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Travel Tips

Home » International Medical Services » Plan Your Visit » Travel Tips

Welcome to the Philippines. A trip to our country can be fun and exciting, and for an international patient like yours, should also be a pleasant healing experience.

Here are some useful travel tips that can help you make your medical trip to our country safe, memorable and enjoyable.

Tropical Country

The Philippines is a tropical volcanic archipelago that is generously blessed with sunshine, rainfall, winds, lush tropical foliage, beaches, rivers and volcanic mountains. We have three noticeable seasons: the rainy season (June-October), the cool and dry season (November-February) and the hot and dry season (March-May). We have an abundance of biodiversity, sea and water creatures, butterflies, flowers and small mammals.

When To Go

Unless you particularly like heavy rains and tropical storms, the best time to come to the Philippines is in the dry season from the middle of December to the middle of May. May, however, tends to be the hottest month of the year, and temperatures can sizzle up to 35 degrees Celcius. If you come during Christmas or Lenten season, do realize that the entire country is on the move, and it would be difficult to get a seat on any type of transport.

If you want to catch the colorful celebration and fiestas we hold in many of our towns, January, May and December are the best months to visit the Philippines.

What To Bring

You can really travel light, since virtually anything you need will be available in the country’s multiplicity of shopping malls. Aside from the basic traveling necessities and your own special personal needs, other things you might want to bring are a travel plug adapter, a pocket calculator, a torchlight, an umbrella and photographic supplies. Most major medications can be found at drug stores in major cities.

Money

Visitors carrying more than US$3000 are to declare this at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter at customs. Departing passengers cannot take out more than PHP1,000.00 out of the country.

Contraband

Firearms, explosives, pornographic material, seditious or subversive material, narcotics and other internationally prohibited drugs (unless accompanied by a medical prescription), gambling articles and machines and misbranded and adulterated foodstuffs comprise contraband.

What To Wear

In general, it is best to bring light and loose clothing that are suited to tropical temperatures. But also bring a light sweater and jacket for cool moments that may come after a rain, or to use if you decide to take a trip to the cooler mountains. Thongs or flip-flops are the most useful footwear, and you will find that you can use these virtually everywhere, except in some restaurants with dress codes. Pack some of your formal clothing, which you may need to use if you are invited to formal gatherings, festivals and most especially, religious services.

Keeping Healthy

A tropical country may pose an adventure to you, with its secret exotic places to visit, but also take steps to protect yourself from tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, that you may not have the immunity to. Rabies is also endemic. Consult your doctor about taking a profilactic dose of quinine, or getting a series of protective rabies shots.

Electricity

The standard voltage of electricity used by most business centers and residences in the Philippines is 220 volts AC, 60 cycles, so if you are bringing personal electrical items like shavers or hair dryers, don’t forget to bring an adaptor. Some major hotels may have the US-style 110 volts capability,

Time

We are eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). With the country lying near the equator, sunrise and sunset are almost equally spread at about 6am and 6pm, give or take half an hour.

Business Hours

In Manila, most shops are open six days a week, from 9 or 10am to 7 or 10pm. Shopping centers are open daily, from 10am to 8pm daily, or 9-10pm on weekends. Expect shorter business hours outside of Manila, although most major cities are as urbanized as the capital.

Government, private offices and public authorities operate from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm with workers breaking for lunch from 12pm to 1pm. Some private offices are also open on Saturdays from 8am to 12 noon. Business hours for banks are Monday-Friday from 9am to 3 or 3.30pm. Embassies or consulates are open to the public at 9am and close at 1pm. The opening hours of post offices in the Philippines differ from one place to another. Usually, post offices are open from 8am to 12 noon and from 1pm to 5pm on weekdays. And for those that operate on Saturdays, the business hours are from 8am to 1pm.

Airport Tax

Travelers are requested to pay an airport tax of PhP500 when departing from Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport. If departing from Cebu City, the airport tax is PhP400, while in Davao, it is PhP220. Travelers are advised to check with their travel agents on this issue before departure as the fees are subject to change. Children under two years old and transit passengers are exempt.

