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Philippines tourism · Guest Home Country: countryx

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE & TIPS

An archipelago of 7,107 islands, the Philippines stretches from south of China to the northern tip of Borneo. Its diverse population comprises over a hundred ethnic groups and a mix of foreign influences including the Spanish, The Indo-Malays and Chinese, make for an interesting heritage.

The Philippines promotes itself as a place where “Asia wears a smile” and rightly so - the locals are friendly and helpful by and large.

Despite the political woes of past and several disasters that have plagued the country, the Philippines is laid back and relatively safe. Widely spoken English, cheap transport, good food and plentiful accommodation make it a definite touristy destination to consider in South-east Asia.

Airport Taxes
P550 for international departures. Children under two years of age and transit passengers are exempt.

Electrical Appliances
220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels. Flat and round 2- and 3-pin plugs are in use.

Airport Transfers
Ninoy Aquino (MNL) is 12km (7 miles) southeast of Manila. Airport facilities include banks, post office, medical clinic, baggage deposit area, duty-free shops and car hire. Bus and taxi services are available to the city (travel time - 60-90 minutes by public bus or 25 minutes by taxi).

Mactan International Airport (CEB) (Cebu Island) is 45km (28 miles) from the city centre. Hotels and tour operators provide their own coaches; taxis can be hired.

Currency Matters
Philippine Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of P1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of P10, 5, 1 and 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.

Always use authorised money-changers or banks in Manila. Outside the capital there is a shortage of facilities for changing foreign currency and rates may get progressively worse the further one goes from the city. It is advisable to carry a sufficient amount of Philippine pesos when travelling to other provinces.

The import and export of local currency is limited to P5,000. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited.

The Central Bank of the Philippines and the Philippines National Bank are owned by the government. Banking hours are from 9.00am to 3.00pm on weekdays.

Special Prohibited Items
Firearms, explosives, censored 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.

Special Health Regulations
A yellow fever or typhus vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within six days from infected areas. A certificate is also required by those arriving from small pox or plague infected areas.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to the Philippines, unless travellers arrive from infected areas. However, cholera is a risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for further information.

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in areas below 600m, except in the Provinces of Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu and Manila. No risk is considered to exist in urban areas or in the plains. The malignant falciparum strain is present and is reported to be resistant to chloroquine.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the south. Avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant fresh water. Swimming pools that are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Hepatitis A and E may occur. Japanese Encephalitis occurs rarely in western Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan from April to November and throughout the year in other areas, with highest risk from April to January. Chikungunya fever is particularly common in urban areas of the central islands (eg. Manila). Gonorrhoea resistant to penicilin is common in the Philippines, particularly in Manila and Cebu City. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Drinking Water
Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised.

Dress Code
Light, casual clothing is suitable, except in the cooler highlands. For business, a dinner jacket and tie or the Philippine Barong Tagalog is appropriate.

Travel Wisdom
Travellers should carefully review travel plans to rural areas adjacent to Davao City, in Mindanao. Kidnapping incidents have occurred in Mindanao and other regions since April 2000. The Abu Sayyaf group has attacked and kidnapped tourists at resorts on Samal Island, Davao del Norte, Palawan Island, and in the Malaysian state of Sabah. Several people were held hostage and deaths resulted. Some gangs have used extreme violence and have targeted business individuals and visitors throughout the Philippines, including metro Manila and Makati, the business and entertainment district. Seven new kidnapping incidents were reported in September 2002. All were kidnap-for-ransom cases.

Random bombings continue to occur in Mindanao, Manila, and other areas where insurgent groups are active. Bombs have exploded in shopping malls, on public transportation, at the international airport in Manila, places of worship, and in other public areas, some resulting in injuries and deaths. Several bombings have occurred recently in Zamboanga, including the Fort Pilar Christian shrine and outside a restaurant-videoke bar in Barangay Malagutay, near Zamboanga City. Eight explosive devices were discovered in Metro Manila in March 2002, including Makati. A bomb exploded on a passenger bus in Quezon City, Manila, on October 20, 2002. Two people were killed and 20 were injured.

Travellers throughout the Philippines should be vigilant and maintain a high level of security awareness due to the continuous threat of kidnappings, bombings and other violent incidents. Security arrangements at resorts, particularly beach resorts, should be carefully reviewed. They should comply with all security procedures. Anything suspicious should be reported immediately to the nearest security authority. Large crowds and demonstrations should be avoided.

Weblinks To Visit

www.wowphilippines.com.ph
This is a colourful site that will take you through an information map of the Philippines. It also includes usual links to its partners which include restaurants, hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agents and more. The creative ideas it suggests for activities in and around the country are great – some of the ideas are also supplemented with actual tour packages. However, no actual booking functionalities online.

www.aurora.ph
This website takes you through the Aurora Province in the Philippines. Gives you a good political and social overview of the province, tourism information as well as investment opportunities.

www.dotpcvc.gov.ph
If you are going to the Philippines for a meeting or conference, you might want to check out the official website of the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation to get more specific information.

source : Abacus Intl