SIM Card & Internet
A local SIM card is indispensable in the Philippines — for Grab, GCash, communication, and internet.
The Providers
| Provider | Network | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Globe | Good in cities and tourist areas | Best app, good data packages | Weak on remote islands |
| Smart (PLDT) | Widest coverage, also rural | Best coverage on the islands | App less intuitive |
| DITO | New provider, growing | Affordable data packages | Still patchy coverage |
Buying a SIM card: At the airport (Manila T1, T2, T3 and Cebu T2 have Globe and Smart stands) or in any Sari-Sari store and 7-Eleven. Cost: 40–100 PHP for the SIM + data package. Since 2022, SIM registration with passport scan is mandatory.
Data packages (guidelines):
- Globe GoSAKTO: 8 GB for 7 days — 149 PHP (~2.40 €)
- Smart Magic Data: 12 GB for 7 days — 149 PHP (~2.40 €)
- 30 days / 24 GB — approx. 449 PHP (~7.30 €)
Internet speed: In Manila, Cebu, and tourist centers decent (10–30 Mbps). On remote islands, it can drop to 2G or fail completely. Starlink is available in some island cafés (Siargao, El Nido).
