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Philippines eSIM
5 data plans · from £5.80 · instant QR code by email
Choose your plan
Travelling as a group? Buy everyone an eSIM in one checkout and the discount is applied automatically — no code needed. See group pricing
5 data plans · from £5.80 · instant QR code by email
Travelling as a group? Buy everyone an eSIM in one checkout and the discount is applied automatically — no code needed. See group pricing
10 GB
30 days
Streaming, tethering and heavy use
£13.20
£1.26/GB
Buy →
Connects automatically to the strongest signal across SMART, Globe.
Setup
It takes about a minute. Tap the install link we email you, leave the line switched off, then switch it on when you land — and you're online.
On iPhone (iOS)
On Android
Philippines: 10 plans, from 3 to 50 GB. Validity runs from 1 day to 180 days. 10 of them run on 5G where the local network has it.
6 plans can be topped up without installing a second eSIM. Plans run on SMART, Globe.
Counted from our live catalogue, not a marketing figure — the plan list above this section is the same data.
No regional bundle includes Philippines cover — a single-country plan is the only option here, and it is usually the cheaper one anyway.
A Philippines travel eSIM is a digital SIM that downloads straight to your phone — no plastic card, no queuing at an airport counter. You buy online, tap the install link we email you (the QR code is in there too), and your phone adds a second line alongside your normal SIM. It stays dormant until your trip begins, then connects automatically to SMART, Globe on 5G where available, LTE everywhere else. Your normal number carries on working for calls and texts while the eSIM handles the data.
Maps, messaging and taxi apps use very little data — roughly 300–500 MB a day. If you add photos, social media and the occasional video, expect to use closer to 1 GB a day. For a one-week trip, a 5 GB plan is usually plenty; for two weeks, tethering, or heavy use, opt for 10 GB or more, or choose a top-up plan you can reload as you go. Philippines plans start at £5.80 across 5 sizes, with the per-GB price clearly shown so you can easily spot the best value.
Yes. A Philippines travel eSIM is a local data plan rather than international roaming — you pay the price you saw online, and there are no per-megabyte charges from your home network provider. Set the eSIM as your mobile data line, switch data roaming off on your normal SIM, and nothing unexpected turns up on your next bill. Full refund at any time before installation, so buying ahead costs you nothing.
Adobo
The unofficial national dish featuring meat (usually chicken or pork) braised in a savory and tangy marinade of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaves.
Available nationwide in nearly every local restaurant and carinderia.
Sinigang
A comforting, sour soup typically made with a tamarind broth, packed with vegetables and either pork, shrimp, or fish.
Found in both high-end restaurants and family eateries across the country.
Lechon
A whole pig roasted over coals until the skin is perfectly crisp and the meat is tender and flavorful.
Cebu is famously known for having the best Lechon in the country.
Philippines connectivity guide
The Philippines asks more of an arriving traveller than most destinations: since the SIM Registration Act, a local SIM means paperwork, and the airport wifi you would use to download an eSIM on landing is widely reported as unreliable. The short version is to install a travel eSIM at home before you fly. This guide covers the registration rules, which networks you actually get, what island geography does to coverage, and how much data a trip needs.
Read the full Philippines guide →Pork Sisig
A sizzling bar snack or main dish made from chopped pork (often including face and ears) seasoned and grilled with onions and chili.
Pampanga, considered the culinary capital of the Philippines, or local bars nationwide.
Kare-Kare
A rich, hearty stew of oxtail or meat and vegetables cooked in a savory peanut sauce, served with fermented shrimp paste (bagoong).
Traditional Filipino restaurants in Metro Manila and Central Luzon.
Pancit Bihon
Filipino-style stir-fried thin rice noodles mixed with vegetables, meat, or seafood, often served at celebrations to symbolize long life.
Noodle houses and local eateries nationwide.
Lumpia
Crispy, deep-fried spring rolls filled with a savory mixture of ground pork and minced vegetables.
Street food stalls and casual dining spots everywhere.
Halo-Halo
A popular shaved ice dessert layered with sweet beans, jellies, fruits, evaporated milk, and topped with ube (purple yam) ice cream.
Dessert shops, fast-food chains like Chowking, and street-side stalls.
Silog
The quintessential Filipino breakfast consisting of garlic fried rice (sinangag) and egg (itlog), typically served with cured beef (tapsilog) or sausage (longsilog).
Breakfast joints and 24-hour diners across the Philippines.
Bibingka
A traditional rice cake cooked in a clay pot lined with banana leaves, topped with salted egg, cheese, and grated coconut.
Outside churches during the Christmas season, and specialty bakeries year-round.
Big LagoonEl Nido, Palawan
A breathtaking expanse of emerald waters surrounded by towering dark limestone cliffs, accessible by kayak or outrigger boat.
Half day · book ahead
Puerto Princesa Underground RiverPuerto Princesa, Palawan
A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river you can explore by paddleboat.
Half day · book ahead
Chocolate HillsCarmen, Bohol
A unique geological formation of over 1,200 conical hills that turn chocolate brown during the dry season.
2-3 hours
Cloud 9General Luna, Siargao
A legendary surf spot featuring thick, hollow tubes. Even non-surfers enjoy the iconic boardwalk and viewing deck.
2-3 hours
Banaue Rice TerracesBanaue, Ifugao
Ancient, mountain-carved terraces often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', reflecting the ingenuity of the Ifugao people.
Full day
White BeachBoracay
Globally famous for its powdery white sand and turquoise waters, perfect for relaxation, water sports, and nightlife.
1-3 days
Calle CrisologoVigan, Ilocos Sur
A remarkably well-preserved Spanish colonial street where you can ride horse-drawn carriages (kalesa) and admire heritage houses.
Half day
Magellan's CrossCebu City
A historical landmark housing a Christian cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers under Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
1 hour
IntramurosManila
The historic walled city of Manila, home to Spanish-era landmarks like Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church.
Half day
Kawasan FallsBadian, Cebu
A multi-tiered waterfall known for its striking turquoise waters, popular for swimming and thrilling canyoneering adventures.
Half day · book ahead
Ride-Hailing
Download the Grab app for cars or Move It for motorcycle taxis. Book on demand with upfront pricing.
PHP 150-300 per short city trip on Grab.
Jeepneys
Iconic, colorful elongated trucks that follow specific routes. Hop on, pass your fare to the driver, and say 'para' to stop.
PHP 13-20 base fare.
Tricycles
Motorcycles with attached sidecars, found everywhere outside major highways. Negotiate or pay standard fare for short hops.
PHP 50-100 depending on distance.
Metro Manila Trains
Elevated train lines running through Metro Manila. Buy single journey tickets or a reloadable Beep card.
PHP 15-30 per ride.
Ride-hailing
Grab, Move It, JoyRide, Angkas
Grab is the safest and most reliable for tourists. Motorcycle taxis (Angkas, JoyRide, Move It) are excellent for beating heavy traffic for solo travelers.
Paying for things
Basics
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Businesses closed, heavily booked transport. |
| Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) | April 9 | Minor disruptions, banks closed. |
| Labor Day | May 1 | Public offices and banks closed. Popular beaches might be crowded. |
| Independence Day | June 12 | Parades in major cities, public offices closed. |
| National Heroes Day | Last Monday of August | Long weekend for locals, tourist spots can be busy. |
| Bonifacio Day | November 30 | Public offices closed. |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Major holiday. Most businesses closed, heavy traffic in days leading up, very limited transport. |
| Rizal Day | December 30 | Public offices closed, part of the busy holiday season. |
Recurring dates — the day these fall on moves year to year.