💰 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 Manila
📶 InternetVerified
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓Extremely affordable cost of living - one of the cheapest in Asia
- ✓High English proficiency - easy communication everywhere
- ✓Vibrant nightlife scene especially in Poblacion and BGC
- ✓Excellent Filipino hospitality and welcoming culture
- ✓Growing startup ecosystem and coworking scene
- ✓New Digital Nomad Visa available for 1-2 year stays
- ✓Fast improving internet infrastructure with fiber available
- ✓Diverse food scene from street food to fine dining
- ✓Easy access to beautiful beaches and islands on weekends
- ✓Strong expat and digital nomad community
✗Disadvantages
- ✗Heavy traffic congestion - among worst in the world
- ✗Air pollution and waste management issues in some areas
- ✗Petty crime and pickpocketing in crowded areas
- ✗Hot and humid climate year-round with typhoon season
- ✗Inconsistent internet quality outside premium areas
- ✗Visible poverty and income inequality
- ✗Limited public transportation options
- ✗Flooding during heavy rains and typhoons
- ✗Bureaucracy can be frustrating for official matters
- ✗Some areas unsafe at night outside Makati and BGC
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Manila
WeWork Menarco Tower
📍 23rd-27th Floor, Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila 1634 • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
WeWork Uptown Bonifacio Tower 3
📍 9th & 10th Floor, Uptown Bonifacio Tower 3, 36th Street corner 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila 1634 • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
KMC Solutions – Four/NEO BGC
📍 4th Avenue corner 30th Street, Four/NEO Building, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila 1635 • 100 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
Acceler8 by UnionSPACE – Makati
📍 Pacific Star Building, 1226 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Salcedo Village, Makati, Metro Manila • 60 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
Weremote Ortigas – Metrowalk
📍 2nd Floor, Building C, Metrowalk Commercial Complex, Meralco Avenue, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City, Metro Manila 1604 • 80 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
Virspacio Coworking Spaces – Ortigas
📍 31st Floor, One San Miguel Avenue Building, San Miguel Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Barangay San Antonio, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600 • 60 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Loft Spaces BGC
📍 Unit 707, One Park Drive, 11th Drive corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila 1634 • 50 Mbps • Meeting rooms
The Hangout Coworking Space – Ortigas
📍 Unit 2001, 20th Floor, Tycoon Center, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila • 80 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
WeWork Menarco Tower
📍 23rd-27th Floor, Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila 1634
WeWork Uptown Bonifacio Tower 3
📍 9th & 10th Floor, Uptown Bonifacio Tower 3, 36th Street corner 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila 1634
KMC Solutions – Four/NEO BGC
📍 4th Avenue corner 30th Street, Four/NEO Building, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila 1635
Acceler8 by UnionSPACE – Makati
📍 Pacific Star Building, 1226 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Salcedo Village, Makati, Metro Manila
Weremote Ortigas – Metrowalk
📍 2nd Floor, Building C, Metrowalk Commercial Complex, Meralco Avenue, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City, Metro Manila 1604
Virspacio Coworking Spaces – Ortigas
📍 31st Floor, One San Miguel Avenue Building, San Miguel Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Barangay San Antonio, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600
Loft Spaces BGC
📍 Unit 707, One Park Drive, 11th Drive corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila 1634
The Hangout Coworking Space – Ortigas
📍 Unit 2001, 20th Floor, Tycoon Center, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Cafe Roo Malate
📍 Malate
933 Coworking Cafe
📍 Sampaloc
Commune Café + Bar + Roastery
📍 Poblacion
Odd Cafe Makati
📍 Salcedo Village
Spotted Pig Cafe
📍 Legazpi Village
Cafe Roo Malate
📍 Malate
933 Coworking Cafe
📍 Sampaloc
Commune Café + Bar + Roastery
📍 Poblacion
Odd Cafe Makati
📍 Salcedo Village
Spotted Pig Cafe
📍 Legazpi Village
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Manila
Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
Manila's most modern and well-planned district, BGC offers wide pedestrian-friendly streets, public art installations, upscale shopping, and world-class dining. A favorite among expats and digital nomads for its clean environment, excellent safety, and contemporary lifestyle. The area features numerous coworking spaces, international restaurants, and green spaces like Track 30th park. Perfect for those prioritizing comfort and safety over budget.
Makati CBD
The Philippines' premier financial district and cultural hub, Makati CBD is home to multinational corporations, embassies, and upscale residential areas. Neighborhoods like Legazpi Village and Salcedo Village offer tree-lined streets, weekend markets, and excellent restaurants. Greenbelt and Glorietta malls provide shopping and entertainment, while the area maintains a professional yet vibrant atmosphere. Great for business travelers and long-term expats.
Poblacion
Once Makati's old downtown, Poblacion has transformed into Manila's hippest neighborhood, attracting creatives, digital nomads, and nightlife enthusiasts. The area buzzes with rooftop bars, street art, boutique hostels, and innovative restaurants. More affordable than neighboring CBD areas while offering walkable streets filled with character. The nightlife scene rivals any global city with its eclectic mix of bars and clubs.
Rockwell Center
An exclusive, self-contained development known for its upscale ambiance and secure environment. Rockwell offers a more tranquil alternative to bustling Makati CBD with Power Plant Mall providing shopping, dining, and entertainment. The area features luxury condominiums, excellent amenities, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Popular among affluent expats and executives seeking privacy, comfort, and high-end living.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
$$$ PremiumManila's most modern and well-planned district, BGC offers wide pedestrian-friendly streets, public art installations, upscale shopping, and world-class dining. A favorite among expats and digital nomads for its clean environment, excellent safety, and contemporary lifestyle. The area features numerous coworking spaces, international restaurants, and green spaces like Track 30th park. Perfect for those prioritizing comfort and safety over budget.
Makati CBD
$$$ PremiumThe Philippines' premier financial district and cultural hub, Makati CBD is home to multinational corporations, embassies, and upscale residential areas. Neighborhoods like Legazpi Village and Salcedo Village offer tree-lined streets, weekend markets, and excellent restaurants. Greenbelt and Glorietta malls provide shopping and entertainment, while the area maintains a professional yet vibrant atmosphere. Great for business travelers and long-term expats.
Poblacion
$$ Mid-rangeOnce Makati's old downtown, Poblacion has transformed into Manila's hippest neighborhood, attracting creatives, digital nomads, and nightlife enthusiasts. The area buzzes with rooftop bars, street art, boutique hostels, and innovative restaurants. More affordable than neighboring CBD areas while offering walkable streets filled with character. The nightlife scene rivals any global city with its eclectic mix of bars and clubs.
Rockwell Center
$$$ PremiumAn exclusive, self-contained development known for its upscale ambiance and secure environment. Rockwell offers a more tranquil alternative to bustling Makati CBD with Power Plant Mall providing shopping, dining, and entertainment. The area features luxury condominiums, excellent amenities, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Popular among affluent expats and executives seeking privacy, comfort, and high-end living.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Manila
Intramuros (Walled City)
The historic walled city built during the Spanish colonial period, Intramuros is Manila's oldest district and the heart of the country's cultural heritage. Explore cobblestone streets, baroque churches, and colonial-era buildings including Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, and San Agustin Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Take a bamboo bike tour or horse-drawn carriage ride for a unique experience.
Fort Santiago
A 16th-century citadel and defense fortress located within Intramuros, Fort Santiago holds immense historical significance as the site where national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned before his execution. The Rizal Shrine museum displays his writings and personal effects. The beautifully maintained gardens offer a peaceful escape from Manila's urban chaos.
National Museum Complex
The National Museum Complex in Rizal Park comprises three buildings showcasing Filipino art, natural history, and anthropology. The National Museum of Fine Arts houses masterpieces including Juan Luna's Spoliarium. Best of all, admission is free since 2014. The neoclassical buildings themselves are architectural treasures worth exploring.
Rizal Park (Luneta)
A historical urban park commemorating national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, this 58-hectare green space is the largest park in Manila. Features include the Rizal Monument, Chinese and Japanese gardens, an orchidarium, planetarium, and the kilometer-long promenade facing Manila Bay. A popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, especially during sunset.
Binondo (Manila Chinatown)
Established in 1594, Binondo is the world's oldest Chinatown and a haven for food lovers. Explore narrow streets lined with traditional Chinese-Filipino restaurants, bakeries, and shops. Must-try dishes include fresh lumpia, siopao, and authentic dim sum. The Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arch marks the entrance to this culturally rich and vibrant district.
San Agustin Church
The oldest stone church in the Philippines, completed in 1607, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent Baroque church has survived multiple earthquakes and wars, featuring stunning trompe-l'oeil ceiling paintings, intricate wood carvings, and a museum housing religious art and colonial artifacts. A must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts.
