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General Safety Manila
47 Reviews on the street in Manila two welldressed middle aged woman(they looked like nice filipina moms to me) began conversation with me. nice talk so we had lunch together. They told me they are from the...
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Airport/Security Checks Manila
13 Reviews First, I'm a long time airline employee that is very well traveled...Manila airport is a challenge. Pay attention! I didn't have a problem twice thru here, but again, pay attention. Take a few minutes...
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Health and the Weather Manila
13 Reviews If you are a Westerner like me, stay away from ALL ice and tap water. Do not drink any kind of shakes or eat any kind of desserts with ice (halo-halo) from any restaurant. Keep to the bottled water...
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For overstaying travelers, it is always best, and safer to do things legit than thru some fixer, so as not to jeopardize your status.You'll find all possible answers to your questions on visa extension on the following links: http://www.philippine-portal.com/visas-and-immigration/visa-extension.html http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/visas_philippines.html
Beware of Money changers located at the corner of mabini and san andres, Manila and Bamboo money changer near farmers, Araneta Center, Quezon City, Philippines. They usually have men serve as look out near entrances. These look outs will surround and intimidate the victim when they complain about their short changes. They lured me (victim Sof C.) to exchange dollars at a higher rate. I agreed to change my 3000 euro. Before giving the peso money, he counted it correctly infront of me, however after counting it at home, i found out that it shorts an amount equal to 1000 euro. When i went back to claim the short, i was surrounded by look-outs outside the Bamboo MC threatening me to retract my complaint.Be aware of this. When you see bystanders outside Money Changers, they might rob you or they might be members of this kind of modus operandi.
I am sure most of you expect me to start warning you about guerrillas and thieves and abductions...Well, nothing is happening here. People are most friendly, kindhearted, talkative and polite. I liked them. I made many friends. Some families kindly asked me to be their guest in places with no accommodation. I respected them and they gave me their heart. Most are very helpful and hospitable. A lot of them are educated and progressive. Of course one should be careful and avoid very remote places or regions where guerrillas have acted but it's no more dangerous than many other countries around the world. Actually the only island I was warned by locals not to visit was Mindanao. Although I stepped on it going to Camiguin, which by the way, is completely safe. All in all, one should take the usual precautions and be friendly and relaxed. I have to tell you I was traveling alone. And I had a...
The Philippines is a beautiful country, and so a lot of creatures will want to share it with us. Cockroaches are ubiquitous and tenacious even in the most classy of neighborhoods. The country is a tropical paradise with humidity appreciated by a lot of bugs. So, don't be shocked with seeing a roach or two --- just scream, run or shout for help (better yet, overcome your fear by facing the problem!). My inter-continental-travelling 6-month old son found this dead roach in our hotel room, and so I just took his picture with it. The nanny caught my son just as he was just about to touch it! Good we got him in time (insect never touched him)- so be wary of crawling kids and crawling creepies!You will also see small lizards in houses, sticking on the wall or ceiling. These are helpful in that they gobble up mosquitoes which may be harboring the dreaded Dengue virus. So, don't hurt the...
This is'nt really a warning just what I think. In Las Vegas I pay $25.00 to go on a 10 minute drive to the airport which is about 1200 pecos, in the Philippines sometimes they would just give me a price sometimes use the meter and the meter is a lot cheaper.It would never be over 200 or 300 pecos for a 30 to 45 minute ride so if your from a rich country just pay the money and let the poor guy make a little money and think about what it would cost to go on a 30 minute taxi ride at home.
Your friends say not to travel to the Philippines and you ask: "Is it really that bad?"I'm not sure what the people are saying. As many above have noted, you need to be as careful as anywhere in the world, including parts of Sydney, I bet.Here's my general tips for safe solo travel: - Guard your passport. It maybe one of the most valuable items you carry. - Don't flaunt your wealth. Look, everyone knows you're rich - how else could you afford to travel abroad? But don't flash a fancy watch, jewelry, camera or computer. You're asking for trouble. - Separate your cash. Put large bills in a separate place from small ones, stash an extra ATM card away from your wallet, etc. - Travel light. Being burdened by a bunch of stuff makes you tired and a target. You need to be self-sufficient but not self-indulgent. - Stay alert. This comes in a number of different forms from being aware of your...
Your passport is one of the most important things you own. Someone asked what to do if it were lost, but I think these things are best handled by prevention. Here are a few tips: When moving around - Hide your passport. This could mean in a secret inner pocket or under-clothing wallet. Don't use it unless needed and certainly don't flash it around. - Bring another form of identification for those who want your passport. I bring my California driver's license and it usually satisfies people. When in your hotel - Store your passport safely when in a hotel. I generally use the hotel's safety deposit box (sometimes no more than an envelope in the manager's drawer) but that's better than your room. - If you DO hide it in your room, try for a place that's just not that likely to be searched. I have some preferred spots, but I'm not advertising them. The two main ideas are hidden in plain...
My boyfriend left the airport going home to Sacramento and forgot to remove his cellphone from his backpack pocket because he was so busy arguing with the customs official to have his photo equipment hand carried. Only when he got home that he realized that his phone was missing from the backpack pocket. I know my boyfriend's partly to blame and plus the phone might have dropped during luggage transfers, but its still best to be careful.
I had some of the worst experiences in my life in Manila. After many rip-offs and attempted rip-offs and a horse carriage driver that was especially threatening, the worst experience of them all was with the Manila police. My Chinese friend and I were detained for hours by a corrupt cop demanding a 1400 peso, on-the-spot "fine" for carrying an open beer bottle down the street, about 3 blocks from our hotel (Century Park Hotel), despite the fact that it was not illegal for foreigners to do so. It was the Friday before Easter, so he told us that unless we paid him off, we would have to go to the police station and spend the weekend in jail because there were no judges available until after the holiday. He also yelled at me because I was from the U.S., saying that I thought that because I was from a powerful country that I could do whatever I wanted (absolutely untrue). He also said that he...
1, I have been in the philippines several times and you should make sure the cab driver goes by meter. If you dont be prepaired to spend at least 200x the amout to get you somewhere. They have fake price sheets that you are shown so you can believe what there saying. 2.. Also watch out going to malls mainly guys will walk up to you and ask for money tell you that there family is need of help and they alwas want to guide you to place and then ask for money for getting you there 3. Never go to the exchange places that people tell you the market rate of the dallor is alot higher they will do what they can to rip you off. A safe place to change money is at edsens they are crowded but you get what is coming to you all the time. 4. Just remember your a tourist and watch out for the tourist traps and also try to learn some of there languages it really helps.
Makati Shangri-La Manila Manila
17 Reviews and 406 Opinions This is my Makati Shangrila Tips with the Newer Pictures. The Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is a...
Dave's Straw Hat Inn Boracay Island
10 Reviews and 451 Opinions Let me start this by saying Dave's is amazing, really. The staff was friendly, Always had a smile on...
Rock Inn Sagada
4 Reviews and 24 Opinions When we went to Sagada, we tried looking for accomodation in the town proper but had really a hard...
Reviews and photos of Philippines attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Philippines sightseeing.
Q: Hi There I'm going backpacking with 3 other friends for 5 days in the Philippines and was wondering if anyone has any...
A: Some suggestion of mine: Shooting the rapid at pagsanjan falls then spend the night at tagaytay. 2nd day, taal trek, a bit of city tour and then a 45 drive to Lago de...
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