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 Climate
& Weather
The climate of The Philippines can broadly be described as hot and
tropical. We have relatively high temperatures and humidity and at
times abundant rainfall! Inland areas can feel extremely warm but
the coastal areas are generally much less humid and are blessed with
a cooling ocean breeze.
Most dive destinations are situated in the central belt of the
country. Mean temperatures for this area lie between 24 degrees
centigrade (low) and 34 degrees centigrade (high).
The majority of tourists visit The Philippines between November and
May which is considered to be dry season. However, in December and
January you should still be prepared to see a little rain. February
through to May are generally warm, dry months with cooler night time
temperatures and make for a pleasant time to visit.
The rainy season is considered to start in June and can run through
to October. Many regular visitors to the country swear that this is
the best time to visit. You can often strike lucky and have weeks of
brilliant blue skies and unlimited sunshine. On the other hand it is
called the rainy season and the rains – when they come – can be
pretty impressive and quite prolonged. The plus side about rainy
season is that there are fewer tourists around and diving is
definitely a little quieter. Actually, when we are underwater the
rain makes little difference anyway.
The Christmas, Chinese New Year and particularly Easter periods are
when there are large numbers of people on the move within the
country. If you are planning to visit at this time, secure your
accommodation well in advance and be prepared for a lively time at
the major resorts!
What to Bring
Well... we recommend as little as possible, you are after all on
holiday!
Obviously we would advise that you have comprehensive medical,
travel and, if appropriate, diving insurance. If you are taking
prescription medicines you should also bring these with you as they
may be hard to obtain.
It’s hot and, at times, wet so bring (or better still, buy here)
shorts, t-shirts, flip flops, trainers or walking shoes, and a spare
towel or sarong. You should consider light long sleeve shirts and
trousers for the evenings when it may be a bit cooler. A light
raincoat is probably a very good idea and you might like to consider
a lightweight sweater for the hilly areas.
Make sure you have a camera and it’s a good idea to carry an adaptor
with you for any electrical items you carry.
If you need to stay in touch with the rest of the world then you can
pick up SIM cards just about anywhere for your cellphone which will
allow immediate access to international calls. Internet access is
widespread and relatively cheap.
Definitely bring a wide smile and a good sense of humor. Filipino
people are some of the friendliest in the world and you will find
that a smile goes a long way to getting everyone on your side.
Finally, before you depart check your visa requirements. The
majority of foreign travelers are issued a 21 day visa on arrival
which can be extended. For some countries this may be different so
you are advised to make your own enquiries.
Money & Prices
The unit of currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP). The US dollar is
the most widely recognized foreign currency and there are many
places where you can change peso for dollar. At the time of writing
(June 2007) the exchange rate is approximately 46.0 pesos to 1 US
dollar. You will find that some resorts and centers will quote
prices in dollars as well as pesos. Within Metro Manila it is also
easy to exchange British pounds, Euros, Hong Kong dollars and so on.
We would advise that you always use authorized banks or money
changers. The majority of larger towns have ATM’s where you should
be able to withdraw money. However, facilities for money withdrawal
or changing are far less widespread away from the Big cities. Always
ensure that you carry enough cash on you to cover taxis, food and
drink and any other sundries you may need whilst traveling.
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted in all major
establishments but again, in some of the locations away from the
city, you may be required to pay an extra 5-8% surcharge for their
use. It is possible to withdraw cash on your credit or debit cards
in some banks or tourist centers. Travelers cheques are widely
accepted; however, the exchange rates are usually lower than those
of cash money .
As a very rough guide, typical costs in the major cities are as
follows:
● Five minute taxi ride 50-100 pesos
● Typical 'fast food' meal 80-100 pesos
● Mid range meal 150-300 pesos
● Deluxe meal 800+ pesos
● Budget hotel/lodging 500-1,500 pesos
● Mid range hotel/lodging 1,500-2,500 pesos
● Deluxe hotel 4,000 pesos and above
Outside of Manila prices tend to vary considerably, although in
popular tourist areas prices tend to reflect those in Manila. In
quieter locations you may find that you are spending less money.
Conversely some of the high end resorts will charge you a little
more. Overall you will find that your money tends to go considerably
further here than in many other countries.
Money Tips
Recent enforcement of tax and VAT regulations mean that sometimes
VAT (12.5%) is included with restaurant prices and sometimes it is
not! A similar situation can occur with service charges. Check with
staff before ordering your food.
A reasonable tip to leave service staff is 10%.
In markets you may like to try to negotiate but only do it in a
friendly manner. Don’t forget that you may be impressing yourself
with your bargaining ability but your perceived victory over the
vendor may actually only have saved you a few cents.
Health & Safety
Before coming here please check with your doctor about any
vaccinations you may need. Malaria is only a potential problem in a
few remote rural areas, again check with health professionals for
latest advice.
There are pharmacies throughout The Philippines and most have the
usual medicines available, if you have very specific requirements
then you should bring them with you. In the unlikely event that you
are taken ill during your visit, there are a full range of medical
services throughout the country.
The climate is hot and sunny so wear sun block, do not spend too
long in the sun and drink lots of water and non-alcoholic liquids.
Unless otherwise advised do not drink tap water. Mineral water is
cheap and available everywhere.
Like any country in the world, The Philippines has its share of
touts, pickpockets and others happy to take advantage of travelers.
However, the problem is certainly no worse here than any other city
or country in Asia. If you take the usual sensible precautions such
as watching your valuables, not displaying large amounts of cash,
avoiding certain areas late at night and so on, then you should have
no problems at all. Hotel and resort staff will always be able to
give you local advice. Incidentally, aside from the usual minor
hassles it’s actually a very safe and easy place for women to travel
in. For families it’s a joy as children are much loved and
appreciated.
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