Every island has its own landscape, charm, culture, cuisine and adventure that is slightly different from its neighbour. One day you can be lounging on a picturesque white-sand beach, the next hiking a volcanic peak and the day after that discovering stunning rich terraces that never seem to end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a country that is hard to get bored of, especially when there\u2019s always a friendly local to start a crazy karaoke<\/strong> party no matter where you are. Filipinos love karaoke! And when they\u2019re not singing their hearts out, they\u2019re often welcoming you into their culture<\/strong> with warm hearts and smiles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve created this ultimate guide to the Philippines<\/strong> to share with you everything that this unique country has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a beach-lover, underwater enthusiast or in need of a relaxing holiday then the Philippines will be pretty close to your dream destination. The country boasts over 36,000km of coastline<\/strong>, which is made up of some of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The white sand is powder soft, whilst the turquoise waters are warm and home to marine life<\/strong> like whale sharks, turtles, sharks, thousands of fish and dugongs (also known as sea cows).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its incredible beaches are what the Philippines is most famous for, but did you know that there are rice terraces just as magnificent<\/strong> as those you\u2019ll find in Bali? Or that the Phillippines have a lush jungle that\u2019s ideal for hiking?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And far removed from all of that is the chaotic and bustling city of Manila. A place that will have adrenaline pumping through your veins the entire time you are there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The only problem with the Philippines is that there isn\u2019t enough time in the world to explore it all<\/strong>. And, the food isn\u2019t as good as the rest of Southeast Asia, but those countries set the bar pretty high!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, the Philippines is considered a safe country<\/strong> to travel to. In fact, it ranked safer on the 2022 Safety Index than Canada, the UK and the US. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like with every country around the world, petty theft and pickpocketing can occur, especially in busy cities like Manila. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep an eye on your personal belongings, don\u2019t flash your valuables about and practice common sense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 7,600 islands is a lot to explore. Where do you even start? That\u2019s where we\u2019re here to help. We\u2019ve narrowed down our favourite islands to just our top 3 places in the Philippines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Palawan is often referred to as one of the world\u2019s best islands<\/strong>. Once you see the stunning beaches surrounded by limestone cliffs, you\u2019ll understand why. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing where to stay in Palawan can be a hard task. Do you want to stay in El Nido with its towering limestone cliffs and turquoise waters? Or on Coron with its crystal-clear lakes, World War II shipwrecks and rich marine life? Port Barton, a coastal village, is a quieter option with incredible island-hopping and snorkelling adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check how to get from Manila to El Nido<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over recent years, Siargao\u2019s<\/a> popularity has been quickly growing as more and more people heard about the world-class surf breaks<\/strong> and idyllic laidback atmosphere<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Siargao is an island overflowing with palm trees, waterfalls, lagoons and white-sand beaches. It\u2019s the perfect place to hire a scooter for the day and explore this paradise island at your own pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n See our route on how to get from Manila to Siargao<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rice terraces of Banaue<\/a> are often overlooked, but actually, they\u2019re probably some of the best that you\u2019ll find in Southeast Asia. With some of the rice terraces dating back over 2,000 years<\/strong>, you can\u2019t even begin to imagine the amount of work that has gone into this stunning human creation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The local villages are charming and welcoming, and they\u2019re a great escape from crowded travel spots. If you\u2019re interested in trekking, this area offers some amazing trails<\/strong> that will take you from village to village through lush greenery, hot springs and the famous terraced rice fields. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read our page on how to get from Manila to Banaue<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Philippines cover a huge area, so it makes sense that the weather isn\u2019t going to be the same everywhere, but generally the country has two seasons, dry and rainy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best time to visit the Philippines is during the dry season which lasts from November to April<\/strong>. If you want the ultimate best time to visit, then this would be between December and February when temperatures are around 24\u00b0C to 31\u00b0C. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After these months, the temperatures start to heat up with humidity hitting around this time too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The rainy season runs from May to October<\/strong> but doesn\u2019t prevent you from visiting most of the Philippines. Monsoon rains usually occur in the afternoon, leaving you the rest of the day to explore and have fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing that you\u2019ll need to watch out for during this season is typhoons. Every year, more than ten typhoons sweep across the Phillippines. These are more likely to happen between June and September, but some can hit as early as May. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every year, up to ten typhoons sweep across the Philippines. The typhoon season lasts from June to September<\/strong>, but some typhoons can hit as early as May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure to stay up-to-date on the weather forecasts when planning your trip here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to the size and the number of islands, the majority of your long-distance travel will be on domestic flights, boats or ferries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While on the islands, you have plenty of options to choose from for travelling from place to place such as; jeepneys, taxis, vans, motorbike taxis (habal-habal) and tricycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the best ways to get around the Philippines:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Travelling by plane is one of the most popular ways to get around the Philippines. It\u2019s convenient, often not too expensive and can save you a lot of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a country that\u2019s set up for air travel<\/strong>, with a number of islands having their own domestic airports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most popular Filipino airlines are Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to keep in mind that taking a short-haul flight can be up to 10 times more polluting <\/strong>than taking a more environmentally-friendly option like a bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where you don\u2019t want to take a plane, there is often a ferry or boat alternative. However, this option tends to be a lot more time-consuming<\/strong> and boats in the Philippines aren\u2019t always the safest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the bright side, taking a boat in the Philippines is likely to reward you with stunning views<\/strong> and an adventure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Boats range from large ferry-style boats with rooms to small pump boats, also known as bangkas. The main ferry companies are 2GO Travel<\/strong> and Ocean Jet<\/strong>, which run regular schedules to popular destinations including Cebu, Bohol and Palawan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can either turn up at the boat dock to buy your ticket or some routes are available to book online via 12Go.Asia<\/a> and Bookaway<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Where a body of water doesn\u2019t need to be crossed to get to your next destination, buses can be a good way to get around the Philippines, but it depends on the length of your journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The buses that cover shorter journeys tend to be more local-style buses<\/strong> with no air conditioning, uncomfortable seats and not enough seats for everyone. On the plus side, it can be a great way to have a chat with locals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Premium buses<\/strong> can be found covering longer distances. They have air conditioning, comfortable sits which sometimes recline, and normally there\u2019s a toilet onboard. Some might even have Wi-Fi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inner-city bus tickets can be bought once you board the bus. For inter-city buses, you can buy the ticket from the bus terminal beforehand or book online. Bookaway<\/a> and 12Go.Asia<\/a> are two great websites to book on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeepneys are an icon in the Philippines<\/strong>. They\u2019re a cross between a truck and a jeep which are often brightly coloured and packed full of people, with some even riding on the rooftop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They are the main form of transportation in major cities like Manila and Cebu and certainly offer an adventure to anyone brave enough to ride one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The jeepneys have their routes painted on the side of them or on a signboard in the window. Even so, they often divert from their routes, picking up and dropping off passengers here, there and everywhere! <\/p>\n\n\n\n To hop on a jeepney, you simply have to stand on the side of the road and flag one down! Make sure to have small denominations of cash on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taxis in the Philippines come in many different forms \u2014 cars, tuk-tuks, tricycles and moto-taxis. You\u2019ll be able to find one at least of these everywhere you go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure to agree on a price before getting in<\/strong>. Or, if you want to avoid the hassle of haggling, you can use the popular ride-hailing app, Grab<\/strong>. Although, Grab is only available in Metro Manila, Cebu City, Davao City, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, and Baguio City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Travelling to the Philippines is an easy task for the majority of the world. Citizens from around 160 countries are able to enter the Philippines without a visa<\/strong>. These include all countries in the EU, the UK, the US and Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most visa-free visitors are able to stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To enter, your passport much be valid for at least 6 months and they may ask for proof of exit from the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t know when you\u2019ll be leaving the Philippines, you can \u2018rent\u2019 a plane ticket for $12. Best Onward Travel<\/a> book a real plane ticket for you that is valid for 48 hours. It\u2019s 100% legal and safe.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n For more information on visas for the Philippines, view the Republic of the Philippines Bureau of Immigration website<\/a> or the Department of Foreign Affairs website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Philippines isn\u2019t known for having the best food. It\u2019s a lot of meat and not a lot of vegetables, but there are still plenty of dishes that will get your mouth salivating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are our favourite dishes in the Philippines:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a selection of the best tips and pieces of information to make your trip to the Philippines that little bit easier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Philippines uses the Philippine Peso<\/strong> (PHP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n While card payments are becoming more popular in big cities and popular tourist destinations, it\u2019s good to always have some cash on you just in case. You\u2019ll need cash for things like taking the bus, markets and tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The only fee-free ATM in the Philippines is HSBC<\/strong> which has a withdrawal limit of 40,000 PHP. But don\u2019t worry, the other ATMs do charge withdrawal fees but they\u2019re minimal, ranging from $0.20-30 per withdrawal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n When using an ATM, it might ask you which conversion rate you would like to accept. Always decline the ATM conversion rate. Your bank will always give you a much better exchange rate than the ATM.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n While a lot of cafes, restaurants and hotels offer free Wi-Fi, it\u2019s likely that you\u2019re going to want internet whilst out and about. We recommend getting a local sim card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The four main mobile providers in the Philippines are Smart, Globe, Dito<\/strong>, and Airalo<\/strong>. You\u2019ll be able to buy a sim card from one of these providers at most international airports in the Philippines or at a mobile provider’s store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whilst it\u2019s convenient, buying a sim card at the airport is often more expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll need to make sure that your phone is ‘unlocked’ which means that you can put any sim card in your phone, rather than being locked to a specific provider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The two official languages in the Philippines are Filipino<\/strong> and English.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to practise your Filipino, here are a few words to get you started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Philippines\u2019 climate is mainly hot all year round, so bring loose-fitting clothes because you\u2019ll want to stay as cool as possible. If you\u2019re travelling during the rainy season, then a raincoat is a must!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from the essential travel gear, here are some that have become permanent fixtures on our packing list: <\/p>\n\n\n\nIs the Phillippines worth visiting? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/El-Nido-Palawan.jpg\")
Is the Philippines safe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBest destinations in the Philippines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Destinations in Luzon (North Philippines)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Banaue](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Banaue_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Donsol](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Donsol_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Legazpi](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Legazpi_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Manila](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Manila_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Pagudpud](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Pagudpud_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Sagada](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Sagada_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDestinations in Palawan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Coron](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Coron_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"El](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/ElNido_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Port](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/PortBarton_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Puerto](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PuertoPrincesa_Philippines_newfit-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDestinations in and around Cebu<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Bohol](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Bohol_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Camiguin](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Camiguin_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Cebu](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Cebucity_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Malapascua](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Malapascua_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Moalboal](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Moalboal_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Oslob](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Oslob_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Siquijor](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Siquijor_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMore destinations in the Philippines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Boracay](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Boracay_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Siargao](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Siargao_Philippines-300x129.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTop 3 places to visit in the Philippines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPalawan \u2014 the epitome of paradise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"El](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/El-Nido-Palawan-2.jpg\")
Siargao \u2014 world-class surf breaks and too many palm trees to count<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Road](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Isle-of-Coconuts-in-Siargao.jpg\")
Banaue \u2014 discover mindblowing rice terraces and charming villages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Rice](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Banaue-Rice-Terraces.jpg\")
When is the best time to visit the Philippines?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDry season (November to April)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rainy season (May to October)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to get around the Philippines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBy plane<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
By boat <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Dumaguete-Philippines.jpg\")
Buying a boat ticket in the Philippines<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
By bus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Buying a bus ticket in the Philippines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
By jeepney<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Jeepney](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Jeepney.jpg\")
How to ride a jeepney<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
By taxi <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Entry requirements and visa for the Philippines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Kate](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Kate_GeckoRoutes.png\")
<\/div>\n Must-try Filipino food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Pork](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Pork-delicacy-in-Philippines.jpg\")
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Essential travel tips for the Philippines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Different](\"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Paper-currencies.jpg\")
Paying with Philippine peso (PHP) in The Philippines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
ATMs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n Buying a sim card in the Philippines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Philippines’ language cheat sheet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The perfect packing list for the Philippines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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