Philippines travel tips: 41 things to know before you go

Discover the best travel tips for the Philippines with this in-depth guide.

Travelling in the Philippines is an extraordinary experience that will give you access to some of the most stunning beaches, coral reefs, and landscapes the world has to offer. It’s a really unique country, both physically and culturally, and there are a lot of things tourists should know before they go to be able to experience it fully.

The Philippines is different from most other places in the world because it is a true melting pot. Over a very tumultuous history, many different countries left their mark on its traditions and identity. A string of natural disasters, from earthquakes to volcanic eruptions to typhoons, has also shaped the land in otherworldly ways.

As someone who has travelled to the Philippines 7 times (yes, you read that right), I’ve compiled this list of Philippines travel tips to help you prepare. I’ve put the most practical, need-to-know stuff first, from entry rules to money and getting around, followed by the cultural things that’ll help you get the most out of your trip.

41 things to know before travelling in the Philippines

Before you go

You can visit visa-free for 30 days

Holders of UK, US, Canadian, Australian and EU passports don’t need a visa for a tourist trip of up to 30 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival (the US State Department says six months beyond the end of your planned stay, so play it safe and go by that), and you should have proof of a return or onward flight, as airlines and immigration officers can ask to see it.

If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for an extension through the Bureau of Immigration once you’re in the country. Don’t overstay: fines, detention and deportation are all on the table.

Register for eTravel before you fly

Every traveller arriving in the Philippines has to fill in the free eTravel form at etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours before arrival. It takes a few minutes, and you’ll get a QR code to show at the airport. Some airlines won’t let you board without it, so do it before you head to the airport. You’ll need to register again before you leave the country, and a fresh registration is needed for every trip.

As a tourist, you don’t pay the Philippine travel tax, which only applies to Filipino citizens, permanent residents and foreigners who have stayed more than a year. Airport passenger charges are usually built into your ticket, but the UK Foreign Office notes that departures from Mactan-Cebu may still carry an 850 PHP charge, so check with your airline.

Time your trip around the typhoon season

The Philippines has two broad seasons. The dry season runs from roughly December to May (coolest from December to February, and hottest from March to May), and the rainy season from June to November. Around 20 tropical storms and typhoons pass through each year, most of them between June and November, and they can close airports and ports at short notice.

Patterns vary by region, though. Islands on the Pacific-facing east side, like Siargao, tend to be wettest from December to February. Whenever you go, keep an eye on the PAGASA weather bureau’s forecasts and follow local advice if a storm signal is raised.

Sort out your vaccinations and travel health early

Speak to a travel clinic or your doctor at least eight weeks before you go. The UK’s TravelHealthPro recommends hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid for most travellers, plus making sure routine jabs like MMR are up to date. Rabies, hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis are worth considering depending on your trip.

You’ll only need a yellow fever certificate if you’re arriving from a country with a yellow fever risk. Dengue is around all year but peaks in the rainy season, from roughly June to October, and the UK only recommends the dengue vaccine for people who’ve had dengue before, which makes repellent (more on that below) your best defence.

Money, costs and connectivity

Grab a local SIM card as soon as you land

So much of travel in the Philippines runs on your phone, from booking boats and tours over Messenger to ordering a Grab, that a local SIM is close to essential. Pick one up from a Globe or Smart counter at the airport when you arrive (the two main networks), top it up with a data package, and you’ll have cheap, reliable data across most of the country. Coverage can get patchy on the smaller, remoter islands, but for the most part you’ll be connected.

By law, every SIM has to be registered. As a tourist you’ll need your passport, proof of where you’re staying (a hotel booking works) and your return or onward ticket, and a tourist registration is valid for 30 days before the SIM is deactivated. The airport counters will usually help you register on the spot. If your phone takes an eSIM, buying a travel eSIM before you leave is a handy alternative.

You can speak English to locals

There are well over 100 languages spoken in the Philippines, with the most widely used being Tagalog, Cebuano (Visayan) and English. English is part of compulsory education here, and most people retain a good level of it throughout their lives. While accents can be strong, you can comfortably speak to locals in English and they’ll almost always respond.

