How to Travel to the Philippines as a Digital Nomad

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How to Travel to the Philippines as a Digital Nomad>

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Being a digital nomad allows us to work from anywhere around the world, opening opportunities for us to see beautiful places and meet amazing people. If you’re hoping to travel to a country that will greet you with warm hospitality, affordable cost of living, and one that offers beautiful beaches and majestic land formations, then you should check out the Philippines!

With world renowned white sand beaches, a perfect cone volcano, amazing underground river, and many other local wonders, the Philippines is a great place to lead a digital nomad life. And in order to help you out, here are some tips on how you can travel to the Philippines as one:

Getting into the Philippines

As with most countries around the globe, COVID-19 has made international travel quite gloomy. But COVID aside, entry into the Philippines is relatively easier as compared to its neighbors in Southeast Asia. Foreigners are typically given a 30 days tourist visa waiver which can be extended up to 36 months. 

When applying for a tourist visa into the Philippines, some of the key requirements are the following:

Passport or travel document that is valid for six months or more beyond the intended period of stayPassport-sized photosFor temporary visitors, return or onward journey ticketsBank statements

Accommodation

Accommodations in the Philippines have a wide range of prices, depending on location and what type of room you’re looking for. Those in key business districts such as Makati and Bonifacio Global City in Metro Manila tend to be pricier, but there are more affordable options in the fringes, or in other cities. 

Some of the key sites that you can check for deals for accommodation are Booking.com and Agoda. But there are also a lot of Airbnb options that you can check out.

Moving Around 

The Philippines is quite infamous for traffic and jam packed mass transportation options. Moving around the city, you would see public utility vehicles in the form of jeepneys, city buses, vans, and taxis. Within neighborhoods, you would see tricycles or passenger motorcycles with an attached passenger cab.

For ride hailing apps, you only have Grab for cars, and Angkas for motorcycles. You’d most likely use Grab, but Angkas can be a lifesaver if you need to go somewhere really quick in a busy day.

Payments

While the pandemic has jumpstarted digital payments in the country, a lot of transactions, especially in public transportation and in small establishments would still be done through cash. That’s why it’s essential to know about where you can go for a money changer so you can cash on hand.

Dining

Food and beverage (F&B) is among the biggest components (if not the biggest one) of the Philippine retail market. There is an abundance of shopping malls, retail strips, and even standalone food stalls in major cities. Within communities, there are bound to be a lot of food shops too and at very low prices at that. You won’t run out of food options whether you’re craving for local food or for international ones.

And when you want to have a bottle or two, there are many decent bars especially in key areas within major cities.

Internet Connectivity

Over the past few years, internet connectivity has been steadily improving. Dominated by two major telecommunication service providers, you can choose between Globe and Smart. A third telco operator, Dito Telecommunity, is also starting to offer connectivity but still has limited coverage as of writing so you’re better off with the first two options. 

Wi-Fi is normally offered in accommodations and this is something you might want to check out for when going to more remote locations as mobile internet may not be as reliable.

Enjoy the Philippines

With over 7,600 islands, the Philippines really has a lot to offer. Digital nomads like you would find it charming and welcoming, and you would definitely enjoy its many local wonders.

We’ve covered some of the key things you need to know in getting into and moving around the Philippines. All you need to do now is to experience it yourself so get ready for your adventure in the Philippines. Enjoy!

The post How to Travel to the Philippines as a Digital Nomad appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.

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By: Marina Villatoro
Title: How to Travel to the Philippines as a Digital Nomad
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/how-to-travel-to-the-philippines-as-a-digital-nomad/
Published Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2022 19:32:54 +0000