The Philippines: Travel Guide for First Time Visitors

OVERVIEW GET HERE GET AROUND SEE & DO STAY & SLEEP FOOD & DRINK ENTERTAINMENT SHOPPING COSTS MORE INFO TIPS & HACKS INSPIRATION DON’T FORGET

OVERVIEW

Learn useful information about the Philippines. This Philippine travel guide summarizes everything from transportation, destinations, food, drinks, accommodations, and so much more.

Introduction

The Philippines is an archipelago located in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. This archipelago is a country and officially known as the Republic of the Philippines. It consists of over 7,600 islands with a total land area of 301,780 square kilometers (116,518 sq mi). The Philippines Is divided into three island major groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. These island groups are further divided into 17 regions which are then divided into 82 provinces.

The capital of the Philippines is Manila, and one of the most populous cities in both the Philippines and the world.

Philippines Travel Guide: Philippine Geographical Location

Given its location so close to the equator makes the country prone to earthquakes and typhoons, but also endows it with abundant natural resources and some of the world’s greatest biodiversity.

The Philippines has become a popular holiday destination due to it’s tropical weather, diverse islands, pristine white-sand beaches, outdoor activities, marine life, adventure, and Filipino hospitality.

Location

Best Time to Visit

It’s best to visit the Philippines during the dry season. Dry season in the Philippines spans from November through April. These are the summer months in this country.

Be aware that temperatures and humidity levels are particularly high in April and May.

The best time to be a beach bum and explore the islands is from March to May.

NOTE: Booking for summer trips should be done as early as possible, at least a month before your travel dates, since resorts get fully booked early.

The period from June to October is the rainy (wet) season and is best avoided due to the high possibility of typhoons. The typhoons can not only be destructive, but most tours and activities are cancelled under such circumstances. Transportation via plane and boat is also seriously impacted as well. This happens frequently so beware!

This Philippine travel guide recommends traveling in April-May or in November-December, just before and just after the rainy season. This will likely bring fewer crowds, yet pleasant weather, and is also a great time to score a travel deal.

Fast Facts

Destination Name:

Philippines

Capital:

Metro Manila

Local Time:

PST (UTC+8)

Best Time of Year to Visit:

December – May

Population:

104.9 Million (2017)

Language(s):

English, Filipino (Tagalog)

Currency:

Philippine Peso (P or PHP)

Exchange Rate:

Approximately 1 USD = 50 PHP click for exact exchange rate

Location:

Southeast Asia

Geographic Coordinates:

12.8797° N, 121.7740° E

Area:

343,448 square kilometers (132,606 square miles)

Immediate Neighbors:

Taiwan, Vietnam, Palau, Malaysia and Indonesia

Climate:

Tropical, sitting inside the typhoon belt

Clothing:

Lightweight Casuals

Religion:

Catholicism (majority), Islam, Protestant, Baptist, Philippine Independent Church and Iglesia ni Cristo

Number of Islands:

7,641 islands | 2,000 inhabited

Best Known For:

Tropical weather and stunning beaches

Major Industries:

Services & Manufacturing

Electricity:

Standard voltage is 220V
Plug commonly used is Type A but Types B and C are used as well. Bring A to B adapter(s).

International Phone Code:

+63

International Airports:

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)
Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO)
Clark International Airport (CRK)
Iloilo International Airport (ILO)
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS)

READ MORE: Facts About the Philippines

GETTING HERE

AIRPORT

Manila Int’l Airport

BUS TERMINAL

NONE

SEAPORTS

Ports of Entry

By Air

Most international travelers take a plane to get to the Philippines. Although there are many international airports throughout the Philippines, the main hub for most airlines is in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. The following is a list of the international airports in the Philippines.

Manila

Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the country’s main international airport. This airport has a bad reputation for delays due to congestion and is often referred to as one of the worst airports in the world.

Cebu

Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the second busiest airport in the Philippines, and a major domestic and international hub in the Central Visayas region for Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and Cebu Pacific. Passengers can connect to a long list of domestic destinations which is comparable to the route network out of Manila. It currently serves international flights from major international hubs in Asia such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul. In addition, there are also flights to Dubai and Doha operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Clark

Clark International Airport is a former US Air Force base located 50 miles north of Manila. It is the closest current alternate airport to Manila, where AirAsia announced it would base its Philippine operations. International destinations include Singapore, Dubai, Doha, Hong Kong, China, and Seoul. While it has a broad range of domestic destinations, the routes are limited so domestic connections may be a bit problematic.

Davao

The Davao (Francisco Bangoy) International Airport is the third busiest in the Philippines and serves a handful of domestic destinations. Both Cebu Pacific and Silk Air operate flights to Singapore. AirAsia operates flights to/from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Iloilo

Completed in 2007, the new Iloilo International Airport serves as a hub for Cebu Pacific. The airline operates flights to Hong Kong and Singapore from the largest city in the Western Visayas. Guests can arrive at the airport to take a six hour bus ride to Caticlan/Boracay. However, travellers can access the resort island through either Caticlan Airport or Kalibo Airport.

Bacolod

While Bacolod Airport is not designated as an international airport, it has charter flights to/from Seoul, South Korea. That route is currently served by Philippine Airlines on a seasonal basis.

Tagbilaran

Tagbilaran is the capital of Bohol where the previous airport resided. A new international airport on Panglao island opened in 2018 called Bohol-Panglao International Airport. Philippine Airlines operates flights to Seoul, South Korea. Local officials expect more flights to come after the new airport opens.

Kalibo

Kalibo International Airport benefits from its distance to Boracay, as it is the closest international airport to the resort island. The airport serves a broad range of Asian hubs such as Singapore, Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur. Upon arriving, passengers can take a two hour bus ride to the Caticlan boat jetty on their way to the shores of Boracay.

Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa International Airport serves Puerto Princesa City and the surrounding area and is also Palawan‘s primary airport. The new airport was opened recently to meet the growing number of tourists from within the Philippines and from abroad to visit the natural wonders found on the island. International services are still relatively new here, though are expected to grow over the next few years. For now, Philippine Airlines operates the only international route from Palawan – to Taipei, Taiwan.

Laoag

Located in the northern province of Ilocos Norte in Luzon, Laoag International Airport is designated an International airport with regular chartered flights to China. China Eastern Airlines operates a flight to Guangzhou, China. Philippine Airlines operates the only domestic flights to the city from Manila.

READ MORE: Airports in the Philippines

By Land

Getting to the Philippines by land is impossible since it is surrounded by water, land connection to neighboring countries is non-existence.

By Sea

Traveling by sea from any country to the Philippines is not very common. In fact, the only route a foreign tourist can take is from Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia to Zamboanga through Aleson Shipping Lines. Usually, there is only one trip every week, Tuesdays for Sabah to Zamboanga, and Mondays for Zamboanga – Sabah.

READ MORE: Seaports in the Philippines

GETTING AROUND

There are several modes of transportation in the Philippines. Modes of transportation vary from city to city and in the provinces. The following are the modes of transportation that are generally available throughout the Philippines.

Bicycles

There are few businesses where you can rent a bicycle to get around the local city, town, or municipality and neighboring towns.

Bus

Buses are not used to get around most cities. More often, buses are used to get in the city from other towns and cities, and vice versa.

Car for Hire

It won’t take too much effort to find a car for hire. Rate starts at 2,000 PHP ($40 USD) and can go higher depending on the type and model of the car. The cost comes with free fuel, professional driver, and insurance.

Car Rentals

To rent a self-drive car, one needs to have a valid driver’s license and ID. Some companies even ask for proof of billing and have a minimum age requirement. Most companies require full payment of rental and cash bond which is usually 5,000 PHP ($100 USD). For foreigners, a passport may be required. Rate starts at 1,500 PHP ($30 USD).

Jeepneys

Jeepneys are used when traveling outside the city limit. They have set routes so make sure to check out the route of the vehicle before getting into it. Fare ranges from 5 PHP ($ 0.1 USD) to 30 PHP ($0.6 USD) depending on the origin and destination.

Motorbikes

Renting a motorcycle for a day or throughout your stay in the city can give you more freedom to go wherever you want at your own time. Motorcycle rental starts at 250 PHP ($5 USD) per day and can go higher depending on the model or type of motorcycle. Helmet and insurance are usually included. Most cities and municipalities have rental shops. Some rental companies deliver the unit to your hotel.

Motorized Outrigger (Bangka)

Motorized Outrigger or Bangkas and are also known as pump boats. Bangkas are glorified water taxis made of traditional building materials like wood and bamboo. They are surprisingly sturdy boats that can withstand rough seas to an extent. Bangkas are the cheapest form of ferry transport and most often used for short-distances.

Ride-sharing is available in a few of the larger cities but not common in most of the Philippines.

Shuttles

Shuttles are typically used by hotels to transport their guests.

Taxi

Taxis are used only in the larger cities. The Grab Taxi app is available in only a few of the larger cities.

Trains

Trains are only available in Manila to Calamba, Laguna up to Lucena City, Quezon.