You’ll need small bills as a tourist

Local businesses often don’t carry much change, so that 500 or 1,000 PHP note you just got from the ATM is basically useless in small towns or shops, especially if you’re spending 100 PHP or less.

GCash is everywhere

The Philippines has gone big on mobile payments, and GCash is the dominant e-wallet, used for everything from market stalls to topping up your SIM. Almost everywhere now displays a QR Ph code, the national QR standard that any Philippine bank app or e-wallet can scan. A full GCash account is really designed for residents, though: foreign residents verify with an Alien Certificate of Registration, and the short-stay GTourist account is limited (at the time of writing it only works with US phone numbers and lasts 30 days).

For most visitors, the easier route is a multi-currency card or app that can scan QR Ph codes, or simply cash. Cash is still king in rural areas, but in cities and tourist spots QR payments are increasingly accepted.

Plan around ATM limits and fees

A quick practical heads-up that catches a lot of travellers out: ATM withdrawal limits in the Philippines are often low (usually between 10,000 and 20,000 PHP per transaction), and most machines charge a fee of around 250 PHP on top of whatever your home bank adds. Machines can also run dry over weekends and holidays, and on smaller islands they’re scarce or non-existent. If the screen offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and choose pesos, as the machine’s own exchange rate is almost always worse.

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it’s always appreciated

How can I say this nicely? The minimum wage in the Philippines is pretty low. In most regions it’s somewhere between about 450 and 600 PHP a day (roughly £5 to £7), and even in Metro Manila it’s 755 PHP. Tack that onto feeding a family and it becomes really, really difficult, so tips genuinely matter. Tipping isn’t fully standardised, so you may find a service charge already on your restaurant bill, or you may not (by law, service charges go to the staff). Taxis and guides usually don’t include one. If someone gives you great service, be it a tour guide, a waiter, a masseur or a driver, don’t be afraid to tip 10% or more. It goes a long way.

Know where haggling is expected (and where it isn’t)

A little good-natured bargaining is part of life in the Philippines, but only in the right places. It’s expected and fine at markets, with souvenir sellers, and when negotiating tricycle or habal-habal fares (agree the price before you set off). It is not appropriate in restaurants, malls, supermarkets or fixed-price shops. Keep it friendly and fair: the few pesos you might save mean far more to a local trader than to you.

Getting around

The Philippines has over 7,600 islands

Many people think of the Philippines as a “small” country. While that may be true in terms of landmass, there are actually over 7,000 islands here. I’ve seen estimates ranging from 7,100 to 7,700 in total, and the official count now stands at 7,641. To put that in perspective, if you visited one island a day, it would take you almost 21 YEARS to see them all! It also means that even when you think you’ve seen the Philippines, you’ve barely scratched the surface.

You can get from island to island by boat or plane

This one should be self-explanatory, but there are only two ways to get from island to island: by boat or plane.

Boats usually take a lot longer, are bumpier (as the seas can get somewhat rough), and often are cancelled when the weather isn’t perfect. The Coast Guard suspends sailings when storm signals are raised. Planes, on the other hand, are slightly more expensive but are more reliable.

Build in buffer days for delays

This is one of the most useful planning tips I can give you. Inter-island travel by boat or plane is at the mercy of the weather, and delays and cancellations are common, especially in the rainy season.

The golden rule: never schedule a tight connection between a domestic flight or ferry and your international flight home. Always build in a buffer day (or two) at the end of your trip in a major hub like Manila or Cebu, so a cancelled island flight doesn’t cause you to miss your flight out of the country.

The rainy season can arrive right on cue in early June, bringing downpours, thunderstorms that knock out the power and delayed flights. If your trip runs into June, do the boat-based highlights, like the El Nido to Coron expedition, first, while the weather is still settled.

Watch the domestic flight baggage limits

Flying between islands is the fastest way to get around, but the budget carriers that dominate domestic routes (like Cebu Pacific) have tight baggage allowances that are strictly enforced, and buying extra allowance at the airport costs far more than adding it online in advance. Cebu Pacific’s cheapest fares include hand luggage only: two pieces (a cabin bag and a small personal item) with a combined limit of 10kg on its mainline flights, but still 7kg on flights run by its Cebgo subsidiary. Check the limit for your specific fare and pre-book any checked baggage when you book the flight. It’s an easy way to avoid an annoying and overpriced surprise at the airport.

Use Grab in the cities

In the larger cities, Grab (the Southeast Asian ride-hailing app) is your friend. It’s generally safer, more transparent and less hassle than flagging down a metered taxi and hoping the meter gets used, since the price is set upfront in the app. It’s not available everywhere, particularly on smaller islands, but in Manila, Cebu and other big hubs it makes getting around far easier.

Tricycles and habal-habal are the local short-hop transport

Once you’re on the islands, you’ll quickly get to know the tricycle (a motorbike with a sidecar) and the habal-habal (a motorbike taxi you simply hop on the back of). These are the workhorses of local transport, perfect for short hops the jeepneys don’t cover, and they’re cheap. Agree the fare before you climb on, and for longer distances you can often hire a tricycle and driver by the hour or the day to get around an island.

Jeepneys are an experience in themselves

As you travel around, you’ll see brightly decorated vehicles crammed with WAY more people than seems possible. These are the famous jeepneys, originally built from surplus American military jeeps left behind after WWII, and now a national icon. A modernisation programme is slowly replacing the old diesel jeepneys with newer, minibus-style “modern jeepneys”, so you’ll see both on the roads.

They run fixed routes like buses, but they’re privately operated, so working out which jeepney goes where can be genuinely baffling. The upside? They’re incredibly cheap: the minimum fare is 14 PHP on a traditional jeepney and 17 PHP on a modern one.

Health, safety and packing

The Philippines is safe for tourists

You may have the idea that the Philippines is unsafe for tourists. And while there are some unfortunate things going on in the country, tourists aren’t the targets. It’s a perfectly safe (and stunning) place to travel, and most of the tourist spots are far away from any violence.

With that said, you should always stay alert and aware of your surroundings, and keep an eye on your belongings, as you would anywhere.

I’d recommend two things to protect yourself: buying comprehensive travel insurance, and bringing a handy money belt to store your valuables. Travel insurance is critical on any international trip, be it the Philippines or anywhere else; make sure you’re covered for theft, medical emergencies, flight delays and cancellations before you leave home. I’ve used World Nomads travel insurance on my international trips for years and, after I almost died while travelling solo in Thailand, I would HIGHLY recommend never travelling without it. Private hospital care in the Philippines is expensive, and medical evacuation from a remote island even more so.

Check the travel advice for Mindanao

The one big caveat to the point above is the far south. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao, because of terrorism and clashes between the military and armed groups. The US State Department rates the Philippines as a whole at Level 2 (exercise increased caution), with the Sulu archipelago and Marawi City at Level 4 (do not travel).

The good news is that the islands most travellers head for in that part of the country, Camiguin, Siargao and Dinagat, are excluded from the Foreign Office warning. Check the latest advice before you book, as travelling against it can invalidate your insurance.

Bug spray and reef-safe sunscreen are critical, but try to bring them from home

The Philippines is a tropical country, which means mosquitoes. Lots of them. And with the mosquitoes comes a risk of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue or chikungunya. The best way to protect yourself is to ALWAYS wear a layer of repellent. I use a lotion repellent because it’s soft and non-greasy on my skin, and you’ll find the one I pack in my Philippines packing list.

Similarly, sunscreen is an important thing to consider. Since you’ll likely be swimming very close to coral reefs and marine wildlife, it’s important to do what you can to protect them. By wearing ONLY reef-safe sunscreen (a mineral formula based on zinc oxide, without oxybenzone or octinoxate), you can help protect (and avoid poisoning) the beautiful coral reefs while travelling in the Philippines.

