Tips for Traveling to the Philippines

The Philippines is known as the “Pearl of the Orient” because of its rare scenic views and tourist attractions.

Mountains, caves, rivers, and lakes are numerous in the Philippines. Volcanoes and waterfalls, on the other hand, are also one of the popular attractions in the Philippines. Beach resorts here are widely considered world-class.

Over the last decade of booming travel growth, the Philippines has had more modest tourism development. Some communities, throughout the Philippines’ 7,641 islands, have maintained a simplicity, friendliness, and beauty that is difficult to find in the rest of the traveled world. As more traditional American/European destinations become mainstreamed and over-commercialized, the Philippines is everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

There are certainly numerous points of interest which have quickly become popular with visitors to this country. Tourist facilities have also undergone considerable development in recent years. There are often a range of great hotel offers available in tourist hotspots, as well as accommodation options for those keen to visit areas that are a little more remote. The Philippines certainly has much to offer for travelers looking for a journey in somewhere beautiful and unusual.

Not only that, this country has become a prime adventure and activity destination for tourists from all over the world. Scuba diving, surfing, skydiving, mountain hiking, and game fishing are just some of the adventures that you can experience here.

Besides these, the Philippines has something to offer for everyone.  World-class golf courses abound here, wellness and health spots are sprouting everywhere, hospitals offer medical services, and casinos serve all kinds of gamblers. What’s more, this is just the start of what you can have here in the Philippines.

Regulations Regarding Entry and Visas

The passport is needed in good standing. All travelers, except for stateless people and citizens of nations with whom the Philippines maintains diplomatic ties, are permitted entry without a visa and a stay of up to 21 days as long as they have tickets for their next destination. Taiwanese and Hong Kong passport holders need specific permissions. Philippine embassies and consulates can provide visas and special permits.

You must get a Visa Extension from a Philippine Consulate or Embassy before your travel if you want to remain longer. Alternatively, you can get it from the Immigration Bureau once you’re here.

Customs

When arriving, guests are permitted to bring in up to one liter of alcohol, two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco, and duty-free personal items. Filipinos employed abroad who are known as “balikbayans” should verify with the embassy or consulate in their native city as they have different regulations.

You are allowed to bring in an infinite quantity of foreign money. When you depart, any artifacts you may have purchased from the National Museum need to be presented with a certificate from the museum. Additionally, you are only allowed to leave the nation with a maximum of PhP5,000.00 (Five Thousand Philippine Pesos).

Currency

Unit of currency: Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Bank notes: P10, P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1,000. Coins: 5c, 10c, 25c, P1, P5, P10.

Money changers can provide you with official guiding rates and can be found at airports, local banks, and other commercial entities that are registered dealers of foreign exchange. 

Climate

March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78oF/25oC to 90oF/32oC; humidity: 77%.

Language

Filipino is the national language. English is the business language and is spoken widely. Approximately 120 to 187  languages and dialects are spoken in the country.

Timezone

GMT plus 8 hours.

Electricity

220 volts, A.C. 60 cycles. Most hotels have 110-volt outlets.

Clothing

People in the Philippines dress for the weather. Casual attire during the day for women is light blouses and shorts. For men, collared T-shirts are worn over slacks. In the evening skirts are substituted for shorts and T-shirts are tucked in.

For Men Only: If you expect to have to attend any occasion that would usually require a jacket and a tie (which is torture in this weather) there is a wonderful substitute. Go immediately to a department store and buy a barong Tagalog. It is an embroidered shirt that is considered a formal dress. It will cost more or less Php2,000.00, but it is worth every centavo.

Utilities

Electricity is 220 volts a/c. Many of the major tourist hotels also have 110-volt a/c outlets.

Water supply in Metro Manila and all the other major cities are considered potable. But it is highly recommended to drink bottled water. Bottled purified water, spring water, or mineral water is often supplied by hotels and resorts, and sold in all grocery stores.

Telephone service is modern and you can direct dial anywhere in the world. Public phones are plentiful. Public phones require a minimum of two one-peso coins for a local call.

Airport Facilities

The international airports have adequate traveler facilities: tourist information & assistance counters, hotel & travel agency representatives, banks & ATMs, postal service, telephone booths, and medical clinics, among others. Baggage carts and porter services are available for free.

The airports are handicapped-friendly. Wheelchairs are available on request from the airline ground staff.

