Fun Facts about the Philippines Before you Travel

With over 7000 islands to choose from, you can literally choose your adventure.  You can go to the more popular touristy destinations like El Nido, Boracay and Cebu, or write your story among the less traveled routes, discover new horizons and immerse with the super energetic locals.  Whatever your vacation flavor is, you’ll be amazed to find so many fun things to do, places to explore, and culinary wonders to experience.

The food alone will make a foodie out of you.  Tempting food choices amalgamated from hundreds of years of culinary influences from varied cultures.  Plus, you can push your boundaries with the more exotic offerings. Tamilok, anyone?

Having settled in the United States for over a decade, the Philippines is our home country and will always be close to our hearts.  If it’s adventure you want and experiences you seek, here are some things you might want to know about the Philippines before you hop on that plane.

Please check out other articles we have on our site on our Philippine travels.
a. Traveler’s Guide To Finding Exotic Edibles in the Philippines
b. Reasons Why The Philippines Should Be Your Next Travel Destination
c. Awesome Place To Go When Visiting Cebu Philippines

#1 You can stretch your dollars in the Philippines

Thanks to the currency conversion rate of about 50 pesos for each US dollar, you will be able to stretch your hard earned dollars in the Philippines.  But don’t get your hopes up too high just yet.

Services are generally a lot cheaper.  Every time we visit the Philippines, my wife and I always go for full body massages for only about $8 for the entire hour.  However, how much you’ll spend also depends on which part of the Philippines you’re in. In more touristy areas especially in bigger cities, you will find services at par, or maybe just a little cheaper than those in the US.  You can also find affordable accommodations and cheap eats depending on where you’re at and how much you’re willing to pay.  

#2 Tap water is not potable

In the Philippines, water out of the tap is not recommended to drink especially when you’re a tourist.  Even hotels post warnings for guests to not drink out of the faucet. But thankfully, bottled water is sold everywhere and you can easily get them in hotels.  Most restaurants offer “service water” which can be filtered water or water straight from the tap. If unsure, you can always opt for filtered bottled water to be safe.

#3 Transportation Options

There are several ways to get around in the Philippines.  In more urbanized cities, you will find taxis, buses, jeepneys, pedicabs, and even railway transit in Manila.

Here are a few tips and things to know when it comes to transportation:

1. Jeepneys – these are transport vehicles that were once used during the second world war.  Now, these vehicles are painted with bright colors and used as a cheap mode of transportation by many Filipinos.  Stops are painted on the side of the vehicle so you’ll know which one to take. If in doubt, you can always ask the driver or the conductor.  You might get into an uncomfortable squeeze while some passengers bring live chickens with them. It’s quite an experience but understandably is not everyone’s ideal way to get around.
2. Grab – this is similar to Uber in other countries.  During my last visit, we quickly realized that Uber no longer operates in the Philippines as they have “joined” with Grab.
3. Taxis – taxis are metered and will only accept cash at the moment.  However, if your destination is a bit far, the driver will offer you a “pakyaw” or a lump sum fee for the ride which can include wait time so you will have a ride back to your hotel.  Some drivers allow you to negotiate a lower price to help you save money.
4. Pedicab – these are motorcycles with a sidecar.  These are very affordable modes of transportation and can take you a short distance.  There are even ones with bicycles attached for very short rides.

#4 Driving is a bit too crazy for most tourists

Even if you have driven in countries not your own, you might reconsider driving in the Philippines.  But if you are confident you can, go for it. From a passenger’s point of observation, accidents are relatively rare and mostly non-fatal because of slow heavy traffic within the cities.  But keep in mind that people don’t always stop at stop signs, traffic signs are mostly suggestions, and the speed limit depends on the driver.

#5 Hot climate and unpredictable weather

With a tropical climate, the Philippines does not have the four seasons.  Instead, it has wet and dry seasons. Temperatures during the summer months are crazy hot and can easily get above 95F.  Don’t even bother checking your phone for the weather because what you’ll see is an almost non fluctuating temperature with a chance of rain every day.  It is always wise to bring an umbrella along with you for those what-if moments.

#6 Amazing Culinary Experiences

Because of its rich cultural heritage and centuries of international migration and influences, Philippine cuisine is rich in Chinese, Spanish, Indonesian or Malaysian flavors.  Filipinos cooking is simple but packed with delicious mouthwatering flavors. People eat their food grilled, fried, steamed, braised, and boiled. Some would even eat “kinilaw” or fresh seafood marinated in cane vinegar and eaten raw.  You’ll be amazed at the variety and vibrancy of Filipino cuisine. Karenderias or small eateries are found wherever you go. You’ll most likely see them especially when you’re exploring bigger cities.

Please also check out food articles we have on the Philippines:
a. Delectable Street Foods You Must Try When Visiting The Philippines
b. Traveler’s Guide To Finding Exotic Edibles in the Philippines

#7 Street Foods

In addition to exquisite culinary offerings, cheap eats are widely available wherever you go.  Filipinos love snacking on small meals called “merienda”. With this in mind, street foods are a common sight wherever you go.  Fried fish balls on a stick, spicy peanuts, pork skewers, grilled squid and baked rice cakes among the many delicious food items offered in various street corners.  Remember, never double dip in sauces to keep things sanitary.

#8 Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated

Unlike countries like the US where tipping is more of an expected gesture, tipping in the Philippines is well appreciated but not required.  Some restaurants, however, add a 10% service charge to your bill.

#9 Wifi is readily available

WiFi is widely available especially in the bigger cities. Most cafes offer free wifi to their customers.  In some cases, you might have to ask for a wifi voucher code in order to gain access.

#10 Get a SIM card for your mobile phone

One of the easiest ways to stay connected is to purchase a SIM card for your phone.  Most Filipinos have post paid mobile plans. Meaning, all they need is a SIM card which they can add credits by purchasing load cards  or by doing a “pasa-load” where a subscriber can transfer credits to your phone. With your SIM card credits, you can purchase mobile data as you need them. For just a few dollars, you can purchase 1 Gig of LTE data which you can use wherever you go. 

#11 Language

The Philippines has over 100 languages and dialects spoken across its 7000 islands.  Tagalog is considered their national language. English is also widely understood throughout the islands in various degrees of competency and fluency.  It is always a good idea to learn basic words like “kumusta” which means “How are you?”, or “salamat” which means “Thank you”.

#12 Fun and Activities

It’s more fun in the Philippines!  A national slogan to boost tourism and I’m glad they have the goods to back it up.  Whether you enjoy white sand beaches and water sports, or adrenaline pumping activities like zip lining, kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding among many others, the Philippines is a playground for everything fun and exciting.

#13 Gorgeous landmarks and historical sites

The Philippines brims with majestic landmarks and archaic historical sites you have to experience.  Monumental structures from the Spanish era tell tales of Filipino nationalism and bravery. Want more?  The Philippines is blessed with natural wonders, picturesque landscapes, and a bountiful collection of flora and fauna.  Islands separated by breathtaking turquoise waters and some of the best views you can imagine. For the lack of a better word, it is like paradise on Earth.

#14 Protect yourself with sunscreen and keep yourself hydrated

Never underestimate the heat coming from the tropical sun.  To avoid painful sunburns, remember to put on some sunscreen.  Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated at all times to avoid heat exhaustion.  Umbrellas not only protect you from being drenched by afternoon showers, but they can protect you from the scorching sun as well.

#15 Cash and Credit Cards

While credit cards are widely accepted in bigger cities, it is still a good idea to get some the local currency.  Most of the smaller stores and cafes, vendors and taxi cabs are on a cash only basis. At this time, the exchange rate is about 50 pesos to a US dollar.  ATMs and banks are quite common so you can always withdraw some cash using your bank’s debit card.

#16 Staying safe while in the Philippines

Common sense plays a crucial role in staying safe wherever you go.  Tips like not leaving your valuables attended, not flashing large sums of cash in public, and not wearing expensive jewelry in crowds always helps.  

To promote the country’s tourism industry, the Philippines has heightened security around touristy places all over the country.  Uniformed “Tourist Police” are stationed along with plain-clothes police officers giving tourists some much needed peace of mind while enjoying the sights.

#17 Endless Shopping Options

Filipinos love to shop, and so do tourists!  In bigger cities, mega malls are sprawling literally everywhere. From high end brands and luxury items, to cheap affordable buys fit for the masses, you’ll spend hours and hours finding your way through gigantic malls, or small shops and boutiques.  Please note that prices are VAT or Value Added Tax inclusive, so what you see on the price tag is the price you pay at the register.

#18 Religious diversity

Filipinos are highly religious and faith has always been a fundamental part of their rich and vibrant history.  Majority of Filipinos practice the Christian faith, while some are followers of Islam especially in the southern part of the country.

#19 Filipinos are known for their hospitality and friendly vibe

Filipinos are known worldwide for their warmth and hospitality.  A common greeting when visiting someone’s home is “Have you eaten yet?”.  When you’re invited for supper, you don’t expect a meal but rather, a feast to make you feel welcomed in their home.  Filipinos are also some of the friendliest people on Earth. They will offer help in a heartbeat. In the Philippines, it almost feels like you’re in your home away from home.

#20 Filipinos love to sing

You might have heard of talented Filipinos singing their way into the finals in International competitions.  Filipinos love to sing, period. Whether or not they can carry a tune, they sing because it’s fun and a great way to spend time with family and friends.  Videoke or video karaoke can be seen in street corners or in more lavish establishments.