Water shoes are a must

As I mentioned before, you’ll be doing a lot of swimming in rocky areas and around coral. This means you can easily get cuts on your feet from sharp edges. Protect yourself by wearing closed-toed water shoes whenever you get in the water, and they’re equally handy on the boat trips where your feet are constantly getting wet. Just remember never to actually stand on coral itself.

If there’s one thing you should definitely pack for the Philippines, it’s a pair of water shoes: you’ll want them for wet landings off boats, the slippery rocks at Magpupungko in Siargao, the Underground River and canyoneering at Kawasan Falls.

Pack a universal travel adapter

A small but easily forgotten one: the Philippines runs on 220 to 230 volts at 60Hz, and sockets typically take flat two-pin (Type A and B) or round two-pin (Type C) plugs, which means UK three-pin plugs won’t fit. Bring a universal travel adapter so you can charge everything, and if you’re travelling with lots of devices, a small power strip plus one adapter saves juggling sockets. US plugs usually fit, but check that your devices are rated for the higher voltage.

Environment and sustainability

Many places in the Philippines are under the threat of overtourism

Although many parts of the Philippines are still open and welcoming to tourism, some of the most popular destinations are straining from the impact of unsustainable tourism practices. As an example, Boracay, one of the most famous resort areas in the country, was closed to tourists for six months in 2018 so officials could rehabilitate the beaches and nature areas. Other hotspots, like El Nido in Palawan, face similar threats to infrastructure and sanitation.

With that said, try to get out of the cities and major tourist areas and visit smaller islands while you’re here. Go beyond the “top 10” list. Not only will you help curb overtourism, but you’ll also get to experience a more magical, authentic side of the Philippines that’s quickly disappearing from the more popular islands.

There are some incredible natural attractions and animal species in the Philippines

From nature conservatories to coral reefs, and volcanoes to caves, the Philippines is FULL of amazing attractions. There are incredible things to see on almost every island. On top of that, it’s home to some breathtaking wildlife species, like whale sharks and the tiny tarsier, one of the world’s smallest primates.

With that said, it’s important to support organisations that are taking good care of these animals and places. Unfortunately, with the rise in tourism, poor environmental practices are going on, like feeding the whale sharks, capturing wildlife like pythons and crocodiles for tourists to take photos with, etc.

Trash disposal is a huge problem around the Philippines

The Philippines is ultra beautiful, but unfortunately, rubbish is a huge problem here. You’ll often see it sitting on the side of the roads, washed up on beaches, and burning in people’s yards.

The one surefire way to be a responsible traveller is to minimise your own waste. Refuse plastic bags when offered and opt for fresh fruit, vegetables and bread instead of pre-packaged stuff. Bring your own lightweight containers for to-go food and use a refillable water bottle. The less you contribute to the trash problem, the better off everyone will be.

Some local governments are responding. El Nido has banned single-use plastics, and Boracay brought in strict environmental regulations after its rehabilitation. Hopefully, more and more local governments will follow suit.

It’s helpful to remind your tour operators of the importance of sustainability

If you see your hotel or tour operator using disposable cutlery and plates, or giving out plastic water bottles, it’s helpful to provide some feedback about reducing single-use waste. These business owners often do listen to customer complaints and feedback, so give them the opportunity to respond and improve.

Aim to support local businesses rather than foreign-owned companies

Many Filipino families, especially in small towns, run their own businesses, restaurants, etc. However, these smaller businesses often have to compete with large, multinational investors who set up shop in tourist areas. The easiest way to support locals is by spending money in their establishments.

This is easy when it comes to food. The best Filipino food in the country is cooked at home, so it’s only natural that locally owned businesses would have the best and most delicious eats.

And of course, it can be hard to avoid foreign-owned businesses (especially hotels) all the time, but be sure to do plenty of research and try your best to stay in locally owned accommodation. That way, your money is going right back into the communities that you are visiting.

