{"id":2014,"date":"2026-04-23T14:38:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T18:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/?p=2014"},"modified":"2026-06-04T14:29:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T18:29:49","slug":"mes-tips-pour-les-philippines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/2026\/04\/23\/mes-tips-pour-les-philippines\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Philippines"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philippines is a country that stands out both for the beauty of its landscapes and the warmth of its people. Between paradise beaches, spectacular rice terraces, and islands with turquoise waters, every place feels like a postcard.

On this page, you will find simple and practical advice based on my experience there: useful things to know before you go, during your trip, and tips to avoid some common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visa and formalities<\/summary>\n

For Canadians, no visa is required for tourist stays of 30 days or less.

However, you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after entry, and proof of onward travel (a return or exit ticket) may be requested.

You must also complete the eTravel form online within 72 hours before departure, and present the QR code upon arrival Here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Best time to go<\/summary>\n

The best time to visit the Philippines is generally during the dry season, when the weather is more stable and sunny, making it ideal for beaches, island hopping, and travel between destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rainy season usually runs from May to November, with more humid and unpredictable conditions. This is also when typhoons are most frequent, especially between June and November, although storms can occasionally occur at other times of the year. The Philippines experiences several typhoons annually, which can affect travel plans depending on the region.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Budget to plan<\/summary>\n

The Philippines is a fairly affordable destination, especially if you\u2019re traveling as a backpacker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a budget trip, you can expect to spend around 40 to 70 CAD per day, which covers hostels, local food, and transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more comfort (private hotels, more domestic flights, and activities like island hopping or diving), you should plan for around 70 to 120 CAD per day, depending on your pace and which islands you visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inter-island travel can affect your budget, but daily life costs remain generally accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The local currency is the Philippine peso (PHP).<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Accommodation<\/summary>\n

In the Philippines, you\u2019ll find a wide range of accommodation options: simple hostels, local guesthouses, and beachfront resorts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most commonly used platforms are Booking.com and Agoda, which offer plenty of choices across the country. For backpackers, Hostelworld is also very useful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of my recommendations is Amwani Breeze in El Nido, a beautiful camping-style stay. It\u2019s the perfect place to fully disconnect: nature, calm atmosphere, and a simple, immersive vibe. However, it is quite far from the town center, so it\u2019s not the most convenient option if you want to be close to the action. But if your goal is to slow down and experience something more peaceful, it\u2019s definitely worth it.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Transport<\/summary>\n

In the Philippines, transportation requires a bit of adaptation but is fairly straightforward once you arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For inter-island and long-distance travel, the most useful apps are 12Go Asia and 2GO Travel, which are convenient for booking buses, ferries, and some combined routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In cities, Grab is the main app for taxis and quick rides (similar to Uber), and it is reliable and easy to use. For motorcycle taxis, Angkas is also very practical in congested urban areas.

Local transportation is very typical and part of the experience: jeepneys, tricycles, and local buses are everywhere. It is cheap but can be a bit chaotic, especially during rush hour or in big cities. It is rarely fast, but it is authentic and efficient once you understand how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Road conditions vary greatly from one island to another. In major cities like Manila, traffic is heavy and slow, while in more rural areas or on certain islands, roads can be narrow, uneven, or still developing. Distances may look short on the map, but travel times are often much longer than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it is possible to drive in the Philippines with a valid Canadian driver\u2019s license for up to 90 days, which can be useful if you want more freedom, especially on islands where public transport is less frequent.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

ATM<\/summary>\n

In the Philippines, ATMs are easily accessible in major cities and tourist areas, especially in shopping malls, banks, and airports. Most accept international Visa and Mastercard cards without any issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, fees can add up quickly (ATM fees + your bank\u2019s fees), and there is often a withdrawal limit per transaction, so you may need to withdraw multiple times to access a larger amount.

Always decline the ATM conversion (choose the local currency).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In more remote islands or small towns, such as Banaue, ATMs are much rarer, and some may be out of service or out of cash. It is therefore better to withdraw enough cash in advance when leaving major cities.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Scams to avoid<\/summary>\n

In the Philippines, there aren\u2019t many serious scams, but there are a few common pitfalls to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In transportation, be cautious of taxis without meters or drivers trying to inflate prices. It\u2019s best to use Grab or insist on the meter before getting in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some tourist areas, certain unofficial guides or \u201cagents\u201d may offer overpriced or non-official tours. It\u2019s safer to book through trusted platforms or reputable agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For accommodation and activities, be careful with overly attractive offers found only on the spot without online reviews.

One important point is Oslob and whale shark diving. It\u2019s a very popular activity, but often criticized ethically because the animals are fed to attract tourists, which disrupts their natural behavior. If you want a more responsible experience, it\u2019s better to choose locations where whale shark encounters happen naturally, without feeding.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Vaccines<\/summary>\n

For travel to the Philippines, no vaccines are mandatory, but it is generally recommended to be up to date with routine vaccines such as hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus.