Tricycles

The tricycle is the main mode of transportation when getting around most of the Philippines. You can simply hail one just outside your hotel, restaurants, business establishments, and tourists attractions. Minimum fare for short distance rides is 10 ($.20 USD) per person

READ MORE: Articles on Transportation

SEE & DO

Attractions

There are many attractions throughout the Philippines. Each destination has many attractions to offer. In addition to this Philippine travel guide, we have written guides about each destination and the attractions it has to offer. The following is an article on the most popular attractions in all of the Philippines.

Activities

There are many activities to do in the Philippines, the best and most popular are outdoors.

Each destination has many activities to offer. We have written guides about each destination and the activities it has to offer. The following is an article on the most popular activities throughout the Philippines.

Events & Festivals

There are many events and festivals throughout the Philippines. The largest Philippine islands offer a variety of events and festivals. The following is a list of the most popular events and festivals in the Philippines.

STAY & SLEEP

There are several types of accommodations to stay at when traveling around the Philippines.

The following is a list of the most common accommodations available throughout the Philippines.

Campgrounds
Hostels
Homestays
Hotels
Pension Houses
Bed & Breakfasts
Resorts
Condos
Variety of AirBnB Properties

Booking accommodations online almost always saves you money and time in the Philippines and guarantees that you have a place to stay when you arrive at your destination.

We use and recommend booking online to save money using HostelWorld, Agoda, Booking.com, and AirBnB.

FOOD & DRINK

Food

Aside from the traditional food from several ethno-linguistic groups in the country, the Filipino cuisine has influences from Chinese, Spanish, and American brought by trading and colonization in the past. Considering the thousands of islands and agricultural land in the country, there’s definitely an abundance of seafoods and tropical fruits which creative Filipino cooks transformed into appetizing dishes worth trying.

Drink

Filipinos enjoy different kinds of drinks, from locally grown kapeng barako, salabat (ginger tea), and lambanog (palm liquor) to fruit juices, sodas, beers, wines, and whiskeys. Most big malls and grocery stores carry imported drinks as well.

Restaurants

With thousands of foreign tourists exploring the country every year, expect to see restaurants of various cuisines spread all over the country, from Chinese, Korean, and Japanese to American, Italian, Spanish, and German. Several Filipino restaurants even carry international dishes on their menu so it’s not like you are limited to eating local dishes only throughout your day.

READ MORE: Articles about Food & Drink

ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE

Entertainment

The Philippines is home to some of the world’s best entertainers and performers so finding entertainment is never a problem. Catch local singers, dancers, and actors in various cinemas and theaters such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Newport Performing Arts, Kia Theater, and many others.

Nightlife

Manila, undoubtedly, has a vast nightlife among other areas in the country. Outside Manila, Boracay Island, and Cebu City have interesting night scenes and coolest parties.

SHOPPING

From ultra-modern shopping malls to street markets, there are many shopping venues in the Philippines.

At least one shopping mall can be found in every city of the Philippines in addition to street markets.

Most malls provide just about every service from grocery shopping to medical and dental services. Malls also offer a wide range of food & drinks and things to see and do.

The following are articles about shopping in malls … a very common form of shopping in the Philippines:

READ MORE: Articles about Shopping

COSTS

Travel Costs

Accommodation

A bed in a hostel dorm costs from 350 PHP ($7 USD), but smaller dorms can cost from 500 PHP ($10 USD). For a private double, prices start around 700 PHP ($14 USD).

Most budget hotels begin at 700 PHP ($14 USD) per night for a double room and usually include free wifi and breakfast. For a three-star hotel, prices begin around 1,400 PHP ($28 USD) per night. Airbnb is also widespread throughout the country, with private rooms starting from as little as 500 PHP ($10 USD) per night. For entire apartments, expect to pay at least 1,400 PHP ($28 USD) per night.

Resorts and luxury accommodations vary greatly from 1,400 PHP ($28 USD) to 5,000+ PHP ($100+ USD). However, there are some really nice resorts and luxury accommodations which are surprisingly affordable.

We use and recommend booking online to save money using HostelWorld, Agoda, Booking.com, and AirBnB.

Food

Local food is extremely cheap, with street food costing under 50 PHP ($1USD). For an inexpensive meal at a local restaurant, prices start around 100 PHP ($2 USD). For a meal at a mid-range restaurant with drinks and table service, expect to pay from 200 PHP ($4 USD). Knowing that their target customers are primarily tourists, Western food venues can be pricey compared to Filipino food. Also, some of the ingredients need to be imported, which contributes to the higher cost. Western food (burgers, pizza, pasta, etc.) is much more expensive but is still relatively affordable at around 200 PHP ($4 USD) for a meal and drink.

