Philippines

Explore Philippines

Introduction

Welcome to the Philippines! The Philippines is an archipelago located in Southeast Asia, consisting of 7,641 islands, each with its unique culture and attractions. The country is known for its warm and hospitable people, rich history, stunning beaches, and delicious cuisine.

One of the highlights of the Philippines is its natural beauty. The country boasts numerous beautiful beaches, such as Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao, which are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. There are also breathtaking waterfalls like Kawasan Falls in Cebu, and majestic mountains like Mount Pulag in Luzon, which offers a challenging but rewarding trek.

The Philippines is also home to vibrant cities, such as Manila, Cebu, and Davao, which offer a blend of modern and traditional experiences. In Manila, you can explore the historic walled city of Intramuros and the bustling business district of Makati. Cebu is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, while Davao offers a glimpse of the Philippines’ natural beauty and wildlife.

Filipino cuisine is another must-try experience. From the world-famous adobo to the sweet and savory lechon, the Philippines offers a diverse range of dishes that will surely satisfy your taste buds.

Lastly, the Philippines is a country with a rich cultural heritage, and its people take pride in their customs and traditions. You can witness this in the colorful festivals celebrated throughout the year, such as the Ati-Atihan Festival in Aklan, the Sinulog Festival in Cebu, and the MassKara Festival in Bacolod.

In summary, the Philippines is a beautiful and diverse country with much to offer. From its stunning beaches, natural wonders, and vibrant cities to its delicious cuisine and rich cultural heritage, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Philippines Travel Guide

Language - Travel Guide LANGUAGE: The Philippines is a linguistically diverse nation located in Southeast Asia. It boasts two official languages: Filipino and English. Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language and serves as a lingua franca for communication across the archipelago. English, on the other hand, is widely used in business, government, education, and as a second language for many Filipinos. Apart from these official languages, the Philippines is home to over 170 regional languages and dialects, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of its people.

arrow The Filipino Language – A Beginner’s Must-Know for Basic Phrases and Pronunciation

Visa Policy - Travel Guide VISA POLICY: Visitors from 157 countries are permitted to enter the country without a visa for periods ranging from 14 to 59 days. Just be sure to have a valid passport for at least six months after arrival. But if you wish to extend your stay, you are required to secure an extended visa waver from the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines.

For more information on visa-extensions, you may checkout the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

currency pesoCURRENCY: The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PHP) or Piso. It is made up of 100 centavos (or sentimos) and is often represented with the symbol ₱. It’s denominations are: Bills – 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 piso. Coins – 1, 5, 10, 25 cents (or sentimo). 1, 5, 10 piso.

No permit is required from the Central bank of the Philippines to bring in or to take out from the Philippines of foreign currencies. However, if the traveler carries foreign currencies that exceed $10,000, it must be declared at the Bureau of Customs Desk in the airport. It’s not against the law you just have to declare it.

Mostly, you may have your currency exchanged at the banks but some malls also have exchange booths.

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BANKS AND ATMS: It is advisable to always bring cash as some famous tourists spots, particularly in the remote areas only accept cash. ATMs are mostly available in the cities and you may withdraw a maximum of ₱10,000 per transaction but will charge you ₱200 (more or less 4USD).

Most banks in the cities are open from Monday to Friday (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) and on Saturdays (9:00 AM – 12:00 NN).

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SOCKETS AND ADAPTERS: Most electrical outlets in the Philippines are non-grounded two-pronged outlets of either type A (North-American standard) or type C (European style). Power outlets rarely accept both types of plugs. If you have a US three-pin plug (type B), you will need an adapter to plug in to non-polarized, two-pin outlets. All power sockets in Philippines provide a standard voltage of 220V with a standard frequency of 60Hz.

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CONNECTIVITY: The three most widely used telecommunication networks are Smart, Globe and Sun. All of them are available in prepaid or post-paid plan. Sun is mostly used as a backup since it has “unlimited calls/text” promos but signals in remote areas are weak.

Most places in the Philippines have no free internet connection so it is best to carry a WiFi router. You may switch over to your carrier’s wireless data network but it’s costly (specially if you’re using a post-paid plan).

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TRANSPORTATION: There are three popular airline companies in the country, Philippine Airlines, (Philippines’ flag carrier), Cebu Pacific and Airasia. I usually prefer PAL for traveling outside of the country and for domestic flights, Cebu Pacific and Airasia offer cheap options. For land transportation you may check out this post.

arrow Travel Tips: Getting Around Metro Manila

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WEATHER: The Philippines has two seasons: Wet and dry. For details you may check out this post.

arrow When Is The Best Time To Travel To The Philippines?

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