More Than Just Cheap Flights.

Philippines Information

Overview

Although composed of 7,107 islands (7,108 at low tide), with a total coastline longer than that of the USA, most of the population of the Philippines lives on just 11 islands. The country offers warm tropical waters, coral gardens with beautiful marine life and dramatic drop-offs on the sea bed.

Inland, the rich history and culture of the Filipino people, the dramatic landscapes and thriving cities fascinate the visitor. Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is also its heart and soul. It sets the rhythm of life in this archipelago and is a pulsating hub that blends the Oriental with the Occidental, the traditional with the modern, the mundane with extraordinary.

The islands were occupied by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945, during WWII, only achieving independence in 1946. The country has suffered from frequent natural disasters, and has pockets of violent rebellion. Poverty and the country’s debt burden are also very high, explaining the high number of Filipinos residing abroad.

Infrastructure projects involving airports, expressways, inter-island transport and even the currently almost non-existent railway system are part of a 10-point development agenda until 2010. Travel and tourism will surely benefit, as airports nationwide are being constructed or renovated to accommodate larger planes and more visitors.

Top Things To See

Explore old Manila and see the remains of the massive wall that protected the Intramuros (Walled City). Places of interest include San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral, from which there are excellent views of the harbour, Fort Santiago ruins and Chinatown.

Visit upland Baguio, a haven from the summer heat. Drive up zigzagging Kennon Road for spectacular countryside views. Attractions include The Mansion, the president’s summer residence; Bell Church; Baguio Cathedral; and the Crystal Caves, composed of crystalline rocks and once an ancient burial site.

Gaze in wonder at the breathtaking UNESCO-listed rice-terraces of Banaue, which ring the mountainsides to an impressive altitude of 1,525m (5,000ft), and encompass an area of 10,360 sq km (4,000 sq miles). The terraces were hand-carved some 2,000 years.

Discover the stunning scenery of Mount Halcon, 2,695m (8,841ft) high, Naujan Lake and Tamaraw Falls on Mindoro island, reached by ferry from Batangas pier, south of Manila.

In Carcar town, south of Cebu City, view many preserved Castillian houses, gardens and churches. The Chapel of the Last Supper in Mandaue City features hand-carved lifesize statues of Christ and his apostles dating back to Spanish times.

In Iloilo City, on Panay island, look at the 18th-century Miagao Church, a unique piece of baroque colonial architecture with a facade decorated with impressions of coconut and papaya trees.

See the world’s smallest monkey, the tarsier, on Bohol Island, also home to fascinating natural wonders that include hundreds of limestone hills resembling oversized chocolate drops, nicknamed the ‘Chocolate Hills’. Also visit the Baclayon Church, which dates back to 1595.

Davao province (Mindanao island) is the site of Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country, while the Apo Range has spectacular waterfalls, rapids, forests, springs and mountain lakes.

Use Cagayan de Oro as the gateway to some of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines.

In the largely Islamic province of Lanao del Sur (Mindanao island), don’t miss Lake Lanao, Signal Hill, the Sacred Mountain, the native market, Torongan, homes of the Maranao royalty, the various Muslim mosques on the lake shores and the famous brassware of Tugaua.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

  Dive around WWII wrecks on the islands of Batangas, Bohol, Mindoro and Palawan. Scuba-divers also head for Sicogon Island, which has mountains and virgin forests to explore as well. Boracay Island is another such island paradise. 

  Get wet. Swim, surf, windsurf, snorkel and dive off Santa Cruz Island, which has a sandy beach that turns pink when the corals from the sea are washed ashore. You can also hire traditional canoes (bancas).

  Go on a fishing trip. The Philippines’ warm waters are inhabited by some 2,400 fish species, including many game fish such as giant tuna, tanguingue, king mackerel, great barracuda, swordfish and marlin. Game fishing is best from December to August.

  Book an adventure tour with an ecological slant, including activities such as canopy walking (participants are lifted by pulleys to the canopy on the Philippine rainforest near Cagayan de Oro). 

  Go trekking or mountaineering in the region around Matulid River, Mount Pulog and Mount Halcon as well as the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed rice terraces in the Cordillera mountain range in northern Luzon.

  Watch a traditional game of Sipa, played with a small wicker ball, at the Rizal Court in Manila.

  Trawl the flea market in Zamboanga City (Mindanao island), which sells Muslim pottery, clothes and brassware.

  Visit Villa Escudero, a working coconut plantation in Quezon Province (Luzon island). Less than two hours from Manila, it yields rare glimpses into rural life. Guests tour a typical village on a cart drawn by a carabao, or water buffalo.

