You’re in the thick of trip prep and the—for many—dreaded moment arrives of defining your luggage. What to take as luggage for the Philippines? Suitcase or backpack? What’s the best backpack to travel to the Philippines? Is there anything essential I should take to the Philippines? These are surely some of the questions that come up. We’ve all been there.
As we’ve spent long periods in the country and, through trial and error—coming home with things we never used or missing many others—here we want to talk to you about everything you need to include in your suitcase or backpack for the Philippines.
Suitcase or backpack to travel to the Philippines?
The eternal dilemma. It seems that just because you’re traveling to Southeast Asia you’re required to carry a backpack; however, every trip and every traveler is different and has different needs.
We have carried both suitcase and backpack for the Philippines and we can tell you that both kinds of luggage are valid. It’s true that if you’re going to visit areas a little less touristy than the most frequented spots in the country (El Nido, Siargao, Bohol, Boracay…), there will be cases where you’ll have to disembark your luggage right on the beach and that’s where the difficulties start. Of course, nobody likes hauling a suitcase through the sand, even if in most cases the walks aren’t too long. In addition, there will be many cases where you’ll face unpaved roads, full of dirt or stones.
So, for those who don’t suffer from serious back problems and want to venture a bit into the country, it’s much more comfortable if you carry a backpack for the Philippines.
If you decide on a suitcase, don’t worry, Filipinos are super helpful and will always try to lend you a hand. Plus, in most airports and ports you’ll find porters, willing to help you with your suitcase for a few pesos. But, we repeat, as a general rule a suitcase is usually not the most comfortable option.
Dragging a suitcase on rainy days isn’t the best plan
Type of backpack for the Philippines: how many liters?
If you’ve decided on a backpack for the Philippines, you’re surely worried about its size or how many liters it should have.
Considering that the Philippines is full of laundries (you’ll see the word laundry everywhere) that will have your clothes spotless in a day or two at most for about €1 per kilo, we believe that the ideal backpack size for the Philippines is 40 liters, 50 liters at most. All this regardless of how long you’ll be traveling around the country; it’s the same to pack a backpack for a 14‑day trip as for a month.
The average temperature you’ll find on your trip is around 30°C, so you’ll only need summer clothes, swimwear and the odd sweatshirt and rain jacket. For that reason, 40 liters is a perfect size to move comfortably around the dozens of transports you’ll take on your trip, and even more so if you’re considering not checking it in to save a bit of money and time. Here are some backpack recommendations for the Philippines:
- Affordable 40‑liter backpack
- More expensive 40‑liter backpack (but also better)
- Affordable 50‑liter backpack
- More expensive 50‑liter backpack (but also better)
As happens with many European and American airlines, almost all Philippine airlines charge a checked‑baggage fee. The amount varies by airline and suitcase size, but figure about €7–€10 for 15 kilograms of baggage on domestic flights, a bit more on international flights. You can find more information in our article on Airlines in the Philippines.
For that reason, a 40‑liter backpack for the Philippines is a great size to be able to take it in the cabin and avoid this cost. Even so, you’ll also be able to take a 50‑ or 60‑liter one easily, as long as it respects the measurements and the maximum permitted weight as carry‑on, which is usually 7 kilos.
Although airlines in the Philippines aren’t as strict as some European ones (for example, Ryanair), in many cases luggage is weighed at the check‑in counter and, if you exceed the permitted weight, you’ll have to pay the corresponding amount per kilo, much higher than what you would have paid if you had purchased your baggage allowance online.
On the other hand, it’s very useful to have a small auxiliary backpack of 10 or 20 liters for day trips or to carry valuables. The country’s airlines are generally lenient and allow you to carry a small handbag. This is the one we’ve been using for 5 years: 22‑liter backpack.
By the way, when it comes to packing your backpack—and repacking it a thousand times while on the road—it’s super useful to carry this kind of packing cube. This way, you know where you have everything and it stays organized. When you need a T‑shirt, you don’t have to turn your whole backpack upside down.
What to take to the Philippines in your backpack
1. Light, comfortable summer clothing
The high temperatures and humidity across almost all of the Philippines (except for certain areas like Baguio or the Cordillera region on Luzon) call for cool clothing, preferably made of cotton, as it’s much more breathable. Four changes of clothes should be more than enough, since you’ll find laundries everywhere.
Don’t forget your swimwear—you’ll need it a lot! Due to the humidity, it’s very advisable to bring a couple of swimsuits, as sometimes the first one won’t dry.
2. A sweatshirt and long trousers
Although it’s very hot, an essential to carry in your backpack for the Philippines is a warm garment like a sweatshirt, fleece, or thin jacket and a pair of long trousers. The air‑conditioning on transport—especially buses and at airports—can be brutal. We’ve sometimes ended up wearing, all at once, T‑shirt + thermal T‑shirt + sweatshirt + jacket.
3. Rain jacket
Being a tropical country, even if you’re traveling in the best time to visit the Philippines, a backpack wouldn’t be complete without a rain jacket or waterproof like this one.
4. Quick‑dry towel
Although many hotels already provide towels, it never hurts to carry one of these quick‑dry towels to use at the beach. Although the feel isn’t everyone’s favorite, clothes sometimes take a long time to dry in the Philippines, and buying one of these is the smartest option. These are great value and durable.
5. Appropriate footwear
Perhaps one of the hardest decisions when deciding what to pack for the Philippines is footwear. From our experience, we’re clear on this:
- A pair of trekking shoes, preferably Gore‑Tex, a waterproof material. We really like the Merrell brand. Check out this women’s model and this one for men.
- Some flip‑flops or strap‑on sandals. To stay cool when the above isn’t necessary.
- Some water shoes, which will be very useful on island‑hopping tours or for entering certain beaches. Try to get a decent brand; for example, these by Cressi are sturdy.
6. Snorkeling gear
Being one of the countries in the world with the best seabeds, this seems essential to us. If you think you’re going to snorkel a lot, bringing your own from home is advisable not only because you’ll save money (so you won’t have to rent it, although renting gear in the Philippines is around 100 pesos, a little under €2), but also because it’s more hygienic.
Decathlon sells many simple ones, but if you think you’ll use it more often, we suggest buying a quality one like this one by Cressi, which has anti‑fog technology.
In addition, one of the things we use most—both for snorkeling and for walking on the beach—are UV‑protection shirts. This way we also save on sunscreen and avoid harming marine fauna and flora with its chemicals. This men’s one and this women’s one have protection up to 50. It’s up to you whether you prefer long or short sleeves.
7. Hygiene products—especially feminine hygiene
We don’t recommend loading up on all the bottles of shampoo, shower gel, or conditioner, since in the Philippines you’ll find everything you need (toothpastes, deodorants, shampoos…) at a good price or even free of charge in many hotels. However, you can bring small bottles for the first few days.
A little trick we use is to carry as much as we can in solid form. That is, we have shampoo, conditioner, soap and even deodorant in bar or stick, which makes our backpack weigh less, gives us more space, reduces the risk of spills and, in addition, we consume far less plastic. We carry these in plastic or stainless‑steel soap containers. Not to mention that, if you don’t want to check a bag on domestic flights, carrying this is ideal when going through security.
If you’re a woman traveler, be sure to include in your backpack for the Philippines the products you normally use for your period. You’ll find very inexpensive pads in the country, but Filipinas barely use tampons and they’re only found in very few pharmacies at quite high prices. It’s also not common to find the menstrual cup (much more eco‑friendly); I’ve been using this compact one by Intimina for several years and it works great for me. It’s very important that you put these kinds of products in your luggage for the Philippines, because it will be hard to find them there.
8. Plug adapter
As we detail in Plugs in the Philippines, although many sockets are adapted for the European plug, it’s useful to carry a type‑A plug adapter, as these are the ones you’ll usually find. We always carry a universal one like this one. You can also get this adapter in the Philippines.
9. Sunscreen
You’ll find sunscreen everywhere in the Philippines; however, it’s usually a bit more expensive than in your country and far from environmentally friendly. Given the marine life in the seas of this part of the world, we suggest you put a natural sunscreen in your luggage for the Philippines—one that doesn’t harm marine life. Take a look at these brands, which support responsible tourism and ship to your home:
10. Insect repellent
If you’re a mosquito magnet, we have to tell you that in the Philippines you might be a perfect target. Over time we’ve found that the effectiveness of mosquito repellents has a lot to do with the person; for many, repellents commonly found in Spain like Goibi or Relec (with 40% DEET) work well, while others do better with local products. In the Philippines there’s a brand called OFF, with a much lower concentration of DEET (Overtime has around 15%) and much cheaper, which tends to work very well.
11. Waterproof backpack covers
Whether you travel in the dry season or the rainy season, waterproof backpack covers are an essential to take to the Philippines. They’ll protect your belongings from rain and from possible splashes on boats. Those by Deuter are excellent. It’s also something we use a lot when we get on a boat to go island hopping and avoid the waves getting our things wet.
12. Waterproof dry bag
This is, without a doubt, an essential to carry in your backpack for the Philippines. It’s a tough waterproof bag for carrying your most valuable items on excursions. 5‑liter ones will be enough to carry your phone, wallet and a small camera. If you’re thinking of taking larger photo gear or a few more things, get a 10‑liter one.
You can buy them online, like these here. These bags can also be purchased in the Philippines in the most touristy places for about €6–€8. Some we bought in the Philippines turned out defective and water got in, so be careful which one you choose.
