Let’s be honest—the Philippines is not always the first country that comes to mind when we think of choosing a home base for digital nomads. The poor internet infrastructure, the lack of accessibility to affordable quality food, and the relatively more expensive cost of living compared to other Southeast Asian nations are significant reasons why it’s the last choice among many of us.
But given the right reasons, the Philippines can be a good base for digital nomads who like to explore tropical islands and white sand beaches, experience the vibrant Philippine nightlife, and try out-of-the-ordinary nature activities. If you are looking for the best places to work remotely in the Philippines, read on for our Top 10 Best Places in the Philippines for Digital Nomads!
Is Philippines Good for Digital Nomads?
Yes, the Philippines has a few places that are good for digital nomads who are on the lookout for their next temporary (or even permanent) home base. What makes the Philippines a great place for digital nomads? Well, there’s a lot of love about the Philippines.
First, you get about 7,641 islands across the Philippine archipelago, and that means a bazillion of white sand beaches, lagoons, resorts, and other natural tourist attractions. If you are looking for historical man-made attractions, the Philippines has them too.
Second, you get competitive living costs in the Philippines. Anywhere you go, you always get a low cost of living but more fun activities, nightlife, and good food.
Third, English is one of the national languages here in the Philippines along with Tagalog. You can guarantee that you can talk to most people and be able to understand what you want to say. Plus, Filipinos are very hospitable and warm people.
And fourth, the internet has improved a lot in the past couple of years. Remote places in the Philippines such as Siargao Island now have access to Starlink, which means you can work with ease unlike years ago.
Booking.comTop 10 Best Places in the Philippines for Digital Nomads
The Philippines is a budding digital nomad destination. And it certainly is not on par with popular destinations like Chiang Mai and Bali when it comes to remote work culture.
Nevertheless, it is possible to find areas in the Philippines to enjoy and at the same time get some work done. Here are the Top 10 Best Places for Digital Nomads in the Philippines:
1. Cebu City
Cebu City is the perfect base for digital nomads in the Philippines. You have access to everything you need from a bigger city and at the same time, you are just a few hours of drive to white sand beaches, dive spots, and nature activities in Cebu.
Some popular tourist destinations in Cebu that are hours of drive away from the city include Moalboal (known for millions of sardines and diving), Badian (known for canyoneering), Oslob (known for whale shark watching), Bantayan Island (known for white sand beaches and skydiving), Camotes Islands (known for caves with natural pools), and Malapascua Island (known for diving with rare thresher sharks).
Cebu City is also strategically located at the heart of the Philippines with direct trips to the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines such as Siargao, Palawan, Bohol, Siquijor, and Boracay Island.
You also get many options for cafés and coworking spaces in Cebu City. If you want to save on expenses on cafés and coworking spaces, stay at Nomads Hub or Murals Hostels and Café to take advantage of their free access to their coworking spaces.
In terms of the internet, most coworking spaces in Cebu City have a reliable internet connection that allows you to take video calls, do video editing, or upload videos. And food-wise, you have many options available, from local eateries to fast-food restaurants to finer ones.
If you are wondering what the nightlife scene is in Cebu, you will never be disappointed.
Where to Stay in Cebu City
- Horizons 101 Condominium
- Seda Ayala Center Cebu
- Bai Hotel
- Red Planet Cebu
- Murals Hostel and Café
- Nomads Hub
Best Coworking Spaces in Cebu City
- Enspace
- KMC (multiple locations)
- The Company (multiple locations)
- The Workplace Café (multiple locations)
2. Siargao Island
Siargao is an up-and-coming digital nomad destination in Southeast Asia. Siargao is quickly becoming a favorite summer vacation spot among local tourists. Foreign travelers have started to take notice of the island’s beauty in the last few years at a rapid rate, thanks to word of mouth and the international surfing competition annually held in General Luna.
The tear-shaped island remains to be a quiet place in its entirety. But it should come as no surprise to see its growth from here given its unstoppable popularity. In General Luna, late-night entertainment is catching up fast. Bars and resorts like El Lobo, Mama Coco, and Siargao Beach Club hold regular parties on different days of the week.