No risk of yellow fever. However, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are arriving from a country, even in transit, where the disease is present. To see the list of countries at risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination Here<\/a><\/strong>.

Regarding malaria, there is a risk in certain areas and at certain times of the year. Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease. Preventive medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and travel period. It is advised to consult a pharmacist or travel clinic before departure to determine whether medication is necessary in your case.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Security<\/summary>\n

The overall safety in the Philippines is generally good for travelers, especially in tourist areas and on the islands. In most cases, it\u2019s a country where you can move around fairly freely, as long as you keep a basic level of caution like anywhere else.

Common sense is important: avoid isolated areas late at night, stay alert in crowded places, and trust your instincts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For women traveling alone, many also have very positive experiences in the Philippines. There may be some curiosity, occasional stares, or unsolicited attention in certain urban areas, but overall interactions are usually respectful.

From my own experience, I never had any issues, even when traveling alone in places like Manila or on the islands, and even when going out at night. That said, it\u2019s important to be clear: this is just my personal experience, and it doesn\u2019t necessarily reflect everyone\u2019s reality. Every trip is different, and it\u2019s always important to stay aware of your surroundings.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

SIM card and internet<\/summary>\n

Mobile coverage in the Philippines is generally good, especially in cities and popular tourist destinations. However, on some remote islands or in mountainous regions, the signal can be weaker or sometimes unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To access the internet during your trip, it\u2019s easy to get a local SIM card at the airport or at many kiosks throughout the country. The most popular providers are Globe and Smart, both offering affordable data plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your phone is compatible, an eSIM can also be a simple and convenient option to stay connected as soon as you arrive.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Culture and local rules<\/summary>\n

Filipinos are known for their warm welcome, kindness, and hospitality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The country is predominantly Christian, so it is important to show respect in places of worship and during religious celebrations. In more conservative regions, wearing modest clothing can also be appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As in several Asian countries, avoiding losing patience or raising your voice in public is generally well regarded. Interactions are usually calm and polite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, English is widely spoken in the country, which makes traveling and communicating with locals much easier.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Tips for saving money in the Philippines<\/summary>\n

To save money in the Philippines, the most important thing is to prioritize local and simple options in everyday life. Eating at small local restaurants instead of tourist spots can significantly reduce costs while also letting you discover authentic cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For transportation, jeepneys, tricycles, and local buses are the most budget-friendly options. For longer distances, booking domestic flights in advance helps avoid price increases, and traveling slowly helps reduce expensive inter-island transfers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hostels and guesthouses offer good value for money, and traveling in the low season often means cheaper accommodation and activities. Ferries can also be a more economical alternative to flights depending on the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using apps like Grab helps avoid inflated taxi prices, and sharing excursions (such as island hopping) with other travelers can also lower costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, limiting the number of island transfers and withdrawing larger amounts at once helps save on banking fees.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

2SLGBTQI+ people<\/summary>\n

The Philippines are generally considered a fairly open and welcoming country toward 2ELGBTQI+ people, especially in major cities and tourist areas. You can often see a certain level of visibility and a generally respectful attitude in everyday interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, as in many countries, experiences can vary depending on the region. In more rural or conservative areas, attitudes may be more traditional, so it is important to adapt your behavior to the local context.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Applications, reservations and companies used during the trip<\/summary>\n

For buses, I often took local buses, which are much cheaper. You usually just need to ask people on the spot\u2014they are very helpful in telling you where to get on and which route to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For ferries, I used 2GO Travel, which is convenient for trips between certain islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For getting around in cities, I mainly used Angkas for motorcycle taxis, along with local buses whenever possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For accommodation, I mostly booked through Booking.com, which is easy and reliable almost everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For my trek in Banaue, I booked through a Facebook group recommended by a friend called \u201cFran\u00e7ais aux Philippines,\u201d which really helped me find local contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, for the 3-day cruise between Coron and El Nido, I booked with Sea Quest, a great experience, although cheaper options can also be found by comparing locally. <\/p>\n<\/details>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Les Philippines sont un pays qui marque autant par la beaut\u00e9 de ses paysages que par la chaleur de ses habitants. Entre plages paradisiaques, rizi\u00e8res spectaculaires et \u00eeles aux eaux turquoise, chaque endroit ressemble \u00e0 une carte postale. Dans cette page, tu trouveras des conseils simples et concrets bas\u00e9s sur mon exp\u00e9rience sur place : […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":278635021,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[789233176],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-non-classe-en"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phawJl-wu","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/278635021"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2014"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4943,"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2014\/revisions\/4943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamautourdumonde.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}