14 Reasons Why The Philippines is the Best Place for Digital Nomads
Previously, I wrote about the things that I only did while living on the Philippines. Now, it’s time to talk about why the Philippines is not only one of the best places in general but especially for working remotely as a digital nomad.
Affordable cost of living
The Philippines is such an affordable place to live in. There are apartments, dorms, and even condos, everywhere that cater to different types of budget. You can even rent a condo with resort-like facilities that do not cost as much as those in other countries.
Also, most things, including supplies and services, would also cost less in the Philippines. However, in some cases, it could also mean that you are going to get lower quality, but not all the time. Most expats would agree as well that dining in the Philippines is very affordable. You can already get a decent and filling meal for just $3 or less.
Fast Wi-Fi, air-conditioned Internet Cafés and modern shopping malls
You’ll be surprised how developed the Philippines are in many parts of the country. While there are a lot of local restaurants and small shops to explore you’ll also be able to work focused in an internet café or a calm coffee place with reliable internet in a shopping mall or coworking space. Surely small islands and remote villages rarely have access to Wi-Fi or even electricity, but I would spare those destinations for an offline weekend trip! 🙂
Growing Digital Nomad Community and Coworking Spaces
Especially in bigger cities like Manila, Cebu, Davao City and Iloilo City you’ll find a lot of coworking spaces and like-minded people to share your ideas with. It might still be a more unexplored country for the digital nomad community but if you prefer being one of the people that’d like to influence the digital nomad evolution from the beginning – that’s your place!
Everyone speaks English
Sometimes it can be really frustrating not to be able to share ideas and connect with locals due to language barriers. The good thing is that one of the national languages of the Philippines (beside Tagalog and the “island languages”) is English and everyone understands (at least the basics) what you are trying to tell them. It’s a good feeling and makes it much easier to fit in and establish friendships with Filipinos.
Traveling around the country is cheap
Traveling around this Southeast Asian country is very cheap as well. The rates on air travel are very affordable, plus there are often seat sales that would cost less than $20 for a round trip flight. However, these seats sell out very quickly as a lot of people would look out for it as soon as the sale is announced, so you need to act quickly too! Sea travel are also often cheap, even without promos, at around $10-$20, depending on the shipping line and destination.
There are a lot of decent hotels and resorts that are also very cheap, especially in the provincial, non-commercialized areas. For less than $50, you can stay at a resort with a great view and a swimming pool. There are also nice hotels in the cities that would cost as cheap as $10. Just make sure you check the reviews online first before booking, so you get the quality service that you expect.
Tours are also quite affordable in the Philippines. For example, in Cebu, you can rent a boat for island hopping at only around $40. This would usually accommodate 10-20 people. In Siargao, you can go island hopping with a bunch of other tourists for less than $30 per person. And that already comes with food and beverages. While tour guides may charge foreign tourists a higher price than what they charge locals in some places, it still does not really cost much, plus, you can haggle your way through it.
Beaches, beaches everywhere
With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is the homes to plenty of beaches. While there are commercialized beaches like the White Beach in Boracay and Alona Beach in Panglao, there are also many more secluded beaches scattered all over the country. Some may be more challenging to access, but they are surely worth the effort. There’s nothing better than having the whole beach to yourself, right?
The Philippines also boasts of its many pristine white sand beaches and clear, turquoise waters. However, the country also has several brown and black sand beaches, if you want to try something else. Plus, the marine life is vibrant and so diverse, which would make snorkeling or diving a great idea if you’re exploring the country’s different islands.
Tons of picturesque views and stunning landscapes
This beautiful country has hundreds of natural wonders that would be the perfect subjects for photography, whether you’re an expert or are just trying to learn the craft. From picture-perfect beaches to stunning vistas, to underwater life, to huge surfing waves, to limestone cliffs- the Philippines’ natural beauty never fails to wow anyone and there will always be enough content for your blog and instagram.
Lively and vibrant festivals
As mentioned earlier, the Philippines has over 7,000 islands. It also has over a hundred cities and 81 provinces, and each of these has their own festivals or “fiestas” as the locals call it. Every month, there is a festival happening somewhere. Attending a festival is a great way to immerse oneself in the Filipino culture and history.
Some of the most popular festivals that should not be missed include the Ati-Atihan in Aklan, Panagbenga in Baguio, Sinulog in Cebu, MassKara in Bacolod, Kadayawan in Davao, Dinagyang in Iloilo, and the Moriones in Marinduque.
Cheap beers and bars for socializing
If you have read up about the Philippines in the past, you would have noticed that most tourists would say that the beer is very cheap in the country. Well, that’s just the truth. Sometimes, it can even be cheaper than water or juice, especially in restaurants and bars! Even a bucket of beer, which has about 4 to 6 bottles, would cost less than $4. While you may skip on alcoholic beverages when you’re visiting other countries as these would hurt your budget, getting yourself a bottle while in the Philippines would feel like you didn’t even spend at all.
It’s summer all year round
One of the best things about living in the Philippines is that it’s summer all year round. The weather is always just around 20-30°C, and it’s mostly sunny, except for when storms come in. While there are cold climate areas in the country that would require you to wear jackets, like Baguio City, you are more likely to wear a t-shirt and a pair of shorts in most parts. That’s a very attractive thing for digital nomads and one of the reasons why working remotely is so popular on the Philippines for foreigners.
Accessibility to fresh fruits and healthy meals
The Philippines is a heaven of fresh tropical fruits, just like mangoes, bananas, papayas, guavas, pineapples, watermelons, and many more. What’s even better is that these are available all year round and are often very affordable. As the Filipino cuisine offers a lot of “unhealthy” fried meals there are also a lot of healthy choices. Visit the food markets and you will leave with your bag filled with avocados, bananas, vegetables and fresh fish.
BBQ and Food Markets everywhere
You won’t even have to worry about going hungry when you start to live in the Philippines because there’s affordable and delicious food everywhere, especially barbecue for the meat lovers! It’s literally everywhere. You can choose from different types of meats like pork, chicken, and fish, and there are even barbecued pork blood and chicken intestines. While it doesn’t sound that pleasant, it is actually pretty good and flavorful!
Filipinos love for Music and Karaoke
Filipinos also have a great love for music, hence the karaoke bars everywhere! It’s also the home to some of the world’s amazing singers! You can be sure that you’ll have a ton of additional friends after a karaoke night out.
The people
Lastly, the best thing about living in the Philippines are the people. Filipinos are naturally so friendly and hospitable. They always have a smile on their faces no matter what they are going through. Even those who have dire living situations still laugh and are usually very easy going. They would gladly provide you assistance when you need help and are often very respectful.