The Philippines will always have a special place in my heart as I know it could for you too. It is my motherland, where my genes came from, it was a former home of mine when I was a child, and it is my beloved mother and father’s birthland. Specifically, they both came from this region of the Philippines called Batangas, which is on the island of Luzon, up north and an hour-ish away from capital city Manila.

The Philippines is truly beautiful from our languages to the food that’s rich in protein to the vast landscape of forests and beaches and to the locals that are hardworking. If you’re making plans to travel to this country, I have gathered some important tips you should know a bit before you go:

1. Try to understand which areas are safe or not safe to travel to.

The Philippines is pretty large, with over a thousand islands, and although you may have heard that Filipinos can be very nice, it doesn’t mean that every area would be considered nice and safe. Just like any country that comes with its own risks of crimes, the Philippines is no exception. Please do your own extensive research about a city you’re interested in seeing before attempting to go, but some tips below will also help you eliminate from being a target of crime. I recommend checking out this page from Travel.State.Gov on travel warnings, restrictions, news, and other information to know about the Philippines.

2. Bring your own toilet paper.

Unfortunately, a lot of bathrooms you’ll find, especially when it comes to a food stop or at a gas station, they won’t come with toilet papers. It’s very recommended you buy them for yourself and bring them with you.

3. Consider getting a private driver or sticking with a group tour.

It is very hard to get around without a car in some spots of the country and I also do not recommend you try to rent a car. The driving in this country is insane and at many times, unsafe. There is a lack of traffic regulations unlike in countries of other continents. Especially when you’re coming from North America, it will be a true culture shock. The best thing to do is get a driver. If it’s some quick stops, there is the Grab app for taxi rides. If you want a driver for longer trips, there are options at Klook (like here for Manila) to hire a private driver with your own flexibility. If you go to a more touristy area, you could just stick with a group tour company where the driving part will be handled completely by them.

4. Always wear insect repellent.

It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is in the Philippines, insect repellents will always come handy. There are just so many mosquitos (which you should really avoid, with these pests carrying dengue fever and malaria) and gnats. I recommend going into a gas station’s convenience store where you might find them selling these kids’ type of insect repellent lotions. I had those and that was very handy to have through traveling around the Philippines.

5. Don’t show off jewelry or wear clothes that are too flashy

This is just one of those packing tips that I say to just leave at home. Leave your beautiful and valuable jewelry at home. The reason being is there are many thieves out in this country, and it’s actually something that is recommended to always do anyways when visiting a less developed economical or third world country. 

Don’t wear clothes or bags either that are too flashy, such as authentic designer brands or clothes that appear to make you look “upper class”. Just try to fit in as a local as possible without the need to impress. It may be different in parts of Manila, but in most areas of the Philippines, I would recommend not to be too dressy. I also recommend wearing crossbody or belt bags that go in front of you at all times to avoid your chances of getting pickpocketed. 

6. Convert your dollars to pesos.

The Philippines’ currency is the Filipino peso. It’s smart to get your country’s currency (or dollars) converted to pesos before you even fly to the Philippines, as pesos are a biggie there (and most places you would want to shop at will lack credit card machines). I recommend checking out your local bank if they can do foreign currency exchanges but also keep in mind of comparing rates with other banks too before settling with that exchange.

7. Bring or buy an adapter.

The Philippines uses a completely different socket from most likely where you’re from. This country operates a 220V supply voltage and two different power outlet types: US Type A/B and the European Type C. Consider these as you look for a universal adapter.

8. Consider your phone service options.

Get a phone with SIM card or ask your phone company to do an international mobile package, which could cost a little bit more, but you can definitely see your options for either one.

9. You can try to speak English first, but be prepared, if that person doesn’t.

English is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the Philippines and the Philippines is even known for one of the countries in Asia that has the most English speakers. It’s okay to try to communicate with the locals in English first, and if they don’t understand it, make sure you have some translating apps handy.

10. Have an open mind!

This basically applies to all foreign countries you visit, but it’s a good reminder. Remember, you’re visiting a country that isn’t of your own, so bring lots of respect towards it. Be open minded to the Filipino food, to the locations and your surroundings, and to how Filipinos communicate. You will experience culture shock and sometimes, for good reason.