The Philippines is a premier holiday vacation these days. It is well known that it is More Fun In The Philippines. Now let us tell you the truth about a Philippines Vacation.
Why Choose the Philippines For Your Vacation?
Here are some of the more obvious reasons why the Philippines is a great choice for your vacation.
It’s More Fun in the Philippines
There is an ongoing national advertising campaign claiming that it is More Fun In The Philippines. But it is really true. There is something about the laid-back atmosphere, the wonderful weather, and the pleasant funloving demeanor of the local people. Put it all together and you have a recipe for fun.
Awesome Tropical Weather
There is really only 1 cold place in the Philippines, and that is in the Baguio region, a city with a 1,470m elevation. Apart from that, the entire country is warm to hot all year round. There is no such thing as cold season, it is hot and wet, or hot and dry. Perfect Beach Weather all year round.
Sample The Real Philippines
It’s not hard to find the real Philippines. You know, where the locals live. Go to any major resort, and just up the road you will find real Filipinos living in a real neighborhood. It’s very rewarding to get out and meet real people, away from the hotels and travel guides.
Beach Life
Not only is it perfect beach weather all year round, but there are some of the best beaches on the planet in the Philippines. And it is easy to find accommodation practically right on those perfect beaches. You really can have the perfect beach vacation in the Philippines.
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
It’s really easy to go diving and snorkeling in the Philippines when most islands are surrounded by magnificent coral reefs. And you can even walk to many of them straight from the beach. Otherwise, most are just a short 20-minute boat ride away.
Find Your True Love
In a world where good morals and values seem to have vanished, it’s refreshing to know that Filipinos are (generally) still very religious with high moral values. It is no wonder that many Westerners come to the Philippines to find their true love; a life partner who is genuine and true. Not to mention handsome and beautiful 🙂
Try The Local Cuisine
Filipino Cuisine is not well known in the Western World, but it does exist and it is quite amazing. And you don’t have to break the bank, because real Filipino food can be found everywhere for a good price.
It’s Easy To Get Around
Practically every major province has domestic flights from Manila. So to get from one province to another, simply fly into Manila and grab a connecting flight.
The whole country has a massive network of ocean ferries operating as well. These are safe and cheap, and a great way to go island hopping on a budget.
More Bang For Your Buck
The Philippines is still a developing country, and you will get more bang for your buck than if you were to travel to a more developed country, like Japan or Singapore. Accommodation is cheaper, food is way cheaper. You can go further and stay longer for a lower budget.
What to Bring On Your Philippines Vacation
As a seasoned traveler to the Philippines, let me share some advice on things that you probably should bring with you.
Travel Documents
As of 2023, all foreign tourists are to fill out an e-travel document online before they enter the Philippines. You need to make sure you are up to the latest requirements to ensure your entry is smooth.
Visa
I have an Australian passport, and I can enter the Philippines without bothering about visas. They issue a visa on arrival which is valid for 1 month. I believe most if not all countries are the same, however, you should first check the DFA Website to be certain.
Travel Insurance
Personally, I never leave home without it. Philippines hospitals may seem inexpensive at the outset, but serious operations can quickly become super expensive. Filipino medical specialists seem to be unregulated and can charge whatever they want. And it is no secret that they tend to charge foreigners a much higher rate than locals.
Electronics
It is hard to find good Electronic Equipment in the Philippines. It’s true that you can find quality gear in the big malls of Manila, but out in the provinces, it is not so easy. For me, that means branded camera gear, batteries, and microphones.
Money
These days all you need to bring is an ATM card (better to have 2), and money is easy to access. If you know a local with a Philippines Bank Account is much better because you can then utilize a funds transfer company to get much better exchange rates and lower fees. Personally, I use World Remit, they are fast, cheap, and reliable.
Clothing
Do not bring warm clothing! You won’t need it and it will just weigh our luggage down unnecessarily.
Branded dress clothing is not as cheap as you might think, you might find them even more expensive than back home. Casual beach clothing on the other hand is cheap and readily available, no problem buying that style of clothing in the Philippines.
Snorkel and Mask
Whilst it’s easy to hire a snorkel and mask at any island resort, I always feel weird putting a hired snorkel in my mouth. And the face mask never seems to quite fit. I always prefer to bring my own.
Have Fun In The Philippines
A Philippines Vacation is perfect for somebody who just wants to have fun. You will find plenty of like-minded vacationers. Just be patient because there is a phenomenon known as “Philippines Time”, which works differently from normal time. This means that while you are having fun, you need to unwind and relax, and you will be rewarded with newfound patience.
