Philippines Travel Guide - Essentials

You will find that everything is exceptionally cheaper and everyone is extremely helpful and cheerful. There is an excellent tourist infrastructure in place throughout the country which ensures that regardless of your preferences, you will be guaranteed to enjoy a holiday of a lifetime.

Safety: the Philippines is generally a relatively safe and friendly country. To make your stay even safer, be sure that your tour guide is accredited by the country’s Department of Tourism. If you can, use Airport-accredited taxis when transferring from the airport to your hotel.

This information will prove to be very useful if you have any complaints or if you accidentally leave any belongings in the taxi. Trade your foreign currencies only at accredited foreign exchange dealers such as banks or hotels. If you need assistance, call the tourism hotline at +63 2 524 1703 or +63 2 524 1728.

When to go: the Philippines boast a tropical climate year round, but for weather, it is best to travel from December to April. Christmas time is very popular and therefore the main towns and beaches will be very crowded, but the weather is ideal and the festive mood is high.

If you are looking to save money, visit the Philippines from July to November. This is the low season and many hotels and resorts slash their rates. The months of October and November allow tourists the chance to catch breathtaking sunsets.

Money: the country’s official currency is the Philippine Peso. Most establishments (especially in metropolitan Manila) accept Visa, MasterCard and other major credit cards. Hotels and large department stores also accept traveller’s checks.

Language: Filipino and English are the two main languages spoken. The unique Filipino language comes from Tagalog but is mixed with parts of other Philippine languages. There are about 80 other indigenous languages that are still being spoken in the country.

Every Filipino of every age can speak basic English, so communication will never be a problem. Most professionals and university-educated Filipinos speak English fluently. Most signposts are in English, so it is almost impossible to get lost. Menus in restaurants are mostly in English as well.

Recommended hospital:
St. Lukes Medical Center - E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila (emergency number: +63 2 723 0301)

Business needs: international roaming applies in the Philippines and there are several reliable cellular subscription providers. There are also a lot of prepaid SIM cards for travellers who intend to stay a few months.

Typical business hours:

• Government departments: 8:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.
• Retail: Major malls open at 10:00 until 22:00, every day of the week. Traditional shops are closed on Sundays.
• Banking: Most banks are open from 8:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday. Special in-mall banks such as Banco de Oro are usually open until 19:00, and some of its branches are open even on Saturdays and Sundays.