💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from Bonifacio Global City
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓Safest area in Metro Manila with 24/7 security and CCTV coverage
- ✓Modern infrastructure with clean pedestrian-friendly streets
- ✓Excellent coworking spaces and fast fiber internet
- ✓World-class dining scene from street food to fine dining
- ✓High English proficiency makes communication easy
- ✓Walkable neighborhood with everything within reach
- ✓Vibrant nightlife with rooftop bars and restaurants
- ✓Strong expat and digital nomad community
- ✓New Digital Nomad Visa allows 2-year stays
- ✓Reliable Grab transportation and BGC Bus system
✗Disadvantages
- ✗Higher cost of living compared to rest of Philippines
- ✗Hot and humid weather year-round with typhoon season
- ✗Terrible traffic when leaving BGC to other Manila areas
- ✗Water and electricity bills can be surprisingly high
- ✗Limited public transportation options within Metro Manila
- ✗Can feel sterile or corporate compared to traditional Manila
- ✗Flooding can occur during heavy monsoon rains
- ✗Air quality issues during certain months
- ✗Tap water is not safe to drink
- ✗Weekend crowds at malls and High Street can be intense
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Bonifacio Global City
WeWork Uptown Bonifacio
📍 9th & 10th Floors, Uptown Bonifacio Tower 3, 36th Street cor. 11th Ave, BGC • 150 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
Clock In BGC
📍 1st Floor, Bonifacio Technology Center, 31st Street cor. 2nd Avenue, BGC • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
KMC Solutions Picadilly Star
📍 20th, 24th & 25th Floors, Picadilly Star, 4th Avenue cor. 27th Street, BGC • 200 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
Regus World Plaza Penthouse
📍 Penthouse Level, World Plaza, 5th Avenue cor. 30th Street, BGC • 150 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Spaces World Plaza
📍 Level 24, Philippine Stock Exchange Tower, One Bonifacio High Street, BGC • 200 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
WeWork Uptown Bonifacio
📍 9th & 10th Floors, Uptown Bonifacio Tower 3, 36th Street cor. 11th Ave, BGC
Clock In BGC
📍 1st Floor, Bonifacio Technology Center, 31st Street cor. 2nd Avenue, BGC
KMC Solutions Picadilly Star
📍 20th, 24th & 25th Floors, Picadilly Star, 4th Avenue cor. 27th Street, BGC
Regus World Plaza Penthouse
📍 Penthouse Level, World Plaza, 5th Avenue cor. 30th Street, BGC
Spaces World Plaza
📍 Level 24, Philippine Stock Exchange Tower, One Bonifacio High Street, BGC
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Yardstick Coffee
📍 Bonifacio High Street
% Arabica BGC
📍 Bonifacio High Street
Starbucks Reserve Central Square
📍 Bonifacio High Street
Caffe Pocofino
📍 Bonifacio High Street
Frank & Dean Coffee
📍 Bonifacio High Street
Commune Cafe
📍 Uptown Bonifacio
Yardstick Coffee
📍 Bonifacio High Street
% Arabica BGC
📍 Bonifacio High Street
Starbucks Reserve Central Square
📍 Bonifacio High Street
Caffe Pocofino
📍 Bonifacio High Street
Frank & Dean Coffee
📍 Bonifacio High Street
Commune Cafe
📍 Uptown Bonifacio
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Bonifacio Global City
Bonifacio High Street
The flagship retail and lifestyle district at the heart of BGC. This kilometer-long open-air arcade features high-end shops, international restaurants, trendy cafes, and green spaces. Home to the famous 3D LED screens, art installations, and the main coworking spaces. Gets lively at night with bars and restaurants. The most convenient area for digital nomads who want everything within walking distance.
Uptown Bonifacio
The northern section of BGC featuring Uptown Mall, Grand Hyatt Manila, and newer residential towers. More spread out than High Street but offers excellent shopping at Uptown Mall and Uptown Parade. Home to WeWork and several corporate offices. Slightly more affordable condos than central BGC while maintaining the same safety and amenities. Good option for longer stays.
Forbes Town Center
An upscale pocket of BGC centered around Burgos Circle, known for its quieter residential atmosphere and excellent restaurants. Features the iconic golden tree sculpture and boutique dining options. Less touristy than High Street but within walking distance. Popular with long-term expats who prefer a more relaxed neighborhood while staying close to amenities.
