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This article will explain why an eSIM is the best SIM card in the Philippines.
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eSIM is a digital version of your plastic SIM card already encrypted in your device. It’s amazing that something so small can hold so much information.
An eSIM allows you to activate a cellular plan from a phone carrier without using a material SIM.
The process of getting an eSIM is easy; you download the eSIM or data profiles to your device.
Most phones and devices already contain a microchip that allows you to install numerous eSIM profiles.
It’s comparable to having several material SIM cards with phone numbers and data packs loaded into your device simultaneously.
Technology has given us the eSIM, and it can make your travelling life so much easier.
Making the switch from a physical SIM card to eSIM will benefit you in many ways.
Depending on how long you wish to spend in the Philippines and whether you will use wifi when available, these factors will help decide what eSIM data plan for the Philippines you should select.
Suppose you plan to rely primarily on wifi in the Philippines (hotels, cafes, and bars usually offer this option as complimentary).
In that case, you should go with a small plan (1GB for $4.50, valid for 7 days) or even the 3GB eSIM for $9.50, valid for 30 days is fantastic value too.
Or, if you mainly depend on phone coverage for your data, perhaps you should purchase a plan with more data. The best thing about eSIM for the Philippines is that the larger data plans offer excellent value.
For example, I’d recommend the 10GB eSIM data pack for $21, or the largest eSIM Philippines data pack, 20GB, for $32!
The eSIM product has many pros, and buying an eSIM for anywhere in the world allows you to top up your device within minutes.
The best eSIM carrier for the Philippines is Airalo. It’s the largest eSIM store with eSIMs to connect you in 190+ countries!
Does Philippines have eSIM with size options? Yes! Airalo offers five great options to stay connected in the Philippines, so there’s a data plan to suit everybody.
The convenience, cost, and reliable coverage make Airalo eSIM for the Philippines fantastic value.
Arriving in the Philippines and instantly connecting to the local carrier is a traveller’s dream!
eSIM is the most straightforward Philippines SIM card for tourists – Simply download a data pack, activate it, and go!
It means an immediate connection to the best local carriers if you’ve planned, downloaded, and activated an eSIM for the Philippines before your arrival.
No airport queueing is required to arrange a local SIM card to get online – because you’re already on it.
That means you can order a Grab taxi (download the Grab App for easy and cheap transport in the Philippines) directly from the airport; it’s fantastic!
Alternatively, search online for the public bus schedule for departures from the airport to the city, or instantly access google maps to follow navigation if you need to.
Furthermore, if you download an eSIM for the Philippines before your arrival, you can reserve that last-minute hotel room on Booking.com.
If you’re still wondering what an eSIM is and how it works, this post will explain it in plain English.
Download an Airalo eSIM for the Philippines; it’s a smart choice to save you time, and money. Buying a SIM card in the Philippines has never been this simple (and affordable).
We love this product. We even used a Global eSIM to keep us connected as we visited EVERY country in the world! The Global eSIM connects you to over 84 countries; it’s fantastic!
Important: Your device must be compatible with eSIM. Please check this list to see if your device supports eSIM before purchasing any eSIM.
Note: The eSIM validity data starts from the date of activation. So, you can purchase the eSIM beforehand but wait to activate it until just before you get to the Philippines.
If you have used all the data on your current eSIM quicker than expected, it’s no problem to top up with more data. Open your Airalo App and buy more; it’s straightforward.
In addition, I love the features allowing you to pay via Apply Pay, and Airalo sends you an alert message when you’re running low on data – which reminds you to buy more.
After you arrive in the Philippines, of course, you still have the option to buy a local SIM card at any major airport or phone store.
A local SIM will allow you to call and send local texts in the Philippines.
Depending on the plan you purchase, it will also give you access to local calling rates and data.
Many local carriers in the Philippines claim to have the best SIM card in Philippines, the cheapest Philippines SIM card, and the most reliable connection. There are hundreds of plans out there, and keeping up with them all is difficult.
Thus, you will find that the price comparison for eSIM Philippines is very competitive in this market. So, you can choose from one of the many phone carriers in the Philippines and buy a local SIM card or switch to eSIM for the Philippines.
