Travel tips: Philippines

Heading out from home? We’ve gathered some tips to make sure your trip is the smoothest it can be. 

About Philippines

The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Situated in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 

Using debit and credit card

Do I need cash in Philippines, or can I use my card everywhere?

Most major places take cards, however smaller shops may require cash. It is highly recommended to carry cash when leaving the city, as smaller community’s are mostly cash driven.

What currency do they use here?

The currency here is Philippine peso. The symbol is ₱ or PHP.

Which ATM’s can I use for free?

All ATM’s charge PHP250 flat fee per withdrawal. (03/2020)

If I want cash, how much should I take out of an ATM?

6 000 PHP should be enough for a few days.

Should I choose local currency or Euros when paying?

If you’re asked to choose between local currency and Euros, always choose local currency.

Staying connected

Can I roam, or should I get a local SIM?

Most EU mobile plans will charge you for roaming.

Wifi is readily available, especially in coffee shops.

If you want to get a local SIM card, you can learn about your options here.

Useful things to know

How does tipping work?

Tipping is not expected, but is appreciated by service staff.

How much does a 0.5L beer cost?

€ 0,90

How much does an average meal cost?

€ 2,70

What’s the emergency number?

911

What type of plug do they use?

This one! It’s the standard American plug.

What side of the road do they drive on?

They drive on the right side of the road here.

How do I navigate my way around?

Google and Apple Maps both work well here.

Otherwise, we recommend Rome2Rio as the best way to find out how to get anywhere. It even tells you the cost of each option.

Any other good tips?

• Go whale shark watching!
• Use the Grab app for several services such as taxi fares, food delivery and paying in-store.

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If you’ve been to Philippines share your experience! The following would be really useful for others to know:

• Which ATMs are free to use or was there a fee? 
• Any other info you think may be useful.