Things to Do in Philippines

About Philippines

The Philippines announces itself with heat — the kind that settles into your clothes before you’ve even left Ninoy Aquino Airport — and the humid, floral-petrol scent of Manila Bay. This is a country built on contradictions: the Spanish-era stone of Intramuros’s Fort Santiago, still cool to the touch at noon, stands a few blocks from the chrome-and-neon sprawl of Makati’s financial district. In Cebu City, the Basilica del Santo Niño houses the oldest religious relic in the archipelago, while outside, habal-habal drivers weave through traffic on single motorcycles modified to carry entire families. You’ll find the real pulse not in the grand plazas, but in the side streets. In Poblacion, Manila’s nightlife district, a craft cocktail bar charging ₱450 ($8) for a gin and calamansi sits next to a turo-turo joint where a plate of sizzling sisig and a San Miguel beer costs ₱180 ($3.20). The catch: infrastructure can be a genuine challenge. A three-hour flight might get you to Palawan’s otherworldly lagoons, but the last leg to your beachfront hut will likely be on a tricycle with a questionable suspension. Worth it for the moment you’re floating in the jade-green waters of the Underground River, the only sound the drip of millennia-old stalactites and the distant shriek of a cockatoo.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Domestic flights are the only sane way to hop between major islands — Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines often have fares for under ₱2,000 ($35) if you book a few weeks out. Once you land, Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber) works reliably in Manila and Cebu, but outside cities, you’re at the mercy of jeepneys and tricycles. A tricycle ride across town should run ₱50-100 ($0.90-$1.80); agree on the price before you get in. The one trick that tends to save everyone a headache: for inter-island ferries, especially to popular spots like Boracay or Coron, book directly with companies like 2Go Travel or OceanJet online. The terminals themselves are often chaotic, and showing up hoping for a walk-on ticket might leave you stranded for a day.

Money: Cash is still king, especially outside major malls. You’ll want small bills (₱20, ₱50, ₱100) for markets, jeepneys, and roadside stalls. ATMs are widespread but charge a ₱250-300 ($4.50-$5.40) foreign transaction fee per withdrawal; pulling out larger amounts less frequently tends to be the smarter play. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and nicer restaurants, but don’t count on them at a seaside grill in El Nido. A solid local meal — think a heap of garlic rice, grilled fish, and a bottle of Red Horse beer — might run you ₱300 ($5.40). Tipping isn’t mandatory, but leaving the small change or rounding up the bill is appreciated.

Cultural Respect: Filipino culture runs on a blend of Catholic formality and warm, familial hospitality. A quick “Po” or “Opo” (yes, with respect) when speaking to elders goes a surprisingly long way. When invited to a home, it’s polite to bring a small pasalubong (gift), like pastries or fruit. Dress modestly when visiting churches — shoulders and knees covered. The one social rule you can’t break: never lose your temper publicly. Raising your voice or showing anger (called “losing face”) is considered deeply shameful. Instead, a patient smile and the phrase “puwede ba?” (is it possible?) will get you much further in resolving any hiccup.

Food Safety: Eat where the locals eat, which is almost always from a sizzling wok or grill on the street. The high heat kills most nasties. Look for stalls with a quick turnover; the lechon manok (rotisserie chicken) spinning over coals is a safer bet than a pre-cooked dish sitting in a bain-marie. Tap water in major cities is technically treated but not recommended for visitors; stick to bottled. The real pro move: embrace the vinegar. Every table has a bottle of sukang maasim (cane vinegar) or sawsawan (a dipping sauce blend). A quick dip isn’t just for flavor — the acidity likely helps, too. A bowl of sinigang (sour tamarind soup) or a plate of crispy pata (deep-fried pork knuckle) from a busy, no-frills eatery like Manam Comfort Filipino in Makati is almost always a better — and safer — bet than a quiet, tourist-targeted buffet.

When to Visit

The dry season (December to May) is obviously the peak window, with February to April offering the most reliable sun. Temperatures in Manila hover around 28-32°C (82-90°F), while beach destinations like Palawan and Boracay are slightly hotter. This is when hotel prices surge — expect to pay 50-70% more for a beachfront room in El Nido compared to the low season. Come Holy Week (late March/early April), the entire country shuts down for solemn, processional fervor; travel is difficult, but it’s a profound cultural experience. The shoulder months of November and early December can be a sweet spot — the rains have mostly tapered off, crowds are still relatively thin, and prices haven’t yet hit their Christmas peak. The rainy season (June to October) brings cheaper flights and emptier beaches, but also daily downpours and the chance of typhoons, particularly in September and October. If you don’t mind an afternoon storm, July and August in the mountains of Baguio or Sagada are surprisingly pleasant, with cooler temps around 18-23°C (64-73°F). For surfers, the swell on the east coast (like Siargao) peaks from August to November. Budget travelers should target the wet season shoulders; families and first-timers will likely have an easier time in the dry season, despite the premium.