Philippines Travel Guide

The Philippines in Asia has over 7000 tropical islands to explore as it is the world’s second largest archipelago.  This place is away from the usual tourist path, so is perfect for travellers that want experiences which differ from the typical Asian holiday. The Philippines allows visitors to experience a multitude of natural wonders and cultural sites that are completely unique to the islands.

When to Visit

The Philippines’ weather is dictated by the Habaga (southwest monsoon) which runs between May and October and the Amihan (northeast monsoon) from November to May. The southern wet season is strong between the months of July and September. Yet in the eastern regions, the rain can be extreme between the months of December and March. It is best to visit the Philippines during the dryer month so that your holiday isn’t ruined by the weather. The central areas of the country tend to have less extreme seasons and the rain is less serious and less likely to flood areas.

You may also want to avoid the Philippines during Typhoon season (locally known as Bagyo). The foul weather causes millions of dollars worth of damage between July and December. The heavy rains continue for several days and would ultimately ruin your break away. The coolest and least humid months are between January and March along with April and May having a summery climate; these are the perfect months for tourists to visit the country.

Safety

Before you holiday within the Philippines, you must make sure that you get the vaccines you require for your trip away.  Get the injections done two weeks prior to your holiday as they won’t produce immunity until two weeks after your jab. Also ask you GP for an International Certificate of Vaccination in order to validate the vaccines you have received.

The Philippines has some dangers that you should to be aware of whilst you holiday within the country. In Manila, there are scams which can await an unwary traveller. You must be conscious of any over-friendly stranger as they could be trying to get money from your bags. The many slight-of-hand tricks and short changing scams mean that you should always keep your wits, and possessions, about you.

There are areas within the Philippines that travellers may find troubling; it is best to be aware of these aspects before you go on holiday. There is a large amount of poverty, pollution and traffic in such areas as Manila; however a quick bus ride can take you into the more idyllic districts of the Philippines.

Working in the Philippines

The Philippines offers visitors the opportunity to work on one of its islands; this is a great way to continue enjoying and exploring the exotic country. Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is a great way to fund your travels and get up close with Philippine culture.  You don’t need any qualifications or teaching experience to land this position. However you do need to obtain a permit in order to work; you must contact the Department of Labour & Employment to receive this.