If you are planning to visit Philippines then you should read this first. It is very important for you to know the basic information about the Philippines. This will give you ideas ahead of time so you will know when is the best time to visit this country; things that you should bring;and things that you can do so you will save your time and money.
FAST FACTS ABOUT PHILIPPINES
| Head of State: | Pres. Benigno Aquino Jr. |
| Type of Government: | Democratic Government |
| Population: | 94.01 million as of 2010 (NSO figure) |
| Religions: | Catholicism, Protestant, Islam |
| Official Language: | English and Filipino |
| Time Zone: | GMT + 8 hours |
| Climate: | March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77% |
| Capital City: | Manila |
| Electricity: | 220 volts |
| Currency: | Peso |
SOME BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT PHILIPPINE TRAVEL
When is the best time to visit Philippines?
Any time is a good time to visit the Philippines. Be sure to book in advance if you will stay in a hotel. This will save you money. You should take note that most hotels price triples during Holy Week, New Year’s, and Christmas.
The month of early June to December is typhoon season in Philippines. January to May has a good weather and these months brings high volume of tourist to Philippines. These months are also peak season so expect a big crowd of tourists in beaches. (e.g Boracay, El Nido) You must also know that in some places in Philippines, locals has its own festivals and holidays(e.g. Ati-atihan, Sinulog), This is also the best time to explore and visit Philippines. To learn more of Philippine festivals and holidays, please read this section-http://tourist-spots-philippines.blogspot.com/p/philippines-holiday.html
Will it cost me a lot of money if I will visit Philippines?
I will honestly say that it depends on the place were you will stay. Philippines is a bit expensive compare to other countries in Southeast Asia. However, it is still quite inexpensive compare to Western standard of living. If you will stay in Manila and you are a budget traveller then the minimum amount you will pay for accommodation is not more than 600 pesos per day(not more than 15 dollars). These accommodations are guesthouses and backpackers lodge. But if you want to stay in a hotel that has a good service then expect to pay a 2000 pesos – 5,000 pesos per day. (50 – 100 dollars)
How about the food? You don’t have to worry about the food here. Philippines offer lots of cuisine from local to Western food. There are also lots of Western fast food that you will see in every corner of cities and towns in Philippines. e.g. McDonald, KFC, Pizza Hut, Shakeys, Wendeys, Burger King etc. It will cost you 5-10 dollars per meal.
If you will bring a lot of money then my advice is to bring it in a form of cash card, debit card,credit,or travellers cheque. But of course, you need to bring some cash if you will visit rural areas. There are lots of banks and AT M booth here but don’t expect to find banks in rural areas. Here are the list of reputable banks:
- Philippine National Bank (PNB)
- Metrobank
- BDO bank
- Union Bank
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
- Equitable PCI Bank
- HSBC Bank
- Chinabank
You can find most of these banks in big shopping malls like SM shopping mall, Robinson shopping center and major cities. You can withdraw your money using their ATM bank booth.You can also exchange your money in peso using their bank exchange money service. But check first the bank personnel before you do it. They are willing to help you. If your card has a VISA and Mastercard logo then it will be easy for you to use it. Most of business establishments here like restaurants, shopping malls accept debit and credit card as a form of payment.
Do I still need visa if I will enter Philippines?
My answer is this – it depends on your purpose of visit of and what country of citizenship you came from.
You can check it in Bureau of Immigration website.
Could you give me the list of airlines that has a regular flight in Philippines?
Below are list of airlines flying to and from the Philippines:
I hope this basic information about the Philippines gives you idea about my country. If you still have questions that hasn’t been answered then you can contact me or you can visit a Philippine Embassy in your country.
