Plan Your Trip

The practical guides a first-time visitor needs, checked against official sources and dated.

Storms are part of life here from about June to November. Here is how to read the warnings and plan so a typhoon doesn't ruin your trip.

The country suits every budget, but internal flights, boats and small local fees add up. Here is where the money goes.

Cards work in cities and malls, but cash still runs the islands. Here is how to pay your way without surprises.

A local SIM or eSIM is cheap and easy, but every tourist SIM has to be registered with your passport and lasts 30 days.

Fly between island groups, take ferries for short hops, and use Grab or the trains in the cities. Here is how each one works.

Most travellers don't. Here is how long you can stay, what to carry, and the free eTravel form every arriving passenger fills in.

December to April suits most trips. Here is how the seasons, typhoon months and the big fiestas fit together, island by island.