SIM cards, eSIM and internet in the Philippines

Having mobile data in Cebu makes everything easier: booking Grab, checking ferry updates, using maps and messaging your hotel. Getting connected is cheap and quick, but there is one rule to know first: every SIM in the Philippines must be registered. Here is how it works for visitors.

The SIM registration law

Under the SIM Registration Act (Republic Act 11934), every new SIM card must be registered to its user before it works. Tourists can register too. You will usually need:

• Your passport.
• Proof of where you are staying, such as a hotel booking.
• In some cases, proof of your return or onward ticket.

A SIM registered by a tourist is valid for a limited time, usually 30 days, and is then deactivated. If you are staying longer on an extended visa, ask the network how to extend it. Rules can change, so check with the seller when you buy.

The networks: Globe, Smart and DITO

• Globe and Smart are the two big networks. Both work well in Cebu City, Mactan and most towns along the coast.
• DITO is a newer third network. It can be good value in the city, but coverage outside big towns may be thinner.

Coverage on the rest of the island is generally fine but can be patchy in the mountains, in deep valleys such as canyoneering routes, and on some small islands. If you can, ask your hotel which network works best there. Some travellers carry two SIMs from different networks, which is cheap insurance.

Option 1: Buy a local SIM at the airport

At Mactan-Cebu International Airport you will find network stalls in arrivals. This is the simplest choice: staff usually help you register the SIM and choose a tourist data package on the spot. Queues can be long after a big flight lands, but it saves you a trip later. See our guide to getting from the airport to Cebu City.

Option 2: Buy a SIM in town

SIMs are also sold in malls, network stores, convenience stores and small shops. They may be a little cheaper, but you will need to register the SIM yourself online, through the network's website or app, before it activates. That needs a working internet connection, so do it on hotel Wi-Fi.

Option 3: eSIM

If your phone supports eSIM, there are two kinds to choose from:

• A local eSIM from Globe or Smart. Both have offered tourist eSIM plans. You install it and then complete the SIM registration online.
• An international travel eSIM from an online provider. You buy and install it before you fly, and it connects as soon as you land. It usually costs more per gigabyte than a local SIM, and you normally get data only, without a local phone number.

A local number is handy for Grab, for booking tours and for drivers who want to call you. If you use a data-only eSIM, messaging apps still work fine for most things.

Load, promos and top-ups

In the Philippines, prepaid credit is called "load". You buy a data promo (a package of data for a set number of days) using your load. You can top up:

• In the network's app.
• At convenience stores and many small shops, where you give your number and pay in cash.
• Through e-wallet apps, if you have one set up.

Keep a little extra load for calls and texts. Some boat operators, drivers and guides still prefer a call or SMS.

Make sure your phone is ready

1. Check that your phone is unlocked before you travel, or a local SIM will not work.
2. Check that it supports eSIM if you plan to use one.
3. Turn off roaming on your home SIM to avoid surprise bills, or keep it in for text messages only.
4. Download offline maps of Cebu in case you lose signal.

Wi-Fi

Most hotels, cafes and malls in Cebu City and Mactan have Wi-Fi, and many resorts do too. Speeds vary, and on small islands like Malapascua or Bantayan it can be slow or drop out in bad weather. If you need to work, mobile data is often more reliable than the Wi-Fi.

Quick tips

• Bring your passport when you buy a SIM.
• Ask the seller to activate a data promo before you leave the counter.
• Save the network's hotline and app in case something does not work.
• In an emergency, the national hotline is 911.

Next, read our tips on getting around Cebu and staying safe in Cebu.

Photo: "Cebu city skyline 2025" by DisRaptor18, via Wikimedia Commons, released into the public domain (CC0).