PHILIPPINES

This is your guide to the Philippines

The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines (Republika ng Pilipinas; RP), is an island nation located in the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia, with Manila as its capital. It comprises 7,107 islands called the Philippine Archipelago, with a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers or 116,000 square miles. There are a total of 79 provinces in the Philippines that can be divided among three main island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. With a reputation for being chaotic and corrupt, the Philippines has something of an image problem. But most who make the journey are pleasantly surprised by its beauty and by the friendliness of the people.

 

            Most of the Philippines is laidback, stable and relatively safe. The locals are an exceptionally helpful bunch and there are fantastic reefs and fish. On top of this, transport is cheap, the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and (for the monolinguistic) English is widely spoken.

 

CLIMATE

 

            The climate is tropical, with March to May (summer) being the hottest months. The rainy season starts in June and extends through October with strong typhoons possible. The coolest months are from November to February, with mid-January to end of February considered the best for cooler and dryer weather. However, locations exposed directly to the Pacific Ocean have frequent rainfall all year. The average temperatures range from 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C, and humidity is around 77 percent.

 

CURRENCY

 

            The Philippine Peso (P) is the official currency. One US dollar is equivalent to P 48.6516 PHP (5 Feb 2007).

 

            Peso bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000. One peso is equivalent to 100 centavos and coins come in 5, 10 and 25 centavo variants in addition to the 1, 5 and 10 peso coins.

 

            Money changers are not so common in the Philippines apart from some heavily touristed areas and most malls which usually have their own currency exchange stall. Banks on the other hand are widely available to exchange currency but have a limited time of operation, usually from 9 AM to 3 PM on weekdays.

 

            Visitors can also use the 6,000 ATMs nationwide to withdraw funds or ask for cash advances. The three major local ATM consortiums are BancNet, MegaLink and Expressnet. International networks, like PLUS and Cirrus, are accessble with many ATMs, but Cirrus is more predominant that PLUS.

 

            Visitors who have a MasterCard/Maestro/Cirrus card can withdraw funds or ask for cash advances at ATMs that display their logos. The most prominent MasterCard ATMs are the Express Tellers by BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) and the Smartellers by Banco de Oro.

 

RELIGION

 

            The Philippines is by far the largest Christian country in Asia. About 90% of Filipinos are Christians, where 81% belong to the Roman Catholic Church, and the 9% composed of Protestant denominations, the Philippine Independent Church, and Iglesia ni Cristo. While Christianity is a major force in the culture of the Filipinos, indigenous traditions and rituals still influence religious practice.

 

            Approximately 5% of Filipinos are Sunni Muslim,[32] and are locally known as "Moros", having been dubbed this by the Spanish due to their sharing Islam with the Moors of North Africa. They primarily settle in parts of Mindanao Palawan and the Sulu archipelago, but are now found in most urban areas of the country. Most lowland Muslim Filipinos practice normative Islam, although the practices of some Mindanao's hill tribe Muslims reflect a fusion with animism. There are also small populations of Buddhists, Jews and animists, which, along with other non-Christians and non-Muslims, collectively comprise 5% of the population.

 

GETTING IN

 

            On entering the Philippines foreigners from most countries automatically get a free 3-week tourist visa. If intending on staying longer you should apply for a visa extension. Each visa extension is valid for 59 days, except the first which is 38 days (i.e 59-21). You can pay on departure a fine of PhP1000 per month of overstay plus the PhP2020 fee.

 

            To avoid all the hassle, before traveling get the longer visa from the embassy (or a consulate), as this saves you a couple of days hassle during your holiday. Contact the Philippine embassy of your country about the exact requirements for a visa application and opening hours of the consular section. When you arrive with a visa, show it to the immigration official, so that he will actually give you the 59 days, instead of the normal 21 days, on your arrival stamp.

 

 

ELECTRICITY

 

            220V 60HzHz

 

COUNTRY CODE

 

            +63

 

TIME ZONE

 

            GMT/UTC +8

 

GOVERNMENT

 

            Unitary presidential republic

 

 

Sources:

 

WOW Philippines

Lonely Planet WorldGuide

Wikipedia

Wikitravel

Beaches in the Philippines

Picture by Peter & Abby Hansen

Boracay - it is a tropical island paradise an hour's flight from Manila. The most famous beach in Boracay is the White Beach with its lovely stretch of powdery white sand and azure waters. A stretched grove of shady palm trees separates the beach from the line of restaurants, cafes, bars, internet cafes, shops, bakeries, etc. There is lots of room to stretch out on the beach with your sarong or you can rent a reclining chair from one of the vendors where they will be happy to keep you filled with food and drinks. If you want a quieter atmosphere, there's Puka Beach and Baling Hai Beach along the northern tip of the island, with the same powdery white sand and azure waters but less commercialized. There's a lot of activities to suit every member of the family. There's scuba diving, boat tours, kiteboarding, skimboarding, windsurfing, snorkelling, tennis, golf, horseback riding, massage/spa, and you can also rent motorbikes and scooters to explore the island. And of course, you can just stretch out on the beach. Your vacation wouldn't be complete without some shopping. Along White Beach, there is a wide variety of gift shops and boutiques along the beach path and in D'Mall. In addition to the crowded stalls that you expect in Asia, Boracay also has several high-end stores including clothing, art and household items. Some places will permit you to haggle, others have a fixed pricing system with price tags. Shop around as prices vary.


Accommodation standards vary. But whatever your budget, you could easily find a suitable place to stay. Here's a list of some of the places where you can stay:

Bamboo Bungalows Boracay
Blue Mango Inn
Boracay Beach Chalets
Boracay Regency Hotel Resort and Convention Center
Boracay Sandcastles   Boracay Tourists' Inn
Hey! Jude Resort Boracay
Jony's Beach Resort
Microtel Inn and Suites Boracay
La Isla Bonita Resort
Patio Pacific Boracay
Orchids Resort
Dave's Straw Hat Inn 
 

Getting there:


By Air


The easiest way is to fly directly from Manila to Caticlan. Flight times range from 35 minutes to 45 minutes. Upon arrival to Caticlan airport, you can either take a tricycle to Caticlan port (40 pesos) or a further east port (70 pesos). You might walk to the Caticlan port as it is only 10min away.

The following airlines serve Caticlan:


South East Asian Airlines (SEAir)

Asian Spirit

Interisland Airlines

Corporate Air


The next best way is to fly from Manila to Kalibo Airport. Flight time is 35 minutes only. From Kalibo you take a two-hour (2-hour) ride to Caticlan. For the ride between Kalibo and Caticlan, mini-vans, air-conditioned buses and rental vehicles run in both directions, direct from the airport and Caticlan Jetty Port.

Airlines which fly to Kalibo:


Philippine Airlines 

 Cebu Pacific 

 


By Boat

Boats operated by MBRS (Tel no. +63 243 5888), and leave Manila's port for Caticlan either once or twice a week, depending on the season. Their ships depart from the Manila North Harbor and the trip takes about 12 hours.

From Manila to Dumaguit, (a half hour east of Kalibo) take the WG&A Philippines Super Ferry  or Negros Navigation .
 

By Bus

You can reach Caticlan by car or bus via the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, which provides access from Batangas, Luzon, Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao. Philtranco coaches leave regularly throughout the day from Cubao, Manila for Mindanao, passing Caticlan on the Strong Republic Nautical Highway. The journey takes 12 hours. You can also take a Roll-On Roll-Off (RoRo) vessel provided by Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc. (+63 043 723 7975 / +63 043 723 7598) which departs daily from Batangas and takes you to Calapan, Mindoro. From there you can either drive a car or take a mini-van or air-conditioned bus to Roxas, Mindoro, where another RoRo vessel will take you to Caticlan. You can leave your car at a secured parking lot for a fee. Cars are not permitted on Boracay Island.

 

 

 


  El Nido is located at the far northern most tip of Palawan Island. It is noted for its stunning inlets, limestone cliffs, sandy beaches and clear water. Historically, the area relied heavily on fishing as source of revenue, however in recent years it has gained an international reputation for water sports such as diving, snorkeling and kayaking, and so the economy is becoming more recreational based. The islands around El Nido have several lagoons, Caves, Coral reefs, hidden beaches and coves and on the mainland more to see like hot springs, waterfalls. El Nido is considered a showcase of Palawan's geology and various wildlife. It is one of the most important sites for biological diversity in the country and has been stated by the Philippine government as a protected area.

It is the scenic landscape, crystal clear waters, and relative isolation that attracts and fascinates most travelers to El Nido. The 45 islands and islets and the surrounding sea present endless opportunities for adventure, nature appreciation, and even just simple amusements. El Nido's majestic limestone cliffs are estimated to be 250 million years old. They stand guard over clear waters, with 200 species of tropical fishes, more than 100 species of corals, and three species of endangered sea turtles. El Nido's forests are host to more than 100 species of birds, a large number of which are endemic to Palawan.

Here's a list of some of the places where you can stay:

 

El Nido is located at the far northern most tip of Palawan Island. It is noted for its stunning inlets, limestone cliffs, sandy beaches and clear water. Historically, the area relied heavily on fishing as source of revenue, however in recent years it has gained an international reputation for water sports such as diving, snorkeling and kayaking, and so the economy is becoming more recreational based. The islands around El Nido have several lagoons, Caves, Coral reefs, hidden beaches and coves and on the mainland more to see like hot springs, waterfalls. El Nido is considered a showcase of Palawan's geology and various wildlife. It is one of the most important sites for biological diversity in the country and has been stated by the Philippine government as a protected area.
It is the scenic landscape, crystal clear waters, and relative isolation that attracts and fascinates most travelers to El Nido. The 45 islands and islets and the surrounding sea present endless opportunities for adventure, nature appreciation, and even just simple amusements. El Nido's majestic limestone cliffs are estimated to be 250 million years old. They stand guard over clear waters, with 200 species of tropical fishes, more than 100 species of corals, and three species of endangered sea turtles. El Nido's forests are host to more than 100 species of birds, a large number of which are endemic to Palawan.

Here's a list of some of the places where you can stay:

Casa El Nido 

Lally & Abet Beach Resort

Lamuro Resort & Spa 

Dolarog Beach Resort

El Nido Resorts    

 

Getting There

By Air

Philippine Airlines , Air Philippines  and Cebu Pacific

Manila - Puerto Princesa: daily flights

 

Island Transvoyager Inc. (ITI)

ITI offers 2 flights every day, 7 days a week from Manila direct to El Nido and back, one in the morning; one in the afternoon. If there is request there is also a lunchtime flight. Fares are $120 inc taxes each way. Baggage is limited to 15kg including hand luggage. Extra kilos thereafter charged per kilo rate.

South East Asian Airlines (Seair)
• Manila - El Nido: 2 - 3 times a week with Seair
• Busuanga - El Nido: 2- 3 times a week with Seair
• Manila - Taytay: daily flights with Asian Spirit and Seair (+ by road 2 hrs. to El Nido)
Seair offer 2 flights a week, Tuesday & Thursday, from Manila - Coron - El Nido - Puerto Princesa and back. Weight is restricted at 10 kgs, extra is charged per kilo.
 
 
By Bus
 
• Daily Busses depart at San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa for El Nido. 7.30 and 9.00 am. Same departure times for El Nido to Puerto Princesa.

Private Van Hire:
• Hire a VAN from Puerto Princesa to El Nido v.v. or occassionally their shuttle van is available.
 
BUSES
 
Sweety Transport Bus (+63919-7119221)
 
Sweety offer 2 trips a day from El Nido to Puerto Princesa City passing through Taytay and Roxas. The trips usually takes around 8 hours and departures are between 6am and 8:30pm, you are advised to book seats in advance. The fare is 350 pesos. There is also a corresponding two trips from Puerto Princesa City back to El Nido each day, leaving between 5am and 9am, again please book in advance.
 
Win Eulen Joy Liner (+63919-7162210)
 
Eulen Joy also offer 2 trips a day from El Nido to Puerto Princesa City passing through Taytay and Roxas. The fare is 350 pesos. Likewise they have two corresponding trips from Puerto Princesa City to El Nido. You are advised to book in advance.
Sweety offer 2 trips a day from El Nido to Puerto Princesa City passing through Taytay and Roxas. The trips usually takes around 8 hours and departures are between 6am and 8:30pm, you are advised to book seats in advance. The fare is 350 pesos. There is also a corresponding two trips from Puerto Princesa City back to El Nido each day, leaving between 5am and 9am, again please book in advance.
 
Win Eulen Joy Liner
 
Eulen Joy also offer 2 trips a day from El Nido to Puerto Princesa City passing through Taytay and Roxas. The fare is 350 pesos. Likewise they have two corresponding trips from Puerto Princesa City to El Nido. You are advised to book in advance.
 
