20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips
Post Last Modified – March 19, 2023 ¦ gr8traveltips.com
Top 20 Travel Tips From Our Travels To The Philippines
Table of Contents
A few seasons ago, my wife and I had the pleasure of traveling to the Philippines for 5 weeks from our home 🍁 Canada. Below, are {20 Helpfulful Philippines Travel Tips} we made a note of, during our time spent in the country, I thought I would pass on to you.
For those of you traveling to the Philippines for the first time, I hope a few of them may be useful for you.
Our Brief Philippines Travel Itinerary
Our journey began from 🍁 Vancouver British Columbia, Canada to Taipei, catching a connecting flight to {Cebu}, in the Philippines. We spent our first 3 nights exploring in and around the City of Cebu.
We then caught the ⛴ Fast Ferry over to the beautiful 🏝 Island of Bohol.
It was then on to {Palawan} and exploring its beautiful picturesque surrounding 🏝 Islands!
Dealing With The Traffic In Cebu City
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #1
Traffic in the City is … Outrageous!
It can become grid locked at anytime throughout the day. Especially crossing the bridge from the airport into the city proper.
If you have a connecting ✈ flight with an overnight stay for example, I recommend booking accommodation close to the airport in Lapu-Lapu if possible.
Don’t Wear Jewelry In The City
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #2
Photo by Manjeet Singh Yadav from Pexels
This was highly recommended by one of our tour guides in the city. Avoid wearing 💍 jewelry if at all possible, especially gold earrings!
It is fairly common for thieves to rip your earrings right from your ears as they are passing by.
Yikes!!
If you don’t need jewelry when traveling anywhere in the world, it’s always best to leave it at home. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to petty thieves if you don’t have to.
Automated Teller Machines (ATM)
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #3
We found most 🏧 ATMs to be very reliable, particularly with the 🏦 Philippines National Bank. We always used the ATMs with this bank at the airports and at their branches whenever possible.
We did have one issue unfortunately while making an evening withdrawal when the bank was closed. There was a problem with the ATM and we were charged for the withdrawal without receiving the cash.
Unfortunately, we were leaving early the next morning and could not contact the bank.
This was a one time incident, and one that could happen most anywhere in the world when using automated machines.
Take A Walking Food Tour
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #4
If your a foodie lover like I am, then I recommend taking a 🚶 walking food tour in Old Cebu City.
We enjoyed a fun and informative tour with a local student with 🍲 Backstreet Academy.
It really gives you a taste and feel of what the locals eat in the Philippines, and not what you might expect to be served in a typical hotel or touristy restaurant.
Beer In The Philippines
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #5
I am a 🍺 beer lover and actually I try to bring home a sample can with me on all our travels. I then display the (empty) can or bottle in my Travel Goodie bookshelf at home as a souvenir! 🙂
The popular beer in the Philippines is San Miguel Beer. We picked it up for about PHP 40, which is less than $1 usd in a 7-Eleven or sari-sari store.
This was the price at the time of our travels and for a large bottle as well!
They also make the Red Horse Extra Strong Brand, which turned out to be my favorite!
This 🍺 beer has a much bolder taste with that little extra kick as well. 🙂
Restaurants And Tipping [Gratuities]
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #6
At many restaurants, we found it was important to check your bill before adding a gratuity. Some restaurants will automatically add a service charge to the bill.
This didn’t happen very often, but a few times we did notice an 💰 extra charge on the bill and had to ask what it was.
Just a precaution, as we’re finding that this is something that is becoming more frequent in many restaurants around the world these days.
Bottled Water Is Everywhere
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #7
As with traveling to any foreign country or most anywhere for that matter these days, drink bottled water only!
It is readily available and very cheap to purchase most everywhere you travel to in the Philippines.
If you are served a 🥃 glass of water in a restaurant for example, try to make sure it’s not from a tap!
Take Probiotic Supplements For Gut Health
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #8
On our last few travels to foreign destinations, my wife and I have gotten in the habit of taking 💊 Probiotic Supplements before leaving on our trips.
Since we started taking probiotics, knock on wood, we have both remained ill free when traveling.
Hopefully, it’s just another healthy and natural way of preventing illness when away from home. Be sure to check out my post here on 🍍 Probiotics For Healthy Travel.
Be Sure To Pack TP
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #9
As with our travels throughout India and Thailand, it’s always good to pack a roll of 🧻 toilet paper with you.
Most public toilets we encountered, didn’t have any available. The ones that did, normally charged about 5php for a few tissues.
We never leave home without packing at least
one roll packed in our travel bag!
CR Stands For Comfort Room
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #10
While we’re on the topic of 🚻 Restrooms in the Philippines, when you see a CR sign on a door, it stands for Comfort Room.
We westerners refer it to the Restroom/ Washroom/Toilet. So if you’re looking for the biffy, keep your 👀 eyes peeled for CR!
Pack Sun Screen Lotion
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #11
As we found on our travels to Thailand, suntan and sunscreen 🧴 lotion is very expensive.
Unless you’re prepared to pay outrageous 💵 dollars for this, be sure to pack enough with you for your vacation or travels.
