Philippines Travel Tips: 25 Things to Know Before Visiting

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Travelling to the Philippines can be a unique and exciting experience. Whether you’re a budget backpacker, slow traveller or going on an adventure, these essential Philippines travel tips will help you prepare for an epic trip to the archipelago.

1. Research the destinations you want to visit in advance

The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, making it a great destination for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts. The country is famous for its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and friendly people but make sure you research the places you want to visit and what activities you can do to make the most of your trip.

These are the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines:

Boracay – the party capital of the Philippines

Cebu – an island with amazing diving spots and training centres

Bohol – countryside tour of the Chocolate Hills are the Tarsiers conservation

Siargao – the surfing capital of the Philippines

El Nido, Palawan – the most crystal waters, white sand beaches, lagoons and insane island hopping

Coron, Palawan – picturesque islands with jungle treks and wreck diving

Manila – the capital of the Philippines, mostly a concrete jungle and a city to fly in and out of

Read more: 2 Weeks In The Philippines: The Ultimate Itinerary

2. Know where NOT to go

This may seem evident, but can easily be overlooked and safety should always come first. There’s a big change going on right now under the current government in the Philippines. This has led to some definite no go areas in the Philippines.

If you’re in the UK, ensure to check here when planning your trip.

3. Don’t try and visit too many places in one trip

I’d strongly recommend you choose a maximum of three places to visit if you only have 2 weeks in the Philippines. Don’t try and fit too much into your Philippines trip or you’ll end up rushing around too much without enjoying it properly. Think about what sort of thing you’d like to experience, for example, our goal was to do as many water sports as possible including getting our PADI (scuba diving) certification.

4. Booking your international flights

The Philippines has several major airports, including Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila), Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Kalibo International Airport (Boracay), so you don’t necessarily need to fly in and out of Manila at all. Sadly for us, flights to Manila were the most affordable – otherwise I’d have been more that happy to skip the concrete jungle.

5. English is an official language in the Philippines

Because the Philippines was an American colony for just under 50 years, English is commonplace here. Not only is it an official language, but nearly all of the official signs are written in English rather than Tagalog. 

Filipinos will speak their native languages among themselves, but are just as happy to speak English – and most can do so fluently. 

6. Buy a local SIM card on arrival

The Philippines are said to have the worst wi-fi connectivity in Asia, so having a local SIM card will make it easier to stay connected and navigate your way around the country.

I’d recommend buying an eSIM online or a physical SIM card as soon as you land at the airport, particularly if you are visiting more of the remote islands where it can be challenging. Unless you want to digital detox and spend some time offline of course!

7. Try some water sports

Snorkelling in the Philippines is some of the best I’ve ever done anywhere, and you don’t even necessarily need to be a good swimmer to have a go. I can’t recommend it enough!

There are so many water sports to choose from, including the opportunity to learn to scuba dive. If you’re serious about diving, research diving schools in advance really well and check if you can save a day by doing the e-learning online at home rather than sat at a computer in the diving centre. That’s what we did.

8. You will need aqua shoes

If you’re planning to go island hopping or visit any beaches, you will need some good quality Aqua Shoes with thick soles. The beaches can be rocky, sharp and quite slippery – particularly at Secret Lagoon on the island hopping tours where you are getting in and out of boats.

We made the mistake of buying cheap shoes on eBay and it was painful to say the least.

9. Filipino people are incredibly friendly

Filipino people are probably the nicest people I’ve ever met. South-East Asia as a region generally has a very warm, friendly culture but Filipinos take it to the next level.

Read more: How To Plan A Month Travelling In Southeast Asia

10. Be respectful of the local environment

Whether you’re scuba diving or hiking up a mountain, just remember to be conscious of the environment you’re in. Don’t litter or touch the coral and make sure you take any plastic you see out of the sea.

The Philippines is growing crazily fast as a tourist destination which means their sanitation and infrastructure is struggling. Always remember to follow instructions when it comes to rubbish disposal, including toilet roll.

11. Always carry toilet roll

Let’s not dwell on this, but if you’re out on a day trip in the Philippines, just pinch a toilet roll from your hotel room and you’ll thank me later!

12. Buy sunscreen at home

Many sunscreens (and moisturisers) across Asia contain bleach or some sort of whitening ingredients to make your skin lighter. The Philippines is the only country I’ve visited where all of the lotions at the stores contained whitening agents, so I’d always advise purchasing a brand you know and can trust from home before you travel.

They are also pricier compared to what we can buy at home, so best to bring your own. While you’re there, it’s also important to pack after sun, insect repellent and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

13. Don’t expect gourmet cuisine

Filipino food isn’t exactly famed or known as being the best. I’ve probably harped on about this enough, but prepare to struggle if you have dietary requirements of any description. To date, it has been the worst country I have visited in terms of finding vegan food.

You can read all about how excited I was to finally find a vegan restaurant in the Philippines, towards the end of our trip.

I recommend packing some pot noodles, pringles and cereal bars – the more easy to travel with snacks the better if you’re planning a trip here.

