▷ Travel Tips for the Philippines – Everything You Need to Know [2024]
We traveled to the Philippines and did our best to prepare by reading travel information online. While we had a wonderful trip, despite our efforts, we still faced some surprises and disappointments. In this article, we’ve compiled the best tips we wish we had known before traveling to the Philippines, so you can have a smoother and more enjoyable stay. These tips for the Philippines will help you save time, money, reduce stress, and avoid some common issues. We answer all your questions about this exotic country, from the most important—Is it safe to travel to the Philippines?—to What’s the best time to visit the Philippines?
What language is spoken in the Philippines?
The Philippines has several languages spoken, but the two official languages are Filipino and English. Many words and phrases in Filipino have Spanish roots. Tagalog, the base of Filipino, contains many Spanish words or words derived from Spanish (since the Philippines was a Spanish colony for over three centuries, from 1565 to 1898, which left lasting Spanish influences on Filipino culture). Don’t be surprised if you hear some Spanish words like mesa (table), silla (chair), or cuchillo (knife).
English is another official language, though we sometimes had trouble communicating in English with Filipinos, as they occasionally misunderstood us.
In our experience, we were able to recognize some Spanish words, but it wasn’t as if we could hold a full conversation. On the other hand, we noticed that many Filipinos understood us well in English. The language you should definitely use to get around the country is English, though you’ll need to fine-tune your ear.
Some locals told us that in cities like Zamboanga and Cavite, you can find people who speak Spanish, but we didn’t visit those places. If you visit these cities and can confirm this information, we’d love for you to reach out to us on Instagram and share your experience!
Transportation in the Philippines 2024 🚗
How to Get to the Philippines?
Unless you’re a sailor like Jack Sparrow, the best way to travel to the Philippines is by plane, as the country is located right in the middle of the ocean. You can find affordable flights to the Philippines on our favorite platform, Skyscanner. The Philippines has two international airports: one in Manila, the capital, and another in Cebu. We arrived in Cebu and then took a flight back to Qatar from Manila. Our flight from Qatar to Manila lasted 9 hours, so make sure to bring a good pillow for the journey. Buying one at the airport will cost you 2-3 times more. 📉
How to Get Around the Islands and Between Islands in the Philippines?
Getting around the Philippines is an essential part of your island experience, as many of the transportation methods are unconventional. Here’s a list of the main ones:
Domestic Flights in the Philippines:
The country is made up of many islands, and if you want to explore beyond the capital, Manila, you’ll likely need to take domestic flights. You can find affordable flights in the Philippines, especially if you book in advance. One important tip is to arrive early for domestic flights, as it’s common for flights to depart earlier than scheduled if they are almost full and missing a passenger. They might leave without you.
If you want to know more about flight prices, we’ve shared how much a trip to the Philippines costs in this article.
Ferry in the Philippines:
In some cases, ferries can be a cheaper and more convenient way to travel between islands. For example, you can take a ferry from Cebu to Bohol or from Coron to El Nido. We recommend booking your ferry tickets several days in advance, as they can sell out quickly. We were buying tickets for ferries on this website.
Renting a Motorbike in the Philippines
To explore the islands at your own pace, renting a motorbike is a great option. This is especially useful for islands like Bohol, Coron, and El Nido. Keep in mind that while it’s common to rent motorbikes in the Philippines without a license, very few, if any, rental places offer additional insurance, so be careful.
IMPORTANT: Before signing the rental contract, ask to test the motorbike (make sure the brakes work properly) and try on the helmets they provide; ensure they feel comfortable. Also, take a video of the vehicle’s condition before renting. Traffic in the Philippines can be a bit chaotic, especially during peak hours, so always drive carefully and defensively.
Tuk-Tuks in the Philippines
Tuk-tuks are small three-wheeled motorized vehicles commonly used for transportation in parts of Asia and other regions worldwide. You’ll see them everywhere in the Philippines. It’s a unique experience but also a cheap and convenient way to get around the islands. You won’t find Uber or many “regular” taxis on the Philippine islands. Tuk-tuks are pretty cool, but if you’re tall like me (1.91m), you might find yourself hunching over a bit 😂. If you take a tuk-tuk, you can always negotiate the price, so don’t hesitate to bargain and check with other drivers for different rates.
Grab – The Uber of the Philippines
In the Philippines, they don’t use Uber, Bolt, or any of the ride-hailing apps commonly used in the West. Instead, you’ll need to download Grab, the country’s main taxi app. With Grab, you can easily book rides. We highly recommend using this app, not only because it’s the most widely used in the Philippines, but also because you can pay by card and avoid scams from local taxi drivers. Grab is mainly available in big cities like Manila and Cebu. If you try using it on smaller islands, you might not find any available vehicles and will have to rely on tuk-tuks instead.
How to Manage Money During Your Trip to the Philippines? 🤑
Paying by card on the islands is, in most cases, not an option. Even in big cities or at airports, we had trouble trying to pay with a card. It is always necessary to have cash. Plan ahead and make sure to carry a sufficient amount of cash with you. ATMs usually charge a fee of $3-4 USD per withdrawal, in addition to any fees your bank may apply. On one occasion, we found ourselves in a situation where an ATM ran out of cash, and we had to desperately search for another working one in the city. Therefore, it’s best to withdraw more money whenever you have the chance. If you want to avoid bank fees, check out our article on Revolut, the best travel card.
