GUIDE ABOUT TRAVELLING TO THE PHILIPPINES IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA

This guide contains all the facts about your Travel to South-East Asia to the tropical country of the Philippines. It will give you facts about the Culture, History, People, Money, Food, Resorts & what you will need in your Travel & Stay in the  Philippines in South-East Asia.

THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines is an archipelago abundant in nature, rich in culture, and filled with pleasant discoveries. Experience the Philippines, its 7,107 islands, its natural wonders, colorful history and warm, engaging people. Over a hundred ethnic groups, a mixture of foreign influences and a fusion of Culture and arts enhanced the uniqueness of the Filipino race and the wonder that is the Philippines.

THE PHILIPPINES 3 ISLAND GROUPS

Luzon: The northern most island group, center of government, history and economy and home to the capital

Visayas: The central island group, heart of the country's antiquity, nature and biodiversity

Mindanao: The sounthern most island group showcase Philippines indeginous and rich culture

TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES

Many people have the misconceptions that it takes too long to travel to the Philippines. This is not really true. Many major air carriers provide travel to south east asia and to the Philippines from the United States and other parts of the world. Depending on point of origin, in  most cases the total flight time is 24  to 26 hours with great service. Many major air carriers provide travel to south east asia and the Philippines such as Northwest, Continnental, Delta, American, Philippine Airlines & China Airlines.  Airline Travel Buyers Guide  Just contact the reservation offices for flight schedules.

TRAVELLING THE ISLANDS VIA DOMESTIC AIRLINE

If you plan to travel around the various islands, it is best to get an open schedule ticket. This can save much time backtracking. Most open schedule tickets are in combination in flying into Manila and out of Cebu. Domestice travel providers are Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines and Asian Spirit are some of the Airlines that operate domestic flights and provide service to most large cities such as Boracay, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro City and Davao.

CURRENCY

The Philippine Peso is the official currency. 1 U.S. dollar is equivalent to P48.6516 PHP as of April, 20007.  Banks are widely available to exchange currency but have limited hours of operation usually from 9 AM to 3PM on weekdays. Visitors can also use the 6,000 ATMs nationwide to withdraw funds. Visitors who have a Mastercard/Cirrus can withdraw funds for cash advances at ATMs that displays their logos. Credit cardholders can use VISA, Mastercard & American Express Card in many locations in the Philippines but Merchants will usually require a minimum purchase amount before you can use your card.  You can purchane a Samsonite Currency Converter at this Link:  Samsonite Currency Converter Travel Calculator

CLIMATE

The climate is tropical, with March to May (summer) being the hottest months. The rainy season starts in June and extends to October with strong typhoons possible. The coolest months are from November to February, with mid January to end of February considered the best for cooler and dryer weather. However, locations exposed directly to the Pacific Ocean have frequent rainfall all year. Average tremperature range from 78 degrees F to 90 degrees F with humidity average at 77%.

FILIPINO PEOPLE

The people of the Philippines, or Filipinos, are descended from a mixture of Austronesians (related to Malays and Polynesians) and of the Southern Han Chinese. Those living in the province are mostly of pure filipino origin. The 3 largest foreign minorities in the country are 1st Chinese, 2nd Americans, and 3rd South Asians. Filipinos are very hospitable by nature. Guests will often be treated with royalty in Phil households. They are hospitable people, sometimes even to a fault.

FILIPINO CUISINE

Filipino Cuisine has developed from the different culture that shaped its history. As such, it is a melange of Spanish, Chinese, Malay and American influences. Filipino cooking is distinct and it is possibly the least spicy of all South East Asian cuisines. Filipinos usually eat with spoon and a fork, but sometimes eat with their hands, usually in provinces or when they are on a picnic and making banana tree leaf as their plate. As with the rest of South East Asia, rice is the staple food in the Philippines. In some areas in the south prefer corn but elsewhere, filipinos generally have rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRONICS

Most of the Philippines is 220 volt 60 Hz with the older 2 prong plug formally used in the USA (not polarized or grounded). This is not a common voltage - frequency combination, so nearly everyone will have to pay close atteniton to what they plug in to an electrical outlet. Americans will need a stepdown transformer and a passive plug adaptor intended for USA/Canada. Americans will need one too for any plug where one blade is wider than the other (polarized), or has a 3rd round grounding.  INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL VOLTAGE CONVERTER ADAPTER 220-110V

TRANSPORTATION ON THE ISLANDS

1. Bus Lines - City buses in large cities. Most bus lines have their own bus terminals and some bus companies have different bus companies depending on destination. As a thumb rule, 1 kilometer is about 1PHP for aircondition buses and a little less for regular buses. Buses stop usually every 2 hrs for 10 to 20 minutes to allow for snacks.

