Philippines Travel Tips

Time Zone GMT plus 8 hours.

Getting Here Manila, Cebu, Davao, Subic, Clark and Laoag are the international gateways. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the premier airport and is served by more than 30 airlines which fly to destinations around the world. In Cebu the Mactan International Airport (MIA) handles regular flights from Japan, Singapore and Australia as well as chartered flights from Hong Kong, the United States and other major travel markets. Davao International Airport in Davao handles regular flights from Indonesia and Singapore. Subic and Clark Airfields in Central Luzon service both chartered and cargo planes. Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte services regular flights from Taiwan.

Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier, links Manila to 14 cities in eight countries. Together with Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific, PAL plies the air routes of principal cities and towns all over the country. Asian Spirit services the missionary routes.

Departure Fees Travellers are requested to pay an airport tax of P550 when departing from Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport. If departing from Cebu City, the airport tax is P400, while in Davao, it is P220 and P100 for local departures from all airports. Travellers are advised to check with their agents on this issue before departure as the fees are subject to change.

Note: The international airports have adequate traveller friendly facilities: tourist information and assistance centres, duty-free and souvenir shops, car rental services, banks and automated teller machines, postal service, national and international direct dial telephone booths, medical clinics and baggage deposit areas.

Airport Transfers Unless you have someone to pick you up at the airport, there are only two options available: Hotel limousine and car-shuttle services can arranged with the hotel representative at the Hotel Reservation Counter in the Arrival Area or needs to be requested via ourselves at the time of booking your travel and hotel accommodation.

A Taxi Coupon System enables the visitor to use un-metered, air-conditioned taxis without having to haggle over prices. Avis Royal Class have counters at the Arrival Area. Upon paying the fare for a specific destination, you will be issued a coupon and escorted to the curb outside the arrival area until your taxicab arrives.

Seaports bustle with the comings and goings of major cruise liners but are not as popular arrival vehicles and more information on this and other forms of transport can be found on our Transport pages.

Visa Regulations Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic ties, all visitors with valid passports may enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided that they have tickets for their onward journey. Holders of Hong Kong and Taiwan passports must have special permits. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates.

A foreign spouse and children of a Filipino passport holder, or a previous citizen of the Philippines living abroad, when travelling together, will be automatically granted a Balikbayan visa for 12 months upon arrival in the Philippines.

Visa Extensions Extensions of Stay Visitors intending to extend their stay from 21 days to 59 days should contact the Immigration Office (Commission on Immigration and Deportation; CID), Magallenes Drive, Intramuros, Manila, and its offices in Angeles, Cebu City and San Fernando (La Union). Upon arrival at the Immigration Office, all you have to do is present your extension application and passport to the various immigration officials with which these documents will remain with the Immigration Office (Regular Service) for processing. Fees for a 38-days visa extension vary in cost depending on whether the application for extension by the visitor was filed before or after the 21 days limit. If you are planning to apply for a visa extension, do remember not to dress in shorts and flip-flops (thongs) or else you can expect to be refused service.

Customs Regulations To facilitate customs examination, visitors are advised to fill in the Baggage and Currency Declaration Form before disembarking. Visitors are allowed to bring in the following items duty-free: reasonable quantity of clothes, jewellery and toiletries, 400 cigarettes (total) or two tins/packets of tobacco and two bottles of wine or spirits of not more than one litre each.

Health Regulations A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travellers coming from infected areas. Travellers with infectious diseases are subject to quarantine. Children under one year of age are subject to isolation when necessary. Therefore immunizing oneself and having proof of immunization is important and should be presented to the health authorities if and when required.

Malaria Warning The threat of malaria is present the whole year round below 600m in altitude except in urban areas where the malevolent falciparum strain is present and believed to be highly resistant to chloroquine. Please talk to your local doctor for Malaria advice. From our own point of view, it is not advisable to take any precautionary measures as if you do contract the disease it is harder to diagnose if you are already taking a preventative medication. Therefore locals advise not to take anything and IF you get the disease only then take the cure. The best form of prevention is to wear a mosquito repellent all the time and never wear dark coloured clothing¡­mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours.

Dengue Fever is another mosquito borne ailment that is rife in the Philippines. Here there are no prophylactics to stop your chances of getting sick and the best way to prevent contracting the disease is to cover yourself in some form of mosquito repellent before venturing out at night.

Rabies Warning There is a risk of rabies in the Philippines. It is vital to seek immediate medical treatment if bitten by any animal.

Bilharzia Warning Visitors are advised against swimming in fresh still water as the disease called Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present (flowing water though is generally fine). However, it is quite safe to swim in swimming pools that are chlorinated.

Water in Metro Manila and other major cities is potable but some residents prefer to boil their drinking water. When in doubt, it is best to have your own supply of bottled water. In places where there is no available bottled or mineral water, bottled soda is often the next best alternative. Bottled or mineral water is available in stores at relatively cheap prices. Deluxe and first-class hotels and resorts supply mineral water in guestrooms.

Currency The currency or monetary unit of the Philippines is the peso (P). One peso is divided into 100 centavos (c). Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos as well as 1, 2 and 5 pesos. However, in 1998, the government imposed a rule dictating that only coins inscribed with the word 'Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' will be legal tender.

Banknotes can be found in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 pesos. Foreign currencies such as the US dollar, pound sterling, Deutsche mark, French franc, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and the Japanese yen are all readily exchangeable. Apart from the peso, the US dollar is largely acceptable outside Manila.

Currency Regulations Visitors carrying more than US$3,000 are requested to declare the amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter situated at the customs area. Foreign currency taken out upon departure must not exceed the amount brought in. Keep all exchange receipts for record purposes. Visitors entering the Philippines are permitted to carry up to 5,000 pesos in banknotes. Departing passengers may not take out more than P1,000 in local currency.

Travellers Cheques In Manila, traveller's cheques can be easily cashed however, they can pose a bit of a problem in the provinces. Most major international credit cards like Amex, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are widely recognized and accepted by many hotels, restaurants and shops in the Philippines. Expect to receive a lower rate of exchange of between 5 and 10%. Tip: Avoid exchanging currencies with street moneychangers unless you want to be ripped off.

Credit Cards International credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are widely accepted in major establishments in and outside Metro Manila. Cirrus, Visa, and Mastercard also provide cash advance service in selected automated teller machines (ATM's) scattered in the bigger cities.

Business and Banking Hours Private and government offices are open either from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. Some private companies open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Most shopping malls, department stores and supermarkets are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. There are 24-hour convenience stores and pharmacies. Banks are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with automated teller machines (ATM) operating 24 hours.

Tipping and/or Service Charges A Government Tax ranging from 12-13.5% is charged by most hotels and restaurants. A 10% service charge is also normally included. Tipping is traditional. The standard practice is 10% of the total cost.

Language Filipino is the national language. English is the business language and spoken widely.

Communication Facilities The country has international direct dial phone (IDD) and facsimile service, cell-phone sites, internet and e-mail facilities, and worldwide express delivery service. The postal system is efficient. Most national dailies are in English. There are five commercial-run, one government-run and one religious-run national television stations. Cable TV is available in many hotels. Foreign publications are sold at major hotels, malls, and bookstores in Metro Manila and key cities.

General Etiquette Filipinos are friendly people. They're courteous, hospitable nature is extended to all visitors except, of course, for those with bad intentions. On the other hand, there are quite a few things that you should observe in order to experience the friendliness and warmth of the Filipinos. Listed below are a few pointers on the dos and don'ts of the country's social etiquette:

Don't get paranoid or annoyed if people stare at you because they find you interesting and want to take a good look at you.

Don't be punctual if you are asked to attend a social function. You would be considered a polite guest if you arrived at least 30 minutes later than the arranged time.

Do greet the elderly if they are present at any social function as a show of respect to them.

Do taste a bit of the food being offered. If you like it, don't forget to leave some food on the plate to show you've had a lot.

Do remember to remove your shoes before entering someone's home.

Don't remain quiet in the company of Filipinos unless you want to show them that you are unhappy, bored or dislike somebody's presence.

Filipino Quirks First time visitors to the Philippines may find some of the local customs disturbing. The following are a few:

Filipinos point with their lips not with an outstretched index finger. They pucker their lips and point with them. Therefore don't be offended by thinking the person is pulling faces at you.

Getting someone's attention is not done with the voice, it is done using the hissing sound - "Psssssst", which is often used even if they know your name.

Like most Asian cultures you will see women walking hand in hand or with their arms around each other, and men touching each other in public. This has nothing to do with their sexual orientation and everything to do with the "loving family" nature of these warm tropical people.

What to wear Light, casual clothes and sturdy walking shoes are recommended. Warmer garments are needed for mountain regions. When visiting churches and temples, propriety dictates that shorts and scanty clothing be avoided. Formal occasions require dinner jackets and ties (or the native barong tagalog) for men and cocktail dresses or long gowns for women.

Tours and Activities Information on tours, accommodation and special interest activities like golfing, game-fishing, diving and aqua-sports, trekking, spelunking, and safari trips may be obtained from the Department of Tourism, or the Tourist Information Centre located on the ground floor of the DOT Bldg. in Rizal Park, Manila. Telephone number is (632) 524-2384/524-1703.

General Climate Tropical with cooling winds during the summer from March to May. Cool and dry from November to February. There is abundant rainfall during the rainy season from June to October. For more information on the climate in various parts of the country, please consult our Guide pages for each area concerned.

When to visit There really is no "best time" when planning to visit the Philippines. It all depends on what you are planning to do and what events you would like to catch.

November to February offer the coolest climate in the entire year. It's also a good time to experience the longest Christmas season in the world.

March to May are the summer months and the perfect time for beach lovers and wave-riders. Scuba diving, snorkelling, mountain trekking, and mountain climbing also find their season this time of year.

June to October are the off-peak months. This is also the rainy season. If, however, you don't want to have to deal with crowds and are looking for bargain deals, then these months are the ideal.

Religion The religion of the Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic. Other major denominations include Protestantism, Islam and Filipino independent church groups such as Aglipayan and Iglesia ni Kristo (Church of Christ)

Electricity The standard voltage of electricity used by most business centres and residents in the Philippines is 220 - 250 volts AC, 60 cycles. However, quite a few major hotels in some areas also have the US-style 110 volts capability.

Safety If you get into problems while visiting, the people to call are the emergency services.  The following are emergency numbers in Manila:

Police & Fire: 757 or 116

24-Hour Tourist Emergence No.: 501- 650 or 501- 728

Directory Assistance: 114 National Operator: 109 International Operator: 108 Direct Dialing Assistance: 112

For other emergency numbers, please refer to the directory in the area you will be visiting. Tip: It is advisable to always have the telephone number and the address of your embassy or consulate with you.

Women Travellers Generally, Filipinos are solicitous of women travellers' well-being, especially if they are known to be travelling alone. This does not mean that your safety is guaranteed; only that on the whole you should be safe. Do take precautions where necessary and as in many countries, don't go anywhere, alone at night, such as a dark alleyway or wander around aimlessly as you will be asking for trouble if it happens to be lurking there.

Disabled Travellers Most five-star hotels in Metro Manila and Cebu are equipped with rooms for wheelchair-bound guests. Main floors are provided with ramps and elevators to allow easy access to various outlets. Advance notice, is required by the hotels to confirm the room requirement.

Provincial hotels and resorts have inadequate facilities (in some areas, none at all), and some major destinations require long bus and boat transfers which may inconvenience the traveller. In major shopping districts of Makati and Mandaluyong, elevators and ramps with safety handrails are found along main pathways. Washrooms have large cubicles to accommodate wheelchairs.

Although airlines do provide wheelchairs and walking canes at designated airports, other public conveyances such as buses, jeepneys, boats, and even car rentals do not provide special accessories for wheelchairs.

Overall, the country has yet to provide the handicapped with disabled-friendly facilities that will make travel less cumbersome.

Natural Disaster Warning Typhoons strike the Philippines during the rainy season usually between July and December and flooding may occur. The Philippines is in an earthquake zone and there are more than 200 volcanoes, most of which are extinct, but there are major eruptions every once in a while so best ask a local before venturing up the sides on one, or you may descend far faster than hoped or not at all.

Drug Warning Possession or use of prohibited drugs carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of 20,000 pesos. No excuses, if caught you WILL be convicted.

Travel Warning

In recent years there has been a significant increase in kidnappings in the Philippines, including in popular resorts and there is also a threat from random bombings in various cities. We therefore strongly advise that travellers keep tabs on what the most dangerous areas within the Philippines are at any given time. Do this not only before you arrive, but on arrival too, if planning on visiting various cities or outlying island areas. Some spots are true 'hot spots for trouble' while others are as peaceful as a garden on a sunny day but these can change on a day to day, week by week basis. You have been warned. Hotel Travel takes absolutely no responsibility for travellers misfortunes in any of the countries we sell accommodation in and if guests wish to travel to dangerous areas, the responsibility is theirs (the guest's) entirely.

Safety Travel Tips

Be wary about over-friendly strangers offering drinks or confectionery as these may be laced with substances that cause drowsiness or unconsciousness. The victim is then robbed.

There have been attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Philippine waters. Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions.

Visitors who take part in water sports and scuba diving in the Philippines should be aware that rescue services are not always as comprehensive as they might be in other countries.

Kidnapping is rife throughout the Philippines. Never travel alone unless you have to, and if you do, inform everyone possible of your travel itinerary and accommodation plans.

Avoid travel off the beaten track and leave travel plans with friends or relatives.

Most large hotels have an in-room safe or deposit boxes at the front desk. Use these to keep your valuables and important documents safe.

When moving about, keep an eye on your belongings.

Don't display your money or wear too much jewellery. It attracts too much attention.

Always lock your car if you have one.