Philippines travel guide: trip costs, safety and exchange rates

December to April, the dry season across most of the country. July to September is the wettest period in the west and the middle of typhoon season. Siargao faces the other way and is best from March to May.

Population

112,729,484 PSA · 2024 Census

International visitors

5,940,975 (2025) +9.2% YoY DOT · Last updated: 2026

Annual visitors per resident

0.05× Annual international visitors divided by the population

Currency

Philippine peso (PHP)

Language

Filipino and English; English is widely spoken in cities, tourist areas, and most hotels, restaurants, and transport services.

Tap water

Not safe

Time zone

PHT (UTC+8)

Power plug

Type A / B / C, 220V

Dialing code

+63

Driving side

Right

Tipping

Not expected, but rounding up or leaving 5% to 10% for good service is common. Check for a service charge before adding extra.

Internet

4G is widely available in cities and tourist areas, with growing 5G coverage in major urban centers. Remote islands and mountainous regions can still have weak or unreliable service.

Emergency

911 (police, fire, ambulance), 143 (Philippine Red Cross)

• Typhoon season in Luzon and the Visayas

  Jun to Nov · most storms Jul to Oct

  About 20 typhoons and tropical storms enter Philippine waters in an average year, and most of them come between July and October. When a storm signal goes up, the coast guard stops ferries and island-hopping boats, and domestic flights are canceled, so an island trip can leave you stuck for days. Mindanao is rarely in the path. If you have to come in these months, fly direct to one island and stay there.

  Go here instead:

  • Bali Bali is in its dry season from May to September.

• Holy Week empties Manila and fills the beaches

  Mar or Apr · moves with Easter

  Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays, and Manila's traffic disappears as people leave for the provinces and the beaches. Many shops and restaurants close on those two days, and ferries, buses and resorts in Boracay and Palawan are full. In a few towns in Pampanga, men have themselves nailed to crosses on Good Friday, which draws crowds of its own. Book everything well ahead, or stay in one place for the week.

• Christmas travel peak

  Mid-Dec to early Jan

  Christmas in the Philippines starts in September, with carols in the malls, but the real crush is the last two weeks of December. Flights and ferries to the provinces sell out as families go home, airports are packed, and beach resorts charge their highest rates of the year. If you want those weeks, book the transport first and the room second.

• From Ninoy Aquino International (MNL)

  Manila's main international gateway

  Most long-haul international flights arrive here. The four terminals are poorly connected, so leave extra time if you have a domestic connection. Grab is the simplest option into Makati, BGC, and central Manila, where traffic can turn a short distance into a long ride.

  • Grab to Makati or BGC, PHP 250-600
  • Yellow airport taxi, PHP 300-700
  • P2P bus to Makati or BGC, PHP 100-150

• From Mactan-Cebu International (CEB)

  Main gateway for the Visayas

  A popular arrival point for travelers heading to Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros, and other central islands. International and domestic connections are straightforward, and transfers into Cebu City or Mactan's resort area are usually much easier than in Manila.

  • Grab to Cebu City or Mactan, PHP 200-400
  • Metered taxi, PHP 250-450
  • MyBus to Cebu City, PHP 40

• From Clark International (CRK)

  Alternative gateway for Luzon

  Clark serves a growing number of international routes and avoids Manila's airport congestion. It works well for travelers heading to northern Luzon, Angeles City, or even Manila if flight prices are better.

  • P2P bus to Manila, PHP 350-450
  • Grab to Angeles City, PHP 250-500
  • Taxi to Angeles City, 20-30 min

In the Philippines, the money you lose is rarely what you spend, it's the flat ATM fee and the exchange rate. Which ATM you pick, drawing enough cash before the smaller islands, and paying in pesos rather than your home currency are the calls that decide how far your budget goes.

• Cards, cash and QR Ph

  Visa and Mastercard cover city malls, hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is still king for jeepneys, tricycles, markets, sari-sari stores and most of the islands. QR Ph, GCash and Maya are how many locals pay day to day, but they are hard for a short-term visitor to set up.

• Avoid the flat ATM fee and bad rates

  Almost every Philippine ATM charges a flat ₱250 on a foreign card and caps each withdrawal low, so the fee stings. Taking out the maximum each time, using the right bank, and declining currency conversion save you more than most people realize over a trip.

Best option for most travelers: an eSIM you set up before you arrive. You'll be online the moment you land, with no airport line and no tourist pricing.

Prefer a local SIM?

You can buy a prepaid SIM at the airport on arrival or at any Globe, Smart, or DITO shop and mall kiosk, with your passport for the mandatory SIM registration. Coverage is strong in cities and tourist hubs and patchy on remote islands, so load a data promo before heading off-grid.

• Globe

  Best reach in tourist areas

  Globe has the widest coverage across the main tourist islands and the simplest tourist data promos. Its GoSURF and Easy Surf packs are sold everywhere and are the safe default for a short trip.

  GoSURF 2GB/day, 7 days: ~PHP 299

• Smart

  Strong nationwide signal

  Smart, run by PLDT, matches Globe on reach and often has the edge on signal in the south and on ferry crossings. Giga promos bundle data with social and video apps.

  Giga 7GB + extras, 7 days: ~PHP 299

• DITO

  Cheapest data, newer network

  DITO is the third carrier and undercuts the other two on price, with fast 5G in the cities. Coverage is thinner on far-out islands, so pair it with Globe or Smart if you are island-hopping deep.

  25GB, 30 days: ~PHP 199

Thinking about living in the Philippines? Here is what the visa routes, the tax rules and the everyday costs look like before you commit.

Planning & moving around

• How many days should I spend in the Philippines?

  Ten to fourteen days is a good first trip. That gives you enough time for two or three islands without spending half the holiday in airports and ferry terminals. Trying to cover five or six regions in one trip is the mistake many first-time visitors make.

• What's the best way to travel around the Philippines?

  Domestic flights do most of the heavy lifting because the country is spread across thousands of islands. Ferries connect many destinations, but schedules are slower and weather can cause disruptions. Trains play only a minor role outside parts of Luzon.

• What's the most common mistake first-time visitors make in the Philippines?

  Trying to see too many islands in one trip. Distances look short on a map but flights, ferries, and weather delays consume far more time than expected. Fewer destinations almost always leads to a better experience.

Safety & medical

• What are common tourist scams in the Philippines?

  The most common issues are transport overcharging, unofficial tour operators, and rental disputes involving motorcycles or water sports equipment. Use Grab where available, agree on prices before departure when no meter exists, and photograph rental vehicles before accepting them. Most scams are low-level attempts to extract extra money rather than serious criminal schemes.

• What are common illnesses for travelers in the Philippines?

  Stomach bugs, dehydration, sun exposure, and dengue fever are the most common issues. Mosquitoes are a bigger concern than food in many parts of the country. Bottled or filtered water is the safer choice throughout the trip.

• What kind of travel insurance do I need for the Philippines?

  Medical coverage is the priority. Island destinations often require evacuation by boat or domestic flight before reaching a major hospital, which can be expensive without insurance. Coverage for flight disruptions is also useful because weather-related delays are common.

  Read our travel insurance guide →

• Is the Philippines safe for tourists?

  Most tourist areas are safe for visitors who use normal precautions. Petty theft and scams are more common than violent crime. Some parts of western and southern Mindanao have separate travel advisories and are not part of the standard tourist route.

• Can you drink the tap water in the Philippines?

  No. Even where locals drink it, visitors are better off using bottled or filtered water. This applies throughout the country, including major cities and tourist destinations.

Laws & local norms

• What are the drug laws in the Philippines?

  Drug laws are strict and penalties can be severe, including lengthy prison sentences. Do not assume casual attitudes seen elsewhere apply here. Avoid any involvement with illegal drugs.

• Can you vape in the Philippines?

  Vaping is legal for adults but is restricted in many public places where smoking is prohibited. Rules vary by venue and local government. Do not assume you can vape indoors just because a venue allows smoking.

• What is the dress code for tourists in the Philippines?

  Casual clothing is fine in most situations because of the tropical climate. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches or religious sites, and avoid walking around towns in swimwear away from the beach.

• What cultural etiquette should visitors know?

  Politeness matters more than formality. Public confrontations, shouting, and visible frustration tend to be viewed negatively. Respect for elders and family remains important across much of the country.

• Is it okay to take photos of people in the Philippines?

  In tourist areas it is usually fine, but asking first is the respectful approach when photographing individuals. This is particularly true in rural communities, religious events, and family gatherings.

• How can I get a digital nomad visa for the Philippines?

  The digital nomad visa is aimed at remote workers earning income from outside the country. Requirements include proof of foreign income, health insurance, and a clean criminal record. Rules continue to evolve, so verify the latest requirements before applying.

  Read our travel insurance guide →

• What are the requirements for a long-term stay in the Philippines?

  Many visitors extend tourist status through successive immigration extensions, while others use retirement, family, or remote-work pathways. The right option depends on your nationality and reason for staying. Long-term stays require more planning than a standard holiday.

Money & costs

• Is the Philippines expensive to travel in?

  It is cheaper than Singapore and often slightly cheaper than Thailand, but transport adds up quickly. Domestic flights, ferries, and island transfers usually cost more than travelers expect. Accommodation and food remain fairly priced outside the most popular beach destinations.

  See our Thailand travel guide →

• Is it better to use cash or card in the Philippines?

  Use both. Cards work well in malls, hotels, chain restaurants, and larger tourist businesses, but cash is still essential for transport, small eateries, markets, and many businesses outside major tourist centers. Carry cash before heading to smaller islands.

Culture & etiquette

• How much English is spoken in the Philippines?

  More than in almost any other country in Southeast Asia. You can usually handle transport, accommodation, restaurants, and day-to-day conversations entirely in English. The language barrier is rarely the difficult part of traveling here.

• Is the Philippines LGBTQ+ friendly?

  The country is socially more accepting of LGBTQ+ people than many of its regional neighbors, particularly in larger cities and tourist destinations. Same-sex marriage is not recognized, but most visitors encounter little difficulty traveling openly. Attitudes tend to be more conservative in some rural areas.

• What do most tourists get wrong about the Philippines?

  They assume it works like a typical Southeast Asian backpacking route with easy overland travel. In reality, it functions more like a collection of separate island destinations connected by flights and ferries. Planning around geography matters more here than in most neighboring countries.

Families & kids

• Is the Philippines a good destination for families with kids?

  Yes, especially if you focus on a small number of destinations rather than constant island-hopping. Filipinos are notably welcoming toward children, and family-friendly resorts are common. The biggest challenge is the amount of travel required between islands.

• Is it easy to use strollers in the Philippines?

  In major shopping districts, airports, and newer developments it is manageable. Outside those areas, uneven sidewalks, limited sidewalks, ferry terminals, and crowded streets can make strollers frustrating. A baby carrier is often easier.

• What if my child needs a doctor in the Philippines?

  Major cities have good private hospitals and paediatric care. Smaller islands and remote regions often have more limited facilities, making medical evacuation insurance worthwhile. Serious cases are frequently transferred to larger urban centers.

  Read our travel insurance guide →