🏝️ Philippines

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Recent disaster alerts (UN/EU GDACS)

Updated 4 Nov 2026. Alerts change quickly: check GDACS and your government's advice before you travel.

Costs

Prices here are about 33% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

All arriving foreign passengers must register on the free eTravel system within 72 hours before arrival (also required for departure for some travellers). A new registration is needed for each trip. Most nationalities are visa-free for short stays (usually 30 days - check the official site). Beware of fake paid 'eTravel' websites.

Culture - take note

Mostly Catholic and very hospitable; English is widely spoken. Respect for elders is important ('po' and 'opo' in speech). Dress modestly in churches. 'Filipino time' is relaxed, but be on time yourself. Smoking in public places is banned in many cities. Typhoon season is roughly June-November - follow PAGASA weather warnings.

Emergency

911 (police, fire, ambulance).

Good to know

Peso, ATMs and card fraud

The currency is the Philippine peso, says Canadian advice. Cash machines are available in larger cities but may be scarce in rural areas, so it recommends having access to local-currency cash when travelling outside larger urban areas. Card and cash machine fraud occurs frequently, and illegal devices are sometimes attached to card readers to record PINs; the advice is to use machines in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business, and to cover the keypad.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, affection, protests and Boracay

UK advice says possessing even a small amount of any illicit drug leads to a mandatory prison sentence on conviction, and Canadian advice says cannabis is illegal whatever the amount or purpose. UK advice says overt public displays of affection may be treated as a grave scandal under the Revised Penal Code. Foreigners are barred from political activity, and joining a protest can lead to detention and deportation. On Boracay, drinking and smoking are banned in public places.

Taxis and scams

Reputable taxis and apps

Passengers have been robbed by some taxi drivers and their accomplices, UK travel advice warns, so use only taxis from a reputable company, airport trips included. Canadian advice adds that only metered taxis from a reliable company should be used, with the meter switched on. Its preferred options are a ridesharing app, official airport taxis or hotel transport, and it says never to share taxis with strangers.

Friendship extortion

A friendship offered to a single man travelling alone can turn into extortion, according to both Canadian and UK advice. Canada says locals with children may befriend single male tourists and then claim they abused a child, aiming to get money from them. The UK describes women, sometimes with children, who make friends with such men and then threaten to report rape or abuse, as a way to extort money; it says to be cautious about strangers offering friendship.

Online romance scams

Scammers often use fake profiles to go after Westerners and steal from them, says Canadian travel advice; people caught by this kind of scam have lost thousands of dollars. The same advice reports that fraud involving credit cards and ATMs is frequent.

Who can help

ngo

Philippine Red Cross

Helps with: The Philippines' national Red Cross society. Its website describes disaster response, a national blood service, and first aid and CPR training. Its contact page lists an emergency hotline and a head-office address.

Who qualifies: People in the Philippines who need its disaster, blood or first aid services.

Phone: 143

Address: 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Barangka-Ilaya, Mandaluyong City 1550

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines

Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its country office is in Makati City; use the email address to ask about its work with migrants.

Who qualifies: Migrants and others in its migration programmes. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Email: IOMPhilippines@iom.int

Address: 28th Floor Citibank Tower Condominium, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, 1226 Makati City, Philippines

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)

Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 911

Source · checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Manila ManilaThe capital and main gateway, with the walled Intramuros district, museums, big malls and a lively food scene.Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cebu CebuA major hub with its own international airport, Spanish-era history, island beaches and whale shark and diving trips.Photo: DisRaptor18, CC0 Boracay BoracayA small island famous for the powdery sand of White Beach, sunset sailing and water sports.Photo: Tuderna, CC BY 3.0 Bohol BoholKnown for the Chocolate Hills, tiny tarsier primates, Loboc River cruises and Panglao Island beaches.Photo: Philip Nalangan, CC BY-SA 4.0 Palawan (El Nido and Coron) Palawan (El Nido and Coron)Island scenery of limestone cliffs, lagoons, shipwreck dives and the underground river in Puerto Princesa.Photo: Theglennpalacio, CC BY-SA 4.0 Siargao SiargaoA laid-back island known for surfing at Cloud 9, rock pools, lagoons and island-hopping.Photo: ChaasPrime, CC BY-SA 4.0

City selection based on: Philippine Department of Tourism arrival data by destination; Agoda 2025 destination data; Condé Nast reader awards 2025

Festivals and events

festival

Sinulog Festival

8-17 Jan 2027 · Cebu

One of the country's biggest yearly events. Hotels fill up and prices rise, so plan early.

festival

Ati-Atihan Festival

15-17 Jan 2027 · Kalibo (Aklan)

Street dancing with painted faces - the 'mother of all Philippine festivals', near Boracay.

festival

Dinagyang Festival

22-24 Jan 2027 · Iloilo

Big tribal-dance competition in Iloilo City.

festival

Panagbenga Flower Festival

around Feb-Mar 2027 · Baguio

Flower floats and street dancing in the mountain city of Baguio.

religious

Holy Week (Semana Santa)

21-28 Mar 2027 · Manila

Processions; many offices close and resorts are full.

festival

MassKara Festival

around Oct 2027 · Bacolod

Smiling-mask street party in Bacolod.

festival

Sinulog Festival

7-16 Jan 2028 · Cebu

One of the country's biggest yearly events. Hotels fill up and prices rise, so plan early.

festival

Ati-Atihan Festival

14-16 Jan 2028 · Kalibo (Aklan)

Street dancing with painted faces - the 'mother of all Philippine festivals', near Boracay.

festival

Dinagyang Festival

21-23 Jan 2028 · Iloilo

Big tribal-dance competition in Iloilo City.

festival

Panagbenga Flower Festival

around Feb-Mar 2028 · Baguio

Flower floats and street dancing in the mountain city of Baguio.