Travel perspectives in the Philippines may vary from one traveler to another depending on your preferences and goals. From swimming, diving, shopping, sightseeing or exploring, the Philippines has everything you need. Traveling in the Philippines should be an interesting, extraordinary journey, so I intend to introduce you to what you need to know about the Philippines, where you may want to visit, how the air, sea and land Philippines travel and more. No matter how long you intend to stay here, whether for 4 days, 4 weeks or even more, you can explore, learn and experience why it really is more fun in the Philippines!
People: Filipinos are very famous for their hospitality from time immemorial. When you are in a foreign country, it becomes easier for you, when it will be easy for you, and when you feel that you are very welcome. And what can make you feel more benevolent than receiving welcome greetings and sweet smiles even from those whom you may consider strangers in a foreign land? This overwhelming warmth of the Filipinos in general, friendship and a sincere desire to help you will surely make your stay in the Philippines special.
Language: Filipino and English are official languages in the Philippines. Although Filipino is the national language, English is also widely used. Communicating your thoughts with the locals will never be a difficult task.
Weather: It is best to travel in the Philippines from November to May. The average temperature in the Philippines (except for Baguio) is 26.6 degrees. C (79.9 degrees F). From November to February is cool, and from March to May is hot and dry. From June to October it rains, the months between July and September are characterized by typhoons. Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines, with a height of 1500 m (5000 ft). Above sea level, the average temperature is 18.3 degrees. C (64.9 degrees F).
Currency: The currency in the Philippines is peso or PHP. Coins of 5, 10, 25 centavos and 1 and 5 pesos. Bill denominations - 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 pesos. Foreign currency can be exchanged at your hotel, and at most major department stores, at banks and at authorized money changing stores. Most major stores, restaurants, hotels and resorts accept major credit cards, including American Express, Visas and MasterCard. In hotels and large department stores accepted traveler's checks, preferably American Express. Personal checks made in foreign banks are usually not accepted.
Religion: Filipinos are predominantly Christian - 82.9% Catholic, 5.4% Protestant, 4.6% Islam, 2.6% Philippine Independent Church, 2.3% Iglesia ni Cristo
Water: Water supply in Metro Manila and in all other major cities is considered to be drinking. But if you are looking for bottled purified water, mineral water or spring water, you can easily find them in stores and often provide them in hotels and resorts across the country.
Electricity: 220 volts a / c - a common standard. Also used 110 volts a / s, especially in large hotels.
Clothing: Casual clothing consisting of a shirt and shorts or trousers is very common among Filipinos.
The most common combination of business casual wear (which looks more like a business suit) for men and women:
For women, business casual wear consists of a skirt or trousers. Jeans are definitely no no. For top, shirt or polo.
For men, a collar with a collar and cotton trousers (preferably colored blue, gray, brown or black) with a belt and modest boots with socks are usually acceptable.
Filipino Food: Rice is the staple food in the Philippines. Try our sinangag or fried rice with your favorite dish. Adobo, Calderet, Heathon, Karek-Caret, Sinigang, Lumpia and Bistock (Beef Steak) are very popular national dishes. You can also try a bibinka, puto, palitou and a heap-hole for merinda or snacks. Outdoor foods are common, such as fish ball, kikiam, kvek-kvek and barbecue, such as isov, chicken head and chicken legs.
Tips are expected for many services. Standard practice is 10% of the total bill. Tips are not required for accounts that already include a 10% service charge.
Opening Hours: Usually, business hours start from 8:00 to 8:30 and end from 17:00 to 17:30 from Monday to Friday. Most private offices are also open on Saturday, when business hours begin from 8:00 to 8:30 and end at 12:00.
Banks are open from 9 am to 3 pm, from Monday to Friday, with ATMs (around the clock). Banks found inside the halls are open every day, except for holidays, from 10:00 to 19:00.
Telephone and mobile phone: Telephone communication is modern, and you can directly dial numbers anywhere in the world. Public telephones are available and numerous. These public phones require only one coin from five pesos for a three minute local call. If your friends or relatives living outside the country would like to call you, the international dialing code is +63.
Time zone: Standard time zone in the Philippines - UTC / GMT + 8 hours. The time zone abbreviation is PHT for the Philippine time. There is no summer time in the Philippines.
The Anti-Smoking Act: Section 5 of the Tobacco Regulation Act 2003 (Act of the Republic 9211) prohibiting the transportation of any lit tobacco product in public vehicles, schools, medical centers, elevators, cinemas, places and places where there is a risk of fire . Smoking is also taken in places of rest for minors. The fines imposed on violators of this section range from P500 to P10,000.
Anti-Jaywalking Order: Jaywalking was rampant in the Metro Manila, causing traffic or even accidents. To avoid this, a jailbreaking ordinance was adopted in accordance with MMDA Ordinance No. 1 of 1995. Those who cross the street outside the pedestrian pedestrian crossing or pedestrian bridges in Metro Manila will receive a criminal prosecution violation violation (PVR), will be made to pay for the P200 fine, and will also be sent to the 30-minute disaster response workshop and help provided by Manila’s Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA).
Driving: Cars drive on the right side of the road.
Air travel in the Philippines: by air, Philippine Airlines, Airphil Express, Cebu Pacific, ZestAir, Seair, Tiger Airways and Air Asia provide air travel services to major cities and towns in the Philippines. These airlines offer promotions and big discounts on flights several times a year, making flights in the Philippines more affordable. There are also scheduled charter flights to major domestic locations served by smaller commercial aircraft.
Sea Travel in the Philippines: Commercial ships and ferries are the most affordable way to travel from one region to another. 2Go Travel, Super Cat, Ocean Jet, Cebu Ferries, Cokaliong, Trans-Asia, Lite Shipping and Montenegro Lines provide ferry services in the Philippines.
Land Travel in the Philippines: Public transportation by land consists of buses, jeepways, tricycles, pedicabs, taxis and MRT / LRT / PNR. If possible, try to avoid these public transportation, especially buses, jeepways and MRT / LRT in Metro Manila during peak hours (from 6:30 to 8:30 AM / PM), when you can expect these vehicles to be overcrowded.
Submission rules: passport valid for at least 6 months. With the exception of stateless persons and persons from countries that do not have diplomatic relations, all visitors can enter the country without a visa and can stay for 21 days, subject to the availability of tickets for future travel.
Health Requirements: Witness of yellow fever infection is necessary for travelers arriving from contaminated areas.
Getting there: The international gateways in the Philippines are Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark and Laoag. Nineoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA; IATA: MLA), located about 7-12 kilometers south of Manila and southwest of Makati, is the main international gateway for travelers to the Philippines.
Customs: Visitors are advised to complete a baggage declaration form prior to disembarkation to facilitate customs inspection. Inside the duty-free trade, the following are allowed: a reasonable amount of clothing, jewelry and toiletries: 400 cigarette sticks or two cans of tobacco, two bottles of wine or perfume no more than one liter each.
Porters: baggage carts are available free of charge. Porter services are also free. Tipping is traditional.
Airport Transfers: Visitors are advised to use an accredited flat rate or estimated taxi in the airport arrival area. All airports have counters for hotel transport and car rental.
Accommodation in the Philippines: Manila and key cities and towns across the country offer a wide selection of luxury, standard, budget and retirement facilities.
Shopping in the Philippines: Shopping in the Philippines is truly awesome and amazing - no matter what you are looking for. Large malls such as SM Super Malls, Robinsons, Ayala Malls, Araneta Malls, Gaisano and others are available throughout the country. For the budget traveler, Divisoria in Manila and Baclaran in Paranac offer wholesale prices and lowest retail prices.
Entertainment and culture: Manila’s nightlife is one of the most vibrant in Asia, reflecting Filipinos love of music. Nightlife hubs are located in Remedios County in Malate, Ayala Center, Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Timog and Thomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City, Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong and Pasig City and Eastwood in Libis. Clubs, music lounges, pubs and singing in bars show Filipino bands and singers, known for their exceptional music talent. Luxury hotels offer a variety of lively musical entertainment. Concerts and stage performances are part of the country's spectacular stage.
Best beaches and tourist destinations:
- Boracay Island in Aklan
- El Nido to Palawan
- Honda Bay to Palawan
- Pagudpud, Ilokos Norte
- Camiguin Island
- Puerto Galera in East Mindoro
- Panglao Island, Bohol
- Mactan Island in Cebu
- Siargao island in Surigao del Norte
- Pearl Farm in Davao
Major cities in the Philippines:
- Manila
- Cebu
- Baguio
- Davao
- Cagayan de Oro
Best diving destinations:
- Puerto Galera in East Mindoro
- Anilalo in Batangas
- Corona Island in Palawan
- Monad Shoal on the island of Malapaska (Cebu)
- Yapak on the island of Boracay
- Tubbatakha Reef National Park in Palawan
- Crocodile Island in Boracay (Aklan)
- Balikasag Island in Bohol
- Apo Island
- Bochol Island
- Sarangani Bay
Top World Heritage sites:
- Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, South Sulu, Palawan
- National Park of the Subsoil River Puerto-Princesa, Palawan
- Ifugao or banal rice terraces in Ifugao
- Historic town of Vigan in Ilokos Sur
- San Agustin Church in Paoai, Ilokos Norte
- Nuestra Senora dela Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilokos Sur
- Church of San Agustin in Intramuroz, Manila
- Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Miag-ao, Iloilo