Be very careful how you use these bags. Try not to submerge them much or make sure you close them well. We ruined two phones this way…
13. First‑aid kit
Although you’ll find a pharmacy on almost every corner—or a sari‑sari (small Filipino convenience stores) with the odd medicine—it’s always good to carry an emergency first‑aid kit. Consult your doctor and they can prescribe what’s necessary, but these are some basic medicines to take in your luggage for the Philippines:
- Painkillers and anti‑inflammatories: paracetamol and ibuprofen. Try to take paracetamol in case of fever. We don’t want to scare you, but if you happen to contract dengue, ibuprofen can make your situation worse.
- Chlorhexidine or Betadine to treat wounds, and some dressings or bandages.
- Antibiotic cream for wounds or cuts.
- Antidiarrheal such as Fortasec, although don’t take it lightly and consult a doctor first.
- Oral rehydration salts.
- Antihistamine such as Ebastel.
- Biodramina or similar for boat trips. Pills for this are sold in the Philippines, but they make you quite drowsy. If you get seasick and these kinds of drugs affect you a lot, buy in your country Biodramina with caffeine.
- Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or azithromycin.
- Thermometer.
14. Stainless‑steel bottle
Filipinos don’t drink tap water; instead, they have huge tanks of purified, drinkable water. If you want to be a responsible traveler, it would be great to bring a stainless‑steel bottle from home to refill and generate less plastic. Plus, many of them keep drinks cold for more than 8 hours. This one, from the well‑known brand Klean Kanteen, will last you for years.
15. Photography and video gear for traveling to the Philippines
Of course, you’re surely eager to capture many moments of your trip to the Philippines. We hit the road with quite an arsenal whenever we travel, since we work online and part of our job is to capture cool images to make you crave a trip—so we might carry more gear than a traveler coming for just a few days. Still, here’s some of the kit we always carry:
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- Underwater photos: GoPro Hero 12 Black (an awesome camera!) + dive housing + memory card + dome (to take photos showing both sea and surface)
- Surface photos: Sony Alpha II + Sony SEL24105G. FE 24‑105mm F4 G OSS + memory card + polarizing filter
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- Drone: DJI Mini 4 Pro — You can read more about it and others in Best travel drones.
Of course, we also carry our phones—which we also use to take loads of photos—and a fairly compact laptop so we can keep working on the road, as well as several portable hard drives.
Travelers often ask us whether we leave these things on the boats during excursions, and we do. With the exception of the laptops and their hard drives, we usually carry all our photography gear for the Philippines with us. Of course, we always protect it well with the waterproof covers we talked about earlier or put it in dry bags. We’ve been traveling around the archipelago for more than 10 years and we haven’t had a single theft.
16. Documents and money
We suggest making sure you carry:
- Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months. You can check more here: Philippines Travel Requirements: What You Need to Know.
- Driver’s license. An international one isn’t necessary if you have a Spanish license. It’s all explained in Driving and renting a motorbike in the Philippines.
- International vaccination card. It will only be necessary if you’re coming from countries where the vaccine is endemic. See more information in Vaccines for the Philippines.
- Travel insurance for the Philippines. You don’t need to carry it all on paper, but it’s important that you have it purchased and have the policy handy on your phone. By clicking here the 5% discount is applied.
- Cash and cards to withdraw money without being charged a fee. You have everything explained in Money in the Philippines and Best cards for traveling to the Philippines.
For documents, we suggest uploading a copy of the main pages to Google Drive or Dropbox, which are free online storage platforms.
Some tips about luggage for the Philippines
We’ve already told you the basics you need to take in your luggage for the Philippines, but here are some more helpful tips when you get down to it:
- Using clear plastic bags for liquids saves headaches.
- If you’re putting something in your backpack for the Philippines “just in case”, leave it. 99% of the time you won’t use the “just‑in‑case” items and you’ll have carried them for nothing.
- Bear in mind that you can buy everything you need in the Philippines.
- Wear your heaviest clothes and hiking shoes on the international flight.
- If several of you are traveling, put a power strip in your luggage for the Philippines. Sometimes you’ll only find one outlet in rooms, so you won’t have to fight over it. We always carry this one with us and it also extends quite a lot.
- If you’re a light sleeper, an eye mask and earplugs will be your best friends. Yes, roosters in the Philippines crow 24 hours a day.
- If you plan to stay in hostels, don’t forget to buy a good padlock like this one to use on lockers.
- It may sound a bit silly, but we always carry a tupperware. It’s useful for loads of things, but above all to take food to deserted beaches so we don’t have to depend on plastic bags.
- If you wear contact lenses, it’s essential to take to the Philippines daily disposable lenses to avoid any major problems. Throw them away after using them in the sea; there have been very serious cases of bacteria that proved fatal. You can see a good friend’s experience in this video.
Missing something from this list of things to take to the Philippines? We’d love you to tell us your must‑have in the comments.
