Travel essentials in the Philippines may vary derived from one of traveler to an alternative depending on your decision and objective. From swimming, diving, shopping, sight-seeing or exploring, Philippines has all of the significant things to make available. Travel in the Philippines have to be a fun-filled, extra-special traveling experience so I want to acquaint you using what you must know regarding the Philippines, which places you might want to visit, how is air, sea and land travel inside Philippines plus much more. No matter how long you plan to stay here, whether for 4 days, four weeks or even more, it is possible to explore, learn and experience why it really is essentially, more fun within the Philippines!
People: Filipinos are extremely well-known to be hospitable since time immemorial. When you are in the foreign land, commemorate you really feel better when you find yourself at ease so when you’re feeling that you are very much welcome. And what can make you really feel more welcome than receiving gracious greetings and sweet smiles even from those you might consider strangers in a very foreign land? It could be the overwhelming warmth in the Filipinos generally, the friendliness and also the sincere want to help that will surely make your stay inside the Philippines, unique.
Language: Filipino and English would be the official languages inside the Philippines. While Filipino could be the national language, English can also be trusted. Communicating your opinions while using locals should never be a tough task.
Weather: It is best to travel within the Philippines relating to the months of November and May. The climate in the Philippines (except Baguio) is 26.6 deg. C (79.9 deg. F). November to February is cool while March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, using the months between July and September seen as a typhoons. Baguio, the summer capital in the Philippines, having an elevation of just one,500 m (5,000 ft.) above sea level comes with an average temperature of 18.3 deg. C (64.9 deg. F).
Currency: The currency within the Philippines is peso or PHP. Coin denominations are 5, 10, 25 centavos and 1& 5 pesos. Bill denominations are 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 pesos. Foreign currency could possibly be exchanged for your hotel, as well as in most with the large stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Most large stores, restaurants, hotels and resorts accept major bank cards including American Express, Visas and MasterCard. Traveller’s checks, preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and big department stores. Personal checks stolen foreign banks are generally not accepted.
Religion: Filipinos are predominantly Christians – 82.9% Catholics, 5.4% Protestants, 4.6% Islam, 2.6% Philippine Independent Church, 2.3% Iglesia ni Cristo
Water:The supply of water in Metro Manila along with all the major cities are viewed drinkable. But if you are looking for bottled purified water, mineral water or spring water, it is possible to easily find these available in all grocery stores and therefore are often supplied in hotels and resorts nationwide.
Electricity: 220 volts a/c may be the common standard. 110 volts a/c can be used, specially in major hotels.
Clothing: Casual clothing, which consists of a shirt and shorts or pants is incredibly common among Filipinos.
The most frequent business casual attire combination (that is similar to a business attire) for both people are as follows:
For women, an enterprise casual attire consists of a skirt or perhaps a slacks. Jeans is a definite no-no. For the top, a gown shirt or polo would do.
For men, a collared shirt top and cotton trousers (preferably colored blue, gray, brown, or black) which has a belt and modest shoes with socks is mostly acceptable.
Filipino Food: Rice is really a staple food inside Philippines. Try our sinangag or fried rice together with your favorite dish. Adobo, kaldereta, lechon, kare-kare, sinigang, lumpia and bistek (beef steak) are incredibly popular ‘national dishes’. You might also want to try bibingka, puto, palitaw and kuchinta for merienda or snacks. Street foods are typical like fish ball, kikiam, kwek-kwek and barbeques like isaw, chicken head and chicken feet.
Tipping is anticipated for many services. The standard practice is 10% from the total bill. Tipping is optional on bills that already incorporate a 10% service charge.
Business Hours: Normally, business hours starts between 8:00 am – 8:30 am and ends between 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday. Most private offices are also open on the Saturday when operating hours starts between 8:00 am – 8:30 am and ends at 12:00 noon.
Banks are open from 9am to 3pm, Mondays to Fridays, with automated teller machines (ATM) operating twenty four hours. Banks found inside the malls are open everyday, except holidays, from 10am to 7pm.
Telephone and Mobile Phone: Telephone service is modern and you’ll be able to direct dial anywhere inside world. Public phones can be obtained and they are plentiful. These public phones simply need one five peso coin to get a three minute local call. If your friends or relatives, living beyond your country needs to contact you here, the international dialing code is +63.
Time Zone: Standard time zone inside the Philippines is UTC/GMT + 8 hours. Time zone abbreviation is PHT for Philippine Time. There is no daylight save your time inside the Philippines.
Anti-Smoking Law: Section five from the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (Republic Act 9211) prohibits the carrying from a lighted tobacco product in public places vehicles, schools, health centers, elevators, cinemas, malls along with places where fire hazards can be found. Smoking is also banned in recreational facilities for minors. Fines imposed on violators with this section cover anything from P500 to P10,000.
Anti-Jaywalking Ordinance: Jaywalking was previously rampant in Metro Manila, causing traffic or even accidents. To avoid this, the Anti-Jaywalking Ordinance, under MMDA Ordinance No.1 Series of 1995, was developed. Those who is going to be caught crossing the streets away from pedestrian crosswalk or footbridges in Metro Manila will be issued a pedestrian violation receipt (PVR), is going to be built to pay a P200-fine and will also be designed to attend a 30-minute seminar on disaster response and assistance to be given from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Driving: Motor vehicles are forced on the right side from the road.
Air Travel within the Philippines: By air, Philippine Airlines, Airphil Express, Cebu Pacific, ZestAir, Seair, Tiger Airways, and Air Asia provide traveling by plane services to major cities and towns in the Philippines. These airlines offer promotions and big discounts on flights many times per year making airline travel within the Philippines less costly. There may also be scheduled chartered flights to major domestic destinations serviced by smaller commuter planes.
Sea Travel inside the Philippines: Commercial ships and ferries will be the most inexpensive approach to travel from region to an alternative. 2Go Travel, Super Cat, Ocean Jet, Cebu Ferries, Cokaliong, Trans-Asia, Lite Shipping and Montenegro Lines provide ferry services from the Philippines.
Land Travel inside the Philippines: Public Transportation by land contains buses, jeepneys, tricycles, pedicabs, taxis, and MRT/LRT/PNR. If possible, attempt to avoid these public transports especially buses, jeepneys and MRT/LRT in Metro Manila during rush hours (6:30-8:30 AM/PM), when you’ll be able to expect these transport vehicles to be overcrowded.
Entry Regulations: A passport valid for at least half a year. Except for stateless persons and the ones from countries that do not have diplomatic relations, all visitors may enter the country without visas and may even stay for a 3 week period after they have tickets to have an onward journey.
Health requirements: A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is essential for travelers arriving from an infected area.
How to have there: The international gateways in the Philippines are Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark and Laoag. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA; IATA: MLA), that is located about 7-12 kilometers south of Manila and southwest of Makati, will be the main international gateway for travelers to the Philippines.
Customs: Visitors are advised to fill within the Baggage Declaration Form before disembarking to facilitate Customs examination. The following are allowed within the duty-free: reasonable level of clothes, jewelry and toiletries: 400 sticks of tobacco or two tins of tobacco, two bottles or spirits of not more than one liter each.
Porterage: Baggage carts can be purchased for free. Porter services may also be free. Tipping is traditional.
Airport Transfers: Visitors are advised to get accredited set rate or metered taxis with the airport’s arrival area. All airports have counters for hotel transport and car hire service.
Accommodations within the Philippines: In Metro Manila and in key cities and towns through the entire country, a wide selection of deluxe, standard, economy and pension-type accommodations can be purchased.
Shopping within the Philippines: Shopping within the Philippines is truly amazing and delightful – whatever it is you are interested in.Major shopping malls like SM Super Malls, Robinsons, Ayala Malls, Araneta Malls, Gaisano yet others can be purchased during the entire country. For the budget-conscious traveler, Divisoria in Manila and Baclaran in Paranaque offer wholesale prices and the lowest prices in retail sales.
Entertainment and Culture: Manila’s nightlife is one from the most vibrant in Asia, reflecting the Filipino’s passion for music. The hubs of nightlife activities are at the Remedios Circle in Malate, Ayala Center, The Fort at Bonifacio Global City, Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues in Quezon City, Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong and Pasig Cities and Eastwood in Libis. Clubs, music lounges, pubs, and sing-along bars feature Filipino bands and singers known for their exceptional talent in music. Deluxe hotels provide a variety of live musical entertainment. Concerts and stage plays form a part from the country’s entertainment scene.
Top Beaches and Travel Destinations:
Boracay Island in Aklan El Nido in Palawan Honda Bay in Palawan Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte Camiguin Island Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro Panglao Island, Bohol Mactan Island in Cebu Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte Pearl Farm in Davao
Major Cities inside Philippines:
Manila Cebu Baguio Davao Cagayan de Oro
Top Diving Destinations:
Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro Anilao in Batangas Coron Island in Palawan Monad Shoal in Malapascua Island (Cebu) Yapak in Boracay Island Tubbataha Reef National Park in Palawan Crocodile Island in Boracay (Aklan) Balicasag Island in Bohol Apo Island Cabilao Island, Bohol Sarangani Bay
Top World Heritage Sites:
Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, South Sulu Sea, Palawan Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan Ifugao or Banawe Rice Terraces in Ifugao Historic City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur Church of San Agustin in Paoay, Ilocos Norte Nuestra Senora dela Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo