Philippines

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 2/4 — Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
• ☐ United Kingdom: level 2/4
• ☐ Canada: level 2/4 — Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)

Health notices

• ☐ Global Measles (level 1)

Entry requirements

☐ The visa policy of the Philippines is governed by Commonwealth Act No. 613, also known as the Philippine Immigration Act, and by subsequent legislation amending it.

Practical

• ☐ Plug type A/B/C, 230V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the right
• ☐ Emergency (police): 911
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 911
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 911
• ☐ Money: The Philippine peso (or piso), ISO code: PHP, is the official currency and is the only currency used for most transactions. It is usually denoted by the symbol "₱" (prefixing prices using P without the double strike or PHP is also common, especially amongst those who type prices or amounts on their computers or phones as the "₱" symbol isn't straightforward to generate on keyboards). One peso is s
• ☐ Tipping: Tipping is not always expected in the Philippines especially since a mandatory "Service Charge" (8–12%) is added to a restaurant or hotel bill when issued (these are not part of the listed rates). Having said that, tipping is becoming more common especially in service-oriented places like spas and salons, as well as for those who offer small favours (e.g. those who help you carry items to your veh

Laws that could get a tourist arrested

• ☐ Drug possession — Drugs like shabu and marijuana are illegal. Police and anti-drug agents routinely search houses for suspected drugs.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Philippines — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM