For a long time, the Philippines has been known as an upper-class paradise for those who are passionate about seafaring and water activities. With more than 7,000 islands and a coastline of more than 36,000 kilometers, the island nation boasts sparkling white beaches and turquoise waters, year-round tropical summers, and some of the best surf spots. around that. Not only that, this beautiful country has much more to it than that. Today’s article will provide an essential guide to the Philippines for those who are planning a great vacation here.
Table of Contents
Some important things about the Philippines
Currency
The first guide to the Philippines that all tourists need to attention to is currency. The main currency used in the Philippines is the Philippine Peso. Conversion rate: 100 pesos = $1.78 USD. It is advisable to prepare cash in pesos before going to the islands. In addition, US dollars are also used quite commonly here. Note that in the Philippines, tipping is optional. Waiters usually don’t expect a tip when you eat in restaurants. However, some establishments will add a ‘service fee’ to your bill.
Language
Commonly used languages here are Filipino and English. There are also more than 100 regional dialects in different parts of the country. Some simple and useful phrases for travelers like:
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Hello = kumusta
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Thank you = Salamat
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Beer = bir
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Delicious = masarap
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How much? = magkano
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Too expensive = mahal
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Don’t want = ayaw
Religion
Asia’s sole Christian nation is the Philippines. The country’s population is roughly 86 percent Roman Catholic. In addition to Christianity, Muslims also live primarily in the southern region of Mindanao. The culture of the Philippines is a synthesis of Western and Eastern traditions.
Visa requirement
The next guide to the Philippines is the visa requirement. Most countries in the world will get a 30-day Visa when flying to the Philippines. The only requirements are that your passport is valid for at least 6 months and you must have a return air ticket proving that you will be leaving the Philippines within those 30 days. The standard visa is renewable for up to 60 days.
Kind of transportation
The Philippines has well-organized, inexpensive, yet time-consuming transportation. Travel between islands by boat or plane or on land in taxis, tricycles, jeepneys, buses, and minivans. Since there are so many islands in the Philippines, it is necessary to research boat and aircraft timetables beforehand. Traffic can be challenging… Buses, trains, and even boats are frequently delayed.
- Flights: Flights in the Philippines are quite frequent and dense to go over to another island. However, flight delays are quite common, so have many backup plans.
- Ferry: Using ferries to get around is very common. This type of vehicle is quite cheap to help reduce costs for your travel budget.
- Tricycle: Tricycles make short-distance transit incredibly convenient. Three-wheeled tuk-tuks are this vehicle. You should inquire about the cost in advance and negotiate the amount you believe is fair for the driver. Our standard procedure is to charge 200 PHP for a 10-minute drive for 2 passengers, including bags.
- Motorbike: We suggest renting a motorbike in popular tourist regions (not in cities) so you may go exploring on your own. Depending on the season, tourist costs range from PHP 400 to 600 (about $9) each day.
Accommodation
The Philippines has a wide range of standards, so always do your study before arriving. In the Philippines, the word “hotel” is used in a broad sense to refer to both shabby hostels and luxurious hotels. Beach resorts can range from simple cabins to exclusive atolls with on-site spas. There are several hotels to pick from in the downtown neighborhoods. However, hostels are few and far between in campgrounds, so if you need assistance, ask a local.
Food & drink
Filipino cuisine is not very appreciated, but in return, there are extremely diverse fresh fruits and unique salty sauces. Filipinos eat a lot of meat and fish; Rice and noodles are stapled foods. The traditional dish is fish, pork, or chicken cooked in adobo style – stewed in vinegar and garlic. In Manila, try Lechon (roasted pig). If you want to eat fresh seafood, head to the fish markets – where you are free to choose your favorite seafood and then witness the cooking process right there. There are many tropical fruits for you to choose from. The most used beer in the Philippines is San Miguel.
Best time to visit Philippines
The weather
The Philippines has 3 main seasons: summer, rainy season, and dry season.