Manila Ocean Park
Southeast Asia's first world-class marine theme park featuring an oceanarium with underwater walkways, marine life shows, and interactive exhibits. Located along Manila Bay with stunning sunset views. Additional attractions include a beach, spa, and hotels. Perfect for families and those wanting a break from historical sightseeing.
BGC High Street & Arts District
An open-air lifestyle center featuring public art installations, murals, and sculptures throughout the streets of BGC. High Street offers upscale dining, boutique shopping, and weekend markets. The Mind Museum nearby provides interactive science exhibits. Perfect for evening strolls, people-watching, and experiencing Manila's modern cosmopolitan side.
Intramuros (Walled City)
The historic walled city built during the Spanish colonial period, Intramuros is Manila's oldest district and the heart of the country's cultural heritage. Explore cobblestone streets, baroque churches, and colonial-era buildings including Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, and San Agustin Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Take a bamboo bike tour or horse-drawn carriage ride for a unique experience.
Fort Santiago
A 16th-century citadel and defense fortress located within Intramuros, Fort Santiago holds immense historical significance as the site where national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned before his execution. The Rizal Shrine museum displays his writings and personal effects. The beautifully maintained gardens offer a peaceful escape from Manila's urban chaos.
National Museum Complex
The National Museum Complex in Rizal Park comprises three buildings showcasing Filipino art, natural history, and anthropology. The National Museum of Fine Arts houses masterpieces including Juan Luna's Spoliarium. Best of all, admission is free since 2014. The neoclassical buildings themselves are architectural treasures worth exploring.
Rizal Park (Luneta)
A historical urban park commemorating national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, this 58-hectare green space is the largest park in Manila. Features include the Rizal Monument, Chinese and Japanese gardens, an orchidarium, planetarium, and the kilometer-long promenade facing Manila Bay. A popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, especially during sunset.
Binondo (Manila Chinatown)
Established in 1594, Binondo is the world's oldest Chinatown and a haven for food lovers. Explore narrow streets lined with traditional Chinese-Filipino restaurants, bakeries, and shops. Must-try dishes include fresh lumpia, siopao, and authentic dim sum. The Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arch marks the entrance to this culturally rich and vibrant district.
San Agustin Church
The oldest stone church in the Philippines, completed in 1607, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent Baroque church has survived multiple earthquakes and wars, featuring stunning trompe-l'oeil ceiling paintings, intricate wood carvings, and a museum housing religious art and colonial artifacts. A must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts.
Manila Ocean Park
Southeast Asia's first world-class marine theme park featuring an oceanarium with underwater walkways, marine life shows, and interactive exhibits. Located along Manila Bay with stunning sunset views. Additional attractions include a beach, spa, and hotels. Perfect for families and those wanting a break from historical sightseeing.
BGC High Street & Arts District
An open-air lifestyle center featuring public art installations, murals, and sculptures throughout the streets of BGC. High Street offers upscale dining, boutique shopping, and weekend markets. The Mind Museum nearby provides interactive science exhibits. Perfect for evening strolls, people-watching, and experiencing Manila's modern cosmopolitan side.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"Manila has been a game-changer for my budget as a digital nomad. I pay $500/month for a modern studio in BGC with a rooftop pool, gym, and fast fiber internet - try getting that anywhere else! The English proficiency here is incredible; I've had zero communication issues. The food scene is underrated - from $2 street food to world-class dining. Yes, traffic is insane and you need to stay in BGC or Makati for safety and convenience, but those areas feel like first-world bubbles. The new Digital Nomad Visa makes staying long-term legitimate. After 6 months, I'm extending another year."
"Manila is perfect if you want to stretch your budget without sacrificing too much comfort. The coworking scene is solid and affordable - I pay about $100/month for a great space in Makati. Filipinos are genuinely the friendliest people I've met in Asia, and everyone speaks English. The downsides are real though: traffic is legendary for all the wrong reasons, internet can be spotty outside premium buildings, and the weather is brutal from June to September. I stick to Poblacion for nightlife and BGC for working. Weekend trips to Palawan or Siargao are easy and cheap. Overall, great value destination."
"Manila was a mixed experience for me. The cost of living is amazing - my entire monthly burn including nice condo, eating out, and coworking was under $1,500. But the quality of life challenges are significant. The pollution and garbage in some areas is shocking. Traffic meant a 5km trip could take 90 minutes. Internet was frustrating - fast in my condo but unreliable in many cafes. The rainy season flooding was disruptive. That said, the expat community is welcoming, nightlife in Poblacion is fantastic, and the proximity to beautiful islands is a huge plus. Good for budget-focused nomads who can handle urban developing-world challenges."
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