McKinley West
The southern extension of BGC offering a mix of residential and commercial spaces. Home to Venice Grand Canal Mall with its Venetian-inspired architecture and gondola rides. More affordable accommodation options while maintaining good safety standards. The British Embassy is located here. Quieter than central BGC with fewer tourists but requires short commute to main attractions.
Bonifacio High Street
$$$ PremiumThe flagship retail and lifestyle district at the heart of BGC. This kilometer-long open-air arcade features high-end shops, international restaurants, trendy cafes, and green spaces. Home to the famous 3D LED screens, art installations, and the main coworking spaces. Gets lively at night with bars and restaurants. The most convenient area for digital nomads who want everything within walking distance.
Uptown Bonifacio
$$ Mid-rangeThe northern section of BGC featuring Uptown Mall, Grand Hyatt Manila, and newer residential towers. More spread out than High Street but offers excellent shopping at Uptown Mall and Uptown Parade. Home to WeWork and several corporate offices. Slightly more affordable condos than central BGC while maintaining the same safety and amenities. Good option for longer stays.
Forbes Town Center
$$$ PremiumAn upscale pocket of BGC centered around Burgos Circle, known for its quieter residential atmosphere and excellent restaurants. Features the iconic golden tree sculpture and boutique dining options. Less touristy than High Street but within walking distance. Popular with long-term expats who prefer a more relaxed neighborhood while staying close to amenities.
McKinley West
$$ Mid-rangeThe southern extension of BGC offering a mix of residential and commercial spaces. Home to Venice Grand Canal Mall with its Venetian-inspired architecture and gondola rides. More affordable accommodation options while maintaining good safety standards. The British Embassy is located here. Quieter than central BGC with fewer tourists but requires short commute to main attractions.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Bonifacio Global City
The Mind Museum
The premier science museum in the Philippines featuring five themed galleries: Atom, Life, Earth, Universe, and Technology. Over 250 interactive exhibits including a life-sized T-Rex fossil replica make it perfect for curious minds of all ages. Regular rotating exhibitions have featured world-class installations like Da Vinci The Genius and Van Gogh Alive.
Bonifacio High Street
A kilometer-long open-air lifestyle strip featuring high-end retail, international dining, cafes, and entertainment venues. The heart of BGC comes alive at night with restaurants and bars. Features two giant 3D LED screens, public art installations, fountains, an amphitheater, and green spaces perfect for evening strolls or weekend people-watching.
Manila American Cemetery
The largest American World War II cemetery in the world, containing 17,000+ graves of US soldiers who died fighting in the Pacific. A solemn and beautifully maintained memorial featuring monuments, a chapel, manicured gardens, and a museum documenting the Pacific campaign. A peaceful oasis offering historical reflection and stunning grounds.
SM Aura Premier
One of the most luxurious malls in the Philippines featuring high-end fashion brands, gourmet restaurants, a premium cinema, and Sky Park rooftop garden. The IMAX theater and Director's Club Cinema offer premium movie experiences. Regular art exhibits and events make it more than just shopping. Great air-conditioned escape from Manila's heat.
Track 30th Park
BGC's most popular outdoor fitness destination featuring a 400-meter oval track, outdoor gym equipment, basketball courts, and open green spaces. Locals gather here for morning jogs, yoga sessions, and weekend sports. The well-maintained park is free to use and comes alive at dawn and dusk when temperatures are cooler.
Art BGC Murals
BGC is home to over 100 stunning murals and street art pieces created by local and international artists through the Bonifacio Arts Foundation. The outdoor gallery transforms ordinary walls into Instagram-worthy canvases. Best explored on foot, the murals are scattered throughout the district, making every walk a discovery of new artistic expressions.
Uptown Mall
A two-floor lifestyle mall in Uptown Bonifacio featuring international brands, diverse dining options, and a dancing fountain show in the evenings. Connected to Grand Hyatt Manila and surrounded by corporate towers. Less crowded than High Street malls while offering similar retail therapy. Rooftop views provide stunning BGC skyline perspectives.
Venice Grand Canal Mall
A unique Venetian-themed lifestyle mall in McKinley Hill featuring canals, gondola rides, and Italian-inspired architecture. The romantic atmosphere makes it popular for date nights and Instagram photos. Offers diverse dining from Italian restaurants to local favorites. The gondola experience is surprisingly authentic and provides a quirky break from typical mall visits.
