El Nido Palawan, Philippines
May 6 to 12, 2024
Our retreats are for anyone who can work remotely. This includes digital nomads, entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote employees, and creatives. Whether you’re new to the remote work lifestyle or a seasoned nomad, you’ll find value in our community and structured experiences. Most of our guests join solo, so it’s a great way to meet new people!
We handle all the logistics so you can focus on what matters: your work and your experience.
The key benefits are:
Q: I work US/Europe hours. Can I still make the most of the retreat?
A: Definitely. The experience is intentionally flexible to support various work schedules. We strongly recommend checking our schedules ahead of time.
Typically, the retreat price includes:
Please check the specific retreat page for the exact list of inclusions.
Guests are responsible for:
Yes, all participants are required to have comprehensive travel and medical insurance that covers them for the duration of the retreat. Proof of insurance must be provided before the retreat begins.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and the retreat destination. It is your responsibility to research and obtain the correct visa. We can provide a letter of invitation if needed, but we cannot offer legal advice on immigration matters.
This is our top priority! We vet all our locations to ensure they have the most reliable, high-speed internet available in the area. We also provide backup solutions, such as mobile hotspots, to minimize any potential disruptions and keep you connected.
Workspaces vary by location but are always designed for productivity. This could be a formal co-working space, a dedicated area within our accommodation, or a spacious villa common area. We ensure there are comfortable chairs, ample desk space, and power outlets.
Yes, we understand the need for privacy. Our locations include areas where you can take calls without disturbing others, such as separate rooms, phone booths, or quiet outdoor spaces.
Not at all! Our itinerary is a la carte. We offer a schedule of fantastic activities, but you are free to join as many or as few as you like. This is your retreat, and we encourage you to find the right balance of work, community time, and personal exploration.
Our retreats are intimate, typically ranging from 8 to 24 people. This size is large enough to foster a diverse and dynamic community but small enough to ensure everyone can connect meaningfully.
Absolutely! About 80% of our guests join as solo travelers. It’s a core part of our mission to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where solo travelers can easily build friendships and professional connections.
Yes. Please fill-up the form and kindly let us know about any dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies) when you book. We work with our local partners to ensure there are suitable and delicious options for you during group meals.
You can book directly on our website and can make a 50% down payment. Simply choose your desired date, retreat, fill out the application form, and pay the deposit to secure your spot.
The Philippines generally has two seasons:
Our travel periods are strategically chosen to give you the best possible experience.
Weather from January to May (The Dry & Hot Season)
This is the heart of the dry season and is generally considered the best time to visit for consistently sunny weather.
January – February: This is the “sweet spot” for many travelers. The weather is typically dry, sunny, and pleasantly warm without being excessively hot. Humidity is at its lowest.
March – May: This is the Philippine summer. Expect hot, dry, and sunny conditions, perfect for beach days, swimming, and water sports. The seas are generally calm, making it ideal for island hopping.
For sun-seekers and beach lovers, yes! This period offers the most predictable and driest weather, making it the peak tourist season. The trade-off is that popular destinations can be more crowded, especially during holidays like Easter (Holy Week).
This is a transitional period from the wet to the dry season, and it’s a beautiful time to visit.
September – October: This is the tail-end of the wet season. You can expect a mix of sunny days and intermittent rain showers. While this is still typhoon season, storms are often localized and pass quickly. The landscape is incredibly lush and green during this time.
November – December: The dry season (Amihan) officially begins. The weather becomes noticeably cooler and less humid, with more consistent sunshine. This is widely considered one of the most pleasant times of the year, especially with the festive Christmas atmosphere.
While the peak of typhoon season falls within these months, it’s important to understand a few things:
Not a Guarantee: A typhoon warning for “the Philippines” does not mean the entire country is affected. Storms often follow specific paths.
We Monitor Closely: Your safety is our top priority. We constantly monitor official weather advisories (from PAGASA) and will adjust itineraries as needed to ensure safety and comfort.
Be Prepared: We strongly recommend having flexible travel plans and comprehensive travel insurance.
For January – May:
For September – December:
Pro Tip: Philippine weather can be unpredictable. Always check a detailed forecast a few days before your trip, but be prepared for both sunshine and a passing shower, no matter the season
Yes, we highly recommend it. Using your home carrier’s international roaming plan can be extremely expensive. A local SIM card is very affordable and will give you reliable access to data for navigation (Google Maps, Grab), communication (WhatsApp, Messenger), and social media.
There are two major players you’ll see everywhere:
Both have wide coverage, but performance can vary depending on the specific island or province you’re visiting. A third player, DITO Telecommunity, is newer and has a growing network, but for travelers, Smart and Globe remain the most reliable choices.
This is the big question! The honest answer is: both are excellent choices for travelers.
General Rule of Thumb:
Smart often has a slight edge in terms of speed and coverage in some remote or provincial areas.
Globe has very strong and reliable coverage in major cities and popular tourist destinations.
Our Recommendation: You can’t go wrong with either. For ultimate peace of mind, some long-term travelers even get both. But for a typical retreat or vacation, just pick one. Ask our on-site staff upon arrival for the most current recommendation for our specific location.
Yes! This is a fantastic option if your phone supports it. Both Smart and Globe offer prepaid tourist eSIMs.
Benefits of eSIM: You can buy and install it online before you even land in the Philippines. This means you’ll have data the moment you turn off airplane mode. It also keeps your physical SIM slot free for your home number.
How to get it: Visit the official Smart or Globe websites to purchase their prepaid eSIMs. You’ll receive a QR code to scan and activate it.
You have a few easy options:
At the Airport (Easiest): Both Smart and Globe have kiosks right after you exit customs at major international airports (Manila, Cebu, Clark). They sell “Tourist SIMs” with pre-loaded data packages. The staff will install and register it for you. This is the most convenient option.
Official Stores in Malls: If you miss the airport kiosks, you can visit an official Smart or Globe store in any major shopping mall for assistance.
Convenience Stores & Small Shops: Stores like 7-Eleven, Ministop, and thousands of small “sari-sari” stores sell SIM cards, but you will have to register and load it yourself.
Due to the SIM Card Registration Act in the Philippines, you will need to present your passport to register. The staff at the airport or official store will scan it for you. Also, ensure your phone is “unlocked” (not tied to a specific carrier from your home country).
The Philippines uses a two-step system:
Pro Tip: The Easiest Way
Download the carrier’s official app (GigaLife for Smart, GlobeOne for Globe). You can use the app to see all available data promos, subscribe easily, and even top up your load using a credit card.
It’s very affordable. A Tourist SIM at the airport with a 30-day validity and a generous data allowance (e.g., 20-40 GB) will typically cost between ₱500 to ₱1,000 PHP (approx. $9 – $18 USD).
In cities and major tourist areas, 4G/LTE and even 5G speeds are good and sufficient for video calls, streaming, and all work-related tasks. In very remote island locations, the signal can be slower and less consistent. We always ensure our primary retreat locations have strong, reliable connectivity.
Our cancellation policy can be found on our Terms & Conditions page. Generally, the initial deposit is non-refundable. We understand that plans can change. For cancellations made at least 45 days before your retreat’s start date, we offer a full refund minus a $75 administration fee.
Because we make firm commitments to our local partners and accommodations, all payments are non-refundable for cancellations made within 45 days of the retreat start date. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your trip.
Get Exclusive Early Access to Our Newest Workations & Adventures!
Get your 15% OFF to 50% OFF in Room Accommodation in the Philippines
©2025. nomadworkationretreat.com All Rights Reserved.