Philippines: General Travel Information
Weather:
A. The country experiences
a rainy season
Temperature: 20-36°C (68-97°F)
a.) Cool season/typhoon season
Month: November to February
Temperature: Average 22°C (72°F)
B. The
country experiences very dry season
Temperature: 25-32°C (77-90°F)
a.) Cool Dry Season
Month: December to February
Temperature: Average 21°C (70°F)
b.) Hot Dry Season/ Philippines Summer
Month: March to May
Temperature: 28-38°C (82-100°F)
Graphically the seasons can be represented this way:
When
is the best time to travel to Philippines?
As
much as possible avoid planning trips during Holy Week. This is commemorated
during last week of March or the month of April. The Philippines is a predominately
Catholic country, and the festivities surrounding this miraculous time in the
church calendar create a huge demand for hotels, cars, drivers and flights. Due
to the popularity of travel during this period, local prices tend to triple
around the Easter holiday. You'll have a hard time arriving and celebrating on
an affordable budget.
If you are a tourist who loves to see how festivals are being celebrated you must plan carefully to see each event before it ends, yet not get stuck in traffic trying to reach a venue or land somewhere without a hotel booking. Festivals take place all year round in the Philippines. Festival dates change from year to year. You may visit the Philippine Department of Tourism website (http://www.tourism.gov.ph/pages/default.aspx) for up-to-date information.
The Low Season
When you travel, you need to consider the months period. Between
Junes to October this is the rainy season. Typhoons and tropical storms are
common. This means that most tourists avoid the Philippines during these
months. This also means the prices for airfare and hotels drop. There is more
rain than usual, but there are also fewer tourists, better prices on
accommodations, and other lower prices.
The High Season
The summer season starts in January and ends in May. Booking
ahead for cheap airfare and hotels are recommended during this period. Scuba
diving is better at this time, and this really good for beach and water
adventure, family outings and vacation travels to other part of
the Philippines. Peak season include Christmas, New Year, Chinese New
Year, and Holy Week (Easter Week). Make sure you book as far in advance as
possible. The most visited tourist spots in the Philippines such as: the
capital city of Manila; Boracay Beach; Baguio - the summer capital of the
Philippines; Bohol Island; Corregidor Island; Cebu City; Davao City; the
Islands of Palawan; the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan; Puerto Galera Beach; the
old Spanish colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vigan in Ilocos Sur
and the breathtaking Banaue Rice Terraces.
Communication
Filipinos speak and understand
English. Tagalog is widely spoken and is the most understood in all
the Philippine regions. Mobile phones are available everywhere along
with sim cards and phone card load. Tourist guests can purchase these in any
establishments. The country's largest mobile providers are SMART, GLOBE
and SUN CELLULAR. Foreign currency can easily be converted into Philippine Peso
and all major credit cards are accepted in most establishments.
Means of Transportation
Transportation in the Philippines is relatively
under developed, partly due to the country's mountainous areas and scattered
islands, and partly as a result of the governments persistent under
investment in the nation's infrastructure.
By Air:
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the national flag
carrier of the Philippines; it is the first commercial airline
in Asia. The Philippine Airlines remains as the country’s biggest
airline company; it has the largest number of international flights to
the Philippines as well as domestic flights. The Philippine Airlines
links Manila to 14 cities in 8 countries, and flies regularly to 41
domestic destinations outside Manila. The Philippine Airlines also serves
twenty destinations in the Philippines and 32 destinations which are all
located in Southeast Asia, South Asia, East
Asia, Oceania and North America.
The Cebu Pacific Air is the low fare leader in the
country; it is the country's leading domestic airline. It
links Manila to 21 different domestic destinations
in Philippines and to 12 international destinations with its direct
flights. After offering low fares to domestic destinations, Cebu Pacific
launched its international operations on November 2001 and now flies
to Bangkok, Busan, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong
Kong, Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala
Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei.
The airline currently operates hubs
in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
Other low-cost airlines in the country includes AirAsia Zest, PAL Express, and Tigerair Philippines, these airlines have routes to several tourist destinations in the country at low prices.
By Sea:
The busiest port is the Port of Manila, especially the Manila
International Cargo Terminal and the Eva Macapagal Port Terminal, both in the
pier area of Manila. Other cities with bustling ports and piers
include Bacolod City, Batangas City, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu
City, Davao City, Butuan, Iligan, Iloilo
City, Jolo, Legazpi City, Lucena City, Puerto
Princesa, San Fernando, Subic, Zamboanga City, Cotabato
City,General Santos
City, Allen, Ormoc, Ozamiz, Surigao and Tagbilaran.
Remember:
- If you are not sure of the
place you’re going, you can always tell the driver where he can drop you
off. Tell him nicely the exact name of the place you’re going.
Jeepney/taxi/buses/tricycle drivers know the routes very well and can help
you with the directions.
- When inside the Jeepney/taxi/buses/tricycle, it is important to be watchful of your things. Avoid using your cellphones, cameras, and other gadgets (especially expensive ones) that can catch the attention of snatchers/pick-pockets. They can be one of the passengers inside the Jeepney/taxi/buses/tricycle or people in the street.
Another popular mode of public transportation
in the country is the motorized tricycle; they are especially common in
rural areas. The rate depends on the distance. In smaller cities and towns
these are the main part of the transportation services.
Jeepneys are the
most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines.
They were originally made from US military jeeps left over
from World War II and are known for their flamboyant decoration and
crowded seating. Jeepneys have open windows and
Another mode of
transport is the taxi cab. These are usually cars for hire with a driver, used
by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared
ride. Taxi cabs vary from models and uses. Most taxicabs have yellow colored
license plates, taxi signs, LTFRB registration number, and taximeter, which is
mandatory in every cab.
Buses are also available
and are popular for both local travel and long-distance
journeys. Ordinary bus fare (without air-con) is cheaper. Route travel can
be seen on signboards displayed on the bus’ windshield. You pay to the
conductor (the one who holds the bundle of tickets). Tell him/her where you’re
going and then he/she will tell you how much you have to pay. Keep your
bus tickets for checking purposes inside the bus. You’ll know when it’s time to
alight if you hear the conductor yelling the name of a place. This signals the
passengers when it’s time for them to alight.
Paper Bill Denomination – Color – Face
- 20 - Orange – Manuel Quezon
- 50 - Red – Sergio Osmena
- 100 – Purple – Manuel Roxas
- 200 – Green - Diosdado
Macapagal
- 500 – Yellow – Benigno Aquino
(OLD BILL) / Benigno & Corazon Aquino (NEW BILL)
- 1000 – Blue – Josefa Escoda, Vicente Lim, & Jose Abad Santos
For Philippine coins, each denomination has a different front
face, while all—save for the 5 cent coin--have identical backs, bearing the
seal of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (or the Central Bank of the
Philippines).
Coin Denomination – Color – Description – Face
- 5 cents – Copper – has a hole
in the middle, says “5 SENTIMO”/ 10 cents – Copper – says “10 SENTIMO”/25
cents – Dark yellow gold – says “25 SENTIMO”
- The above coins are rarely
used. 1, 5 and 10 pesos coins are normally used
- 1 – Silver – says “1 PISO” –
Jose Rizal
- 5 – Light yellow gold – says “5
PISO” – Emilio Aguinaldo
- 10 – Silver outer border, gold middle – says “10 PISO” – Apolinario Mabini & Andres Bonifacio
The 5 and 10 cent coins are of the same size and color, just
remember that the 5 cent coin has a hole in the middle. The 5 and 10 peso
coin are of the same size and look very similar, just remember that the 10 peso
coin has a silver outer border and a gold middle circle.
A few establishments will accept foreign currency such as the US
Dollar& Euro but most will deal only in Philippine Pesos.
Credit Cards
Most business establishments in Metro Manila and in other major
Philippine cities accept credit cards. Some will display an “Accepts VISA or
MasterCard” sign at their entrance. Some may also be "offline"
so be sure to ask first if they accept credit, especially before dining.
However, note that there are a few establishments that will have a minimum
purchase requirement before accepting credit card payments. Others will
only honor Philippine-issued credit cards. Smaller establishments and
those in rural areas operate on “cash basis only,” which means they only take
cash.
*It’s more fun in the Philippines
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