 
By Sea
 
Cargo/Passengers Ship:
• 3 - 4 Cargo-ships depart Manila per week for El Nido, 2 of them via Coron, Busuanga.
Private Boat Hire:
• During peak season a regular boat operates from Sabang to El Nido vice versa.
 
San Nicholas Lines (+632-243 2830 )
 
San Nicholas Lines offer two trips by boat per week to and from Manila. The journey time is approximately 30 hours and food is included. The fare is 1,080 pesos. Book at least 1 day in advance. The booking office is located next to the Petron gas station.

 

 

 


  In the Northern part of the Philippines is a beach reputed to have the longest continuous white sand with mighty waves and strong winds that can compare to Hawaii. Wind and wave surfing are the outstanding activities that Pagudpud Beach offers its very discriminating customers. Not to mention the inviting views, clear blue waters, and white sand. Pagudpud promises its visitors a magnificent experience in a secluded paradise. Creeks, streams and waterfalls splash the landscape and spill into the South China Sea. All around, the ocean and sky are awash in varying shades of blue.
 
Pagudpud Beach, 2 hours north of Laoag City, has powder-white sand, but it's hard to tell which is bluer: the sky or the sea. While you are making up your mind, you might also consider a stop in Pasuquin, where the famous biscocho (Ilocos biscuit) is a favorite take-home delicacy for local visitors. But don't forget to check your watch, for while you play in the waters of Pagudpud, you may not notice how much time you have spent on these delightful shores, which are at the very tip of Luzon Island.
 
These days that Pagudpud is becoming the surfing capital of the Philippines, you might as well learn surfing during your stay there and go skinny dipping, boating and swimming all day. Aside from these got-to-dos that need water, you can pamper yourself in taking pictures of some of Mother Nature's beauty while mountaineering to Kaibigan Falls and walking along the historic streets and landmarks of Vigan, Batac, and Laoag. One big warning that the folks in Ilocos will give you is not to swim too far from the shore because the waters there have a very strong undercurrent that can pull you far off the shore. And since you won't be in the region more than once a year unless you're an Ilocano, visit the Marcos' Mansion and the Marcos Museum to get a taste of their lifestyle during their time in power.

Here are some of the places where you can stay:
 
Saud Beach Resort and Hotel 

 Pannzian Beach and Mountain Resort 

 Kapuluan Vista Resort   

Apo Idon Beach Hotel 
 
 
Getting There
 
By Air
Manila - Laoag by Philippine Airlines  and Cebu Pacific

From Laoag, hop on a mini-bus to Pagudpud. Not sure where to get off, where to go? The bus conductor will be glad to help. Or just ask the person sitting next to you.

By Land

Some bus companies will take you straight to Pagudpud from Manila. Be cautious because the trip is long and you'll be traveling about 350 miles, approximately the distance between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The bus (ordinary fare buses) often stops to unload passengers or pick up new ones. If you leave Manila at 7:30 p.m., expect to arrive in Pagudpud anywhere between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. getting a Deluxe, air-conditioned bus makes things a lot more manageable -- and a lot speedier because of fewer stops. A night trip isn't that bad; just fall asleep, and when you wake up, you're there.

If you must get down in Laoag, you can continue the trip to Pagudpud by taking a mini-bus, renting a car or hiring a private vehicle. Commuter buses depart from Laoag every half hour, sometimes more or less frequently, depending on how quickly they fill up. The fare is reasonable, and the trip takes about an hour.

If using this route, just take a tricycle to the Pagudpud bus station. TIP: The tricycle fare should be no more than 10 pesos, although it doesn't hurt to double it as a bonus -- say no if they ask for something extreme, unless you don't mind spreading your wealth to complete strangers.

Here's a list of some of the bus companies that originate from Manila.

Auto Bus
Dimasalang cor. Laong Laan St., Sampaloc, Manila

Fariñas Transit
Laong-Laan St., cor. M. dela Fuente, Sampaloc, Manila

Maria De Leon Transit
Dapitan St., Sampaloc, Manila

Partas Transit
Aurora Blvd., cor. Bernardo St., Cubao, QC

Philippine Rabbit
Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila

RCJ Transit
1558 España, Sampaloc Manila

Viron Transit
1209 Dapitan cor. Blumentritt St., Sampaloc, Manila

Verify with each bus company for schedules, fares and accurate destinations. Some of the companies listed above travel only as far as Laoag, the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte.