Living in the Philippines as a Digital Nomad

In Manila and Cebu, nomads rent furnished condos in towers with pools and gyms. On the islands, it is small houses, bungalows and apartments.

• Where to look. Facebook groups and Marketplace, local agents and walking around are best on the islands. In cities, Lamudi, Property24 and condo leasing agents list monthly units.
• Lease and deposit. In cities, leases often run six or twelve months with two months’ deposit and one month in advance. On islands, monthly rentals are common, paid up front.
• Electricity is expensive, often ₱12 to ₱15 a kWh, and many rentals charge it separately. Air-conditioning running all day can cost more than you expect.
• Water may be from a tank or deep well on islands; drink bottled or filtered water.
• Backup power. Ask whether the place has a generator or battery backup, and how often the power goes out.

• SIM cards: Smart, Globe and DITO sell SIMs everywhere. Under the SIM Registration Act, every SIM must be registered online with ID. Tourists registering with a passport may need to update the registration with an extension.
• Home internet: PLDT, Converge and Globe fibre in cities; Starlink on islands, either in your rental or as your own kit.
• Power cuts (“brownouts”) happen regularly on islands and sometimes in cities, especially in storms and the hot season. Keep a power bank, a mobile hotspot and a backup workspace.
• Apps worth having: Grab (rides and food in cities), GCash or Maya, Angkas or JoyRide (motorbike taxis), Facebook Messenger (used by almost every business), and PAGASA or a weather app for typhoon tracking.

In Manila and Cebu, Grab cars and motorbike taxis from Angkas and JoyRide are cheap; jeepneys and the MRT and LRT trains in Manila are cheaper still but crowded. On islands, most people rent a scooter or use tricycles and habal-habal (motorbike taxis). Foreigners can drive on a valid home licence for 90 days after arrival, then need a Philippine licence; wear a helmet, and avoid riding at night on unlit rural roads.

Between islands, plan for delays: ferries stop when the coast guard suspends sailings in bad weather, and flights get cancelled in typhoons. Book flexible tickets in the wet season.

Manila and Cebu have excellent private hospitals, including St. Luke’s, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City, Chong Hua and Cebu Doctors’. Provincial hospitals and island clinics handle minor problems; serious cases need transfer to a city, sometimes by air. A private consultation costs about ₱800 to ₱2,000. Pharmacies such as Mercury Drug are everywhere.

For emergencies, call 911. Get nomad health insurance with evacuation cover, and use repellent against dengue.

Typhoons are most common from July to November. When a storm is forecast:

• Follow PAGASA warnings and local advice, and move away from the coast if told to.
• Stock water, food, cash, medicines, power banks and fuel for a few days.
• Expect cancelled ferries and flights, power cuts and slow or no internet for days afterwards.
• Make sure your insurance covers natural disasters and evacuation.

Filipinos are among the friendliest and most sociable people in Asia, and English makes it easy to build real friendships. Siargao, El Nido and La Union have surf and island communities; Makati, BGC and Cebu have coworking events, run clubs, climbing gyms and expat meetups. Karaoke, basketball and church are central to local life, and accepting an invitation is the quickest way in.

• Respect elders and use “po” and “opo” if you learn some Tagalog; it is noticed and appreciated.
• Avoid public anger and confrontation. Losing your temper causes embarrassment and rarely helps.
• Dress modestly in churches and away from the beach.
• Filipino time is real for social events, less so for business.
• Christmas starts in September and is the biggest celebration of the year; Holy Week (Easter) closes many businesses and fills transport.

• Drugs: penalties are very severe, and the authorities take a hard line.
• Work: working for Philippine employers or clients needs a work visa and Alien Employment Permit.
• Smoking and vaping are banned in enclosed public places and many outdoor areas, with local fines.
• ACR I-Card: required for stays over 59 days.
• Fireworks and firearms rules are strict; leave both to the locals.

Most nomad bases are safe and friendly. The main risks are road accidents, petty theft and phone snatching in Manila, scams in tourist areas, rip currents and boat accidents, and typhoons. Some parts of Mindanao have government travel warnings; check your government’s advice before going beyond the main tourist areas. Use Grab in cities, keep your phone out of sight on busy streets, and only take licensed boats.

Emergency number: 911.