Digital Nomad Paradises: Puerto Princesa, Pai, and Colombo

I moved to Manila a few months ago and took care of some business but I knew that this was not going to be my home base for a long time.  It is relatively expensive, to many pickpockets, and just overall not my cup of tea.  I stayed in Quezon city for a month and got my phone stolen, the pickpocketer was fast I was chasing him but there was no catching him.  So I moved to Makati which is a lot nicer but more expensive and if I wanted to stress about money I could have just stayed in America.  Digital nomads are always on the lookout for affordable, vibrant, and scenic destinations. Puerto Princesa in the Philippines, Pai in Thailand, and Colombo in Sri Lanka have emerged as my prime options. Here’s an in-depth comparison of the cost of living, nightlife, culture, safety, beaches, and activities in these three destinations.

Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Cost of Living

• Accommodation:
  • One-bedroom apartment: $200-$400/month
  • Two-bedroom apartment: $400-$600/month
• Food:
  • Local meals: $2-$5/meal
  • Monthly groceries: $100-$200
• Transportation:
  • Tricycle rides: $0.50-$1
  • Monthly transportation: $30-$50
• Utilities:
  • Basic utilities: $50-$100/month
• Healthcare:
  • Doctor’s visit: $20-$30

Total Monthly Cost: (livingcost.org)

• One person - $572
• Family - $1,261

Nightlife

Puerto Princesa offers a relaxed nightlife with numerous bars, beachside lounges, and live music venues. Popular spots include Tiki RestoBar and Palaweño Brewery, which are known for their vibrant atmosphere and local craft beers.  Guys and lesbians: the Ladies are attractive and very feminine here.  

Culture and Safety

Puerto Princesa boasts a friendly, laid-back culture with a strong emphasis on environmental conservation. It is considered safe for tourists and expatriates, with low crime rates and welcoming locals.

Beaches and Activities

Puerto Princesa is renowned for its stunning beaches and natural attractions such as Honda Bay and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Activities include island hopping, snorkeling, diving, and eco-tours.

*They have a new starlink wifi connection that will make your wifi more stable.

Pai, Thailand

Cost of Living

• Accommodation:
  • One-bedroom apartment: $150-$300/month
  • Two-bedroom apartment: $300-$500/month
• Food:
  • Street food: $1-$3/meal
  • Monthly groceries: $100-$150
• Transportation:
  • Motorbike rental: $50-$100/month
  • Monthly transportation: $20-$30
• Utilities:
  • Basic utilities: $30-$60/month
• Healthcare:
  • Doctor’s visit: $10-$20

Total Monthly Cost:

• One Person - $577
• Family - $1,617

Nightlife

Pai’s nightlife is vibrant and eclectic, with an array of bars, live music venues, and night markets. The town is known for its artistic vibe and attracts a mix of backpackers and creatives. Popular venues include the Sunset Bar and the Jazz House.  Even before the legalization of Marijuana in Thailand, weed was abundant and kind of legal here.  This is an artistic pot smokers paradise. 

Culture and Safety

Pai has a unique, bohemian culture with a blend of Thai and expatriate influences. It is a safe destination with a laid-back atmosphere, ideal for digital nomads seeking a peaceful environment.

Mountains and Activities

Although Pai is inland and does not have beaches, it offers other attractions such as hot springs, waterfalls, and scenic hiking trails. Pai Canyon and the Yun Lai Viewpoint are must-visit spots for breathtaking views.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Cost of Living

• Accommodation:
  • One-bedroom apartment: $300-$600/month
  • Two-bedroom apartment: $500-$900/month
• Food:
  • Local meals: $2-$4/meal
  • Monthly groceries: $150-$250
• Transportation:
  • Bus rides: $0.20
  • Monthly transportation: $20-$40
• Utilities:
  • Basic utilities: $50-$100/month
• Healthcare:
  • Doctor’s visit: $20-$40

Total Monthly Cost:

• Single person - $582
• Family - $1,519

Nightlife

Colombo's nightlife is diverse and dynamic, featuring upscale clubs, beach bars, and live music venues. Known for its sophisticated and vibrant scene, popular spots include ZAZA Bar, The Love Bar, and Ministry of Crab for late-night dining.

Culture and Safety

Colombo offers a rich cultural experience with its blend of traditional Sri Lankan and colonial influences. The city is generally safe, though it's advisable to take standard precautions as in any major urban area.  This is a big city and petty theft does happen so you may not need to protect your neck but protect your wallet.

Beaches and Activities

Colombo's beaches, such as Mount Lavinia and Negombo, offer a variety of activities like surfing, swimming, and beach volleyball. The city's coastal location provides easy access to nearby beach resorts and marine adventures.

Summary

Cost of Living: (livingcost.org)

• Puerto Princesa:
  • • One person - $572
    • Family - $1,261
• Pai:
  • • One Person - $577
    • Family - $1,617
• Colombo:
  • • Single person - $582
    • Family - $1,519

Nightlife:

• Puerto Princesa: Relaxed, beachside bars and local breweries.
• Pai: Eclectic, artistic, with night markets, bars, and live music.
• Colombo: Diverse and dynamic, featuring upscale clubs, beach bars, and live music.

Culture and Safety:

• Puerto Princesa: Friendly, laid-back, environmentally conscious, very safe.
• Pai: Bohemian, artistic, peaceful, very safe.
• Colombo: Rich in culture with a mix of traditional and colonial influences, generally safe with standard precautions.

Beaches and Activities:

• Puerto Princesa: Stunning beaches, island hopping, snorkeling, diving, eco-tours.
• Pai: No beaches but hot springs, waterfalls, scenic hiking trails.
• Colombo: Beautiful beaches with activities like surfing, swimming, and beach volleyball, access to beach resorts and marine adventures.

Thailand has eased their visa restrictions for the time being and I lived there previously for five years but the beautiful beaches of Puerta Princessa look amazing and I am starting to understand and enjoy the filipino people more and more everyday.  Thai people are super cool to but filipinos speak way better english and  communication is easy.   Whereever we go the next step is going to be focusing on investing money into forex, crypto, and the stock market and starting to build passive income.