16 Useful Tips For Traveling To The Philippines

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Of all the countries in Southeast Asia to travel to, perhaps the country that most people skip traveling to is the Philippines – not because it’s not worth visiting, but because it’s such a mission to get there.

This tropical archipelago is known for its unspoiled natural beauty, azure oceans, verdant jungles, and laid-back island life culture, and all those who brave the expedition to The Philippines islands, will instantly fall in love with the country and find it an arduous task trying to leave.

Simply getting to The Philippines is a struggle, since there are rarely direct flights to popular islands like Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, or Siargao, and it’s most likely your journey will start with a flight to Manila, then another flight, followed by a 7 hour bumpy bus journey.

Sounds awful, but that’s the price you pay for paradise! Trust me it’s worth it.

If you’re dreaming of island getaways and want to explore this enchanting and far-flung country, here are some top tips for traveling to The Philippines and some essential things to know before you go.

Tips for Visiting The Philippines

1. Be vigilant when exploring Manila

Manila is where Ninoy Aquino International Airport is, which is the main international airport for The Philippines, but it’s not usually a place you stick around in for too long. It’s the main hub that connects you to the more scenic and popular tourist destinations and is often skipped.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say “avoid Manila” – there is a lot of history and culture to see there, but it doesn’t have enough attractions for more than a couple of days, so it’s not worth adding it to your trip unless time isn’t a problem.

A lot of people avoid Manila because of its bad rep. It’s not that Manila is unsafe, per say, but there are some shadey people about and so visitors should be aware of petty crimes here so they can look out for their safety.

There’s a significant homeless population in Manila, which can sadly lead to desperation and petty crimes. Manila is known for pick pocketers and thieves, who often target foreign visitors as they want to take your phones, cameras and passports to resell.

Now I’m not trying to scare monger you, and many people travel to Manila and have a great time and never encounter any issues. Violent crime is rare against tourists. As…