Manila’s coworking scene has matured significantly — there are now dozens of professional spaces across BGC, Makati, and Ortigas that match or beat what you’d find in Singapore or Bangkok. Here’s where digital nomads and remote workers actually work.
What to Look For in a Manila Coworking Space
Before the list, the criteria that matter in Manila specifically:
- Backup power: Manila has power outages, more frequently during typhoon season. A serious coworking space has a generator or UPS system. Ask about this directly — some spaces go dark in a brownout.
- Internet speed and redundancy: Look for dedicated fiber (not shared residential), at least 100 Mbps, with a backup connection on a separate ISP. Confirm the speed before committing.
- Air conditioning quality: Manila heat makes A/C non-negotiable. Older buildings with window units aren’t acceptable for full-day work.
- 24/7 access or flexible hours: Remote workers often work across time zones. Some spaces restrict access to business hours.
Top Coworking Spaces in BGC
KMC Solutions
KMC is the largest and most professional managed office and coworking provider in the Philippines, with multiple floors in prime BGC towers (Net Lima, 8 Rockwell, and others across Makati and Ortigas too). They’re designed primarily for teams and longer-term arrangements, but hot-desk memberships are available. The facilities are corporate-grade — solid A/C, reliable fast internet, professional meeting rooms, reception services. Best for: remote workers who want enterprise-quality infrastructure. Hot desk from approximately ₱8,000–12,000/month.
WeWork (BGC)
WeWork operates in BGC at the Net Park building. Standard WeWork quality — good design, community events, solid connectivity, all-day coffee. The international membership is useful if you already use WeWork elsewhere. Hot desk membership in Manila runs approximately ₱8,000–15,000/month depending on tier. Best for: nomads with existing WeWork memberships or who prioritize community events.
Clock In BGC
Clock In is a local coworking brand with a reputation for being friendly to digital nomads and solo workers. Less corporate in feel than KMC or WeWork, with good natural light, reliable internet, and fair day-pass pricing. Good option if you want a flexible arrangement without a monthly commitment. Day passes run approximately ₱500–700.
Top Coworking Spaces in Makati
Regus (Multiple Makati Locations)
Regus operates across several Makati buildings including the Ayala Tower One and Zuellig Building. Their global membership is the main draw — if you’re a Regus member internationally, you can access any Manila location. Day office and hot desk rates are available. Corporate and professional in feel; less community-oriented than independent coworking spaces.
Unite (Salcedo Village, Makati)
Unite is a mid-size coworking space popular with freelancers and small startups in Makati’s Salcedo Village. Good vibe, reasonable pricing, and fast internet. Day rates available. A good choice for those living in the Makati residential villages who want to walk to work.
The Ruins (Poblacion, Makati)
A cafe-coworking hybrid in the heart of Poblacion. More casual than a dedicated office space but works well for a few focused hours. Strong coffee, good internet, and a design that makes it easier to stay than leave. Not suitable for video calls in peak hours — it gets noisy. Best for: writing and solo work during the day; not for long Zoom calls.
Coworking in Ortigas
KMC Solutions (Ortigas)
KMC has multiple Ortigas locations in the Robinsons Cyberscape buildings. Same quality standard as BGC. Good choice for those living in the Ortigas/Mandaluyong corridor and wanting to avoid the long commute to BGC or Makati.
Cafe Culture as a Backup
Manila has an excellent cafe culture, and many cafes are effectively used as casual coworking spaces. Key standards for a workable cafe: fast WiFi (ask the staff the speed), power outlets at or near tables, and at least 3–4 hours of tolerance for a single purchase. Popular work-friendly cafes include The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in BGC, Toby’s Estate, and local independent cafes in Poblacion.
Note: cafe internet is never as reliable as a dedicated coworking space. For video calls or deadline-heavy days, use a proper space.
Practical Tips
- Do a trial day before committing. Most spaces offer day passes. Test the actual internet speed at your preferred workstation, the A/C reliability, and the noise level before paying a month in advance.
- Negotiate for longer commitments. Monthly and quarterly rates are often negotiable, especially if you’re taking a dedicated desk rather than hot-desking. 10–15% off is common for a 3+ month commitment.
- Ask about generator coverage specifically. “We have backup power” sometimes means a UPS that lasts 20 minutes, not a generator that runs all day. Ask how long they can operate during an outage.
- Join the coworking space’s community channels. Most spaces have Slack, Viber, or Facebook groups where members share tips, meet collaborators, and announce events. This is how you build a network in a new city.