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Town in Palawan, Philippines

Internet in El Nido: speed, SIM cards and coworking

Updated October 2026Sources
114 MbpsMedian download

Is the internet good in El Nido?

Median fixed broadband in Philippines is 114 Mbps and mobile is 66 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Café wifi is slow and drops in bad weather; mobile data is often more reliable. Not ideal for video calls.

Getting online in El Nido

Details
Home fibreFew long-term rentals; fibre is limited and some places use Starlink. Test the speed before committing to a month.
Cafés and coworkingCafé wifi is slow and drops in bad weather; mobile data is often more reliable. Not ideal for video calls.
OutagesFrequent power cuts, often several hours
Tourist SIMSmart and Globe airport counters sell tourist SIMs; registration with your passport is mandatory by law. eSIMs available from both.
eSIMLocal carriers sell eSIMs to visitors.
CarriersSmart, Globe, DITO
Monthly data plan₱400–1,000 ($6.4–16.0)

Coworking in El Nido

There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.

Internet speeds in Southeast Asia

National medians, Speedtest Global Index.

CountryFixedMobile
Singapore463 Mbps164 Mbps
Vietnam301 Mbps220 Mbps
Thailand299 Mbps134 Mbps
Malaysia179 Mbps165 Mbps
Philippines114 Mbps66 Mbps
Brunei86 Mbps254 Mbps
Laos60 Mbps45 Mbps
Cambodia55 Mbps112 Mbps
Indonesia51 Mbps66 Mbps
Myanmar25 Mbps—

Quick answers

Is the internet fast in El Nido?

Median fixed broadband in Philippines is 114 Mbps and mobile is 66 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Café wifi is slow and drops in bad weather; mobile data is often more reliable. Not ideal for video calls.

Which SIM card should I get in El Nido?

Smart and Globe airport counters sell tourist SIMs; registration with your passport is mandatory by law. eSIMs available from both.

Can I use an eSIM in Philippines?

Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.

More about El Nido

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Sources

Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.