Airport Fees

Php 650 to Php 800 for international departure and Php 50 to Php 300 for local departure (paid in Philippine pesos only). Departing passengers for international destinations are advised to check with airport or tourist information counters the departure fees which may change without notice.

Local Transport

Metered and fixed-rate taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive ways of getting around most places. In Metro Manila, the fastest way of commuting is via the railway system. LRT connects Monumento on the north to Baclaran on the south. MRT traverses the length of EDSA from North Avenue to Taft Avenue.

You must know the transport schedules because destinations are being scheduled. If by boat, you must also know the weather because weather conditions affect these schedules.

Public Holidays

Take note of public holidays as most establishments do not operate during these days.

Business and Banking Hours

Private and government offices are open either from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Most commercial establishments are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, with automated teller machines (ATM) operating 24 hours.

Credit Cards/ATM

International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard, and American Express Card are accepted in major establishments.

Please take note that when traveling to provinces and remote destinations, the availability of ATMs and credit card facilities is limited.  Bringing extra cash is highly advisable.

Dining Out

Filipino food is an exotic, tasteful blend of Oriental, European, and American culinary influences. There is a wide variety of fresh seafood and delectable fruits. First-class restaurants offer gourmet specialties as well as Filipino cuisine.

Tipping

Tipping is expected for many services. The standard practice is 10% of the total bill. Tipping is optional on bills that already include a 10% service charge.

Communication Facilities

Most national dailies are in English. There are 5 national television stations. which broadcast mainly in Filipino. Cable TV is available as well.

Tips

1. Don’t rush to make reservations

It can be difficult to book your ticket and travel package at times. It is generally advisable to make reservations as far in advance as possible for trips that fall within high season, holidays, or special occasions like festivals. In addition to being able to secure important reservations ahead of time, you also get to guard against price hikes that typically occur during these periods.

However, it’s usually preferable to have completed the necessary research before making any final decisions. And in this instance, you should never rush into making any travel-related reservations. Always make sure you know exactly what you want and whether your reservation is providing it. 

When making a reservation through a travel agency, they are always able to advise you on the optimum time to book your desired package, taking availability and cost into consideration. However, even if you book through a travel agency, take your time and make sure you fully grasp the terms and conditions of the offer.

Regarding your airfare, airlines often provide various booking/seat classes, each with varying costs. Furthermore, they occasionally provide promotional pricing. It is preferable to search for pricing, in this case, six to eight weeks before your travel date. Before making a final reservation, compare prices for about a week from this point on.

However, if you’re lucky enough to be able to reserve a promo fare, take advantage of it as now is typically the greatest time to do so. 

2. Avoid booking too late

Many individuals believe that there is always a deal or promotion available for last-minute travel. While it does occasionally occur particularly on popular travel dates, it does not always happen. As a result of the travel industry’s technological advancements, travel industry participants are better able to control their inventory and typically provide the greatest deals for early reservations. An exception would be if airlines offered promotional fares one month before the departure dates. 

When making last-minute reservations, travelers must also evaluate the package’s availability—especially if they are visiting an iconic tourist site during the busiest time of year. Anticipating a lower price will likely have the opposite effect—higher pricing as a result of a reduced supply. 

3. Compare and analyze the fine print

This is the most crucial guideline whether booking directly with a travel agency or directly. Keep in mind that you typically get what you pay for when traveling. That’s why the prices are so low. The secret is to identify and comprehend the cause.

The easiest method to ensure you obtain the best possible package and price for your trip is to compare prices and package information offered by several businesses. Based on what’s available and what you’re searching for, you may decide what would be the greatest vacation choice once you’ve done some research and understand everything.

4. Is everything in?

You should always consider all required fees when you travel. The airlines are one of the best examples of this.

The frequent availability of airline promotional fares requires you to confirm that the total cost includes all taxes and surcharges. If not, the amount you pay would be far higher than what you had anticipated. Airlines charge numerous additional expenses in addition to cruises that passengers are unaware of and must ultimately pay for. Make sure you are aware of the entrance fees and any other costs associated with stopping over as a tourist.

5. Verify and check again!

The payment and booking process are not the last steps. Most travel agencies, if not all of them, ask for your personal email addresses and phone numbers so they may notify you if the itinerary or flight schedule changes.

You make sure these communications don’t wind up in the trash, and make sure you update your spam filters as well. As soon as the email comes in, the travel agency has fulfilled its duty to you.