Manila, Philippines 🇵🇭
#585
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to Western cities, though prices in central areas can be higher.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Varies widely; budget options available but quality and safety can be inconsistent.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are very affordable; imported goods cost more.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public transport and ride-sharing are inexpensive, though traffic congestion is a downside.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and cultural activities, but some upscale venues are pricey.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Mid-range pricing; international chains are more expensive than local gyms.
💱 Currency Stability
54%
Weight: 30
Peso experiences moderate fluctuations; inflation concerns persist but manageable.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 25-40 Mbps in urban centers; occasional outages reported.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
72%
Weight: 40
Growing number of coworking spaces, especially in business districts like Makati and BGC.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
Several popular spots with power outlets and good WiFi, but not widespread.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
60%
Weight: 100
Emerging destination but less popular than other Southeast Asian cities.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
59%
Weight: 30
Traffic and pollution can impact quality of life; social and leisure options available.
🌳 Environmental Quality
42%
Weight: 15
Air pollution and waste management issues affect overall environment.
🧼 Cleanliness
45%
Weight: 10
Urban areas can be crowded and littered; cleanliness varies by neighborhood.
🗨️ Language Barrier
89%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken, making communication easy for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
38%
Weight: 15
Often poor due to traffic and industrial pollution, especially during dry season.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
65%
Weight: 20
Private hospitals offer good care; public healthcare is less reliable.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
79%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
67%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is good in major urban centers.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
74%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with hot, humid weather year-round; rainy season from June to November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
40%
Weight: 10
Prone to typhoons, flooding, and occasional earthquakes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
51%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces in the city; some parks available but often crowded.
❄️ Air Conditioning
90%
Weight: 15
Widely available in most accommodations and public places.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
20%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate means little seasonal variation.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with a mix of indigenous, Spanish, and American influences.
🌃 Nightlife
73%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with many bars, clubs, and live music venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
55%
Weight: 15
Urban setting limits nature access, but nearby islands and parks offer escapes.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
67%
Weight: 10
English is dominant; opportunities to learn Tagalog and other local languages exist.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
70%
Weight: 10
Variety of cultural tours and local experiences available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
68%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and entertainment centers are abundant.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
82%
Weight: 25
Diverse and flavorful cuisine with many affordable options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
60%
Weight: 10
Several studios in major districts but not as widespread as in other cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
64%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers available, quality varies.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
65%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of health-conscious cafes and organic markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
71%
Weight: 20
UTC+8 is convenient for Asia-Pacific and some European time zones.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
63%
Weight: 25
Growing startup and expat communities offer networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most digital nomads work for foreign clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
60%
Weight: 20
Moderate freelance community with growing platforms and support.
🏢 Coworking Quality
69%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities in business districts.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
62%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with increasing investment and support.
💳 Local Payment Services
67%
Weight: 10
Mobile wallets and digital payments are growing but cash still prevalent.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption with active crypto communities and exchanges.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
74%
Weight: 30
Ninoy Aquino International Airport connects to many Asian and some global destinations.
🚇 Public Transit
53%
Weight: 20
Limited MRT/LRT coverage; jeepneys and buses are common but crowded.
🚶 Walkability
48%
Weight: 20
Sidewalks often obstructed; not very pedestrian-friendly in many areas.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
85%
Weight: 15
Grab and other apps widely used and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
35%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure and safety concerns.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Domestic flights and buses available but can be time-consuming.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
52%
Weight: 10
Some scooter rentals in tourist areas; bike rentals less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; 5G expanding.
🔒 VPN Reliability
78%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well with few restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
65%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages in some areas; generally stable in city centers.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
59%
Weight: 10
Limited free public WiFi; mostly available in malls and cafes.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
76%
Weight: 40
Visa-free entry for many nationalities; visa extensions possible but bureaucratic.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Complex tax system; no specific digital nomad tax benefits.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
68%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some political sensitivities exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
55%
Weight: 20
Occasional political unrest and corruption concerns.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
57%
Weight: 15
Requires local documents and can be bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Process improving but still involves paperwork and time.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
64%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with growing infrastructure but some challenges remain.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
58%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events, mostly informal and community-driven.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Active online groups but smaller than in other major nomad hubs.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
55%
Weight: 100
Petty crime common; some areas safer than others; vigilance advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Generally safe in tourist and expat areas; cultural norms vary.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with diverse population.