Document checklist for the Philippines

• Visa (if applicable)
• Valid passport
• Sufficient funds
• Return airline ticket
• Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

Essential Philippines travel information

Currency – Peso (₱). $1 is equivalent to approximately ₱59.

Daily budget for 1 person – Allow a daily budget of ₱2,946 ($50).

Languages: Tagalog and Cebuano are the most widely used native languages.

Socket types: A, B, and C, with a 220V supply voltage and a 60Hz frequency.

Time zone: Philippine Standard Time (GMT +8)

Top cities: Manila, Cebu, and Puerto Princesa.

Top monuments/landmarks: The Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers, and Banaue Rice Terraces

Visa information for the Philippines

People from other countries wishing to visit the Philippines may request a visa from us or at the embassy or consulate most conveniently situated in their home nation.

Budget and Costs in the Philippines

Daily expenses: approximately $2,946 ($50) per person.

Meals – ₱150-500 ($3-10)

Transport – ₱10-60 for a one-way ticket on a bus ($0.20-1)

Hotel – ₱1,500-2,700 ($25-45) for two people.

Depending on your budget and travel preferences, a weeklong trip will typically cost 20,000 ($340) per person.

Best modes of transportation and how to get around the Philippines

Numerous taxi services are available in the Philippines, mainly in the bigger cities and villages. Tricycle taxis are safer than motorbike taxis, which can be speedy yet risky. However, since they are secure and reasonably priced, it is advised to hail a standard cab.

Ferry transport is essential in the Philippines because there are more than 7,000 islands. Ferries leave the central coastal areas every hour or so for trips that last under an hour to over 50 minutes. In addition, practically every island in the Philippines is connected by roads that, occasionally indirectly, run through Manila, Cebu, Zamboanga, and Davao.

The Philippines’ safety

Although the Philippines is a well-liked tourist destination, it is advised to use extreme caution there, especially in less popular locations. Scams, theft, careless driving, muggings, and natural calamities could happen during your journey. In addition, more terrorist organizations have recently been active in the nation.

Despite the warmth and friendliness of the Filipino people, this is a developing nation, especially in the larger cities. Be cautious not to flaunt your possessions in public, especially pricey gadgets. It’s crucial to have travel insurance that includes medical coverage for emergencies abroad.

Weather in the Philippines

There is only one appropriate season to travel to the Philippines: the dry season between November and April. Additionally, a visit between May and November when the weather is better is an excellent and appropriate idea.

The dry season continues, and temperatures increase. The temperature ranges from 23°C to 31°C from December to February and from 26°C to 34°C from March to April.

The wet season in the Philippines lasts from May to October, yet the temperature remains warm and bright. Although it doesn’t always rain, it can be unpredictable. The typhoon season lasts from August to January.

Famous Cities and Towns in the Philippines

Coron Island is among the best diving locations in the world. Coron Island is a tropical haven with emerald-green and electric-blue sea. On the westernmost tip of the Palawan island chain sits the hilly island.

The island of Boracay, known as the beach capital of the Philippines, has more than 12 beaches. White Beach on the west side is a favorite.

Bohol – it is a tourist destination renowned for its natural beauty. It is situated in the middle Visayas area of the Philippines. Chocolate Hills in Carmen is among the island’s most distinctive natural attractions. This UNESCO-protected property becomes brown during the dry season, resembling a panorama of chocolate truffles.

Must do and see in the Philippines

• Travel to the nearby Subterranean River National Park.
• Attend an outdoor performance in Manila’s Rizal Park.
• Practice your diving skills at the secluded Tubbataha Reef.
• Visit the renowned Pagsanjan Falls in the nation.
• Swim in a lake in Palau that is thousands of years old and is teeming with golden stingless jellyfish.

Typical Philippine food to try

Kare-kare – This hearty stew, known as kare-kare, is cooked with oxtail, veggies, and peanut sauce. Although available nationwide, Pampanga, north of Manila, produces the best kare-kare.

Kinilaw – Slices of raw fish marinated in vinegar with additional spices like jalapeño peppers make up Kinilaw. It resembles ceviche but is prepared with vinegar rather than lime juice.

Adobo – The most well-known cuisine from the Philippines, adobo, is frequently referred to as the nation’s food. The flavor is prepared with garlic, bay leaves, vinegar, and soy sauce and is typically used with chicken or pork.

Vaccine information for the Philippines

The CDC advises all travelers to the Philippines to be current on all routine vaccines before departure. The measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and influenza vaccines are among them.

Fun facts about the Philippines

1. When hanging upside down, the Philippine flag shows whether the nation is at war by its position.
2. The Philippines has a linguistic diversity of 120–187 languages.
3. The Puerto Princesa Underground River is the second-longest underground river in the world and is located in the Philippines.