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Why The Philippines?
There are over 7,100 islands, white sandy beaches, black sandy
beaches, palm trees and deciduous forests, there is a thriving
nightlife and party scene, there are rice terraces, thousands of
churches, absolutely charming and friendly people, deserted
coves and islands and hedonistic beach resorts, volcanoes and
mountains, clear blue seas and skies, ridiculously cheap beers
and local spirits, shaman and old tribal customs, multi-coloured
transportation, English is widely spoken, jungle treks and
hiking, historical landmarks, basketball, cock fighting, some of
the best shopping in the world, fantastic food, immense grace,
pristine coral reefs with diverse eco systems, jeepneys, bikes
and noise, solitude and tranquillity, spas, thermal springs, sea
journeys, adventures, kiteboarding and windsurfing, easy access,
value for money, great high end restaurants and delicious street
food, whale sharks, trikes, sunbathing, banca boats, lots of
different visitors, a huge range of accommodation choices,
surfing, golf and of course... Scuba Diving!
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 humour.
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 travellers 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 recognised 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
centres 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 authorised 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 centres. Travellers cheques
are widely accepted and are an ideal way to carry your 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 huge 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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