Social Conventions

Filipinos are probably the easiest people to get along with, and will adjust to you, as much as possible.

However, government officials and members other prestigious professions such as doctors, lawyers, engineers and architects expect a higher level of politeness. Address officials by their proper title, such as Senator, Congressman or Director.

Even among ordinary citizens, a certain level of politeness is expected. Older men are addressed “Mang” (Mister) followed by the name, or “Tatang” (father or grandfather. Older women are “Ale (Missus) or “Nanay” (mother).

Casual dress is acceptable in most places, but in Muslim areas your really should cover up. For formal occasions, Filipino men wear an embroidered long-sleeved shirt or a plain white barong tagalog with black trousers while women wear cocktail dresses or long gowns.

Most Filipinos speak English, so expect to be understood. We are also among the more westernized compared to other Asian countries, so also expect a less culturally challenging experience.

Cuisine

Unlike a lot of Asian cooking, Filipino cuisine is distinguished by its moderate use of spices. But this does not make the food bland or unexotic. American, Chinese, Japanese, Malay and Spanish influences have all left their mark on the Filipino cuisine, so it is a subtle blending of cultures and flavors.

National specialties:

Lechon (roasted whole pig) is prepared for fiestas and family celebrations.
Kare-kare (an oxtail stew in peanut sauce served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste).
Sinigang (meat or fish in a pleasantly sour broth).
Adobo (braised pork and chicken in a tangy soy sauce with vinegar and garlic).
Seafoods such as bangus (the bony but prized milkfish), crabs, lobsters, prawns, oysters, tuna, freshwater fish and the sweet maliputo, found in deep-water lakes. It is freshly harvested and often simply grilled, boiled, fried or steamed and served with kalamansi (the local lemon), bagoong (a fish paste) or vinegar with labuyo (the fiery native pepper).

National drinks:

Locally brewed beer, such as San Miguel
Philippine rum
Lambanog or coconut wine

Rice is a staple of Filipino cuisine. Fruit is plentiful with mangoes, papayas, bananas, chicos, lanzones, guavas and rambutans. Philippine preserves like atsara (a chutney-like vegetable preserve) and numerous native desserts such as Pili nut brittle bangus (a crunchy sweet made with the luscious pili nuts found only in the Bicol region) can be purchased in local markets.

All the regional dishes are available in Manila’s restaurants, but there are also many restaurants offering other cuisines, such as Thai, Japanese, American, Spanish, Caribbean, Mexican and others. Restaurants are generally informal, with table service.

Shopping

The Philippines is a shopping haven. Bargain opportunities abound for handicrafts, clothes, delicacies, and virtually everything else. Metro Manila has hundreds of air-conditioned malls with most of the world-famous brands represented.

Duty Free Philippines near NAIA is the largest in the country. The stores here offer everything from the famous barong tagalog (hand-embroidered dress shirts for men in delicate jusi material) to Tiffany lamps made with capiz shells.

If you are more adventurous, don’t miss out on the flea markets where you can buy all kinds of cloth, brass and other metalware from the southern islands, woodcarvings and other crafts and souvenirs from the different regions. Remember, there are at least 80 languages spoken in the Philippines, and being an archipelago, there are also about the same amount of local cultures. Good buys include silver jewelry from Baguio, coral trinket boxes, coral and pearl accessories, rattan furniture, baskets in different designs, woven grass mats (banig), antique wooden figurines of saints, south-sea pearls, garments embroidered with the traditional callado, dresses made from banana and pineapple fibers, cigars, terracotta, porcelain and abaca placemats. Handicraft stores are found everywhere in the country, especially in cities. The Philippines is also known as one of the best places to buy low-cost ready-to-wear items.

More about the Philippine sights and sounds at: http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/blog/

More about the capital’s sights and sounds at: www.clickthecity.com

Most department stores and supermarkets are open daily, and there are many 24-hour convenience stores in most major cities.

