Welcome to Philippines

You won’t want for variety in the Philippines, made up of more than 7,000 islands along the Pacific Ring of Fire. From the emerald rice terraces to the white-sand beaches of Boracay, from steaming volcanoes to subterranean marine parks, the country is rich in stunning landscapes, friendly locals and intriguing culture.

Go island hopping in the Visayas and find your perfect beach. Try canyoneering and ziplining on land, then go sea kayaking in Palawan and kiteboarding in Pagudpud. See why people are calling the 2,000-year-old Banaue Rice Terraces the eighth wonder of the world – they were carved into the mountains using very few tools and still used today.

Soak up the culture of Manila, visiting the Spanish Colonial-style San Agustin Church and impressive Fort Santiago. Visit the island of Luzon and its active Mayon Volcano, also known as the “Perfect Cone.” Both a tropical paradise and a living museum of Southeast Asian culture, the Philippines are dazzling.

Unique Facts

• There are 171 “living” languages spoken in the Philippines – four additional tribal dialects have no known living speakers.
• Basketball is huge in the Philippines – look for hoops on just about every street corner and NBA jerseys everywhere. After the NBA, in fact, the PBS (Philippines Basketball Association) is the second oldest in the world.
• More coconuts come out of Philippines than any other country – they ship about 19.5 million tons of “buko” (or coconut) each year.
• How’s this for a geological wonder? The Taal Volcano is itself an island (Luzon), which has a lake (Taal Lake). Within that lake, there is smaller island (Volcano Island). There is a lake on that island (Main Crater of Taal Volcano), and another tiny islet on that lake.
• Shop ‘til you drop in the Philippines – three of the ten largest shopping malls in the world are here, including the Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall. Beyond stores, you’ll find food venues, gyms, grocery stores, health clinics, parks, concert amphitheaters, nightclubs and more inside the malls here.

Language

The Philippines’ official language are Filipino and English.

When To Go

The best time to go to the Philippines is between December and February. You can go anywhere within the country during this time, even the most remote islands.

Airports

Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

Yes

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting the Philippines: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B, Cholera, Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types A, B and C. Standard voltage: 220V. Frequency: 60Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Philippine Peso

Getting Around

If self driving, be aware that traffic is dense and unpredictable. Avoid driving off the national highways and other paved roads, especially at night.

Use taxis or ride-sharing services as a means of public transportation. To be safe, ask your hotel or restaurant to call a reliable taxi service for you.

Use caution when choosing inter-island ferry service. There have been several accidents in the past few years.

Driver’s License

Valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Manila
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Manila, Philippines 1000
Telephone: + (63) (2) 5301-2000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: + (63) (2) 5301-2000
Fax: + (63) (2) 5301-2017
ACSInfoManila@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Department of Tourism Information Centre
JB Bldg, 351 Sen Gil Puyat Ave.
Makati
Manila
Tel: 02-8459-5200

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

General Emergency: 911

Safety and Security

Con games, pickpocketing, Internet scams and credit/ATM card fraud are common in the Philippines. Be wary of unknown individuals who attempt to befriend you, especially just after your arrival in country. Do not accept food, drinks, or rides in private vehicles from strangers. Violent crimes does occur in the Philippines, including kidnappings and physical.