Fast food like McDonalds will cost around 200 PHP ($4 USD). A beer at the bar will cost around 50-100 PHP ($1–2 USD).

A week’s worth of groceries will cost between 300-600 PHP ($6-12 USD) per person. However, food in this country is so inexpensive, and kitchens & refrigerators are hard to come by, I don’t recommend cooking your meals here since there is plenty of delicious street food to eat at very cheap prices. You won’t make it as good as they do and the food is too delicious to miss!

Transportation

There are many modes of transportation available in the Philippines and each varies greatly.

Public Transportation is cheap. Bus services on the islands are inexpensive. Local buses (called jeepneys) are the most common type of transportation in towns and cities. The fare is usually between 7-25 PHP PHP ($.20–.50 USD).

On islands without a bus system, a taxi or tricycle is the only form of transport with fares starting at 50-500 PHP ($1-$10) USD for short trips.

Taxis are everywhere, and they’re very cheap. Most fares shouldn’t cost you more than 500 PHP ($10 USD) around town.

To get between islands, you’ll need to take a boat or to fly. There are ferries that connect the island together since they aren’t too far apart but, generally speaking, flights are the most realistic option.

Flights between islands usually cost about 2,000-3500 PHP ($40-70 USD). However, this isn’t the cheapest way to travel. It’s only recommended if you have limited time.

We recommend booking online to save money using Skyscanner, momondo, Kayak, kiwi.com.

Attractions & Activities

Most attractions and activities in the Philippines are pretty cheap. Most attractions throughout the area are FREE to enter, though some of the more well known and popular ones cost 5-100 PHP ($.10-$2 USD) to enter.

Depending on the activity, most day tours only cost around 1,000-1,500 PHP ($20-30 USD), oftentimes less. You have more bargaining power if you go with a group. If you are expecting to do some climbing, remember to pack some warm layers. It gets cold at the top!

Other activities such as Island Hopping, scuba diving, helmet diving, swimming with whale sharks, jungle trekking, canyoning, ATVs, jet skis, wakeboarding, cruises, parasailing, horseback riding, cultural experiences, and tours can cost as much as 1,250-5,000+ PHP ($25-100+ USD).

The Philippines is one of the least expensive places to learn how to scuba dive. Learning to scuba dive usually costs about 15,000-20,000 PHP ($300-400 USD), but often includes FREE accommodation for the duration of the course, which lasts three or four days.

Always book your tours and activities when you arrive. Stick to travel agents who are selling on the ground. If a travel agent won’t negotiate with you, move on to the next until you find one that will. Booking tours online is almost always more expensive.

Typical Costs in the Philippines in 2023:

Hostel Dorm Bed: 300-600 PHP ($5–10 USD) night
Budget Hotel: 700 PHP ($14 USD) night
Mid-Range Hotel: 700 PHP ($14 USD) night
Street Food: 50-150 PHP ($1–3 USD) meal
Restaurant Meals: 200-300 PHP ($4–6 USD) meal
Local Beer: 50-100 PHP ($1–2 USD) bottle
1.5L Bottle of Water: 38 PHP ($.75 USD) bottle
Jeepney Ride: 7-25 PHP ($.20–$.50 USD) ride
Tricycle Ride: 20-100 PHP ($.5-$2 USD) ride
Taxi: 75-500 PHP ($1.50-$10 USD) ride – use GrabTaxi app
Long-Distance Bus Ride: 400-500 PHP ($8–10 USD) ride
Public Ferry Ride: 200-300 PHP ($4–6 USD) ride
Domestic Flight: 2,000-3,500 PHP ($40–70 USD) flight
Island-Hopping: 1,000-1,500 PHP ($20-30 USD) trip
Diving with Whale Sharks: 1,250 PHP ( $25 USD) trip

Suggested Budget

Use the chart below to get an idea of how much to budget daily. Actual amounts will depend on YOUR travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages … some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less. Prices are in USD.

ACCOMMODATION

FOOD

TRANSPORTATION

ATTRACTIONS

AVERAGE DAILY COST

Budget

Accommodation: $9

Food: $8

Transportation: $5

Attractions: $20

Average Daily Cost: $42

Mid-Range

Accommodation: $35

Food: $15

Transportation: $10

Attractions: $30

Average Daily Cost: $90

Luxury

Accommodation: $145

Food: $35

Transportation: $20

Attractions: $40

Average Daily Cost: $240

READ MORE: Itineraries & Budgets

ADDITIONAL INFO

Money Matters

Banks, ATMs, and money-changers can be found in the city. If you are exploring outside the city limits or the neighboring islands, make sure to bring enough cash that will last until the next time you get to an ATM or bank since most tours, transportation, and some budget accommodations only accept cash.

