Traveling to the Philippines for The First Time

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Philippines is one of those destinations that often gets overlooked when making long-term plans. Other trips are usually higher on the bucket list, but it’s a mistake to overlook them. The trip will be one of the most enjoyable you’ll have, but it will take some preparation since traveling in South Asia isn’t always as comfortable as you may expect it to be. If you take such preparations, you’ll have a safer and overall more enjoyable trip.

Driving On Your Own

The first arrangement to make is to be prepared to drive on your own. This will allow you to keep your own itinerary and explore the Philippines with more freedom than you otherwise could. That’s much more comfortable than waiting on transportation and sticking to arrangements someone else has made for you.

In order to do so, you’ll need international drivers license. It’s a document allowing you to rent a car and drive in the Philippines. The permit is only valid if you also have a national driving license and a passport with you and if all the documents are up to date.

Check the Weather Reports

Checking the weather report is more important in the Philippines than it would be on any other trip. During the monsoon season, you may end up having to change your plans to stay safe. Monsoon rains can sometimes last for as long as ten days and therefore ruin your whole trip.

On the other hand, typhoons don’t really have a season and can happen at any time and affect big parts of the country. The best thing to do is to be aware that there is one and try to stay away from the area.

Don’t Plan Too Diligently

It’s rather important not to plan your trip in too much detail since there are plenty of chances something will go wrong. Boats and other vehicles may be late or they may break down. Weather can cause you to be locked in, and sometimes you may have trouble finding accommodations.

The best way to go therefore is to leave yourself some room when it comes to scheduling. This will save you a lot of stress and allow you to make the most out of a trip even if something goes wrong in the process. There are also plenty of mobile apps that can help you plan everything.

Use Hotels Rather than Private Accommodations

Tourism is a key industry in the Philippines and you’re likely to find many offers for private accommodations during your stay. These are usually less expensive than staying in a hotel. However, it’s better not to do so, anyway.

Manila is a huge and often intimidating city for a foreign visitor and chances are you may find some bad actors. Nothing similar can happen in a hotel. It’s also worth knowing that hotels in the Philippines are usually much less expensive than those in the West, even when it comes to high-end establishments. Therefore, it’s a small price to pay for safety and security.

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