Philippines Complete Travel Guide
Overview
The Philippines is an archipelago (Islands country) with more than 7600 islands! the country is located in South East Asia between Taiwan in the north and Indonesia and Malaysia in the south.
The Philippines is one of my favorite countries in the world for many reasons but especially for the amazing beaches, diving spots and some of the friendliest people in the world!
There is a lot to see and do in the Philippines from the breathtaking rice terraces in Banaue in the north to the white sand beaches of Boracay, Palawan, Siquijor, Bohol, Cebu and more.
In this Philippines travel guide I will share with you everything i know about this beautiful country, my best recommendations, travel tips and information!
Quick Facts
- Capital: Manila
- Official Languages: Filipino and English
- Population: Over 113 million, the13th most populous country in the world
- Location: The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia, with over 7,600 islands
- Famous Places: The Banaue Rice Terraces, Chocolate Hills, Mayon Volcano, Palawan, Boracay Island, Coron Island, Cebu and more.
- Currency: Philippine Peso - PHP (Exchange Rate)
- Climate: tropical climate, high temperatures and humidity. Wet Season June to November, dry December to May
- Religion: 80% of the population are Catholic, making it the largest Christian nation in Asia.
- Visa: visa free entry for more than 157 nationalities
- Time Zone: Philippine Standard Time (PST - UTC +8)
Flights
As an island country, there are many airports in the Philippines which are located on almost every major island in the country, some airports are International like in Cebu or Bohol and some are for domestic flights only like in Bantayan and others.
The main international airports in the country are Ninoy Aquino International Airport
in Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu which are getting most of the international flights from big hubs like Bangkok, Dubai, Qatar and more.
Other international airports in the Philippines:
- Clark International Airport in Pampanga
- Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao
- Iloilo International Airport in Iloilo
- Kalibo International Airport in Kalibo, Aklan (for Boracay)
- Laoag International Airport in Laoag, Ilocos Norte
- Puerto Princesa International Airport in Palawan
- Bohol–Panglao International Airport in Panglao, Bohol
- Zamboanga International Airport in Zamboanga City
Climate
The Philippines has a warm, tropical climate, which means it is generally hot and humid all year. The weather is divided into two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season.
The wet season lasts from June to November and it is usually bringing heavy rains and occasional storms, especially during the typhoon season, which peaks around July to October.
The dry season runs from December to May when it’s sunnier and temperatures can get quite high, especially in the months of March, April and May. This climate is typical for tropical countries near the equator like the Philippines. The Dry season is the most recommended time for traveling in the Philippines for the lower chance of rain and much more sunny days in general.
As someone that visited the country in both wet and dry season, I can tell you that the weather is not really predictable in the country regardless of the season (wet or dry) and it can rain at any moment, but after a while in the Philippines you just learn to accept it and even like it and you will enjoy even with some rainy days here and there, just in the wet season give yourself more time in case of a bad weather.
Budget
In general the Philippines is a budget-friendly destination for travelers, whether you are a backpacker on a tight budget or a couple on an honeymoon vacation, there is something for almost any budget in the Philippines.
Accommodation
Hostels in the Philippines are available from around 300 PHP (5$) per night
Hotels in the Philippines are available from around 700-800 PHP (12-14$) per night, depending on the location (big city or the country side).
Food
Food in the Philippines is also pretty affordable and ranging from as low as 50 PHP (1$) for local street food and up to 300-500$ (7-10$) for a meal in a normal restaurant.
Transportation
Transportation in the Philippines is generally by Bus, Motorbike, car/ taxi or ferries between the islands. Tuk-tuks and tricycle are also widely available in many islands. In the big cities you can use the APPs like Grab for taxies, Angkas and JoyRide for motorbike taxis for saving money and time.
Safety
The Philippines are relatively a very safe place to travel but normal caution is always recommended like anywhere else in the world, in general the locals are very friendly and helpful and you will feel it rights away. Personally I’ve been in the Philippines for more than 6 months in total and i never felt unsafe even once.
The biggest “danger” is that you will probably fall in love with this country and will never leave, other than that maybe car or motorbikes accidents are the biggest risks and some natural disasters like the typhons and earthquakes.
Useful Apps
Today we barely can “survive” an hour without our smartphones and traveling is no exception! so there are a few apps that are must have when traveling in the Philippines like Grab for taxies, Angkas and JoyRide for motorbike taxis and Lazada or Shopee if you need to buy something online and get it to your Hotel/ apartment.
Check this post for more apps you should have: 18 APPs You Must Have For Your Next Trip In 2024
Posts
My latest blog posts about The Philippines
Bohol Travel Guide
