Philippines Know Before You Go: 10 Essential Things To Know Before Travelling Or Backpacking The Philippines
What are the requirements when travelling to the Philippines? Before embarking on a trip of a lifetime there are a few things you need to make sure you do before you go. As much as I would like to say I like spontaneity, the truth is I am an over planner. This does come in handy sometimes though as it did take us a couple of months to prepare for our trip to South East Asia to The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. We're going for 4 months so as you can imagine there was a lot of planning to do. Here's our Philippines travel advice.
To make this post as helpful as possible I've put the top 10 things to do in time order starting with what takes the longest and therefore what you need to do first.
Contents
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First Things First
I haven't included booking your flights, accommodation or planning your trip here as hopefully you've already started that! Booking your flights further in advanced will find you cheaper rates and use WayAway to compare airlines. We've booked our first two hostels but after that we are going to book as we go!
To plan your trip it is a good idea to read lots of blogs, trawl Instagram or buy a guide then pin places using google maps, this way you will see where most attractions are and plan your stay around what you want to see and do!
You will need to check that your passport is in date and has at least 6 months left on it.
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Backpacking Travel: Philippines Checklist
1. Travel Vaccinations
6 weeks Before
What shots do I need for travel to the Philippines?
It is important to look into the different vaccinations or 'shots' you need for the places you are travelling. Some vaccinations need 2 or 3 doses spread 28 days apart and therefore it is essential you get this sorted with plenty of time before your departure date.
What vaccines do you need?
The vaccinations we got before going were:
DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus)
Typhoid
Hep A
Hep B
Rabies
Japanese Encephalitis
It is also advised to check whether you need Malaria tablets. Some more rural areas have a higher risk and therefore you need to plan ahead depending on where you plan on going.
Please check what vaccinations you need on the NHS travel website.
NHS Travel Vaccinations for SE Asia
In the UK you can get DPT, Typhoid and Hep A/B on the NHS, you just need to make an appointment at your surgery.
How much do Travel Vaccinations Cost?
For Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis you will have to visit a travel clinic or pharmacy. We went to 'City Doc' and be warned these are NOT cheap. A course of 2 Rabies jabs and 2 Japanese Encephalitis jabs cost around £480 each! We will also need to go back to get a booster in 6 months time for even more money! It is worth remembering this cost when you're budgeting for your time away.
2. VISAs
6 weeks to 1 month before
We are going to come back to this section further down as for UK and US citizens lots of South East Asia countries issue tourism Visas on arrival, however, it is best to check before you fly on what documents you may need to take with you or if your nationality or reason for travel requires a visa. You may also be able to get an e-visa for ease.
Counties that do e-visas:
Thailand
Vietnam
Indonesia
Cambodia
Malaysia
The process can vary in time and therefore it is important you sort this out with plenty of time before your flight.
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3. International Driving Permit
3 -2 Weeks before
Well... actually this one doesn't take much time and can be done with less time (remember I said I like to be prepared).
What do I need and How much is a International Driver's License?
There are different types of international driving permits depending on what countries you are visiting. In South East Asia 1949 and 1968 are the most popular and you'll need to check which one you need for the country you are in. We got both permits as plans change and they're only £5.50 each!
Where to get one?
As of March 31st 2024 the Post Office no longer issue international driver's permits. You know need to find your closest PayPoint shop. You can find this over on the PayPoint website. You will need to take with you:
Full GB or NI driving license
£5.50 fee
Standard passport photo (correct size)
Passport
4. Exchange Some Money
2 weeks before
We would recommend you always turn up with a little bit of cash in the local currency. You may need to pay for a taxi, give a tip or grab some food. We take around £100 in the currency as a backup. We don't carry anymore in case it gets lost.
What about a travel card?
We also recommend using Revolut or Monzo as your travel card. This can easily be controlled on the app plus it has good exchange rates too! You can check our our blog about travel cards here.
Purchasing Currencies
Don't leave this till the last minute as you will be left with exchanging at the airport and therefore their high rates. Have a look around for the best exchange rate near you, some companies also exchange online if you can't get to a shop. It is always a good idea to leave a couple of weeks as they may need to order the currency you need in.