Health & Safety

Crime

While the Philippines is a safe country to visit, there are things you need to keep in mind to ensure your safety throughout the duration of your stay.

Consult your hotel or resort front desk as they are more likely to give you reliable information than a random stranger on the street. If you really need to, trust your gut feeling when approaching a stranger.

Safety

There are many things to consider when traveling in order to stay safe … things that we may not be accustomed to during our normal everyday lives.

The following are articles about tips on how to stay safe while traveling in the Philippines:

Health

Staying fit & healthy can be challenging when traveling in the Philippines.

The tropical Philippines climate requires you to prepare for illnesses that you may not normally be accustomed to.

The following are our Top 10 Tips for Staying Healthy while Traveling in the Philippines:

Stay Hydrated but Only Drink Bottled Water
Maintain a Balanced Diet
Get Plenty of Rest
Allow Your Body Time to Adjust
Keep Active
Sanitize Often!
Be Aware of Food Safety Concerns
Take Your Vitamins
Practice Safe Sex
Be Prepared Should You Get Sick

Staying Connected

You need to have a local-based SIM card in order to stay connected when in the Philippines. Network giants such as Globe and Smart have SIM cards you can use to make calls, send text messages, and also to connect to the Internet. A SIM card costs around P50 ($1 USD) and usually comes with a FREE load worth P50 ($1 USD). You can buy a card containing a code you can enter on your phone to replenish your load or buy an electronic load that is available almost anywhere in the city.

While you may not have problems with signal when in the city, it is not always the case when on islands or in remote areas of a province. So when arranging for transportation pick up, say when renting a boat to take you to and pick you up from the island, it would be best that you make it clear what time you need to be picked up before the boatman leaves.

Don’t Forget

Smoking

There is a nationwide ban which prohibits smoking in public places including indoors, the streets, on sidewalks, in restaurants , and on public transportation, requiring smokers to use designated smoking areas. Selling tobacco to and purchasing from/for minors is also prohibited. Violators are subject to fines (up to 5000 PHP | $100 USD) and even 4 months in prison.

Alcohol

The minimum legal drinking age at 18. Alcohol such as beer and hard drinks can easily be bought in grocery and convenience stores. The most common alcoholic beverage is beer, generally served cold. Local alcoholic drinks include tuba (coconut wine which is usually very strong) and potent moonshine-like clear liquors made from sugar or fruit. Imported beer, wine, and name brand hard alcohol are available but expensive.

Drugs

Drugs are illegal in the Philippines. Don’t use, buy, or sell any non-prescription drugs while in the Philippines … not even marijuana. It is considered an especially heinous crime to buy from, for, or sell drugs to children. The penalties are severe … up to and including death.

Nudity

Public nudity is illegal in the Philippines and is not tolerated. Most locals consider it offensive. There are laws which prohibit provocative and erotic clothing and swimwear, therefore carefully consider your clothings and swimwear choices to make certain they are not too revealing.

TIPS & HACKS

Tips & Hacks

The following are our Top 10 Tips When Traveling in the Philippines:

Be aware that a tourist VISA is only 30 days. You can extend it upon arrival, or within the first 30 days, for an additional 30 days for a fee of approximately 3,000 pesos.
Don’t buy into the fear factor. The Philippines has an unjustified reputation of being a dangerous place. It’s true there are security guards everywhere, but that is to deter theft.
Manila is NOT the Philippines. Get outside of the cities to see the real Philippines.
Don’t over plan. Boats, buses, and even airplane schedules are notoriously unreliable. Be flexible.
Check the weather. The weather varies greatly throughout the Philippines daily.
Typhoons can have a huge impact on your plans. Account for this when planning your trip.
It’s not cool to raise your voice or show outward frustration in public.
Be polite at all times. Realize that your country’s sense of humor may be different from Filipino humor and take this into account when interacting with Filipinos and while in public places.
Things move at a slower pace. Accept it… don’t get frustrated… but do account for it.
Don’t drink the tap water… but stay hydrated! Save money by buying large bottles (6-10 liters) of water and using it to fill your water bottle or hydration bladder in your backpack.

Useful Travel Apps

Apps for smartphones and tablets can be useful both before you leave and while you’re traveling. Most are available for iPhones and Android phones.

These apps for savvy travelers aid you in having an unforgettable and stress-free vacation while saving you time, money, and frustration.The following is our list of 10 Top Travel Apps when traveling in the Philippines: