SIM Card Cebu: The Best Local Providers

This post is also available in:

Cebu, one of the most popular islands in the Philippines, draws many tourists every year. To stay reachable and have internet access during your stay, a Philippine SIM card is essential. In this article you’ll learn which providers there are, which one has the best coverage on Cebu, how internet speeds compare, and where you can buy a SIM card in Cebu.

The main SIM card providers on Cebu

There are two major mobile providers in the Philippines: Globe and Smart. Both have an extensive network on Cebu and offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists.

• Globe Telecom: Globe is one of the leading mobile providers in the Philippines. Globe has good coverage in most parts of Cebu, especially in urban areas such as Cebu City and tourist hotspots such as Mactan Island and Moalboal. Globe is known for a stable connection and affordable data plans. In more remote areas, though, coverage can be a little weaker.
• Smart Communications: Smart has invested heavily in expanding its network in recent years and also offers excellent coverage on Cebu. Especially in rural areas and on remote islands, Smart often has the edge, with stronger coverage than Globe. So Smart is a good choice for travelers who also plan to go beyond the typical tourist areas.

Mobile internet speed on Cebu

Internet speed on Cebu is generally good and stable, especially in tourist areas. Globe and Smart both offer 4G/LTE connections that work reliably in urban areas. In tourist hotspots such as Cebu City, Mactan Island and the popular beaches of Moalboal you can expect a solid speed of 10 to 20 Mbps, which is enough for streaming, video calls and uploading photos.

In remote areas, though, speeds can fluctuate. Sometimes you’ll only get 3G connections, which are still enough for basic online activities such as sending messages or checking email. Overall, mobile internet on Cebu works well and is fairly stable in both urban and rural regions.

Where can you get a SIM card in Cebu?

Buying a SIM card on Cebu is straightforward and inexpensive. There are several ways to get one:

1. At the airport: As soon as you arrive at Cebu airport, whether domestic or international, you can buy Globe or Smart SIM cards right at the exit. The sales stands are usually in the arrivals hall or in front of the building. This option is convenient, but tends to be more expensive than buying in the city. In return you often get immediate help activating and setting up the card. You’ll find more information here…
2. In shopping malls and small shops: In the many malls of Cebu City, such as SM City Cebu or Ayala Center, you’ll find Globe and Smart stands selling SIM cards and prepaid data packages. Smaller convenience stores or specialist mobile shops in the city also sell SIM cards. The advantage here is that prices are often lower than at the airport. In larger stores there are sometimes deals that include extra data. The downside is that you first have to get into the city and stay offline until then. Activating the card on your own can also be a challenge for some people.

Alternative eSIM: Drimsim and Yesim

If you prefer an international SIM card, there are also alternatives such as Drimsim or Yesim. Both services let you get mobile internet without buying a local SIM card.

• Yesim:* Yesim is a digital eSIM solution. If your smartphone supports eSIM (pretty much every modern phone), you can activate Yesim simply through an app. It offers flexible data packages for various countries, including the Philippines. Like Drimsim, this option is more expensive than local SIM cards, but it saves you buying and activating a new SIM on site. A big plus, though, is the unlimited data plan, which is especially valuable for longer stays! Yesim is particularly recommended if you travel a lot or move around Southeast Asia and don’t want to buy a new SIM card every time. There are also regional packages — for example, you can book a Southeast Asia package covering countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and more!
• Drimsim:* Drimsim is an eSIM that works worldwide. You activate the SIM in advance and can use it in more than 190 countries. It’s especially practical for frequent travelers, because you don’t have to buy a new SIM card in every country. Mobile data prices are higher than with local providers, though. There are no unlimited data plans like Yesim’s; usage is billed per MB. If you only go online occasionally, for example to look up information, you can get by quite well. If you want to be online all the time, we find Drimsim far too expensive.

In the Philippines you pay around 30 euros for 2 weeks of unlimited data via Yesim*, which is a good deal, especially if you also use the SIM as a hotspot for a laptop or other devices.

SIM card Cebu — Verdict

If you’re traveling to Cebu, you have several good options for buying a SIM card and staying connected. Globe and Smart are the two main providers, with Globe often preferred in urban and tourist areas, while Smart has better coverage in more rural regions. Internet speed is satisfactory in most parts of the island, especially in well-developed tourist areas.

For buying a SIM card, the airport is convenient but more expensive, while the city’s shopping malls are the cheaper alternative. International options such as Drimsim and Yesim offer flexibility, but are often costlier than local SIM cards — though they come with quite a few other advantages.

Still have questions or tips about SIM cards in Cebu? Leave a comment!