Island, Philippines
Internet in Palawan: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Palawan?
Median fixed broadband in Philippines is 114 Mbps and mobile is 66 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Café wifi is slow and patchy outside Puerto Princesa; mobile data is often steadier. Many nomads use a Starlink-equipped stay.
Getting online in Palawan
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre in Puerto Princesa; El Nido and Coron have limited fibre and some Starlink. Ask hosts to test speeds before a month-long booking. |
| Cafés and coworking | Café wifi is slow and patchy outside Puerto Princesa; mobile data is often steadier. Many nomads use a Starlink-equipped stay. |
| Outages | Frequent power cuts in El Nido and Coron |
| Tourist SIM | Smart and Globe airport counters sell tourist SIMs; registration with your passport is mandatory by law. eSIMs available from both. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Smart, Globe, DITO |
| Monthly data plan | ₱400–1,000 ($6.4–16.0) |
Coworking in Palawan
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in Southeast Asia
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Palawan?
Median fixed broadband in Philippines is 114 Mbps and mobile is 66 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Café wifi is slow and patchy outside Puerto Princesa; mobile data is often steadier. Many nomads use a Starlink-equipped stay.
Which SIM card should I get in Palawan?
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 Palawan
Going to Palawan solo?
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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 Spotted something out of date?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.