Philippines TraveL GUIDE

If you’re going to travel to the Philippines and don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place! In this Philippines Travel Guide you’ll find all the essential information to plan your independent trip to the country of 7.107 islands. After traveling around the Philippines on several occasions, we’ve prepared everything you need to know in different sections. Each of these sections contains useful information and, in addition, will take you to super-detailed articles on the topic. If you’re looking for information about pre-trip preparations or what to do in the Philippines once you’re there, you’ll find it all here.

VISA – FLIGHTS TO THE PHILIPPINES – TRAVEL INSURANCE – VACCINES – IS IT SAFE? – WEATHER – LUGGAGE 

TRANSPORTATION –  MONEY –  ACCOMMODATION – FOOD – LANGUAGE – CONSULTING – WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN THE PHILIPPINES

Guide to traveling to the Philippines

1. Visa for the Philippines

The visa for traveling to the Philippines is an important topic when preparing your adventure, and that’s why it couldn’t be missing from this complete guide to the Philippines. If your stay in the country is less than 30 days you won’t need to worry at all, as we tell you in the article on the Visa for the Philippines, since once you land in the Philippines your passport will be stamped so you can stay 30 days. The cost of this visa is free.

If you plan to stay longer exploring the country you’ll need to do the visa extension for the Philippines. There are different ways to get it. From Spain it’s possible to do it and forget about having to look for immigration offices during your trip. The 3-month single-entry visa costs 27€, the 6-month one costs 54€ and the 1-year one 81€. Doing the visa extension directly in the Philippines is slightly more expensive but, unlike in Spain, where you’ll need more than one visit to the office, in the Philippines a single visit will suffice and you’ll have it sorted in under half an hour or, simply, you can do it online.

What’s more, if you’re already thinking about extending your stay when you land in the country, you can carry out the Philippines visa extension right at the airport before picking up your luggage. In this case you’ll have to pay 3,130 pesos for 59 days.

2. Cheap flights to the Philippines

Knowing a few basic tricks, it won’t be hard for you to find cheap flights to the Philippines. Although it’s a bit more expensive than flying to more popular airports such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok or Hong Kong, it’s possible to find cheap flights to the Philippines from 300€. To do so, we recommend being flexible with dates and using tools like “Whole month” and “Cheapest month” in the Skyscanner cheap flights metasearch engine to find the best deals. Using as a stopover the “cheap airports” we mentioned before will also help you get cheaper plane tickets to the Philippines, since low-cost airlines like Air Asia or Cebu Pacific Air fly from those Southeast Asian cities. Below you’ll find different flight deals you can access directly from this Philippines Travel Guide.

3. Travel insurance for the Philippines

More and more travelers understand travel insurance as something essential when going outside Europe. We always travel with one and, unfortunately, we’ve had to use it on more than one occasion. Thanks to traveling with IATI travel insurance in the Philippines we’ve saved a lot of money on hospital visits for respiratory or back problems. What’s more, the last few times we needed it we were on an island without decent hospitals and they paid for a flight so we could be treated in perfect conditions at one of the best hospitals in Manila, and they even covered hospitalizations and surgeries worth 24.000€.

As part of the Viajar por Filipinas community, by clicking the button below you can get a 5% discount on the purchase of your travel insurance. In addition, in this other article we tell you in more detail why it’s the best travel insurance for the Philippines.

5. Is it safe to travel to the Philippines?

We know, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs page on the Philippines isn’t very encouraging. That, together with the news sometimes shown on the TV, may make you wonder whether it’s safe to travel to the Philippines or not. Although it’s likely that you and we don’t know each other at all, we can tell you, with complete frankness, that the Philippines is not a dangerous country. With a caveat: “if you travel with common sense”.

It is possible to travel through almost all of the Philippines without any problems. It’s no surprise that the country welcomed nearly 6 million tourists in 2024 and you only have to take a look at social networks to see how travelers from all over the world enjoy the wonders of the Philippines. If you have doubts, take a look at Is it safe to travel to the Philippines?

Among the precautions we recommend when traveling around the Philippines are:

On the other hand, it’s common to read that Manila is a dangerous city. However, having lived there for years and visited the city as tourists on several occasions in recent years, we don’t agree. Obviously, in Manila, as in any other city, there are neighborhoods that aren’t nice and where violent incidents sometimes occur. But as a traveler, you simply have to act with caution and stay alert, since thefts do happen, we won’t lie to you.

If you’re thinking about traveling to the Philippines solo, don’t think twice! Truly, it’s a unique experience and, from personal experience, we recommend doing it for sure. Besides the fact that Filipinos are very welcoming people who will help you with anything you need, there are lots of travelers who will be doing the same as you. If you feel like it, you can even share a few days of travel. Female travelers will love reading Traveling solo in the Philippines, is it recommended? For those worried about money, here’s a reassuring fact: there are more and more hostels for backpackers in the Philippines where rooms are shared to save.

6. Weather in the Philippines: When is the best time to go?

Whether by email, in our Philippines Guide, in comments, or in the Viajar por Filipinas Facebook group, this is one of the questions you ask us most often. As it’s a country with a tropical climate, there’s a solid rule-of-thumb answer, but it can never be considered exact. The best time to visit the Philippines in terms of weather is from December to May, when the dry season takes place across most of the archipelago. This means the chance of rain is much lower in areas like Palawan, the Visayas, or Luzon, but it still doesn’t guarantee you won’t get a downpour at some point.

The rainy season in the Philippines runs from June to November in most of the country. This increases the likelihood of showers and typhoons, but it’s still perfectly compatible with sunny beach time. As you can see, the weather in the Philippines is largely a matter of probability. Keep in mind as well that, since it’s such a large country with far‑flung areas, there are places with different microclimates. In Siargao, for example, it’s dry season in July and August , when much of the country sees rain.

A very useful way to check the current weather in the Philippines is by visiting the government’s official PAGASA website or its Facebook page, where the situation in each area of the country is continuously updated.

7. What to pack for the Philippines

The eternal traveler debate about whether it’s better to go with a suitcase or a backpack clearly tilts toward the backpack when traveling around the Philippines. No one doubts how convenient it is to roll your suitcase through the streets of New York and pop it into a taxi, but in the country of 7.107 islands things are considerably different. Often you’ll have to land on beaches where your suitcase wheels are useless, and in other cases you’ll find, as happens when visiting Malapascua, that 90% of the streets aren’t paved and it’s much more comfortable to carry the weight on your back.

So, what should you pack in your backpack for traveling to the Philippines? Pack light, comfortable summer clothing for hot days, a rain jacket for the more than likely showers you’ll encounter, a power adapter for Philippine plugs, waterproof covers to protect your backpacks, and a first‑aid kit with basic medicines. To help protect you from mosquitoes, a long‑sleeved shirt or two won’t hurt, but there’s no need to bring your own mosquito repellent from home: the ones there are cheaper and more effective.

Of course, let’s not forget the beach! For your beach kit, we recommend bringing a swimsuit, some water shoes that make it easier to move around on days you go out to enjoy snorkelling and waterfalls, and a quick‑dry towel so you’re not lugging it around wet. Dry bags are also very useful for keeping your valuables safe from water when you go on excursions. You can easily buy them once you arrive in the Philippines for about €7.

8. Transport / How to get around

Transport in the Philippines is a different world on each of its islands, but in general you’ll find similar options everywhere. Tricycles are the equivalent of Thailand’s tuk‑tuk—a motorbike with a sidecar added to carry 2 to 6 people (or many more!). Jeepneys are old American jeeps modified to carry more passengers and are the cheapest way to get around when traveling in the Philippines. Plus, they’re painted and decorated so they become true works of art.

Another very comfortable way to move freely from place to place is by renting your own motorbike. Prices are usually around 350 pesos per day, more expensive where demand is higher and cheaper if you rent long‑term. Read carefully Driving and renting a motorbike in the Philippines.

To hop from one island to another, you can take ferries in the Philippines that connect the different ports. Sometimes, if you’re trying to reach a less touristy place, you’ll need patience and to combine several to reach your final destination.

The other option you’ll use most to get between islands is taking domestic flights in the Philippines. The main airlines operating them are Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia. We always use the Skyscanner search engine to find the cheapest, since it shows all the options and makes it easier to compare and buy plane tickets. Delays are very common, so be patient and leave enough time between legs so you don’t risk missing one.

You’ll find all this information in How to get around the Philippines, transport guide.

9. Money: budget for traveling to the Philippines

Your daily budget for a trip around the Philippines totally depends on your travel style and the activities you do. In that sense, you could say it’s a country “for all budgets.” We think it’s possible to travel the country from just €20 per day if you follow a few tips. In How much does it cost to travel to the Philippines? we explain everything in detail.

When it’s time to eat, head to the traditional carenderias. These are local restaurants with different pots of pre‑cooked dishes where you can choose what you want simply by pointing. A sort of buffet with dishes like spring rolls, battered eggplant (oh, how delicious tortang talong is!), rice, adobo, and other Filipino delights. This is the cheapest way to eat, and you can satisfy your hunger for just over €2.

The same goes for accommodation. If you want a nice resort with a pool, restaurant, and air‑conditioning, you’ll find it. But if you simply need a room with a bed and a shared bathroom, you’ll have no trouble finding that either. For the first option, expect an average of around €30 per night depending on the level you’re after, while for the second you can book from just €8.

The price of transport varies depending on how you want to get around. Inter‑island flights can be found from €20 if you book in advance, but if you decide to go by ferry you’ll pay much less per leg. It all depends on the time you have and the route you take. As always, slow travel is cheaper.

What tends to make a trip to the Philippines more expensive are excursions. If you want to make the most of your trip, many destinations require boat trips (the famous island hopping), which usually cost between €20 and €30 per person.

It’s also normal to want to discover the islands’ underwater world—which we highly recommend—so consider that a scuba dive in the Philippines costs between €22 and €35.

It’s advisable to travel to the Philippines with cash and exchange it for Philippine pesos when you arrive. Unlike other countries, airports there are often where you get the best exchange rate. If you need to withdraw money from an ATM, we recommend looking for HSBC machines; there are few, but they don’t charge fees for their service. You may still pay fees to your own bank for international withdrawals. To avoid these, in addition to what we explain in this Philippines Guide, check out our articles on money in the Philippines and Best card for traveling to the Philippines, where we recommend the bank cards we use so we don’t spend a cent on fees.

There’s also an option not many people know about, but it’s undoubtedly the best of all: REMITLY. This platform lets you send yourself money to pawnshops—the pawn stores in the Philippines that Filipinos use to receive/send money to each other. In a matter of seconds, with no fees (the first time is free; after that it’s just €2.99) and with a better exchange rate, you can receive more than 50,000 pesos (if you want) in one go. Plus, using OUR LINK, you get a €10 welcome bonus. We know it sounds odd, but it’s what we always use on our trips and it works like a charm. You can read more in Remitly in the Philippines.

10. Finding accommodation in the Philippines

Although on most of our trips we usually use Booking to find accommodation, when traveling in the Philippines the selection on this platform is often a little more limited than on Agoda’s. So we always recommend checking both before deciding. Sometimes you’ll find the same place listed on both, but at a better price on one of them..

It’s important to know that there are places—Siargao, for example—and dates when it’s harder to find accommodation. In those cases, it’s wiser to book as far in advance as possible. As it’s such a Catholic country, during times like Christmas in the Philippines or Holy Week there’s a lot of local tourism and it can be really difficult in some places to find a bed. The same goes for Chinese New Year—late January to early February—or during the most important festivals in the Philippines. Be proactive and book in time.

To make it easier to find the best places to stay, we’ve created this ACCOMMODATION GUIDE FOR THE PHILIPPINES. Here you’ll find the top places recommended by us and by our readers. Take a look! From here you can see the best hotels, resorts, and hostels around the country. And if you’re after a special moment, don’t forget to check our picks for the Best resorts in the Philippines and for Overwater bungalows in the Philippines.

12. What language is spoken in the Philippines

More than 170 languages are spoken in the Philippines, but only two are official: Filipino and English. Yes, you read that right—English is an official language in the Philippines and, thanks to this, the vast majority of Filipinos speak it very well. Don’t worry if you don’t speak English; that’s no barrier to traveling in the Philippines. People are very friendly and, even if it’s with gestures or translation apps, you won’t have any trouble.

Hardly any Spanish is spoken in the Philippines anymore. Only some older people remember a bit from when they studied it at school, but something that will likely surprise you when traveling around the Philippines is that many of the words they use are a legacy of 300 years of Spanish colonialism. So if you decide to travel to the Philippines, you’ll often hear “tenedor,” “cuchara,” “mesa,” “silla,” or “guapo.” Plus, many of the numbers are exactly the same as ours. You’ll often meet Filipinos who don’t realize these words come from Spanish and will be amazed if they see you start counting “uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco…” in what they think is only their language. You can read more from this Philippines Guide in our article Languages of the Philippines.

13. Internet in the Philippines

If you want to get online during your trip, you’re probably wondering whether there’s Wi‑Fi in the Philippines. The answer is yes—but with caveats. Although the vast majority of hotels and accommodations offer Wi‑Fi, away from big cities it’s very likely it won’t be great quality. That’s why we always recommend getting a Filipino prepaid SIM card so you can connect to the internet.

Globe and Smart are the country’s two main carriers, and both offer fairly similar rates, coverage, and speeds. In our internet in the Philippines guide we break down each plan and which is best depending on how you’ll use it and how many days your trip around the Philippines will last.

14. Travel consulting: we’ll tailor‑make your trip to the Philippines

If you want to travel to the Philippines and completely forget about having to make all the preparations, we can do it for you. We travel to the Philippines constantly and can help with everything you need. We’ll help you find the cheapest flights, the best accommodation for your tastes and budget, we’ll design your perfect itinerary, and we’ll answer all your questions. If you don’t have time to prepare this trip using this complete Philippines Travel Guide, it feels too cumbersome, or you simply want us—who know the country well—to do it for you, don’t hesitate: we’ll help!

Click the button below to access the contact form:

15. What to see in the Philippines: Must‑see classics

Now that you have all the information at hand to travel to the Philippines, you’re probably wondering: what shouldn’t I miss on a trip to the Philippines? We’re so in love with this country that we don’t like to talk about “musts,” because as you explore you’ll discover its magic in every corner. In Things to do in the Philippines, Best islands in the Philippines to visit, or Less‑touristy islands in the Philippines you can get a feel for many of its highlights.

One thing you need to keep in mind when planning your trip around the Philippines is how much time you have. Transfers between destinations in the country are still quite time‑consuming, and you’ll normally need a full day to move from one place to another. That’s why we encourage you to plan your trip by zones. Most itineraries in the Philippines cover Palawan (El Nido + Port Barton or Coron) and one or two islands in the Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, or Malapascua) or in Mindanao (Siargao or Camiguín).

There are as many trips around the archipelago as there are travelers, but these are the most popular destinations that usually appear in most itineraries for the Philippines: