Introduction
Although overlooked by the world, the Philippines is still cheap and cheerful. With a reputation for being chaotic and corrupt, the Philippines has something of an image problem.
But most who make the journey to the 7000-odd islands that comprise the Philippines are pleasantly surprised by their beauty and by the friendliness of the people.
Most of the Philippines is laidback, stable and relatively safe. The locals are an exceptionally helpful bunch and there are fantastic reefs and fish. On top of this, transport is cheap, the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and (for the monolinguistic) English is widely spoken.
Destination Facts
Capital: Manila (pop: 10 million)
President: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT +8
Area: 299000
Population: 84619000
People: Ethnologically, most Filipinos are similar to Malays and Indonesians, and share common roots. There are also descendents of Chinese immigrants and a number of mestizos (Filipino-Spanish or Filipino-Americans).
Languages: 82% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist
Currency: Philippine Peso (P)
Major industries: Electronic and electrical products, textiles
Major Trading Partners: USA, Japan, Taiwan
Country Dialing Code: 63
Getting there and away
The most common way to get to the Philippines is by plane; Manila and Cebu City are the only major entry points. There are flights between the Philippines and many Asian cities, Australia, Canada, continental Europe, UK, New Zealand and the USA. Departure tax for all flights leaving the Philippines is 750, payable in cash only (US dollars or Philippine pesos). It's possible to travel by sea between the Phillipines and nearby parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Schedules and rates are prone to change, however, so it's best to be flexible in your plans.
Getting around
There are several airlines offering domestic flights between Philippine cities. There is only one operating railway line, on the route from Manila to Naga in southern Luzon, so long-distance buses or jeepneys are the main overland alternative. There are plenty of ferries and boats operating between islands, though the safety and quality of services vary. Car rental is also available and international agencies have offices in most major cities. Local transport includes jeepneys (originally reconstructed jeeps), metered taxis, small taxis without meters, vans (minibuses, or FX vans) and tricycles (motorbikes with sidecars).
Weather
The Philippines is hot and humid year-round. The weather pattern across the archipelago is complex, but can be roughly divided into the dry season (December to May) and the wet season (June to November). There is little seasonal variation in most places with average highs and lows of around 31 ° C (87 ° F) and 24 ° C (76 ° F) respectively. The best time to visit is between December and May when slightly cooler and drier conditions prevail.
Warning
Mayon volcano, in Albay province, southeastern Luzon, has shown signs of an imminent eruption. Travellers should respect the Permanent Danger Zone that has been established around the mountain. Due to the uncertain political situation in Mindinao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago, travel to these areas is advised against. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings.
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Although overlooked by the world, the Philippines is still cheap and cheerful. With a reputation for being chaotic and corrupt, the Philippines has something of an image problem.
But most who make the journey to the 7000-odd islands that comprise the Philippines are pleasantly surprised by their beauty and by the friendliness of the people.
Destination Facts
Capital: Manila (pop: 10 million)
President: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT +8
Area: 299000
Population: 84619000
People: Ethnologically, most Filipinos are similar to Malays and Indonesians, and share common roots. There are also descendents of Chinese immigrants and a number of mestizos (Filipino-Spanish or Filipino-Americans).
Languages: 82% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist
Currency: Philippine Peso (P)
Major industries: Electronic and electrical products, textiles
Major Trading Partners: USA, Japan, Taiwan
Country Dialing Code: 63
The most common way to get to the Philippines is by plane; Manila and Cebu City are the only major entry points. There are flights between the Philippines and many Asian cities, Australia, Canada, continental Europe, UK, New Zealand and the USA. Departure tax for all flights leaving the Philippines is 750, payable in cash only (US dollars or Philippine pesos). It's possible to travel by sea between the Phillipines and nearby parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Schedules and rates are prone to change, however, so it's best to be flexible in your plans.
There are several airlines offering domestic flights between Philippine cities. There is only one operating railway line, on the route from Manila to Naga in southern Luzon, so long-distance buses or jeepneys are the main overland alternative. There are plenty of ferries and boats operating between islands, though the safety and quality of services vary. Car rental is also available and international agencies have offices in most major cities. Local transport includes jeepneys (originally reconstructed jeeps), metered taxis, small taxis without meters, vans (minibuses, or FX vans) and tricycles (motorbikes with sidecars).
The Philippines is hot and humid year-round. The weather pattern across the archipelago is complex, but can be roughly divided into the dry season (December to May) and the wet season (June to November). There is little seasonal variation in most places with average highs and lows of around 31 ° C (87 ° F) and 24 ° C (76 ° F) respectively. The best time to visit is between December and May when slightly cooler and drier conditions prevail.
Mayon volcano, in Albay province, southeastern Luzon, has shown signs of an imminent eruption. Travellers should respect the Permanent Danger Zone that has been established around the mountain. Due to the uncertain political situation in Mindinao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago, travel to these areas is advised against. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings.
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