Home to more than 7000 islands, the Philippines is one of the major destinations that are basically underrated when compared to other location in Southeast Asia. However, for the travellers who prefer visiting this place will be rewarded with large numbers of crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, beautiful mountains, and rice fields, and polished emerald coloured volcanoes.
This is a Philippines travel guide which is full of travel tips, and all essential information required for exploring this beautiful place so that you can make most of your trip to the Philippines.
The Philippines at a glance
Residents from 151 countries may enter the Philippines without having a visa and stay there for a maximum period of 30 days, if they have a passport which is valid for at least 6 months beyond the time of stay in the Philippines, and present a return ticket to their own country or their next destination. Nationals of Brazil and Israel are offered 59 days stay depending on the current agreements.
Some residents can just stay for seven to fourteen days, so before visiting you should check the government website. If you have a plan to stay for more than 30 days, you can apply for a visa waiver first, granting an extra 29 days to stay in the Philippines.
Celebrations and Festivals
Certainly, wherever you are in the Philippines, there is a huge party, fiestas or festival that is going on. It is common for individuals to invite whole strangers to join the fun. Some of the popular ones are Ati-Atihan in Kalibo which is near to Boracay, Masskara in Bacolod, and Sinulog in Cebu. Generally, these festivals comprise of long street parades with the local people showing off their original native costumes. Expect to have lots and lots of street dancing along with local rum drinking.
Conveyance
The transport available from one place to another can be a mission of being an archipelago. If you have some spare time, flying from one island to another is important. It is recommended to download the top travelling app ahead of time for checking the boat, bus, and train schedules.
Planning Philippines Trip
Although you can visit the Philippines throughout the year, it is better to avoid the rainy or wet season. Except for huge typhoons, during the wet season, days are most likely to be hot with short term rain showers in afternoon therefore, it is not entirely too bad. In a nutshell, the weather in the Philippines can be divided into two parts. One is the dry season, i.e. from January to May and wet season, i.e. from June to December.
Things to pack while travelling from the Philippines
As the weather in the Philippines is warm, ensure that you pack your bag accordingly. If you decide to move to the Northside of the rice traces, the weather can become cooler so do not forget to carry a light waterproof jacket with you. If you are planning to spend most of your time in island hopping, ensure that you bring extra sunblock or rash guards. Until and unless you plan to take some steep trails, you must carry a right pair of training shoes.
Keep these points in mind while travelling to the Philippines and enjoy to the fullest!