- Dress for the weather – hot! Light clothing is ideal year-round, and absolutely during the hot and dry months from March to May. Temperatures average from 78°F/25°C to 90°F/32°C. Mean humidity is at 77%.
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- Never leave home without your rain gear, umbrella, and heavy clothing during the rainy months from June to October as well as when setting out to the mountainous areas.
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- Comfortable yet sturdy footwear are best, as traveling the islands will often involve some walking.
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- When headed to the remote areas, come prepared with an insect repellant and even your own water in hand containers. Always have the island map with you.
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- Prepare to hop in a jeepney, tricycle, or pedicab – exotic modes of land transport that are the most commonly available for going around. Always bring loose change when taking public transport.
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- Know the transport schedules. Some destinations are only being serviced intermittently, not to mention extreme weather conditions that will affect these schedules.
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- Casual clothing is acceptable inside churches and business offices. Dining establishments and hotels impose no dress code but shorts and slippers are deemed improper.
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- For formal occasions, the traditional Barong Tagalog, the Philippine national costume for men, is just as suitable as the suit-and-tie. Women may wear long dresses or gowns. The Philippine national costume for women is called the saya.
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- When traveling by car, be mindful of the number coding ordinance for vehicles that is being implemented strictly in selected cities.
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- Do not miss visiting during the summer, when there is a concentration of major festivals, celebrations, and events.
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- Adapt to local customs; accept local differences. The Filipinos are divided culturally into regions a total of 16, at present, each with its own distinct traits and traditions.
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- Tipping is expected for many services. The standard amount is 10% of the total bill. Tipping is optional on bills that include a service charge, which is often 10% as well of the total bill.
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- For tourist information and assistance, get in touch with the Department of Tourism and any of its accredited offices nationwide.
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| Health Regulations |
| A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers coming from infected areas. Children less than one year old are exempted but may be subject to isolation when necessary.
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| Hospitals are listed in the "Yellow Pages" of the local telephone directory. Health centers provide emergency medical attention in remote towns and cities.
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| Accommodations
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| Deluxe, standard, economy, pension-type, and special interest accommodations are available. |
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| The Department of Tourism has a Homestay Program that offers visitors the comfort of modest homes and an insight into Philippine life. For information, contact the Tourist Information Center at Room 106, Department of Tourism Building, tel. nos. 524-2384 / 524-1703. |
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| Public Holidays |
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Edsa Revolution Day 24 February |
Araw ng Kagitingan 9 April |
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Moveable |
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National Heroes Day Last Sunday of August |
All Saints Day 1 November |
Bonifacio Day 30 November |
Christmas Day 25 December |
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| Credit Cards
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| International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard, and American Express Card are accepted in major establishments.
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| Dining Out
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| Filipino food is an exotic, tasteful blend of Oriental, European, and American culinary influences. There is a wide variety of fresh seafood and delectable fruits. First class restaurants offer gourmet specialties as well as Filipino cuisine. Be sure to sample the endless variety of native delicacies and local cuisine, which differ in every region. The Philippines is made up of 7,107 different flavors that you will want to take home with you. |
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| Shopping
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| Big malls are located in Manila, Makati, and EDSA, while handicraft, antique, and curio shops abound at the Ermita District in Manila. Duty-Free Philippines near the NAIA is the country's largest duty-free outlet.
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| When shopping in a public market, it is perfectly acceptable to haggle for the cheapest price. |
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| Communication Facilities
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| Most national dailies are in English. There are 7 national television stations. which broadcast mainly in Filipino. Cable TV is available as well.
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| Convention Facilities
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| Manila, the pioneer convention city in Asia, has played host to a number of prestigious international events. The Philippine International Convention Center and World Trade Center are some of the biggest venues. Out-of-town hotels and resorts are alternative sites. |
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| Entry Regulations
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| Valid passport. Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, all visitors may enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided they have tickets for onward journey. Holders of Hong Kong and Taiwan passports must have special permits. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates.
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| Currency
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| The Philippine monetary unit, the peso, is generally preferred for financial transactions. Money-changing shops are available in key cities and towns. |
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| Unit of currency: Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Bank notes: P10, P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1,000. Coins: 5c, 10c, 25c, P1, P5, P10.
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| Money changers will be able to give you the official guiding rates and are located at the airport, local banks, and other authorized foreign exchange dealers in commercial establishments.
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| Climate |
| March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78oF/25oC to 90oF/32oC; humidity: 77%.
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| Language |
| Filipino is the national language. English is the business language and spoken widely. Learning the basic local phrases may come in handy. Over 111 local dialects are spoken in the country. |
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| Customs |
| Visitors are advised to fill in the Baggage Declaration Form before disembarking to facilitate Customs examination. Visitors carrying more than US$ 3,000 are to declare the amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter situated at the Customs area. Foreign currency taken out upon departure must not exceed the amount brought in. Departing passengers are not allowed to bring out more than PhP 1,000 in local currency.
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| Timezone |
| GMT plus 8 hours |
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| Electricity |
| 220 volts, A.C. 60 cycles. Most hotels have 110-volt outlets. |
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| Water |
| Water in Metro Manila and in key cities and towns is potable and safe for drinking. Bottled water is available in many hotels, restaurants, resorts, supermarkets, and convenience stores. |
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| Airport Facilities |
| The international airports have adequate traveler facilities: tourist information & assistance counters, hotel & travel agency representatives, banks & ATMs, postal service, telephone booths, and medical clinics, among others. Baggage carts and porter services are available for free.
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| The airports are handicapped-friendly. Wheelchairs are available on request from the airline ground staff. |
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| Airport Fees |
| P750 for international departure and P200 for local departure (paid in Philippine pesos only). Departing passengers for international destinations are advised to check with airport or tourist information counters (Tel. Nos. (+632) 524-1703; (+632) 832-2964) the departure fees which may change without notice.
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| Local Transport |
| Metered and fixed rate taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive ways of getting around most places. |
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| In Metro Manila the fastest way of commuting is via the railway system. LRT connects Monumento on the north to Baclaran on the south. MRT traverses the length of EDSA from North Avenue to Taft Avenue.
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| Business and Banking Hours
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| Private and government offices are open either from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Most commercial establishments are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, with automated teller machines (ATM) operating 24 hours. |
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| Entertainment and Culture |
| Metro Manila is the center of entertainment and cultural activities. The premier venue for the performing arts is the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The hubs of nightlife activities are the Remedios Circle in Malate, Ayala Center and The Fort at Bonifacio Global City in Makati, Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues in Quezon City, and Eastwood in Libis, Quezon City. |
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| For visitors who want to try their luck at the gaming tables, there are casinos in Metro Manila and in the cities of Angeles, Olongapo, Tagaytay, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, and Laoag. |
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