This is a guest post by Kristyn from MummyK
Photo: Storm Crypt
Just to get it out there, Manila isn’t the Philippines.
It’s where the main international airport is but I hope you don’t judge the country by its entrance (there are stories that they are spending billions to fix the international airport too, but I’ll wait until I see it).
After living in Sydney for eight years now, there are things that surprise me when I go back to visit family. Here are some realistic and practical tips when travelling to the Philippines – probably a guide that the tourism centre wouldn’t approve of.
Safe travel guides to the Philippines
- Have a trustworthy guide as much as possible. It helps if you know someone there because they know people who know people. Safe people. Maybe ask your hotel for a tour guide. But if you go on your own, ask the right people for information – hotel concierge, airport officials, information centres.
- Travel South. Get out of Manila to see what the country has to offer. There are popular tourist spots like Boracay, but personally, it’s too saturated with foreigners/tourists to be really culturally authentic. I suggest beautiful but quieter ones like Bohol, Camiguin, Palawan, Siquijor, Tagaytay, Baguio, or Vigan.
Want a ride?
- Don’t travel too much South. Yes, kidnappings happen there. Yes, people will try to get as much money out of you. It’s a poor country, you knew that already. So don’t go where the trouble is – like where the rebels are, where most kidnappings happen, or where bombings mostly occur. Stick to the tourist-safe zones. Having said that, there are guides for journalists who want to see those “exciting” areas.
- Ask your hotel. If travelling in one area for a longer period, you can ask your hotel if they can recommend someone you can hire as a driver to take you around. If you ask, you can also find an assistant or a nanny to take with you for an agreed price. If you just want to use a cab, ask for the meter to be turned on instead of a flat rate because they might rip you off.
- IDs and uniforms. It is wise to check IDs and uniforms for services like porters, cab drivers, tour guides and so on. It’s much safer to get their details, or know their details. We usually hire a regular driver, assistant, nanny etc beforehand and agree on a specific payment during the duration of the stay — less headache with the travel arrangements.
- Have cash. The thing with secluded nature spots is that sometimes, there are no ATMs or credit card machines. It’s good to carry around cash, just don’t put it all in one spot, because yes, there are snatchers too. When travelling, don’t wave around your expensive cameras, phones and other gadgets. They’re easy targets for snatchers.
- Protect your tummy and health. Use bottled water for obvious reasons. Bring medicine around – panadol, diarrhea tablets, rash cream and so on. Insect repellent will also come in handy. It is humid, carry around a small towel because you will be sweating constantly.
Lastly, have fun. Although there are unscrupulous people around, generally Filipinos have a happy disposition and welcoming nature, and a hell of competitive streak in karaoke – just saying, you should be prepared.
Bio: Kristyn is the blogger behind MummyK. She is a journalist, photographer, and first time children’s book author. She is enjoying life with her IT consultant/musician husband and three year-old toddler in Sydney. She tweets as @mummyk.
Yes, the lack of ATMs can get you in trouble if you are careless, like I was at Palawan. Makes life quite interesting when you suddenly realize you can’t pay your Jeepney driver and you are the only foreigner on board
And yes Philippines has possibly the friendliest people I’ve met anywhere, people are so nice and welcoming. And very true, they love their karaoke, it wasn’t once or twice when locals invited me to sing some karaoke with them
Jarmo @ Arctic Nomad recently posted..I Thought I Knew Coffee – Lessons from Knockbox
How did you pay your driver then? We had to use US dollars instead, good thing we were carrying some around, otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to pay our hotel!
Kristyn recently posted..How to travel safely to the Philippines
Well, I was supposed to jump off mid journey, but obviously couldn’t do that with no money. I had a 10dollar note, but he wouldn’t accept that. So I went the extra hour and half on the Jeepney to the Jeepney station, where I left my bag as ransom and went in search of money changer (who wouldn’t change my 10 dollar note, because I had folded it) and then ATM (which didn’t work). Eventually had to change the 10 dollar note with a really bad rate from one of the locals at the bus station, so I was able ransom my bag back
Jarmo @ Arctic Nomad recently posted..I Thought I Knew Coffee – Lessons from Knockbox
I think the point “Don’t travel too much South” needs some clarification – obviously Central and Western Mindanao are off limits but it’s still perfectly safe (with common sense) to travel to the north of the island including Surigao (the gateway to Siargao Island) and Butuan.
Good tips though, especially the need to get out of Manila. We can’t stand the capital but absolutely love everywhere else in the Philippines, Cebu and Bohol in particular.
Kieron recently posted..Photo Friday #27: Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Yep definitely true about surigao! Fantastic waves there for surfing!
You’re not alone about the capital, even a lot of Filipinos try to avoid it.
Kristyn recently posted..How to travel safely to the Philippines
Yep! My mom can’t stand it haha.
Kieron recently posted..Photo Friday #27: Marina Bay Sands Singapore
These are great travel guides. And I agree with you, the best spots in the Philippines are outside of Manila. El Nido in Palawan is my top-most favorite that I highly recommend to first-time visitors.
Gabz @ Pinoy Travel Freak recently posted..Travel Photo Friday: St. Anne Parish Church in Molo, Iloilo City
Agreed totally on Manila not equals Philippines, but there are still some sights to see here in the capital of the country. Just don’t waste too much time here in the city because your lungs might get clogged with pollution!
These are great tips for foreigners traveling to the Philippines, though they can be a bit hurtful to some Filipinos. I have to admit living in the Philippines ain’t the safest choice, but there are really good people out there.
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I totally agree! A lot of filipinos are very friendly. I guess just like in any country, there are those who are after just money too. It’s an honest warning from a Filipino’s point of view but yeah, it’s not a blanket statement to all Filipinos.
Kristyn recently posted..How to travel safely to the Philippines
That water is so beautiful.
I didn’t even think of poorer countries not accepting credit cards or having ATMs.
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It’s more fun in the Philippines.
It’s not the safest though. Hehe.. you just gotta be street-smart (especially in Manila), stick to safe areas (indeed, I’m from Mindanao but I definitely don’t recommend going to the western, southwestern, and central parts), ask directions, etc from trustworthy people, and keep lots of common sense. 
Great post mummyK!
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