Getting a SIM card before traveling to Asia appears to be the most effective way to navigate while also improving both your safety and enjoyment of the trip. Even if you don't plan on frequently using the other sim card, it's a good idea to have one as a backup since the cost of sim cards in the Philippines is relatively affordable. At least you know that you can make a phone call or do an internet search should the necessity arise.

Companies

In the Philippines, three primary telecom firms sell SIM cards, and getting up and running is rather straightforward, no matter which one you choose to work with. In general, Globe offers more reasonable costs and superior coverage in locations frequented by foreign travelers, making it our top choice among the available options.

If for some reason, you are having problems locating a Globe SIM card, you may want to choose Smart, which is the other main provider in the country. It may even have greater coverage than Globe; however, it would depend on where you are traveling. We wouldn't waste our time with the other telecommunications provider, Dito, since it's just starting and has a very narrow service area. There are also a few resellers on the networks mentioned above; nevertheless, there is little incentive for most overseas tourists to bother with them.

How to Get A SIM Card With Prepaid Load In The Philippines

The most convenient way to get a SIM card is to purchase one as soon as you enter the country at any 7-Eleven, most likely in a major city like Manila or Cebu. You may do this at any location. Most of the time, you will have no trouble locating 5G SIM cards at prices within your price range.

But, because of the SIM Card Registration Act passed in the latter half of 2022, obtaining SIM cards was difficult when I traveled there at the beginning of the following year. As a direct consequence, when I first began my quest, some of the 7-Eleven stores I went to did not have any in stock.

Instead, I opted for a limited Airalo eSIM plan that would keep me covered until I could locate a shop with genuine SIM cards and sell me one. If you have sufficient time to plan and know where you will stay for an extended period, you may avoid this difficulty by pre-purchasing SIM card from Globe's online shop on Lazada or Shopee marketplace sites or having it sent to you.

You won't need to carry your passport or any other form of identification to purchase the SIM card. Still, you will need it (in addition to a WiFi connection) to register and activate the SIM card on the SIM registration page provided by your carrier. This is because of the new laws discussed before, although the procedure itself is straightforward enough.

You will need to input information such as your name and gender and upload a picture of yourself and a snapshot of your passport using either your mobile device or a computer. If all goes according to plan, you will be promptly accepted, and a text message from your carrier will be sent to indicate that the successful registration has been completed.

Prepaid SIM Costs

The price of a prepaid SIM card at 7-Eleven is about the same as that of a prepaid SIM card purchased via the online retailers Lazada and Shopee, which is around one dollar. While it is not difficult to locate a 7-Eleven, the primary advantage of shopping at online retailers is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your SIM card has already been sent to your hotel before you even arrive in the country.

If you purchase online, do it via the carrier's official shop. On both the Lazada and Shopee platforms, there are a large number of unauthorized listings that should not be relied upon. Since the government is cracking down on SIM registration, it is not worth it to save a few dollars if it means you run the danger of having your SIM canceled randomly while enjoying the city or relaxing on the beach.

If you bought a Globe SIM card, after you've finished the SIM registration process, you'll be able to get a head start with 5GB of free data for the first three days of your service. Just send the text "FREE" to number 8080. The employees at the convenience shop may tell you that to obtain this offer; you need to download the app; nevertheless, all you need to do is send that text message.