14. Service will be slow

Service in Asia is generally slower than in the UK, but in the Philippines it will almost always be done with a smile. Don’t order at an eatery if you’re in any kind of rush as you will only be frustrated with how long everything takes.

15. Prepare for changes in the weather

The Philippines has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 25-30°C year-round, but the weather can change very quickly, given that the country is made up of loads of tiny islands.

Be sure to pack appropriate clothing and sunscreen, and be prepared for occasional rain showers – particularly in rainy season.

Typhoons can happen all year round in the Philippines, but the peak of the typhoon season is July to October, so it’s advisable not to travel then.

16. Purchase a dry bag

I’d say one of the most important Philippines travel tips is to take a dry bag. If you’re planning to do any water sports, island hopping or even spending time on the beach, you’ll be so thankful for a dry bag. With waterproof, tough, durable fabric, they are designed to keep all your valuables dry. We bought a small one for island hopping in El Nido, but I’d go for a slightly larger; medium or large sized one to hold your clothing and shoes as well as your phone and camera etc.

17. Buy a waterproof case

Much like a dry bag, a waterproof phone case is always an essential if you’re planning to spend time in or near water which you’ll definitely be doing in the Philippines.

Whatever you buy, ensure you test it at home first by sealing a piece of paper inside the case and submerging it under water to see if the paper gets wet or not.

18. Book accommodation in advance

The Philippines offers a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. Choose a place that fits your budget and travel style, and book in advance to ensure availability.

Booking in advance may seem obvious, but in my youth I have been known to book flights to Hong Kong and Thailand, rock up at the airport and use the airport wi-fi to find somewhere to stay.

These days, I’m far too fussy about luxury hotel rooms and bagging a great deal to even consider doing that – but I’m guessing people still do.

It is important to note that if you’re visiting Palawan for example, you need to book a DOT–accredited hotel (this is the most up-to-date list I have found) in advance, which is a requirement to enter the country.

The accreditation provides assurance that the hotel has assessed its risk and put in place credible systems, policies and practices to deter and prevent crime and to respond effectively in the event of a security incident.

19. Ride in a tricycle

Tricycles are essentially a motorbike sidecar and are the common way to travel in most of the smaller towns such as El Nido. It’s quite the experience and you’ll undoubtedly ride in one at least once while visiting the Philippines.

20. Religion

The Philippines is a unique country for many reasons; one being that most Filipino’s are Roman Catholic. The religion was brought to the country by Spanish colonisers and has stuck, in a big way.

Filipinos are very religious and many go to church multiple times a week – so don’t make ‘jokes’ or say anything negative about religion. Not that you would, of course – but I had to mention it.

21. Check how eco friendly activities are before you book

I cannot labour this point enough, but I strongly recommend looking into all the activities you want to do in the Philippines (well, everywhere else you visit too). Do your own research into how eco friendly they really are, especially where animals are concerned, such as the Tarsier conservation in Bohol.

In the same way I’d never watch a dolphin show, ride a camel or pose with a (drugged) tiger for a photo op.. It’s always important to research the places you visit and the activities you take part in to ensure you aren’t contributing to animal cruelty.

22. Watch out for hidden fees

Cheap costs make the Philippines a great destination for budget travellers, but always make sure to carry cash in case you run into surprises.

You can’t rely on card payments being accepted, particularly on remote islands but hidden fees can include airport and ferry terminal fees that can set you back up to 750Php per person for international flights. It isn’t a lot of money (around £12), but it can soon add up, particularly if you’re on a tight budget.

ATMs also charge to withdraw money so it’s worth taking out a decent amount to avoid repeat visits. I believe maximum you can withdraw is 10000Php (around £150) which is more than enough to last you a few days.

23. Allow for transport delays

Domestic flight delays are very much the norm in the Philippines and ferries are weather-dependant. Travelling between the islands with the unpredictable island weather can take some time, so be careful about pre-booking hotels that are non-refundable if you’ll need to take a ferry or flight to get there.

24. Don’t drink tap water

Make sure you always drink bottled water or at the very least, filtered water in the Philippines. In the interest of sustainability, you can also get a water-filter bottle which helps reduce plastic and is more eco-friendly.

Brushing your teeth with bottled water is advisable too, especially if you’re on a remote island as the tap water can be questionable (unless you’re in a decent hotel).

25. Don’t just stay in a resort, travel around

I love a luxury resort, but all too often will meet people who will spend an entire week at the resort without venturing too far out. Personally, I could never travel so far around the world to just do that. They’re missing out on so much of the beauty the country has to offer.

Each island has it’s own charm and personality, and is known for different things. Boracay is all about the nightlife, Palawan the beaches, Bohol the Chocolate Hills, Siargao the surfing and Cebu the scuba diving – to name but a few.

There are SO many bucket list things to do in the Philippines. Get out and enjoy all the country has to offer!

If you’ve got any questions, or any other tips – I’d love to hear from you.

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