- Summer: from March to May
- Rainy season: from June to November
- Dry season: from December to February
The greatest time to visit the Philippines is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. Mountains can be up to 10°C colder than the surrounding plains, which can be sunny and dry with temperatures up to 35°C in March and April. As windy conditions in the summer might impact visibility, this is the busiest time of year for scuba diving. look. Donsol has a viewing window for whale sharks from January to May.
Typically, the most expensive time of year to go to the Philippines is from March to May. Due to the Philippines’ location in the typhoon zone, the nation averages 19 typhoons a year. It is advisable to avoid visiting the Philippines from July to October during this time when thunderstorms and severe rain are frequent.
Major Festivals
The Philippines has quite a few festivals held every year. Explore some of the major festivals to schedule your visit and soak up the ones that will probably provide unforgettable experiences. Here are some of the major festivals in the Philippines:
- Sinulog Festival, Third Sunday in January: The Santo Nio, or Holy Child, is honored at Cebu’s Sinulog Festival.
- Dinagyang Festival, Fourth Sunday in January: is being held at this time, complete with street dancing contests and an abundance of food and drink.
- Panagbenga Festival, February, The city’s flower industry is honored at the Panagbenga Festival. Giant floats covered with flowers may be seen marching through the streets here.
- Masskara Festival, Third week of October: The Masskara Festival in Bacolod has dancers parading around town wearing vibrant masks.
Top entertainment activities in the Philippines
Scuba diving
The Philippines prides itself on offering some of the best diving in the world as it lies within the “Coral Triangle.” Snorkeling here will give you a feeling of relaxation and relaxation when watching the extremely diverse and beautiful world of marine life. The country boasts 5000 species of snails, mollusks, and mussels; 488 species of coral, 2824 species of fish, and many more! Some of the best snorkeling spots are Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Monad Shoal in Cebu, Manta Bowl in Masbate, Panglao Island in Bohol, and Mactan in Cebu…
Go swimming
Beautiful beaches like those in the Philippines are uncommon. Don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the beaches of Bohol, Siargao, Cebu, Boracay, and Palawan.
Eat local food
In the Philippines, food is affordable. Dinner can be purchased for as little as $1. Because Filipinos enjoy eating, you may discover delicious meals all around the nation.
Island hopping
Island hopping excursions can be had around the Philippines for as little as $20 to $100 per boat voyage. The Hundred Islands National Park in Pangasinan, Cebu, Iloilo, Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, Camigiun, Palaui, and Siargao are excellent locations for island hopping.
Essential guide to the Philippines
Check for ATMs on the islands
When planning your trip around the Philippine islands, find out if the islands have ATMs. Places like Manila, Cebu, and Boracay have plenty of ATMs, but many of the smaller islands of the Philippines don’t. To be on the safe side, exchange and keep the right amount of local cash with you so you won’t have a hard time staying on the island for a bad experience.
Do not drink the water
Another guide to the Philippines is not to drink water. Many tourists have complained about the poor water quality here. Many people have been sick after using the water. So it’s better not to use the water here, but to buy the bottled water available and use it. Bottles of water throughout the Philippines are mostly cheap and plentiful – in fact, many hotels will offer free bottles every day.
Buy a sim
One thing to keep in mind when traveling in the Philippines is that wifi is not available everywhere. It’s not stable, and if it is provided it’s usually not fast. in big cities, there may be a fast wifi network available but the opposite happens on many islands. To utilize Google Maps, make urgent calls, or locate crucial information while traveling, we advise purchasing a sim card. The best option is to purchase a GLOBE or SMART Sim card (9GB for 1000 PHP), then top it off when you need more data. It’s the last thing in our guide to the Philippines today.
To conclude, the Philippines is a wonderful destination. Spend as little time as possible in Manila and travel to the islands as quickly as possible. When exploring the Philippines, be sure to mingle with the people, be willing to venture outside of your comfort zone, take in the many beautiful sunsets, and most of all, be open to experiencing all that comes your way! In the end, I really hope this essential guide to the Philippines helps you have a great time.
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