Food and drink

Filipino food is incredibly diverse

When I hear people saying, “I don’t like Filipino food,” it feels like a punch in the gut. I don’t know what Filipino food they’ve been eating, but most of the food I see in the Philippines is healthy, delicious, and usually fresh from the island where I’m staying.

There are over 7,000 islands in the Philippines, each with their own local specialities and foods. There are fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, tropical foods everywhere…how can you NOT find something you like?!

But actually, I get where this sentiment comes from. I have the privilege of staying with relatives when I visit the Philippines, which means I get amazing, home-cooked meals with local recipes every day.

Most travellers don’t have that luxury, so they eat out at Filipino kiosks and restaurants, many of which serve the same few dishes: adobo, pancit, lechon/crispy pata, fried chicken, etc. Therefore, some tourists get the impression that Filipino food isn’t that diverse. But if you’re a foodie visiting the Philippines, I challenge you to find food that you love. You can do it.

Whether you search extra hard for a home-cooked restaurant, or make a local friend who invites you over, or take a cooking class where you learn to make local specialities, I guarantee you’ll find Filipino food that you adore. You might just have to look for it.

Tap water quality varies from island to island

The tap water in the Philippines varies greatly in drinkability. In some places it’s perfectly clean; in others it’s full of sediment and best avoided. Because you never know, I recommend always drinking purified or filtered water, or filtering it yourself with a bottle and purification system (I travel with an insulated Hydro Flask bottle, a Sawyer filter and a SteriPen UV purifier). You can also boil water before drinking. Whatever you do, be cautious: an upset stomach is a miserable way to lose a few days of your trip.

The Philippines is home to some of the sweetest, freshest tropical fruits in the world

If you’re after the best fruit in the world, you’ve come to the right place. The Philippines has fruit growing everywhere, from familiar bananas and coconuts to more obscure delights like kaymito and mangosteen. Forget your expensive supermarket coconut water; here you can get it fresh from the tree for a fraction of the price.

A few fruits to seek out: mango (some of the best on earth), pineapple, papaya, kaymito (star apple), mangosteen, atis (sugar apple), lanzones, chico, rambutan and lychee. The list goes on forever, and I find a new favourite every time I go back.

Filipinos often eat with their hands

You might find it surprising, but Filipinos often eat with their hands, and it’s a completely normal way of life. There’s even a traditional communal feast called a boodle fight (or kamayan), where the food is laid out on banana leaves and everyone digs in with their hands. You’ll likely eat this way at some point on your trip, so wash your hands often or carry sanitiser or wipes for a quick pre-meal clean.

History and context

The Philippines was colonised for hundreds of years

Changing hands is something the Philippines is familiar with. Spain ruled the islands for more than 300 years, from the 16th century until 1898, when Filipino revolutionaries declared independence. The United States took control that same year, Japan occupied the country during the Second World War, and the Philippines finally became fully independent on 4 July 1946.

Spain left the deepest mark: Spanish words run through the local languages, Catholicism is the main religion, and Hispanic surnames and traditions are everywhere. That gives being Filipino a different nuance from other Asian nations. People often ask me things like, “Why do you have a Hispanic last name if you’re Asian?” or “You’re Filipino, so you’re not really Asian, right?”

The answer? It’s complicated, and it draws on a whole painful history that’s tough to explain in the two minutes I’ll actually have their attention.

Many Filipinos work overseas to support their families

The Philippines sends workers all over the world, known as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), who send money home to their families. Cash remittances hit a record US$35.6 billion in 2025, equal to around 7% of the country’s GDP. It means many families have at least one person abroad helping to support them, and it’s why you’ll run into Filipino workers wherever you travel in the world.

Customs and etiquette

There’s a common gift-giving tradition called “pasalubong”

Pasalubong is a noun that basically means “a gift for a loved one.” Whenever I visit the Philippines, my mom sends me with a giant suitcase full of gifts for every family member. It’s common family or friend etiquette to bring back small trinkets, gifts, or supplies when you return to the Philippines. During the holidays, each item comes wrapped nicely.

As a tourist, you should be aware of this too, especially if you’re going to be staying with friends or local families. It will be greatly appreciated if you bring some kind of pasalubong to your hosts, whether it’s a snack from your home city or a small trinket or souvenir.

Elders command a lot of respect in Filipino tradition

You might see young people taking the hands of their elders to their foreheads, or calling older family members “Ate” or “Kuya.” These gestures are a sign of respect for elders in the Philippines.

You’ll see this respect in small, lovely everyday gestures. One is the “mano,” where a younger person gently takes an elder’s hand and touches the back of it to their forehead, almost like asking a blessing. You’ll also hear people address anyone slightly older as “Ate” (older sister or woman) or “Kuya” (older brother or man), even when they’re not related.

You don’t need to do any of this yourself, but understanding it helps you appreciate the warmth of Filipino family life, and adding “po” and “opo” (little words that lend respect) when speaking to elders is a touch locals will love.

Filipinos have a lot of legends and superstitions

One of the most fascinating elements of Filipino society, in my opinion, is just how many legends and superstitions are passed down through families and communities. In our ancestral home, my family will sit around discussing old family history and legends for hours over cookies and calamansi juice. Most families are like this in some way.

And then there are the islands, each with its own folklore. I grew up hearing about the aswang (a shape-shifting creature of Filipino myth) and other spooky stories used to keep misbehaving children in line. Each legend shows how deeply connected Filipinos are with nature and heritage. If you want to learn more, just ask a local, especially in the more rural areas.

The capital city, Manila, is one of the 10 largest cities in the world by population

Again, there seems to be a misunderstanding that the Philippines is a “small” country. But in reality, there are LOTS of Filipinos (almost 113 million at the 2024 census), and the metropolitan areas are quite large. Metro Manila itself is home to about 14 million people, and the UN counts around 24.7 million across the wider urban area, making it the eighth largest city in the world.

Traffic in Filipino cities can be fairly horrendous, genuinely some of the worst I’ve experienced anywhere, so it’s best to plan travel to and from the airport several hours in advance to account for the congestion. Don’t ever assume a short distance means a short journey here.

Funny and interesting things to look out for

Filipinos love karaoke

One thing you ABSOLUTELY have to do while travelling in the Philippines is karaoke (or videoke, as it’s usually called here). It’s a Filipino national pastime, drinking San Miguel beer and singing at the top of your lungs with friends.

If you befriend a local, ask them where the best karaoke place is (there’s usually one or more on every island). Let loose and enjoy!

Filipinos are genuinely some of the kindest people on the planet: funny, generous and very, very fond of karaoke. Some Filipino karaoke favourites include Top 100 songs from 3 months ago, Celine Dion, and musical tracks.

Listen for the famous “sir/ma’am”

When I brought my boyfriend to the Philippines for the first time, I told him to listen out for the common Filipino salutation, the famed “sir/ma’am.” Once you hear it, you can’t unhear it.

I’ve never heard this anywhere else in the world, EXCEPT from Filipinos, but I think it’s a lovely way to address people when there’s a mixture of genders present. When you visit the Philippines, listen out for this (sometimes funny) greeting, and smile to yourself when you finally hear it.

Filipinos are some of the kindest, most generous people in the world

You may have heard this from others or witnessed it first-hand, but Filipinos are seriously kind and generous.

Even though I go back to visit family and not purely for tourism, I love how welcome I feel whenever I return. Filipinos love it when people come to experience and visit their beautiful home, and they’re quick to provide any help or recommendations that you might need.

So, the tl;dr? If you decide to visit the Philippines, you might just come back with a new set of friends and family that make this island nation feel like home.

Read next

• How much does a trip to the Philippines cost? My real budget
• Filipino food: 12 dishes to try in the Philippines
• Is the Philippines worth visiting? My honest verdict
• Philippines itinerary: 3 weeks from Siargao to Coron
• The best places to visit in the Philippines: a local guide
• The ultimate Philippines packing list
• Things to do on Camiguin Island: a local’s guide
• A complete guide to Siargao
• 3 days in Siargao: the perfect Siargao itinerary

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