Be cautious:
Always try to travel with a card that has a limited amount of money and transfer only what you need from your main account before making a payment. Card cloning is a common issue worldwide. If you’re paying with a credit card, make sure you have good fraud protection insurance. We didn’t feel that the Philippines is dangerous, but you should always be cautious.
Currency in the Philippines
The official currency of the Philippines is the Philippine Peso (PHP). As of February 2025, 1 USD is equivalent to 58 PHP.
Prices in the Philippines
The Philippines is a relatively affordable country, especially compared to Europe or some parts of the Americas. If you’re curious about how much our trip to the Philippines cost in 2023, check out this article where we break down the expenses.
How’s the Weather in the Philippines? ⛱️
The weather in the Philippines is generally warm and humid year-round due to its tropical location in Southeast Asia. The country has two main seasons:
Rainy Season (Wet Season) 🌧️
The rainy season in the Philippines usually lasts from June to November. During this period, the country experiences heavy rainfall and occasional typhoons. The weather tends to be more humid, and temperatures are slightly cooler compared to the dry season.
Dry Season ☀️
The dry season runs from December to May, bringing warmer and drier weather with little to no rain. March and April are typically the hottest months, with temperatures reaching their peak.
Regardless of the season, make sure to always wear good sunscreen! 🫡
When is the Best Time to Visit the Philippines?
In general, the best time to visit the Philippines is from December to May. We traveled in April and visited Bohol, El Nido, Coron, Cebu, and Manila. Most days were sunny and hot (around 30°C/86°F), but we also had some cloudy days and occasional rain showers.
The best time to visit depends on the specific places you want to explore. The Philippines is a huge country with over 7,000 islands, so always check the weather for the specific islands you plan to visit.
Can You Work Remotely in the Philippines? 💻
If you’re a digital nomad planning to work remotely in the Philippines, this is for you! Before our trip, I researched whether internet in the Philippines is reliable for remote work, and most sources warned that frequent blackouts and slow speeds make it difficult to work online. But is that really the case?
Is Remote Work Possible in the Philippines?
The internet speed in the Philippines varies widely depending on where you are. It’s generally slower than in Europe or many parts of the Americas, but working remotely is possible if you choose the right locations.
We visited Cebu, Bohol, Coron, El Nido, and Manila, and here’s how the internet performed in each place:
✅ Cebu & Manila – No issues working remotely or making video calls. Speeds were stable and reliable.
✅ Bohol – Decent internet, especially around Alona Beach. Some remote areas had weaker signals, but I could still make video calls without major problems.
⏳ El Nido & Coron – I had read that internet was unreliable, so I decided not to work during my time there. However, when we tested it, it was slow but functional. Even in Coron and El Nido, I was able to make some pixelated but usable video calls with my family.
Where to Buy a SIM Card in the Philippines?
SIM cards in the Philippines are very affordable. You can usually buy one for 40 PHP (less than $1) and top it up with 100 PHP or more, depending on how much data you need and for how long. Don’t make the same mistake we did by buying a SIM card at the airport and paying the tourist price (XD). We ended up paying a lot more than we should have, but we didn’t have many options at the time; we needed to get to our hotel.
Nowadays, we use the Airalo eSIM, which you can purchase through their app. Plans start at $4.50. If you sign up through this link, you’ll get a 3€ discount on the first purchase.
Is it Dangerous to Travel to the Philippines? 🏴☠️
Is the Philippines safe? The safety situation can vary depending on the location and specific circumstances. In general, we found the islands to be pretty safe for travelers, and the locals genuinely care about looking out for you. However, the situation changes in the cities. I wouldn’t recommend exposing your valuables in places like Cebu or Manila while walking around. For example, Kasia didn’t feel safe in Cebu, though in Manila, she felt a bit better because we stayed in the safer area, Makati. Still, if you go out at night, you’ll see a lot of “friendly” locals offering services on the street, and if you’re a man, you might get chased like zombies 😂.
That said, in islands like Bohol, El Nido, and Coron, we felt very safe. Nothing happened to us, and we saw plenty of people leaving their belongings on top of motorcycles or even leaving the motorcycles with keys in them. It’s always important to be cautious and take care of your belongings, but in general, the Philippines isn’t a dangerous place, especially in tourist areas.
Avoid Scams in the Philippines
While not strictly about safety, we did notice that every time we paid for something, there were additional chargespopping up unexpectedly. For example, you pay for an island tour, and once you’re there, they tell you that if you want to disembark, you need to pay an additional 200-400 PHP. If you want to use the kayak, that’ll cost you another 200 PHP, and to snorkel, you need to rent the equipment for about 300 PHP. I recommend asking in advance about any extra costs before booking your tour.
Also, to avoid paying for rental equipment each time you take a tour, check out our article on what to pack for the Philippines.
One specific case we noticed was that when you arrive on an island, they charge you an environmental fee when you leave the ferry or airport. However, every tour agency you book with seems to charge you again for this, as if you never paid it. Make sure to keep your payment receipts to avoid paying the same fee multiple times.
Are You Ready for Your Trip to the Philippines?
The Philippines is undoubtedly a paradise, and if you’re a fan of beaches, jungles, and crystal-clear rivers, we’re sure you’ll have an amazing time. Many of the “misfortunes” we experienced are things you’ll probably encounter in any destination you visit, but we hope this information helps. We’ve both visited around 20 countries, and we agree that the Philippines is in our Top 3 most beautiful countries we’ve been to.
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