Tipping

Nearly all major hotels and restaurants automatically add a 10 percent service charge to your bill, but it is customary to show your gratitude by giving a token amount of tip to your waiters, busboys, drivers and other people who serve you. Usually 10 per cent of the bill is a good figure, or you can leave small change.

Getting to the Philippines by Air

The national airline is Philippine Airlines. However, the Philippines is a destination of most major airlines.

Main Airports

Ninoy Aquino National Airport is found in the southern part of the capital. Bus and taxi services are available to, and from, any part of the metropolis. Journey time will range from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on what part of the city you are going to or coming from. At the airport, you will find all the amenities you need: banks, post office, medical clinic, baggage deposit area, duty-free shops and car hire.

Mactan International Airport (CEB) (Cebu Island) is 45km (28 miles) from the city center. Hotels and tour operators provide their own coaches that will bring you to and from the city; but you can also hire a taxi.

Getting There by Water

If you think it would be interesting to come to the Philippines by water, do know that the Manila port is a historical crossroads of trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

Shipping lines which call at Manila include Evergreen Lines, Far Eastern Shipping Company (FESCO) and Lloyd Triestino. Schedules and rates are listed in the shipping pages of daily newspapers. For more information, contact the Philippines Ports Authority, MARSMAN Building, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, tel: +632 527 4856

Getting Around By Air

In addition to the Philippine Airlines, there are several other charter airlines, including Air Ads, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Cebu Pacific Air and Laoag International Airlines.

Getting Around by Water

Inter-island ships with first-class accommodation connect the major island ports. For details, contact local shipping lines Aboitiz Transport Systems Corporation, telephone number +632 528 7979 or +632 528 7171; or WG&A Super Ferry, telephone number +632 528 7000.

Getting Around by Road

Major highways link the northern cities in Luzon to its southern cities. Roads also spread among the islands, with highways on the Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon island groups.

There are bus services between most cities, and within most cities, you can get around via various colorful modes of transportation, such as the jeepney and tricycle. Taxi cabs are available in the cities and in many towns. Check, however, to make sure that the meter is being used, since cab drivers in Metro Manila are notorious for overcharging. Car rentals are also available in Manila and in major cities. The minimum age is 18. Documentation: International Driving Permit required, together with a national driving license.

Getting around the Capital

A number of bus routes are operated by Metro Manila Transport but most journeys are made by the national transport—the colorful jeepney. There are some 30,000 jeepneys at least in Manila alone. The Metro Railway Transit (MTR) connects North Avenue in Quezon to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, traveling the length of the capital’s main highway, Epifanio delos Santo Avenue (EDSA). The Light Railway Transit (LRT), a light rail transit link, runs from the Baclaran terminal in the south to the Caloocan terminal in the north. Tricycles (motorbikes with sidecars) and pedicabs (bicycles with a sidecars) are a cheap alternative for shorter distances around towns. Calseas (horse-drawn carriages) are popular with tourists and are a common sight in downtown Manila.

Currency Information

Philippine Peso (PhP) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of 1,000; 500; 100; 50; and 20. Coins are in denominations of 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25 and 10 centavos, although it is almost impossible to buy anything below PhP1.00.

Currency Exchange

Cash in Pounds Sterling, U.S. Dollars, the Saudi Arabian Dinar, the Australian or Canadian dollars, and virtually every currency can be exchanged in banks and hotels. There are a number of money changers in tourist areas, but it is advisable to use authorized money-changers or banks in Manila. It is also best to change your money in the city, as there are fewer facilities for changing foreign currency in the other provinces. For the latest rates, visit the websites of major Philippine dailies such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://www.inquirer.net/), or television site such as GMA News TV (http://www.gmanews.tv/index.html)

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in major establishments in most major Philippine cities. ATMs are found in all cities.

Traveler's Checks

Traveler's Checks and major foreign currency may be cashed at most commercial banks and Central Bank dealers. They are also accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid difficulties, it is advisable to carry your receipt of purchase with you. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, take traveler’s checks in US Dollars.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1500.

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