5. Travel Insurance
2 weeks before
This is something you may be tempted to skip but shouldn't. Although it costs a bit it means you can travel with piece of mind. Shop around for the best rate and cover for you. Check to see what activities the insurance covers especially if you plan to go snorkelling or diving. You may also want to check for lost luggage, trip cancellation and natural disasters.
Make sure you have a copy of your travel insurance to hand with all the details and information or if you're with SafetyWing everything you need will be on their app.
We recommend SafetyWing, a travel insurance company for digital nomads, created by digital nomads, who are as passionate about adventure as we are. They offer affordable insurance policies covering you worldwide!
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2 weeks before
I like to start to gather what I'm taking in advance so I can see what I am missing and still have time to order it or go shopping. I put all the items I want inside my backpack to check the weight and to see if they fit. You may have heard the common phrase, 'layout what you need then take half the clothes and double the money'. You definitely end up wearing less than you expect and remember you can always wash your clothes or buy something out there.
For a full in-depth breakdown of the best items to pack for your trip, checkout: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories. Download our FREE checklist today!
7. Book Flights out of the Country
1-2 weeks before
This will vary depending on where you are going. To enter the Philippines you need to have an out-going flight booked. Even if you're planning to extend you visa you will need to have a flight out of the country within your 30 days for your visa upon arrival.
You can book this flight and then cancel it once you have your 30 day visa. When you go to extend you will have to have proof of your out-going flight within your extension, normally you get a further 29 days.
We used OnwardTicket which was an amazing & seamless service, although not cheap (currently £25 for two people) it was worth it for the ease. Once you purchase the ticket it will be valid for 48 hours so it's best to book it close to your departure.
Other countries where you most likely need proof of onward travel:
Thailand
Vietnam
You may be asked for proof in Indonesia and Malaysia however this is less common.
8. Gather Important Documents
1 week before
Important Documents to take:
Passport (with 6 months on it)
Extra passport photos for Visa
Photocopy of passport, drivers license, birth certificate
Any tickets/boarding passes
Visa
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9. Visa on arrival (e-travel Philippines)
72 hours before (PH only)/on arrival
Philippines Only
Before flying to the Philippines you need to make sure you register with e-travel aka eGOVPH. You can do this 72 hours before before boarding but it needs to be done and most airlines will check this before allowing you on the plane.
You can download the app or website called eGOVPH and register. It will generate a QR code that you have to scan when entering the country.
It's worth checking if the country you're travelling to requires you to fill anything out prior to your arrival. You may be able to get e-visas, or need an arrival card.
Visa on arrival
Lots of South east Asia countries administer visas on arrival. These can vary from 15 days to 3 months. Always check before you travel and check you can get a visa upon arrival.
Often there is also a chance to extend your visa once you're in the country. This will need to be done well in advance of your visa running out as it takes time to process. You will also need to show the correct documentation which can include, bank statements, accommodation and flights booked out of the country.
10. SIM Card or e-SIM
On arrival
We have been told internet can be patchy especially in the Philippines, apparently it's one of the worst areas for coverage, meaning you might not always be able to rely on your phone.
e-SIM
When travelling abroad we would recommend looking into an e-SIM. This would mean you have data as soon as you arrive. You can activate a mobile plan without having to visit a local shop and getting a physical SIM.
You also have the ability to swap to different plans which is particularly useful if you're visiting multiple countries within Southeast Asia.
Please note however not all phones are compatible with e-SIMs, in fact both our phones are too old (whoops)! Instead we have to opt to get a physical SIM.
Physical SIM
It's always best to grab your SIM as soon as you arrive in the airport. This means you can use it to help you get to your accommodation. You will need to pick a plan and they will give you a SIM to put into your phone.
Remember to keep your UK/US SIM safe throughout the rest of your travels!
SIM Providers
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Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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There you have it! You're ready for your trip of a lifetime and to start backpacking travel, Philippines and beyond. Don't forget to share it with us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels
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