5 Things to Know Before Traveling to the Philippines

‘‘My favorite place to vacation is anyplace by the ocean.’’ — Nini Arianda.

With over 7600 islands, a long-standing karaoke culture, and some of the largest shopping malls in the world (5 of the world’s 10 biggest malls are here), there’s little surprise why the Philippines has over 8 million tourists annually. Thankfully, Filipinos are some of the most polite people for any tourists in the world – and can make healthy hosts for you should you choose to visit.

If you’re considering visiting the Southeastern Asian nation, knowing some vital tips ahead of the trip can help you maximize your traveling experience. Whether you’re concerned about the weather, the water, or your wallet, these tips can prove handy ahead of your tour.

1. Keep Your Clothing Light – and Modest

While practically everywhere in the Philippines is hot and humid, especially during summer, the country has varying climatic and weather zones across its borders. To stay cool and comfortable, pack light, breathable clothing such as shorts, cotton shirts, skirts, and dresses to prevent overheating and excessive sweating when outdoors.

However, Filipinos seem to have an unusual flair for an air-conditioning system that may not perfectly suit the backgrounds or typical experiences of some tourists. Whether it’s at planes, ferries, buses, or the airport, the supporting air conditioning can make the space too cold. Here’s where taking a few pairs of trousers and some tops – plus a silk sleeping bag could save you from tons of unnecessary discomfort during your stay in the Philippines.

On the modesty spectrum, both Filipino men and women dress modestly, covering their legs and arms throughout the country. You want to be mindful of this cultural sensitivity and prioritize modest wear over shorts and tank tops when visiting local communities or mosques. Thankfully, some mosques rent out hijabs (scarves) and malongs (wrap-around skirts) for tourists.

2. Consider Upping Your Public Transport Skills

Do you consider yourself an expert at navigating cities or hopping in and out of trains and buses? Manila is notorious for jarring even the most city-savvy newbies with its trickiness. Some travelers consider the capital city a worthy boot camp for seasoning tourists. Thankfully, hopping on buses, trains, jeeps, and tricycles toward your destination can help you save some funds on transportation costs too.

If the whole idea of verifying any public transport skills doesn’t look like your thing, consider booking rideshare services like inDrive and Grab, or motorbike taxis like Angkas and Move It to aid your conveyance around the region. Otherwise, you might just escape to the islands and countryside spots to avoid getting stuck in traffic. In the worst-case scenario, you’d face schools of fish underwater or infrequent cows blocking the waterways.

3. Prepare for an Unpredictable Weather

Again, the weather here is largely unreliable, and can swiftly change from a picture-perfect state in one moment to an almost inexplicable yowl the next moment. From getting a nice tan on the beach somewhere on the Archipelago around noon, the next half-hour might find you scurrying for cover from a heavy downpour, almost all year long.

You want to factor in the weather when planning your itinerary, as flights and ferry trips could get canceled should the regulators anticipate that tropical storms are headed for the country. About two dozen typhoons visit the nation annually, especially between July and December.

Should you find yourself in the Philippines during the latter half of the year, consider spending more time at islands like Cebu, Palawan, and Mindoro, where abundant shelter to protect you from storms abounds.

4. Book Ahead of Your Trip If You’re Low on Budget

Nothing beats traveling with total freedom and flexibility, no doubt. However, booking your trip ahead and keeping a rigid routine can save you lots of money during your stay in the Philippines. Chances are high you’ll travel between some of the country’s many islands, and you might need ferries and planes somewhere along the line.

Booking plane tickets at platforms like AirAsia and Cebu Pacific far ahead of time can help you save lots of funds. Securing your flights ahead of time can save you up to 25 Euros or more. Ferries in the Philippines can also fill up swiftly, leaving only seats in the much more expensive Business class, especially on popular routes.

5. Don’t Forget to Learn a Few Filipino Phrases Too

Fortunately, most Filipinos are fluent in basic English, so you can’t expect any communication barrier. They’re also typically not greedy or suspicious but are often kind and excited to assist. But that’s not all. Most residents here are generally friendly and will make some of the most polite hosts you might find as a tourist.

As screenwriter, Tony Gilroy also confirmed, ‘‘The people in the Philippines are so extraordinarily nice.’’

To spice up the warm welcome, picking up some local Filipino phrases can be nice. Although there are over 165 local dialects and languages across the country, Filipino is the country’s official language.

Some words and phrases to hold – with a genuine smile, of course, when visiting the Philippines include:

Magandang umaga (Good morning)
Kamusta (Hello)
Masarap (Delicious)
Salamat (Thank You)

Beyond helping you seamlessly mix with the citizenry, a few Filipino phrases can help you firmly beat exorbitant prices from some taxi drivers who want to prey on your hard-earned foreign currency. That aside, you can rest assured that Filipinos generally don’t take advantage of visitors, unlike what may be obtainable in other less trustworthy countries.

6. Be Prepared for a Lot of Fun

The Philippines offer a lot of fun and you should prepare yourself to embrace all of them. Apart from the beautiful islands, the stunning white beaches, historical locations, and the tasteful dishes, there is also lots of other entertainment.

You could go to a music festival, go diving, or go see the much talked about sabong events. Sabong (cockfighting) is super popular in the Philippines and you could prepare to see the events live during your trip. There are many locations where the events are hosted. Due to the popularity, many bookmakers in the Philippines also offer odds on the fights. This means if you are a sports bettor, you can wager on these fights and potentially win money.

That sounds like some good holiday fun, yea? However, as top betting expert, Evelyn Balyton advises, to discover the perfect online bookmakers for your betting adventure, remember to consult review platforms to learn about the best Sabong online betting operators in the Philippines that are worth your time and money.

Conclusion

Christmas here begins in September, which gives a large heads-up on how merrily and friendly these people can be. Remember, though to travel with light and modest clothing, while adding a touch of Filipino phrases to complete your fashion sense.

Elsewhere, consider speaking with locals ahead of time about transportation boats between islands. They might be pricier than road travel, but they’re also less stressful and can help you to speedily arrive at your destination. The weather, alongside flights and scheduled visits here can be unpredictable, but the visit can be much more worthwhile if you remember the tips above throughout your stay.

The article was provided by Evelyn Balyton.