Know the Facts Before Traveling to the Philippines

The number of islands, more than 7,107, that make up the Philippine archipelago will give you an idea of the number of adventures you can have in this country. The Philippines, which is about 94% Christian (Roman Catholic) and five percent Muslim, has three main islands – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; regardless of where your travel plans take you, you can look forward to fascinating and memorable experiences in this Southeast Asian country.

So, should you just take the plunge and start your Philippine adventure without any plans, or without doing any kind of research? While that may be a great extreme adventure idea, knowing some of the most important facts about the Philippines will make your trip even more enjoyable. There are just some things that you are better off facing with the right kind of preparation. The experiences you will have in this country will be savored even better with a dash of knowledge, a pinch of preparation, and a healthy sprinkling of open-minded thirst for adventure.

Here is a short peek at the important facts you need to know before traveling to the Philippines:

Weather:

The Philippines has only two seasons – the dry (or summer) season from November to May, and the wet (or rainy) season from June to October. If you want to enjoy the tropical beaches, it is best to plan your trip to coincide with the dry season – unless you just want to watch the big waves on the beach, and do nothing else! It is best to pack clothes made of light materials for your visit to the Philippines, so you can enjoy going around without melting in the sweltering heat under the sun.

Getting Around:

Upon entering the Philippines through one of the international airports, your mode of transportation will be determined by where your next destination is and what travel arrangements you have made beforehand. For example: after your plane lands at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, the hotel car service you requested will be waiting for you at the arrivals area; you can also take a taxi to any destination within the metropolis. If you are planning to go to another island or province you have the option to take another plane ride via a domestic airport, ride a bus, or take a boat/ferry ride to your destination of choice.

Information on visa requirements can be found on the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website, http://www.dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/consular-services/visa.

Getting around the Philippines is affordable, especially if you know how to maximize great deals on travel and food. The currency used is the Philippine Peso (PHP), with $1 USD equivalent to about 40 PHP depending on the prevailing exchange rate. There is a wide range of accommodation, transportation, and dining options that cater to every budget – you can spend or save as much as you want with your Philippines trip, depending on your preference.

The Three Main Islands:

The Philippines is divided into three major islands – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The island of Luzon is where you will find the country’s capital and largest city, Manila, where a mixture of cosmopolitan lifestyle and turn-of-the-century architecture is just waiting to be explored. Cooler climate destinations such as Baguio in the northern part of the island, and Tagaytay in Southern Luzon are both easily accessible within a few hours’ worth of driving. Luzon is also home to the picturesque Batanes in the country’s northernmost tip, the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan, the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature – the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan.

The island of Visayas is where you will find the pristine white sand beaches of Boracay, hailed as one of the top beaches in the world. The provinces of Cebu and Bohol offer spectacular dive sites and beautiful beaches, while you can expect to savor some of the sweetest mangoes in the world in Guimaras Island. Cebu, the “Queen City of the South”, is where Anthony Bourdain ate what he declared as the “best pig ever” – the Cebu Lechon. A Mindanao trip will not be complete without visiting Davao, where you can sample the strong-smelling yet luscious durian fruit, check out the Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos Garden Resort and the Crocodile Park, or relax in the world-class facilities of the Pearl Farm Resort. Cagayan de Oro is a favorite Mindanao destination for adventurous travelers, who will have their hearts pumping with white water rafting and river trekking activities. Siargao Island, dubbed as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines”, is another Mindanao must-see for surfers and thrill-seekers.

Food:

Prepare to get your taste buds dazzled by a multitude of tastes and textures, as Filipino cuisine is the result of a mixture of different cultural influences. Indigenous ingredients and cooking methods are often beautifully combined with Chinese, Spanish, Malay, Indian, Arab, American, and a host of other Asian and European cuisines – so that it is quite easy to imagine the flavors doing a jaunty United Nations program on your palate.

There is an abundance of restaurants and casual dining places in the Philippines, especially in the bigger cities like Manila. These restaurants and dining places cater to a multitude of cuisines, combining Philippine-based food businesses with the biggest international restaurant chains. You can quench your thirst for adventure while satisfying your hunger by sampling some of the Philippines’ exotic food items like balut (fertilized duck egg), isaw (barbecued chicken or pig intestines) or frog legs – or you can stick to more familiar cuisines which you will see all around restaurants in the Philippines.

People:

Filipinos are well-known for their warm and friendly graciousness. You will be delighted at how easy it is to strike a conversation in the Philippines (the country was named top in business English proficiency in a recent study by GlobalEnglish Corporation), and how gladly the people will give you the assistance you need – all these made even more welcoming with the warmest of smiles.

The facts mentioned above are just the tip of the (Philippine) iceberg, so to speak. There are still so many things that will be beneficial for you to know while planning for your trip to the Philippines. The facts and useful information you get from your research will make your entire experience much more enjoyable and will make you more eager to explore the unique wonders of the Philippines.

Photos by Benson Kua, ric_k, Silly Jilly, Michael Francis, Joseph, my boracay, ByronSA and -Gep-

Article by Chris

Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.

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