Intramuros

Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Philippines page at Yoogo.

The Philippine peso (PHP) is the national currency, and most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops in cities accept major credit and debit cards. Smaller establishments, rural markets, and transport such as jeepneys and tricycles typically require cash, so it is advisable to carry pesos for day-to-day spending.

Many millions of tourists visit the Philippines each year and have trouble-free trips, particularly in popular destinations such as Palawan, Boracay, and Cebu. It is worth checking current government travel advisories for your nationality before departure, as some areas of Mindanao carry elevated advisories.

Within cities, jeepneys, tricycles, and ride-hailing apps such as Grab are the main options for local travel. Because the Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, inter-island journeys are made by domestic flights or by passenger ferry, with major routes served by carriers such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and ferry operators including 2GO Travel.

The dry season from November to April is generally considered the best time to visit, with December to February offering the most comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and calm seas. The wet season from June to October brings heavier rainfall and an increased risk of typhoons, though some destinations remain accessible throughout the year.

Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English are both official languages, and English is widely spoken in cities, tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, making communication straightforward for most travellers. The country also has over 170 regional languages, with Cebuano, Ilocano, and Hiligaynon among the most widely spoken outside the capital.

No vaccinations are mandatory for entry, but travellers are commonly advised to be up to date on routine jabs and to consider Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and in some cases Hepatitis B. Dengue fever is present throughout the archipelago and rises during the rainy season, so using insect repellent with DEET or picaridin is recommended throughout your stay.

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; in restaurants, a tip of around 10 per cent is customary unless a service charge is already included in the bill. Guides, hotel porters, and drivers also welcome small tips as a gesture of thanks for good service.