The things you need to know before you travel to paradise!
You know how much I like the PhilippinesRIGHT? Well, you may wonder why I haven’t written tons of messages on this beautiful country. The fact is that I have a strange “illness” … basically, that’s what happens: the more I appreciated a country, the more difficult it is for me to write about it.
Quite boring if you ask me. This happens for a main reason (like Africa, but I work on my messages!). I feel the pressure and I find it difficult to put into words the beauty of a place and my emotions linked to it. I usually have everything in my head, oh so many words! And then I look at the white screen, uncertain of what I should even start.
Island jumping around Siargao, it is the island of Daku. Completely deserted and completely lowered from the jaw! (PS, curious fact: one of my friends found this photo taken by me on a collage poster placed in a Philippine Hospital, Ah well!)
So this strange “disease” is the reason why I accepted a guest message for the Philippines From Kacey (more on her at the end of this post).
Here she will tell you in detail To which to expect when planning a trip to the Philippines. I will add some notes here and there, also based on my own experience. If you know me a little, you also know that I can’t help but personalize everything that is published on my website 🙂
7 tips for traveling to the Philippines
Island of Guyam! Isn’t that something?!
Among all the popular tourist locations in Southeast Asia, the Philippines are one of the most neglected countries. It’s a shame because this country has everything, virgin beaches, spectacular hikes and dynamic cities. A trip to the Philippines can be quite rewarding if you know what to expect. Otherwise, views and sounds could overwhelm you if you are not ready for what awaits us.
The Philippines are not a particularly difficult place to travel (except for some of the larger and more congested cities), but you will want to be prepared for travel. Here are some things you need to know about the country.
1 | The flight
Me in Coron – Palawan.
The flight is undoubtedly the most difficult part to visit the Philippines. Whether you come from the United States or Europe, you can expect to spend a minimum of 14 hours even if you are lucky enough to Book a non -stop flight.
With such a long trip, you will want to make the trip as effective and painless as possible. Check online and give yourself a lot of time to arrive at the airport to make sure that the trip is going well. A good place to start finding a good flight matter is to consult the Traveloka Website, where they have very good deals for the Philippines.
Clelia note: I heard so many people who did not visit the Philippines because they thought it was too expensive or far. Let’s say it that way, so many people go to Thailand without thinking that paradise at 2-3 hours awaits! I returned from Manila to Thailand for only $ 80, so if you are looking for your flight carefully, the difference is not so large. Just say …
2 | No visa problems
Stamps everywhere!
As unpleasant as your flight may be, going through immigration is easy. Visas on arrival are available for all EU countries, the United States, Candia, Australia and most other countries.
Clelia note: I stayed in the Philippines for 4 consecutive months and the renewal of the visa is also a fairly simple procedure compared to other countries. You don’t have to leave the Philippines to extend your stay. You have to go to an immigration office, fill the papers and pay the costs. I did it in Boracay and the whole procedure took me a few hours, very easy!
3 | CURRENCY
Image credits: Pixabay.com
The official currency is the Peso Philippin. Exchange places are not too difficult to find at the airport or in cities. Instead of worrying about mediocre prices and the potentially expensive commission, you might be better Using your debit card and one of the many automatic ticket distributors you will meet.
Check with your bank to see what costs for international withdrawals. Some banks charge rigid fees that make a costly business with all kinds of money. However, other banks do not charge anything and do not charge very little.
The advantage of withdrawing money whenever you need it (assuming it is not too expensive to do so) is that you will not transport large sums of money.
Clelia note: I had only one problem to withdraw money in the Philippines, if you use their local bank –metro bank– Your card may not work (this has also happened to my friend). Nothing to fear, find an international branch and everything will be fine, do not be alarmed if you see your card rejected by the locals!
4 | English is everywhere
Smiles, the best universal language of all time! But English is also useful to connect with people in the Philippines
One of the best things for tourists visiting the Philippines is the generalized use of English. The Philippines were essentially a colony of the United States from the first half of the 20th century, and during this time, English has been largely adopted.
The omnipresent use of English is welcome for tourists, who can easily move and converse with people. In other nations of Southeast Asia, communication is a challenge. Fortunately, this is not the case here.
Clelia note: What a relief for me, coming straight from the Myanmar where they could not pronounce a word in English! Damn, The Philippins speak perfect English.
5 | Move
Typical Philippin!
You have options when it comes to getting out of Manila or any other city in which you landed. Unfortunately, The train system is quite limited. Instead, there are a lot of comfortable air -conditioned buses to take you almost wherever you would like to go. The disadvantage of buses is that traffic can sometimes be chaotic, and driving habits of bus drivers can make a shiver with white tip.
If you run out of time or if you want to avoid stress of the roads, consider flying. There are a lot of cheap indoor flights that can save you a lot of time to go to other parts of the Philippines.
Clelia note: Being the Philippines an archipelago of the islands, In On several occasions, you will be forced to fly, generally local airlines are fairly cheap (Air Asia / CEBU Pacific), but you must be careful when you compare prices because there could be hidden fees. My advice is to start reserving a flight until you have to pay and see what the final costs are, before buying!
6 | Hotel booking / Accommodation
The view from my Pandan Panay Island station). No wonder I stayed there for 40 days!
The Philippines are an affordable travel destination (it is classified in 41st cheapest country where to live). Your money will go a lot here, and this means you have your options when it comes to staying in a hotel. Luxurious hotels can still run hundreds of dollars, but modest guest houses without frills can be obtained for $ 12.
You can book your rooms in advance, but many potential places to stay may not be listed. If you are ready, you should have no problem introducing yourself to your destination and quickly find a hotel. This gives you much more freedom and flexibility, but there is also the chance that you will end up staying in a place not as pleasant as expected. Always ask the room before making a reservation to make sure there is no surprise.
7 | Keep up
Carabao semi deserted island. The Philippines are very safe!
Regarding security, most Philippines are similar to most other countries. The crime can be abundant in major cities, but the inhabitants of small cities could completely overwhelm you from their generosity. You never know what you meet, but you should be safe as long as you keep your guard.
The main exception is the dangerous Sulu archipelago. THE The US State Department warns Removals, terrorist threats and other dangers distressing this area. This seems terrible (and this is certainly the case), but the rest of the country is not affected by the separatist movement.
Clelia note: If you are not traveling in this region, the Philippines are super safe. I have traveled solo for months without any problems. Actually, People are super friendly and helpful!
Regardless of your itinerary and your plans, the Philippines will be both a fun and magnificent place to visit. Come fully prepared so that you can make the most of your time there.
Have a good trip!
About the author:
Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for “The Drifter collective. “Throughout her life, she found the excitement in the world around her.,, While communicating these efforts by his passion for writing and expression. His love for the world around him is represented through his visually pleasant, culturally embraced and inspiring messages.
The Drifter collective: An eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various style forms through the influence of culture and the world around us. Twitter / / Pinterest / / Instagram