  On Hundred Islands , the second-largest marine reservation in the world, teeming with over 2,000 species of aquatic life, explore the caves and domes of Marcos Island and the Devil’s Kitchen.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Unlike a lot of Asian cooking, Filipino cuisine is distinguished by its moderate use of spices. American, Chinese, Japanese, Malay and Spanish influences have all left their mark in a subtle blending of cultures and flavours. All the regional dishes are available in Manila’s excellent restaurants, which, like the restaurants of all the main towns, offer a varied cuisine. For the less adventurous, there are also European-style restaurants and American fast food. Restaurants are generally informal, with table service. Rice is a staple of Filipino cuisine. Fruit is plentiful with mangoes, papayas, bananas, chicos, lanzones, guavas and rambutans. Philippine preserves like atsara (a chutney-like vegetable preserve) and numerous native desserts such as Pili nut brittle bangus (a crunchy sweet made with the luscious pili nuts found only in the Bicol region) can be purchased in local markets.

Things to know: Waiter service is common in bars and there are no strict regulations regarding the sale of alcohol.

National specialities:
• Lechon (roasted whole pig) is prepared for fiestas and family celebrations.
• Kare-kare (an oxtail stew in peanut sauce served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste).
• Sinigang (meat or fish in a pleasantly sour broth).
• Adobo (braised pork and chicken in a tangy soy sauce with vinegar and garlic).
• Seafoods such as bangus (the bony but prized milkfish), crabs, lobsters, prawns, oysters, tuna, freshwater fish and the sweet maliputo, found in deep-water lakes. It is freshly harvested and often simply grilled, boiled, fried or steamed and served with kalamansi (the local lemon), bagoong (a fish paste) or vinegar with labuyo (the fiery native pepper).

National drinks:
• Locally brewed beer, such as San Miguel.
• Philippine rum.

Tipping: Usually 10% of the bill, unless service charge is included.

Nightlife

The choice of entertainment in Manila displays the Filipino’s affinity for music. Top hotels offer everything from high-tech discos to lavish cultural songs and dances, as well as superb pop singers and performers, trios, show bands and classical string ensembles. On most evenings there are cultural performances by local artists or foreign groups at the many other venues for the performing arts. Free concerts are offered by several parks every week, and occasionally by banks and other corporations. The Philippines also have some unusual musical groups like the Pangkat Kawayan bamboo orchestra, which uses bamboo musical instruments, and the Rondalla group, which uses tiny guitars like the ukelele. Casinos are located in Cebu, Davao, Ilocos Norte, Iloilo, Manila, Pampanga and Zamboanga.

Shopping

The Philippines is a haven for shoppers. Countless bargain opportunities for the handicrafts of the different regions are found in the numerous shopping complexes, which range from sleek air-conditioned department stores and malls to open-air bazaars. Duty Free Philippines near NAIA is the largest in the country. The chain stores offer everything from the famous barong tagalog (hand-embroidered dress shirts for men in delicate jusi material) to Tiffany lamps made with capiz shells.

For local colour, there is nothing like the flea markets where visitors can buy all kinds of cloth weaves, brassware from the south, woodcarvings and other local crafts and souvenirs, like the painted papier-maché horses of Laguna. Some particularly good buys are south-sea pearls, the silver jewellery from Baguio, coral trinket boxes, coral and pearl accessories, rattan furniture, baskets in different designs, woven grass mats (banig), antique wooden figurines of saints, clothes, garments embroidered with the traditional callado technique, Filipino dresses for women (usually made from banana and pineapple fibres), cigars, terracotta, porcelain and abaca placemats. Handicraft stores are found everywhere in the country, especially in cities. Large department stores sell both local and foreign manufactured goods.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 1000-2000, but these can vary. Most department stores and supermarkets are open Sunday and there are some 24-hour convenience stores.

Climate

Tropical climate tempered by constant sea breezes. There are three distinct seasons: the rainy season (June to September), cool and dry (October to February), and hot and mainly dry (March to May). Evenings are cooler. Typhoons occasionally occur from June to September.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens are worn throughout most of the year, with warmer clothes useful on cooler evenings. Rainwear or umbrellas are advisable for the rainy season.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
24 Feb Esda Revolution Day.
9 Apr Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan). 
20 Mar Maundy Thursday.
21 Mar Good Friday.
5 May Labour Day.
16 Jun Independence Day.
31 Aug National Heroes’ Day.
2 Oct Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
30 Dec Rizal Day.
31 Dec New Year’s Eve.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
24 Feb Esda Revolution Day.
9 Apr Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan)/Maundy Thursday. 
10 Apr Good Friday.
4 May Labour Day.
15 Jun Independence Day.
30 Aug National Heroes’ Day.
21 Sep Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
30 Dec Rizal Day.
31 Dec New Year’s Eve.

Note

Easter is a major holiday in the Philippines and travel may be disrupted.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Yes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Yes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No*

Health Care

Health insurance is essential. Approximately three-quarters of the hospitals are private.

Note

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Philippine Peso (PHP; symbol Php) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of Php1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Php10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.

Currency Exchange

Cash in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars can be exchanged in banks, hotels and some retail outlets. Always use authorised money-changers or banks in Manila. Outside the capital there is a shortage of facilities for changing foreign currency and rates may get progressively worse as you travel further away from the city. It is advisable to carry a sufficient amount of Philippine pesos when travelling to other provinces.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in major establishments throughout the big cities of the Philippines. ATMs are available.

Traveller's Cheques

Traveller’s cheques and major foreign currency may be cashed at most commercial banks and Central Bank dealers. They are also accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid difficulties, travellers are advised to carry their receipt of purchase with them. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1500.

Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/1
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/1
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/1
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/1
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: 1/2
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Passports

Passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond intended length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above providing they are:
(a) 1. bona fide foreign tourists (including business travellers) for stays of less than 21 days and holding passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond period of stay, and return or onward tickets (except nationals of 2. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia who do require a visa even if staying less than seven days);
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 72 hours provided holding onward or return documentation (some nationals are required to leave by the same or first connecting aircraft; enquire at embassy for details).

Visa Note

(a) All tourists wishing to stay longer than 21 days need a visa. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist and Business: £22 (single-entry, three months); £43 (multiple-entry, six months); £63 (multiple-entry, one year).

Validity

For nationals of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia, maximum stay of 30 days.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Two to three working days.

Contact Addresses

Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the UK

9A Palace Green, London W8 4QE, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 1600 or 7361 4641 (consular section).
Website: www.philemb.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (visa applications); Mon-Fri 1500-1530 (visa collection).

Philippine Cultural and Tourism Office in the UK

146 Cromwell Road, London SW7 4EF, UK
Tel: (020) 7835 1100.
Website: www.wowphilippines.co.uk

Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the USA

1600 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 467 9300.
Website: www.philippineembassy-usa.org

Travel Advice

Warning

On 29 November 2007, a group of rebel soldiers entered the Peninsula Hotel in Makati, Metro Manila, which was then surrounded by Philippine armed forces. Gunshots were fired. Travellers are advised to avoid the area surrounding the Peninsula Hotel and exercise caution, taking sensible precautions for personal safety. Travellers should avoid any large crowds, political gatherings and demonstrations. They should keep informed of developments and follow the advice of local authorities.

There is a high threat from terrorism throughout the Philippines. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out these attacks at any time and anywhere in the country. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets in public places including those frequented by foreigners. On 13 November 2007, a bomb exploded at Congress in Quezon City, Metro Manila, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries.

Travellers are advised against all travel to Mindanao because of ongoing terrorist activity. There are frequent terrorist attacks against civilian targets throughout Mindanao. On 5 October 2007, two bombs exploded in Kidapawan City reportedly killing two and injuring 30 others.

Travellers are also advised against all travel to the Sulu archipelago including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo, where there are ongoing military and police operations against insurgent groups.

There is a threat of kidnapping throughout the Philippines. It is believed that terrorists and criminal elements plan to kidnap foreign tourists from islands and coastal areas in the southern Philippines - ie Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. Kidnappings from other parts of the Philippines cannot be discounted. Boats travelling to and from offshore islands and dive sites are possible targets.

Penalties for illegal drug importation and use are severe.

Visitors are required to show some identity if requested by police; photocopies of the relevant pages of passports are allowed.

The typhoon season in the Philippines normally runs from July to November. This is also the rainy season and flooding and landslides may occur. Tropical Storm Mitag hit northern Luzon on 25 November 2007. There were reports that at least six people were killed. Tropical Storm Peipah hit Luzon on 5 November 2007. There were reports that at least 5 people were killed.

There are periodic outbreaks of Dengue Fever (including in Manila), for which there is no vaccination or immunisation. Since the beginning of 2007, reports have indicated a significant increase in the number of Dengue Fever cases.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

• Philippines Overview
• Philippines Things to See
• Philippines Things to Do
• Philippines Events
• Philippines Climate
• Philippines Public Holidays
• Philippines Health
• Philippines Currency
• Philippines Passport & Visas
• Philippines Contact Addresses
• Philippines Travel Advice