Philippines
Pearl of the Orient — 7,000+ islands of warmth and adventure
Currency
₱
PHP
Philippine Peso
PHP
Cashless Payments
4 / 10
Cash-heavy destination
The Philippines is still largely cash-dependent, especially outside Metro Manila. GCash and Maya (PayMaya) are widely used mobile wallets among locals, but many require a Philippine phone number to register. Credit cards are accepted at malls, hotels, and chain restaurants. Markets, street food, and provincial areas are almost exclusively cash-only.
Cash Advice
Bills (₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱200, ₱500, ₱1,000) and coins (₱1, ₱5, ₱10, ₱20) are both in circulation. Cash is essential outside Metro Manila — many restaurants, markets, and transport options are cash-only. Bring a wallet with both bill and coin compartments.
Daily Budget Guide
Meals & Transportation only — excludes accommodation · Prices in PHP
₱500–₱1,000
≈ $10–$20 USD
Carinderia (local eateries) meals at ₱80–₱150 per meal. Jeepney and tricycle rides at ₱10–₱50. Grab rides for longer distances.
₱1,400–₱2,800
≈ $25–$50 USD
Casual restaurants and mall food courts (₱300–₱600 per meal). Grab rides and occasional short domestic flights.
₱4,500+
≈ $80+ USD
Fine dining restaurants (₱1,500–₱3,000+ per meal). Private transfers and domestic flights to island destinations.
Tipping Guide
Restaurants
Tipping 10% is customary at sit-down restaurants. Some add a service charge — check the bill. At fast food and carinderia, tipping is not expected.
Hotels
Tip bellboys ₱50–₱100 per bag. Housekeeping ₱50–₱100 per day is appreciated. Not mandatory but common practice.
Taxis / Drivers
Rounding up the fare is common for taxis. For Grab, tips are not expected but appreciated. Tour guides typically receive ₱200–₱500 per day.
Visa Requirements
Select your passport to view visa requirements.
Official Links
🔒Always verify you are on official government domains (.gov). Be cautious of third-party sites charging fees for free government services.
- 🔗Visa Information
Department of Foreign Affairs — official visa requirements for visiting the Philippines
- 🔗Tourism Board
Department of Tourism — official travel guides and destination information
- 🔗Bureau of Immigration
Official immigration authority — entry requirements and visa extensions
- 🔗Customs & Prohibited Items
Bureau of Customs — what you can and cannot bring into the Philippines
Rules & Restrictions
⚠️ Always verify current laws before travel. Laws can change and penalties vary.
⚖️Legal
- Drug laws are extremely strict. The Philippines has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs. Penalties include life imprisonment. Do not carry, use, or purchase illegal substances.
- Smoking is prohibited in all public places including restaurants, bars, malls, and public transport under Republic Act 9211. Designated smoking areas are required.
- Vaping and e-cigarettes are regulated. Under Republic Act 11900, vaping is prohibited in the same areas as cigarettes. Minimum age to purchase is 21.
- Littering is illegal and subject to fines. Many local government units enforce anti-littering ordinances strictly.
🎭Cultural
- Dress modestly when visiting churches and religious sites. Cover shoulders and knees. The Philippines is predominantly Catholic.
- Bargaining is acceptable at markets and with tricycle drivers, but not in malls or established restaurants.
🏥Health
- Tap water is not safe to drink in most areas. Drink bottled or filtered water. Ice in reputable restaurants is generally safe.
Apps & Getting Around
Metro Manila has jeepneys (iconic shared minibuses), tricycles, buses, and the LRT/MRT rail lines. The rail system is limited but useful for avoiding traffic. Grab is the safest and most convenient option for tourists. For inter-island travel, domestic flights (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines) are the most practical. Ferries connect major islands but can be slow. Outside cities, tricycles and habal-habal (motorcycle taxis) are common.
Transport
- GrabTransport✅ Foreigner-friendly
Primary ride-hailing app in the Philippines. Works with international cards and phone numbers. Essential for getting around Metro Manila safely.
- AngkasTransport✅ Foreigner-friendly
Motorcycle taxi app — faster and cheaper than cars in heavy Manila traffic. Requires helmet (provided by driver).
Other
- KlookOther✅ Foreigner-friendly
Book tours, island hopping, and activities in advance. Useful for popular destinations like Palawan and Boracay.
Navigation
- Google MapsNavigation✅ Foreigner-friendly
Reliable for navigation in cities. Useful for finding restaurants and attractions. Works offline with downloaded maps.
Food
- foodpandaFood✅ Foreigner-friendly
Food delivery app widely used in Metro Manila and major cities. Works with international cards.
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Power & Plugs
Type
Type A
Voltage
220V
Frequency
60Hz
Type
Type B
Voltage
220V
Frequency
60Hz
SIM Card Guide
Typical price range
₱99–₱299 (approx. USD $2–$5) for a 7-day data SIM
Globe Telecom
Tourist SIM available at airports and convenience stores. Good coverage in Metro Manila and major tourist areas. Data packages from ₱99–₱299.
Smart Communications
Wide national coverage including provincial areas. Tourist SIMs available at airports. Data packages from ₱99–₱299.
DITO Telecommunity
Newer network with competitive data rates. Growing coverage in major cities.
Suggested Attractions
Palawan Island Hopping (El Nido / Coron)
Stunning limestone karsts, lagoons, and coral reefs. Tour A/B/C/D packages available from local operators.
Chocolate Hills (Bohol)
Over 1,200 cone-shaped hills that turn brown in dry season. Viewpoint with observation deck.
Intramuros (Manila)
Historic walled city from the Spanish colonial era. Fort Santiago entry fee is ₱75–₱100.
Boracay White Beach
World-famous 4km white sand beach. Free to walk but activities and water sports cost extra.
Tubbataha Reef (Palawan)
UNESCO World Heritage dive site. Accessible only by liveaboard dive trips from Puerto Princesa.
Mayon Volcano (Albay)
World's most perfect volcanic cone. ATV tours around the lava fields are popular.