How to Get the Cheapest Data in the Philippines — The Complete DITO SIM Guide
Many people come to the Philippines and use Korean roaming services... Honestly, it's a waste of money.
If you buy a DITO SIM card at a convenience store, you can get up to 25GB for 39 pesos (approx. 940 KRW). You can use it for over a week here with the cost of one day of Korean roaming.
How to Get 25GB for 39 Pesos with the DITO Starter Pack
It's not just as simple as buying and inserting the SIM card; you can get up to 25GB by following three steps.
Step 1. SIM Activation → 6GB
- Insert the SIM card and register it with your passport to activate it.
- 3GB basic data (valid for 5 days)
- 3GB 5G bonus data (valid for 5 days, only in 5G areas)
- Unlimited calls and texts to DITO numbers
- 100 minutes of calls to other networks + unlimited texts
Step 2. Install DITO App + Update Profile → Get an Additional 4GB
- Download the DITO app (Google Play / App Store)
- Enter your profile information in the app to receive an additional 4GB (valid for 3 days)
Step 3. Subscribe to a Level-Up Plan → Get Up to 15GB More
- 3GB bonus on your first Level-Up plan subscription (valid for 3 days)
- An additional 1GB for each subsequent subscription, up to 12 times (each valid for 7 days)
Adding it all up: 6 + 4 + 3 + 12 = up to 25GB, all with just one 39 peso SIM card.
Need More Data? Level-Up Plans
If you use up your basic data, you can add a plan. These are also incredibly cheap:
- ₱99 (approx. 2,400 KRW) — 9GB / 15 days + unlimited calls & texts ← Best value for money
- ₱109 (approx. 2,600 KRW) — 10GB / 30 days
- ₱129 (approx. 3,100 KRW) — 12GB / 30 days
- ₱199 (approx. 4,800 KRW) — 20GB / 30 days
- ₱299 (approx. 7,200 KRW) — 32GB / 30 days
- ₱499 (approx. 12,000 KRW) — 62GB / 30 days
If you only need a little bit of data, they also have a 1GB for 1 day option for ₱10 (approx. 240 KRW).
Comparison with Korean Roaming
Let's compare for a 7-day period:
- Korean Roaming (SKT/KT) — 35,000~77,000 KRW
- eSIM (Holafly, etc.) — 15,000~63,000 KRW
- Airport Globe/Smart SIM — 12,000~18,000 KRW (Airport prices are 2-3 times higher than in the city)
- DITO Starter Pack Only — Up to 25GB for 940 KRW
- DITO + Level-Up 99 — 34GB (25GB + 9GB) for 3,340 KRW
It's no comparison, right? You can use DITO for a month with the money you'd spend on one day of Korean roaming.
Where to Buy?
You can find them at any convenience store like 7-Eleven or Ministop. You can buy one right at the convenience store as soon as you exit Clark or Manila Airport. They are also sold at DITO stores, supermarkets, and gas stations.
After purchasing, you must register the SIM with your passport for internet access (required by Philippine law). You can complete the registration and plan subscription through the DITO app.
Things to Note
There's just one thing to be aware of. DITO's coverage is still weak in rural areas or on islands. You won't have any problems in places like Manila, Cebu, Clark, or Boracay, but if you're going to remote parts of Palawan or small islands, Globe or Smart might be a better option.
Also, sometimes older international phones may not be compatible. If you're concerned, you can check compatibility in advance through the DITO app.
However, for most travelers who stick to cities, DITO offers the best value for money.
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