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Philippines Destination Guides > Facts for The Visitors

PLANNING
Casual wear in lightweight cotton is worn most of the year, although warmer clothes may be useful on cooler evenings. Light sweaters are recommended for mountain trips. Umbrellas are advisable for the rainy season. Bring shorts, hat, sunglasses, swimwear, insect repellants, flashlights, sun block lotion and sandals. Shorts or sleeveless shirts are not allowed for most bars and restaurants and should never be worn when visiting churches, mosques or temples. Carry tissue paper because public toilets almost never have any. Generally, the best time to travel is from the middle of December to the middle of May, this time is off-season for the typhoons. During the Christmas and Easter breaks, however, it is difficult to get a seat on any form of transport because everyone is traveling at this time. The most colorful festivals are in January and May. The rice terraces of Luzon are at their best in March and April, and this is also the best time for island hopping.

VISA AND DOCUMENTS
Foreign nationals visiting the Philippines must hold a valid passport and an onward plane ticket. Visitors’ visas are not needed for stays of less than 21 days and visitors from countries with diplomatic ties to the Philippines will automatically receive a 21-day stay visa upon arrival. Three-month visas can be obtained in advance. Multiple-entry visas (lasting six and twelve months) are also available but are expensive and only allow for stays of 59 days at a time. Visa extensions are possible and generally faster to obtain in regional areas.

CUSTOMS
The following items may be imported into the Philippines without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2 liters of alcoholic beverage of not more than 1ltr each; clothing, jewelry and perfume for personal use up to a total value of US$1000. Prohibited items: Firearms, explosives, pornographic material, seditious or subversive material, narcotics and other internationally prohibited drugs (unless accompanied by a medical prescription). Customs Regulations ~ Visitors must complete a Baggage and Currency Declaration Form before disembarking. Currency Regulation ~ Visitors carrying more than US$3,000 are requested to declare the amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter situated at the customs area. Foreign currency taken out of the country at the time of departure must not exceed the amount brought in. It is therefore necessary to keep all exchange receipts for record purposes. Departing passengers should not take out more than P 1,000 in local currency.

MONEY
The Philippine currency is known as the PESO and is divided into 100 centavos. Most foreign currencies can easily be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized dealers. The US dollar is the most recognized currency in the Philippines, and is often easier to change than travelers' checks. Large denomination US bills will get a better rate, but only clean banknotes are acceptable. Cash commands a higher exchange rate than travelers checks Major credit cards are accepted at major hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants but visitors are advised to bring sufficient amount of change in small bills or coins. ATMs are widespread in Metro Manila and in all the major cities of the country, and accept Cirrus, Plus, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Global Access Cards. Moneychangers often offer higher exchange rates as compared to banks, hotels and most tourist establishments but they are not always honest.

POST AND COMMUNICATIONS
All of the major cities and major tourist destinations have telephones, international direct dial, fax, telex, courier and telegram services. Internet services are available in major cities.

BOOKS
A Short History of the Philippines by Teodoro Agoncillo; The Philippines and Readings in Philippine History by Horacio de la Costa; For Every Tear A Victory by Hartzell Spence; America’s Boy by James Hamilton-Paterson; Corazon Aquino and the Brushfire Revolution by Robert Reid and Eileen Guerrero; Brownout on Breadfruit Boulevard by Timothy Mo.

NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
The Philippines has over 25 daily newspapers, many are written in English, including The Manila Times.

TIME AND ELECTRICITY
Time: GMT plus 8 hours. The Philippines shares the same time zone as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia. Electricity: 220V, 60 Hz, the usual plugs have 2 flat parallel prongs. Most major hotels in Manila have outlets for 220 and 110. Baguio City is 110.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Metric

HEALTH
A yellow fever or typhus vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age arriving within six days from infected areas. Those arriving from smallpox-infected areas also require a certificate. Cholera is a risk and precautions are essential. Malaria risk exists throughout the year in many areas below 600 meters. No risk is considered to exist in urban areas. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the south, avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant fresh water. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Hepatitis A and E may occur. Japanese Encephalitis occurs with the highest risk from April to January. Chikungunya fever is particularly common in urban areas of the central islands, such as Manila. Strains of Gonorrhea that are resistant to penicillin are common in the Philippines, particularly in Manila and Cebu City. Rabies is also present. Health insurance is essential.

DANGERS AND ANNOYANCE
When traveling around the Philippines it is essential to be alert and aware, as there will always be thieves and swindlers who target naïve, careless or unprepared tourists. Keep valuables in the hotel safe, and try to keep money in front pockets and hold on to shoulder bags especially in crowded places. Avoid wearing much jewelry. In general, most of the Philippines is safe for travelers, but there are a few isolated areas that it is recommended to stay away from that include some of the southern islands of Sulu and Jolo, and some remote areas of Mindanao

BUSINESS HOURS
Most businesses are generally open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturdays from 8am until 12noon. Banks are open from 9am until 3pm (or occasionally 4pm) from Mondays to Fridays. Post offices are open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. Supermarkets, Department Stores and Shopping Malls are open from 10am until 9pm.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
New Year's Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm and lots of fireworks. The huge Black Nazarene Procession takes place on 9th January, when a life-size, Blackwood statue of Jesus is carried through the streets of Quiapo. The three-day Ati-Atihan, celebrated in Kalibo on Panay in the third week in January is the Filipino version of the Mardi Gras. On Good Friday, there are many processions throughout the country, and more in May, to honor the Virgin Mary in Flores de Mayo. Military parades take place to celebrate Independence Day on 12 June.
Jan 1:New Year's Day. Apr 9:Bataan Day. Mar/Apr:Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. May 1:Labor Day. Jun 12:Independence Day. Aug:National Heroes' Day. Nov 1:All Saints' Day. Nov 30:Bonifacio Day. Dec 25:Christmas Day. Dec 30:Rizal Day. Dec 31:Special Public Holiday.

FOOD
Filipino cuisine is influenced by Chinese, Malay and Spanish cooking. Local dishes include a large variety of stews and soups, in particular an oxtail stew in peanut sauce known as kare-kare, and meat or fish in a sour broth known as sinigang, these dishes are always served with rice. Morning and afternoon snacks are called merienda and pulutan, and are served with alcoholic drinks. Barbecued meat or seafood is a popular evening snack. Side dishes include green papaya, fermented fish or shrimp paste, and crispy pigskin. Halo-halo is a sweet dessert made from crushed ice, jellies, fruits and evaporated milk.

SHOPPING
There are numerous department stores and plenty of shopping malls in Metro Manila and the major cities. Weekdays are less busy than at weekends and the malls are open everyday usually from 10 am till 9 pm. In addition to this, the market stalls and bazaars may attract shoppers. Be sure to haggle for best prices and do not be afraid to shop around and compare prices. Souvenirs include antiques, baskets, woodcarvings and other handicrafts.

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