Be Sure To Enjoy A Massage
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #13
Be sure to treat yourself to a 💆 massage while in the Philippines. They’re very inexpensive and definitely worth it!
We paid about 300php for a one hour full body Swedish massage, at reputable shops with experienced massage therapists.
In Cebu, there’s a franchise outlet called – Nuat Thai Massage, which was very good!
Don’t miss out on a relaxing body massage or foot massage during your travels!
Make Advance Reservations For Fast Ferries
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #14
If you’re heading over to the very popular island of {Bohol} from Cebu, then it’s definitely worth making advance reservations for the fast ferry. This, especially so during the high season.
⛴ Ocean Jet is what we used with no difficulties at all booking online. They can be found at …
In Palawan, we booked the {Phimal Fast Ferry} with a very well known and reputable travel business called – Travel Palawan. Again, very reputable and easy to book online for; transfers, tours and much more. They can be found at …
Getting Around On The Islands
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #14
In Cebu, air conditioned 🚕 taxis are excellent and affordable. Uber and Grab service are also in the city. When you’re on the islands, the cheapest and most common way to get around is by trike.
Trikes are cheap to ride and found everywhere!
They are very uncomfortable, rough to ride in and made for small people. They however, the quickest and best way to get around locally.
Be sure to negotiate the fare with the driver before leaving. This is pretty much the case with catching a ride in any destination around the world, where meters are not used.
Once you get used to moving from A to B, you’ll automatically know what to pay and what is expected from the driver.
⛴ Ferry terminals are busy, and this is where trike drivers will prey on tourists and take advantage of you if they can.
Don’t grab the first one who approaches you, unless you know what to pay in advance or are not concerned about the cost. Take your time, let things clear out and then play let’s make a deal!
After all, isn’t that half the fun and the overall experience of traveling?
Getting a chance to talk and have fun with the locals! 🙂
Scooters For Rent
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #15
🛵 Scooters are readily available to rent most everywhere. They are a great way to get around the islands on your own.
However, did you know that scooter accidents are the Number 1 Cause of Injury to tourists when traveling?
We saw no less than 4 injuries tourists succumbed to from Scooter mishaps on this trip, and one very serious! Scooters are a blast to ride, but be very careful!
Make sure you have the proper 🏥 Travel Medical Insurance and that you will be covered if involved in a scooter mishap!
Pack A Pair Of Water Shoes
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #16
If you love the water and what the islands have to offer, definitely pack a pair of 🥿 water shoes with you.
On many of the 🛥 boat tours and 🌊 waterfall tours there are to experience while visiting, it is advisable and often necessary to have a pair of water shoes to wear.
Most will rent you a pair for the tour, or you can even purchase them as well.
If you are planning multiple tours, then I would suggest packing your own from home.
Water Bags For Excursions
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #17
It’s definitely recommended to carry a 👝 Waterproof Water Bag for your boat tours and other excursions you may be taking on the islands.
Things will get wet!
I would recommend waiting to buy one in the Philippines.
Vendors sell them everywhere, and they are much cheaper than buying them in North America.
Taking Island Tours
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #18
Traveling throughout the islands in the Philippines is absolutely amazing!
We love water sports, especially 🤿 snorkeling and scuba diving.
If you are like us, then you should at least pack your own mask and snorkel with you.
The ones they loan you for the tours are pretty beat up and used. If you don’t mind that for the odd tour you may be taking, no problem.
If you enjoy spending your days out on the water, then 🧳 pack your own. You won’t regret it!
Philippine Entry Tourist Visa
20 Helpful Philippines Travel Tips #19
Canadians, U.S. citizens and those from the UK planning to enter and visit the Philippines for 30 days or less, do not need a visa prior to travel.
Provided their 🛂 Passport is valid and they also have a return air travel ticket back.
For more information on Entry, I’ve listed the Philippines Official Embassy website below for your convenience.
Enjoy & Cherish Your Time In The Philippines
Most of all, have a great time traveling in the Philippines!
The locals are very friendly and eager to assist in any way they can. English is spoken by most everyone, so it’s easy to travel most anywhere in the Country.
Be respectful of the local culture and customs, and you will have a wonderful time in this Beautiful Country.
We hope to return one day very soon, to see much more!
It has been a few seasons since our last visit, so if you have any updated information to pass on, please do send me an 📧 email {Contact Me} and I will be sure to add it to this post. 🧐
😎 Safe and Healthy Travels!
One other very important thing we do to maintain our overall health & wellness besides taking a daily probiotic, is a health supplement we’ve been taking for years now. It is an {All Natural Glutathione Supplement}.One that absorbs at a Cellular Level.
If you are interested in learning more about {Glutathione} and its health benefits, be sure to check out my article here on
All personal 📸 photographs on this post are the property of gr8traveltips.com and are copyright protected. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. 🚫
✨ Did You Know …
🏝 Ultimate Island Hopping Tour In Coron – Philippines
🏪 Review Of The bai Hotel in Cebu – Philippines
🚌 Full Day Bohol Countryside Tour Review – Philippines
🙂 Don’t Forget It … Be Sure To Pin It! 🙂