What I like most about buying an eSIM is its affordability, zero hassle, and zero fuss. And I love that I get to keep my original number.
It’s a reasonable question that many people who travel regularly have asked. “Which is better, eSIM or physical SIM?”
I used to have doubts about switching to eSIM, but since changing to eSIM and enjoying the pros (which far outweigh the cons), I can’t imagine returning to physical SIM cards.
I explain in this post why eSIM for all international travel is my only choice for staying connected worldwide.
Another bonus of downloading an eSIM for the Philippines is that you don’t need to remove your physical SIM card from your phone. eSIM is digital, so it’s all encrypted inside your device; it’s simply the best.
It’s good news because you avoid the risk of losing your tiny SIM card (as you’ll leave it inside your device), and it also means you can receive your messages from loved ones back home.
A bonus for eSIM users is that you don’t need to change your original phone number; it remains the same.
Convenient, especially when connecting with friends and family around the globe, as they don’t have to try and message you on a foreign number.
Oh, and once you buy an eSIM, you can navigate the Airalo app in English. So it’s much easier than decoding other languages on your device.
So there you have it – eSIM in the Philippines is a convenient, reliable, and affordable choice to stay connected in this country.
Now that we’ve covered the best SIM card for your Philippines travel adventures – there’s a good chance you plan to travel to other countries in Southeast Asia too.
Suppose the Philippines is just one stop for you on a much bigger journey across Asia. Then, a Regional Asialink eSIM may be what you’ve been searching for but had yet to learn existed.
Why buy Asialink eSIM for Asia? It will save you money, and one single eSIM will connect you to 13 Asian countries!
And yes, the Philippines is included in this regional eSIM.
CHOOSE FROM 6 x Asialink eSIM DATA PACKS:
At the end of the day, the Philippines eSIM and the Regional Asialink eSIM are affordable, reliable, and convenient. And trust us on this, your life will be much easier once you make the switch.
To make switching to eSIM easier, don’t miss claiming your discount below!
SAVE $3 when you buy an eSIM for the Philippines or any other Airalo eSIM. Use our referral code: RACHEL5045 to get $3 off your first purchase!
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Expert travel tips, resources and exclusive discounts worldwide
The Philippines is a stunning part of the world. We especially enjoyed our time spent on the islands of Palawan & Boracay.
If you’re wondering where is Boracay, then read our Complete Guide to Visiting Boracay which includes information on how to visit, how to get there, and what to expect.
And, if you’re interested to learn what they eat in the Philippines – these 10 most popular Filipino foods will give you a good idea.
We love to share our knowledge of traveling, and you may enjoy reading our best-ever travel tips and our ultimate packing list for Southeast Asia.
For the food lovers out there, don’t miss our top 10 best countries for foodies! And, if you’re more interested in history, these 30 amazing historical places in the world will fascinate you!
Or, perhaps these 21 Cheapest Countries to Visit Right Now is just the thing you’ve been searching for.
We’ve got a bunch of tips for how you can save money to travel the world, and even when you’re out there travelling, maybe these 20 jobs that PAY YOU to travel the world will help you travel longer. It worked for us, and we bet it can work for you too.
Finally, these top 6 travel hacks to save you money are great to read when planning your travels.
Check out the travel gear we use on the road. And, for the products and resources we recommend to plan new trips, head to our Travel Resources Page.
✈️ Flights: We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.
🏨 Accommodation: Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation.
🏥 Travel Insurance: We recommend Heymondo (Get 5% off Heymondo) & SafetyWing
🚌 Transportation: Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.
🚘 Car Rental: We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.
👫 Group Tours: G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar.
📸 Day Tours & Trips: GetYourGuide & Viator are the only two platforms you need.
📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks, and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)
🎒 Luggage: Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack or Samsonite Luggage Range.
🛄 What to Pack: Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good power bank. To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers.
🐶 Become a House Sitter: Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.
💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE & Revolut are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.
📶 Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM allows you to get connected the moment you land at your destination, and you can avoid those expensive data roaming charges. We LOVE this product! Use promo code NOMAD15 for 15% off ALL eSIMs (new Airalo users only) OR use NOMAD10 for 10% off ALL eSIMs (for existing Airalo users)
✅ Check out our Travel Gear and Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!
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