If you decide to choose Siargao Island as a base, be very careful about deciding on your accommodation as the internet connection of most cafés and hotels is really, really bad, and that’s not an exaggeration. It might be quite a challenge to find good spots for LTE coverage as both Globe and Smart networks on the island are terribly slow. Make sure to book accommodations that have a Starlink connection like the recommended hotels below.
For a complete travel guide to Siargao, check out our Siargao Travel Guide!
Where to Stay in Siargao
- Romantic Beach Villas
- Siargao Island Villas
- Siargao Residency by Privacy Group
- Las Palmas Villas and Casitas Siargao
- Daluyong Beach Resort
- Hang Loose Hostel
Best Coworking Spaces in Siargao
- Alter Space
- CoCoCo
- Lexias Hostel Workspace
3. El Nido
A world-class tourist town in Palawan, El Nido has been on the radar of many foreign tourists, including digital nomads. If you Google images of the Philippines, you will see limestone formations and deep-blue lagoons. Those are most likely photos of El Nido, named as of the world’s best islands by Condé Nast Travel + Leisure Magazine and National Geographic Channel.
That said, you know what you are in for when you choose El Nido as your base. What about the internet? The good new is some accommodations in El Nido now have Starlink which means you get high-speed internet and be able to work right off beaches.
Where to Stay in El Nido
- Corong Beach Resort
- Inigtan Lio Bamboo Cottages
- Karuna El Nido Villas
- S Resort El Nido
- Frendz Hostel El Nido
Best Coworking Spaces and Cafés in El Nido
- Lexias Hostel El Nido
- El Nido Boutique Artcafé
- Blue Mango Resort
4. Coron
A 5-hour ferry ride away from El Nido, Coron is another world-class tourist destination in Palawan. Coron is best for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy activities like scuba diving, kite-surfing, and more. For digital nomads, Coron is still worth visiting even if outdoor activities are not your thing because the place offers so much more.
Some of the most stunning tourist spots in Coron include Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Malcapuya Island, sunken Japanese wrecks dive sites, and Calauit Safari Park. Coron offers much more than that, so be sure to put it on your bucketlist.
What about the internet in Coron? Well, there are many accommodations in Coron that have a Starlink connection, so you can enjoy up to 200 Mbps like the ones below.
Where to Stay in Coron
Best Coworking Spaces in Coron
- Epic Island Café Coron
- Fika Indulgence Café
- Café Soccoro
- Good Grind Coffee Coron
5. Makati
If you are looking for a base in Metro Manila, Makati is one of your top options. It is the financial center of the Philippines surrounded by high-rise condominiums, high-end subdivisions, world-class restaurants and international cuisine, massive shopping malls, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
Poblacion is the best area to stay in Makati if you want to stay within the nightlife epicenter. Legazpi Village and Salcedo Village are also great options if you want a quieter neighborhood. I personally love Makati, especially Poblacion. I spend months on end because I love the kind of nightlife it offers.
Where to Stay in Makati
- One Pacific Place Serviced Residences
- City Garden Grand Hotel
- Discovery Primea
- Lub d Philippines Makati
- Draper Startup House
Best Coworking Spaces in Makati
- KMC (multiple locations)
- Cosy
- Acceler8 by UnionSPACE
6. Boracay Island
Named by various outlets as one of the world’s best islands, Boracay is the perfect base if you are looking for a long stretch of crystal-clear white sand beach in front of you as well as crazy nightlife. This paradise in the province of Aklan has been the go-to island for many local celebrities. Many digital nomads have chosen Boracay as their base in the Philippines.
Where to Stay in Boracay
- Red Coconut Hotel Beach Boracay
- Pinnacle Boracay
- Discovery Shores Boracay
- Lugar Bonito Hotel
- Chill Out Hostel
Best Coworking Spaces and Cafés in Boracay
- Musyon Coworking
- Knesq Coworking Space
- The Sunny Side Café
- Café Maruja
- Lemino Café
7. Panglao Island
Known for its underwater wonders, Panglao Island is a favorite spot among expats and one of the best things to do in Bohol. Panglao has many white sand beaches as well as tourist attractions nearby. If you are planning to explore Bohol and see attractions like Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, and Loboc River, Panglao is a good base. Many accommodations in Panglao now have Starlink internet.