The Mind Museum
The premier science museum in the Philippines featuring five themed galleries: Atom, Life, Earth, Universe, and Technology. Over 250 interactive exhibits including a life-sized T-Rex fossil replica make it perfect for curious minds of all ages. Regular rotating exhibitions have featured world-class installations like Da Vinci The Genius and Van Gogh Alive.
Bonifacio High Street
A kilometer-long open-air lifestyle strip featuring high-end retail, international dining, cafes, and entertainment venues. The heart of BGC comes alive at night with restaurants and bars. Features two giant 3D LED screens, public art installations, fountains, an amphitheater, and green spaces perfect for evening strolls or weekend people-watching.
Manila American Cemetery
The largest American World War II cemetery in the world, containing 17,000+ graves of US soldiers who died fighting in the Pacific. A solemn and beautifully maintained memorial featuring monuments, a chapel, manicured gardens, and a museum documenting the Pacific campaign. A peaceful oasis offering historical reflection and stunning grounds.
SM Aura Premier
One of the most luxurious malls in the Philippines featuring high-end fashion brands, gourmet restaurants, a premium cinema, and Sky Park rooftop garden. The IMAX theater and Director's Club Cinema offer premium movie experiences. Regular art exhibits and events make it more than just shopping. Great air-conditioned escape from Manila's heat.
Track 30th Park
BGC's most popular outdoor fitness destination featuring a 400-meter oval track, outdoor gym equipment, basketball courts, and open green spaces. Locals gather here for morning jogs, yoga sessions, and weekend sports. The well-maintained park is free to use and comes alive at dawn and dusk when temperatures are cooler.
Art BGC Murals
BGC is home to over 100 stunning murals and street art pieces created by local and international artists through the Bonifacio Arts Foundation. The outdoor gallery transforms ordinary walls into Instagram-worthy canvases. Best explored on foot, the murals are scattered throughout the district, making every walk a discovery of new artistic expressions.
Uptown Mall
A two-floor lifestyle mall in Uptown Bonifacio featuring international brands, diverse dining options, and a dancing fountain show in the evenings. Connected to Grand Hyatt Manila and surrounded by corporate towers. Less crowded than High Street malls while offering similar retail therapy. Rooftop views provide stunning BGC skyline perspectives.
Venice Grand Canal Mall
A unique Venetian-themed lifestyle mall in McKinley Hill featuring canals, gondola rides, and Italian-inspired architecture. The romantic atmosphere makes it popular for date nights and Instagram photos. Offers diverse dining from Italian restaurants to local favorites. The gondola experience is surprisingly authentic and provides a quirky break from typical mall visits.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"BGC has exceeded all my expectations as a digital nomad base. The internet is rock-solid at 100+ Mbps in most coworking spaces, and I never had a single dropped video call in 3 months. The walkability is incredible - I could go days without needing Grab because everything from groceries to great restaurants is within walking distance. Safety is top-notch; I felt comfortable walking home at 2am. The food scene is phenomenal with options from $3 local meals to fine dining. Yes, it's pricier than other parts of Manila or Southeast Asia, but the quality of life, English proficiency, and modern infrastructure make it worth every peso."
"BGC is like a bubble within Manila - clean, safe, and modern but quite different from the rest of the city. The coworking options are excellent with Clock In and KMC being my favorites for productivity. High Street has endless food choices though I found myself spending more than expected eating out. The biggest challenge is leaving BGC - traffic to other parts of Manila is brutal and public transport is limited. Weather-wise, the humidity takes getting used to and typhoon season (June-October) can disrupt plans. Still, for a comfortable work-focused stay with all modern amenities, BGC delivers."
"BGC is comfortable but can feel sterile after a while. It lacks the authentic Filipino vibe you get in other neighborhoods - think Singapore more than Manila. The costs add up quickly: my condo was $600/month plus surprisingly high electricity bills from AC. Water and internet worked well, but cafe WiFi was hit or miss, so I relied on coworking spaces. The expat community is large but quite corporate-focused. If you want to actually experience the Philippines, BGC might feel too sanitized. Good for a month to settle in, but I preferred moving to Makati for more character while keeping BGC as my occasional workspace."
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