2. Jeepneys, mini buses, taxi, and tricycles and trisikads for city and village short distances. Typical taxi fare for example from Manila Airport to a city hotel somewhere in the center averages about 5 to 8 US dollars and they equipped with a taxi meter to give accurate fares. A tricycle is a modified small motorcycle with a side car and fees are regulated to approximately 6 pesos per kilometer per single person. The trisikad is a modified bicycle with a side car for local transportation for short distance with a minimum fare of 5 pesos.

3. Super ferries serve long distances at sea and are a fleet of modern steel hull vessels that take several hundred passengers to sleep, feed and entertain with live music for trips that usually takes more than a day. average fare to travel the island is 1,000 pesos or 20 US dollars depending on destination.

RESORTS

There are an abundant amount of resorts to choose from in the Philippines. It would be difficult to name them all. But, just to name a few of the most favorite resorts in region 10, Island of Mindanao would be Duka Bay Resort in Medina, Misamis Oriental and Paras Resort on the island of Camiguin

PARAS RESORT

Paras Beach Resort is a Great place to stay. It offers spectacular views of the Bahol Sea & of the famous White Island. With just a 15 minute bangks boat ride from the resort at low tide you can play, swim & body surf on the beautiful blue Bohol Sea. Scuba diving is big attraction as well. They have medium size pool with a lookout tower where you can enjoy the sea view and hold a party. Food is nice with a large open air restaurant viewing the sea and white island and feel the sea breeze as you dine. Also from the resort,  is a great view of the only still active volcano out of 7 in the island, Mt. Hibok-Hibok, its last eruption was in 1921. Average room fees is about 2,000 pesos or 40 US dollar per night with friendly service.

DUKA BAY RESORT/DUKA REEF DIVERS

In Medina, Misamis Oriental is the tranquil pleasant place called Duka Bay Resort. Occupying a  white sandy shore and part of a hill, Duka is soothingly shaded by a cluster large ancestral trees. 7 spacious villas elegant and fully furnished provide a breathtaking view of the bay and the island of Camiguin. Duka means sleepy in the dialect, it means unspoiled and serene. Duka Bay Resorts eagle's  view captures a mix of Japanese and Muslim style architecture, the glass-like Bohol Sea at a far distance with its therapeutic sounds, and the expensive surrounding mountains. The rim of the bay is edged with jutting jet black vulcanic bolders, having landing there like bullets following Camiguin Islands volcano, Hibok-Hibok's eruption in 1921. Scuba dive and enjoy the exciting experience of the underwater journey around spectacular coral reefs and caves populated with exotic marine life. They offer diving lessons for non-divers by PADI professional instructors. Average cost to scuba dive is 2,500 pesos or 45 US dollars. For experienced divers, there's unlimited diving activities. The villas have glass sliding doors that open into a 9 by 20 foot deck where you can enjoy the splendid view of the beautiful blue Bohol Sea and the sunrises/sunsets on the horizon. Average fee per villa that sleeps 4 persons is 2,000 pesos or 40 US dollars. Enjoy winds from behind the open air restaurant, where one can savor an abundant variety of local and foreign cuisine with low comfortable prices that rates 1st in all.   Duka Reef Divers Tours Adventure Vacation Package

And there you have it all, your guide to Travelling the Philippines in South-East Asia. I came to the Philippines in 2006 to marry my Filipina Wife and have been here ever since. I wrote this Guide for all of you that would like to experience this Tropical Country, it's Beauty and Hospitable people. It's an Experience I guaranty that you will NEVER  forget!  I sincerely hope this Guide was informational & helpful to you if you're thinking about Travelling to South-East Asia to the Philippines.

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Written by: R. "Shane" Deac' & Juliet "TaTa" Adcock