Alona Beach has one of the liveliest night scenes by the beach I’ve experienced so far. It resonates with Boracay in so many ways. When it comes to food and accommodation, Alona has a wide array of options for all kinds of budgets–from backpacker’s hostels and five-star hotels to local roadside cafés and upscale restaurants.
Alona is a long stretch of white sand beach, and you’ll never run out of water activities here, as well as nearby spots to explore. Located less than an hour of drive away from Bohol’s capital, Tagbilaran City, Alona Beach is openly accessible via the province’s main access roads, right at the southernmost part of Panglao Island.
Where to Stay in Panglao
- Alona Pawikan Resort
- Aramara Resort
- South Palms Resort Panglao
- Island World Panglao
- Mad Monkey Panglao
Best Coworking Spaces and Cafés in Panglao
- Common Crew Coffee Roasters & Brewers
- Hero Foundry
- Bo’s Coffee
- BeauTEA LaBOBAtory Cafe Panglao
8. BGC (Bonifacio Global City)
If you are looking for an upscale neighborhood in Metro Manila that feels like you are outside the Philippines, BGC fits the bill. Many digital nomads have chosen BGC, the center of Taguig City, as their base in Metro Manila for all that it is—a clean, safe, and organized CBD with access to pretty much everything you need. BGC is also closer to NAIA in case you want to fly out to destinations like Cebu, Siargao, El Nido, Coron, and Boracay.
Where to Stay in BGC
- 1BR Suite in Uptown BGC
- Prime Avant BGC Location Apartments
- Seda Bonifacio Global City
- Shangri-La The Fort Manila
- Airobedz BGC
Best Coworking Spaces in BGC
- KMC (multiple branches in BGC)
- Clock In BGC at Bonifacio High Street
- Impact Hub Manila
- COTOHA Virtual Office Space BGC
- Loft Spaces BGC
9. Baguio City
Being the Philippines a hot country, I know a lot of Filipino digital nomads who like Baguio City as their base, and I was one of them. Baguio is called the ‘Summer Capital of the Philippines’ because people go there to experience the cold summer months.
If you come from cold countries, Baguio might not pique your interest. Nevertheless, as a city on a hill, Baguio is a perfect base for mountain lovers as there are many mountains in Benguet, the province it is under, and the neighboring province Mountain Province.
Where to Stay in Baguio
- Microtel by Wyndham Baguio
- G1 Lodge
- JCGA Apartments
- RedDoorz Hostel @ Faes Transient House
- Grandview Residences
Best Coworking Spaces and Cafés in Baguio
- The WorkHub Coworking Space
- Calle Uno
- Craftery Coworking Hub
- Il-lengan Café
- Café by the Ruins
10. La Union
Just less than 2 hours bus ride away from Baguio, La Union is very close. It is a well-known surf town, especially San Juan and San Fernando, frequently visited by weekenders from Metro Manila. Although there are not many hostels and cafés in La Union, it is a great place if you want to learn how to surf while being close to Metro Manila. La Union also has a thriving nightlife, mainly at Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel.
Where to Stay in La Union
- Shorebreak Hostel San Juan La Union
- Mt Hamiguitan Escape Resort
- 3BU Hostel San Fernando La Union
- Marand Beach Resort
- Flotsam and Jetsam Artist Beach Hostel
Best Coworking Spaces and Cafés in La Union
- Baybayin Hub Coworking Space
- The Attic Room
- Beach Hub La Union
- Studio 22 Workspace
- CollabSPACE
What Is the Best City in the Philippines for Digital Nomads?
Cebu City is the best city in the Philippines for digital nomads. Cebu City has the right mixture of tourist attractions, nature activities, islands, beaches, and competitive living costs. Dubbed “the gateway to a thousand journeys,” Cebu is a great spot to fly to other tourist destinations in the Philippines, such as Boracay, Siargao, Palawan, and even Metro Manila.
That’s a wrap for the Top 10 Best Places in the Philippines for Digital Nomads! If you have questions, let me know in the comments. I will get back to you ASAP!
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