIM Makes Travel to the Philippines Convenient

When you use an eSIM that works in the Philippines, performing online tasks while on the move will be much easier and more convenient. Not just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you can do away with your phone and online activities altogether, after all. Here are some ways being connected locally helps you with your travel:

Online Banking  

You may be on vacation, but your bills back home won’t wait for you to return. If you’re connected to the internet while you’re in the Philippines, you can log into your bank account to transfer money or pay your bills remotely. Doing so over mobile data is much safer than using public WiFi, too.

Calls and Text Messaging  

Traveling with a company means risking someone getting lost in the crowd. But if you have an eSIM and buy a plan with calls and messages, you can contact your peers directly. Sometimes, it’s also much faster to text or call them over the phone to find them than to send a chat message!

Ride and Hotel Booking

While it’s advisable to book your accommodation before you visit, some situations may force you to book a room while you’re on location. These tasks involve being online (plus you really want to read reviews before you book a room). Also, booking rides is essential if you need to get to a place more quickly. A piece of advice, though: to experience how locals do it, even for a while, ride a jeepney or a mini bus in one of your commutes!

Research and Online Maps  

Researching about the places you wish to visit and navigating requires an internet connection, and you can’t possibly do it on WiFi alone if you’re constantly on the move. If you have an eSIM, you can simply turn on your mobile data and go online to follow directions. However, for your travel to be more rewarding, do ask the locals for directions — who knows, you might find a friend among the local community and discover hidden gems along the way!

Local and Overseas Communication

Going online on mobile data with your eSIM is helpful for constant communication, not only with your travel buddies and the locals, but also with your loved ones on the other side of the ocean. And you won’t even need to be stuck in your room connecting to WiFi, as you can always use your mobile data to go online. Your eSIM lets you send real-time updates to people who care about you and want to hear back from you while you’re away.

Photo and Video Backups  

While you can back up your photos and videos when on your hotel WiFi, you might need to save them to your cloud storage remotely. You avoid losing all that you captured by backing up your files right away, before you even return to your accommodation. With an eSIM connected to a local network and a plan with a generous data cap, that should be easy!

Need 5G Data for Your Trip? Check Out DITO’s eSIM Starter Pack!

Getting an eSIM for your Philippine travel has many advantages. The next step is to choose: should you use an international eSIM, or opt for a local one? If you prefer the latter, DITO has good news: our eSIM costs less than $2, and you can buy it online before your visit. 

By purchasing our eSIM, you get access to 9 GB of data, unlimited texts to all networks and DITO calls, and 150 minutes of calls to other networks. What makes DITO stand out from the rest is that it uses true 5G, delivering mobile internet speeds of up to 500 Mbps at best-value prices. 

When you choose the DITO eSIM, you also add another cultural experience: reloading your mobile data like a local by downloading the DITO App and choosing from our array of prepaid load promos. 

Visit the eShop to learn more about our eSIM today!

Frequently Asked Questions About eSIMs for Travel to the Philippines

Should I Install My eSIM Before I Travel?

Yes, you can install your eSIM before your travel. Preparing early will reduce the risk of discovering that your eSIM QR code isn't working. If early installation is not possible, be sure to activate your eSIM right after you land at the country’s airport, so you can test the network while you’re still in an area with connectivity access.

Is an eSIM Better Than Data Roaming in the Philippines?  

If we’re talking about saving on mobile data fees, then yes, using an eSIM is better than turning on your data roaming. When you use an eSIM, you can connect to the local network and subscribe to plans at local prices. Meanwhile, data roaming charges can be more expensive. That said, when you choose roaming, it means you can use the same contact number you use back home. However, if what’s important to you is going online for searches and navigation, opting for an eSIM even with a new number seems more practical.

Should I Turn Off Data Roaming When Using an eSIM?

Yes, you should turn off your roaming when you opt for eSIM once you’re in the Philippines to avoid data charges from your original network provider. Do read about how you can reload your mobile data using your newly activated eSIM to stay connected.

Conclusion

Using an eSIM for your travel to the Philippines is a practical way to stay online and connected while saving on mobile data costs. The key is to find an eSIM that meets your connectivity needs, wherever you are in a country with 7,700+ islands to explore. Refer to your itinerary and discover how DITO’s eSIM can serve your mobile internet connection needs today!