We have been 20 days in the Philippines and we have found the most different country in all of Southeast Asia: food, words, people ... the truth is that if you are looking for beautiful beaches and pure nature, that is THE destination. The trip led us to discover Boracay, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Manila. Although 20 days are definitely few to know such a fascinating country: we will have to return!

Here we bring our Philippines travel guide for backpackers. A complete guide to our trip through the Philippines. Visa, currency, when to go, travel, how much it costs, what is the best and the worst, reference prices, transport and more!

VISA

For most countries It is not necessary have a visa to enter the Philippines for a period not exceeding 30 days. It is necessary to have a passport with a validity greater than 6 months and an outbound flight. And yes, it's free!

There is possibility of enlarge the stay 29 more days, for this you will have to go to some Immigration office. If you are clear that you want to stay longer than the 30 allowed, you can get your 59-day visa directly at any Philippine embassy.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the Philippines is the Philippine peso (PHP). You can calculate the exchange rate updated in the following table.

WHEN TO TRAVEL

The Philippines is a country especially hit by typhoons, so keep in mind the best dates to visit it. The dry season in general across the country goes from november to april. In May-June the rains begin and increase in August. However, there are some areas where the seasons are changed, raining between December and March, especially in the southern zone.

VACCINES

In the Philippines there has been some case of malaria and the risk exists, although it is very low. There is also a risk of dengue and Chikungunya fever. For none of these diseases there are vaccines so take all possible precautions: always wear a good mosquito repellent, sleep with a mosquito net every night, avoid the hours of greatest concentration of mosquitoes (sunrise and sunset) and the areas of greatest concentration (rivers , lakes and wetlands) and wear appropriate clothing.

The recommended vaccines They are: Hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, and tetanus and rabies (which you probably already have).

• More Foreign Ministry recommendations for the Philippines
• More recommendations from the Ministry of Health

BUDGET

Our expenses (€ 1 = approx. 53 PHP). In total we have spent € 13.37 per day / person thus broken down:

• Accommodation: 17 nights, € 5.82 (two by boat and one at the airport) / person. Between 20 days: € 4.94 / person
• Food: € 3.61 / person
• Transport: € 2.81 / person
• Fees, tickets and activities: € 1.76 / person
• Miscellaneous: € 0.25 / person

Some reference prices

• Local food (rice + meat top): 30-50p
• Double room: 500-700p
• Water: 30-40p one of the most expensive in asia
• Cocacola: 30p per liter !!! Paradise for an addict like me (or hell ... depends on the views.
• Cinema: 200p
• Jeepney: 8-12p

PLUG

The plugs that can be found in the Philippines are of three types: type A, B and C, this last one is like the Europeans with two round pins. You can buy a universal adapter or get a specific one as soon as you reach your destination.

ITINERARY

Our trip to the Philippines for free lasted 20 days and led us to know:

• Manila
• Boracay
• Iloilo
• Puerto Princesa
• The nest

Of course there are many more things to see and do in the Philippines, so while we decide to return to explore them hehe, we leave you the blog Travel through the Philippines, where you can find all the info you need (it is managed by Jairo and Claudia, great travelers and friends , who are all experts in the country).

HOW TO MOVE

The Philippines is one of the countries in Southeast Asia where it is more difficult to travel. As it is a group of islands, it is normal for you to travel between them with internal flights. You can take a look at the company lowcost Cebu Pacific It operates many connections.

In addition to this you may have to deal with ferries that unite the islands with the coasts, or between them, both fast and slow (cheaper). There are even boats larger to make long journeys, like the company La Milagrosa that we take to go from Iloilo to Puerto Princesa.

To move overland the normal are the “Jeepney“, Jeeps enabled as shared vans that make defined routes: you ride, pay the amount (usually quite cheap) and get off at your stop.

WHAT TO EAT

In the Filipino cuisine, Asian flavors come together with Spanish reminiscences, so you can find a “sucker" (roasted pork), "top"(Cured meat or fish),"dressing”(Meat or fish marinated in vinegar, soybeans and garlic)… although Asia is already known, the basis is rice!

THE BEST AND THE WORST

This is one of our favorite sections, here we tell you anecdotes of the trip, personal sensations of the place, things that we have loved but also that we have not liked anything ... in short summary of our passage through the Philippines.

The best

• The experience on the boat: 42h sailing like Jack Sparrow between island and island, although it has not been so movidito!
• The food: after so many months of noodles and rice we liked to change some flavors, although the portions are quite small.
• Intramuros: an oasis of "peace" in downtown Manila. It has been curious to walk through buildings that could be quietly in Spain.
• Go to the movies after so many months, and see Tim Burton's last movie olé! Movie!
• Drink San Miguel beers enjoying a beautiful sunset in Boracay.
• The beaches ... amazing!
• Snorkeling around the island of Intalula in El Nido: the best of our lives, truly a unique emotion.
• The fart we caught in a Mexican restaurant in El Nido: thanks to Sonia and Ainara for the beautiful info! (beers at 35p!)
• The halo halo: granita with condensed milk and jellies, for about 20p a fresh dessert, a little weird but good!

Worst

• Arrive in Boracay and find the movie beach ... full of seaweed! Luck that the plague lasted only 1 day!
• Arrive in Manila and after 2 minutes of being in the street have suffered an attempted robbery. The city is sure of the whole trip!
• Puerto Princesa: Although the Lonely planet describes it as pleasant and clean, it has seemed very chaotic and dirty.
• The fees to be paid to use airports, ports, to enter islands etc ...

OUR ITEMS

These are the posts we have written:

• VISAS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA (FOR SPANISH CITIZENS)
• THE PARKING REVOLUTION
• TRAVEL GUIDE TO PHILIPPINES FOR BACKPACKS
• SURPRISES GIVES YOU MANILA
• THE NEST: EYE TO THE SHARK !!!!
• 42 HOURS ON THE SEA. BOAT FROM ILOILO TO PUERTO PRINCESA
• FILIPINEING IN BORACAY

OUR PICTURES

Here are the best photos of the Philippines: FACEBOOK ALBUM

And remember that at the end of each post there is useful information about each place!

We hope our Philippines travel guide for backpackers be useful to you For any doubt, question or curiosity do not hesitate to write to us and we will be happy to help you.