Best SIM Card In Philippines: What You Need To Know

Planning a trip to the Philippines? Staying connected is key—because “lost in paradise” sounds more fun than it actually is! Make sure to get the best SIM card in the Philippines for your travels.

Whether you’re navigating the bustling streets of Manila, exploring the pristine beaches of Palawan, or hiking the stunning trails of Cebu, having reliable mobile service can make a significant difference.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the best SIM cards and eSIM plans available for travelers in the Philippines. From the most affordable options to those offering the best coverage and data limits, we’ve got you covered.

So, let’s dive in and find the perfect mobile plan to suit your needs while exploring the Philippines.

Best SIM Card Philippines: Key Takeaways

• Our blog post offers a comprehensive guide to the best SIM cards in the Philippines, perfect for tourists. This includes fan favorites such as SimOptions, Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad.
• We’ve gathered all the essential details on the data plans offered by providers that are specifically catered to tourists. You can browse through various options with information on their prices and validity periods.
• The post also provides a step-by-step run-through on how to purchase a Philippines prepaid SIM card online without breaking a sweat. We will also help you purchase an eSIM for the Philippines through the reliable services of Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad.
• If you prefer an immediate connection upon arrival without the hassle of visiting a store, eSIM is your go-to option. However, it’s important to check if your mobile phone supports this feature.
• A top tip to note is that acquiring an Asia plan eSIM can be a game-changer, helping you stay connected across multiple countries without the need to change SIM cards constantly.
• Need a Philippines SIM card quickly? Buy one on SimOptions.

How To Buy A SIM Card In The Philippines

You can snag a Philippines prepaid SIM card at international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or even online. But heads up—airport options usually come with higher costs and minimal data, so it’s not the best place to buy.

Keep in mind that not every airport has SIM card shops, and if they do, your choices might be limited. That’s why I suggest heading straight to a mobile provider store for your SIM card needs. Sure, this means you won’t have data right when you land, but it’s worth it for better deals and options.

If staying connected is a top priority, consider using an eSIM or grabbing an Asia prepaid SIM card online before your trip.

Now, let’s dive into the data plans from Smart, Globe, and Dito!

Smart SIM Card For Tourists

Smart offers a variety of prepaid SIM card plans.

They have specific deals for tourists, including:

• 4 GB, valid for 7 days for PHP 349 ($6.50)
• 8 GB, valid for 15 days for PHP 699 ($13.01)
• 12 GB, valid for 30 days for PHP 999 ($18.59)
• 24 GB, valid for 30 days for PHP 1499 ($27.90)
• 36 GB, valid for 30 days for PHP 1999 ($37.21)

Globe SIM Card For Tourists

Globe has several different prepaid plans for tourists available:

• 10 GB, valid for 7 days for PHP 300 ($5.58)
• 20 GB, valid for 15 days for PHP 500 ($9.31)
• 40 GB, valid for 30 days for PHP 1,000 ($18.61)

Dito SIM Card For Tourists

Dito offers a SIM starter pack plan for tourists with the following included:

• 3 GB, valid for 7 days for PHP 39 ($0.73)

Overall, we think Smart is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A Philippines Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you want to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, why not purchase it online or through websites like Amazon? You’ll find a variety of plans there. For example, the Prepaid Asia-Pacific SIM card works in over 17 countries, offering unlimited data for 14 days, including the Philippines.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Browse your options on Amazon

Another option is to purchase a prepaid Asian SIM card on SimOptions.

They currently offer one different package that covers the Philippines:

• 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90

Browse your options on SimOptions

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for the Philippines or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Asia.

How To Buy An eSIM For The Philippines

Buying an eSIM for the Philippines is a straightforward process if you follow these steps:

1. Check Compatibility: First and foremost, ensure your mobile supports eSIM functionality. Most recent models from Apple, Samsung, and Google support eSIM technology. It’s essential to verify this before proceeding.
2. Choose a Reliable Provider: Various providers, such as Airalo and Holafly, offer eSIM plans for the Philippines. We have tested all the eSIM providers listed in this guide so they are safe to use.
3. Purchase the eSIM: Once you’ve settled on a provider, you can purchase your eSIM online. The process typically involves selecting your preferred plan, making a payment, and receiving the eSIM activation details via email.
4. Activate Your eSIM: Follow the instructions provided by the eSIM provider to activate your new plan. Typically, this involves scanning a QR code.

By opting for an eSIM, you bypass the need for physical SIM cards and gain the convenience of instant connectivity as soon as you land. Plus, managing your data plan becomes much simpler, with the ability to recharge or switch plans directly from your device. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo.

Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for the Philippines.

Airalo eSIM Philippines

If you want an eSIM for the Philippines, you could purchase one on Airalo.

This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and the Philippines.

I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine. Read our Airalo eSIM review to learn more.

Here are the options available:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $4.50
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $7
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $9.50
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $21
• 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $32

Here’s an overview of the options available for Asia:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $20
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $37
• 50 GB, valid for 90 days for $100
• 100 GB, valid for 180 days for $185

The options mentioned above are part of Asialink and offer coverage in 13 countries, including the Philippines.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 124 countries, including the Philippines.

Here’s an overview of the options available on Discover Global:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $24
• 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
• 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
• 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.

In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and must select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Go to Airalo

Holafly eSIM Philippines

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.

You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of their plans for the Philippines:

• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $21
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $29
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $51
• Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $62
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $75
• Unlimited data, valid for 60 days for $87
• Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for $99

Go to Holafly

Nomad eSIM Philippines

Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider.

Here’s an overview of the plans available for the Philippines:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $4
• 2 GB, valid for 30 days for $10
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $8
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $12
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $19
• 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $34
• 30 GB, valid for 30 days for $80
• 40 GB, valid for 30 days for $110
• 50 GB, valid for 30 days for $125

Nomad also has APAC, an eSIM plan in Asia. This plan offers coverage in the Philippines.

Here’s an overview:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $6
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $15
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $17
• 10GB, valid for 30 days for $50
• 20GB, valid for 30 days for $69

Go to Nomad

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In The Philippines

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in the Philippines or even an eSIM for your travels in the Philippines is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Asia without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase an Asia plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in the Philippines if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

However, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling to the Philippines soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Best place to live in the Philippines
• How to get to Coron
• Backpacking Cebu