you’re more likely to shell out on Boracay and Cebu.

The US dollar is the most recognised forecurrency in the Philippines, and is often easier (and cheaper) to change than travellers cheques; in Manila you should have no trouble changing British pounds or euros, though recently several travellers have found it hard to change travellers cheques, even in the capital, due to the rise in forged cheques. Large denomination US bills will get you a particularly good rate, but only clean banknotes are acceptable. If you want to use cheques, the bigger brands will be accepted by most banks throughout the country. ATMs are all over the place, particularly in the big cities, and they operate 24 hours daily. You can use MasterCard and Visa in them.

Whether you tip or not is up to you. Restaurant staff will generally expect one, even if there is a service charge included. If you’re catching a taxi with a working meter, round up the amount. When shopping, especially in markets, it’s worth trying to get a 10% discount – most Filipinos will aim for one.

Currency
Name Philippine Peso
Symbol P Sample Price Guide
bought from store P 17 litre of petrol P 33 jeepney P 7 budget hotel room P 500 basic meal P 80 Average Room Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe
P300-600 P600-1000 P1000-2000 P2000+
Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe
P100-170 P170-300 P300-800 P800+

Philippines: Getting there & around

Getting There
The most common way to get to the Philippines is by plane; Manila and Cebu City are the only major entry points. There are flights between the Philippines and many Asian cities, Australia, Canada, continental Europe, UK, New Zealand and the USA. Departure tax for all flights leaving the Philippines is P550 , payable in cash only (US dollars or Philippine pesos).

It’s possible to travel by sea between the Phillipines and nearby parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Schedules and rates are prone to change, however, so it’s best to be flexible in your plans.

Getting Around
There are several airlines offering domestic flights between Philippine cities. There is only one operating railway line, on the route from Manila to Naga in southern Luzon, so long-distance buses or jeepneys are the main overland alternative. There are plenty of ferries and boats operating between islands, though the safety and quality of services vary. Car rental is also available and international agencies have offices in most major cities. Local transport includes jeepneys (originally reconstructed jeeps), metered taxis, small taxis without meters, vans (minibuses, or FX vans) and tricycles (motorbikes with sidecars).

Philippines: History
Pre-20th-Century History
The first inhabitants of the Philippines arrived around 250,000 years ago, probably migrating over a land bridge from the Asian mainland. The Negrito people arrived 25,000 years ago, but they were driven back by several waves of immigrants from Indonesia, followed by maritime immigrations of Malayan people. In 1380, the Arab-taught Makdum arrived in the Sulu archipelago and began to establish what became a powerful Islamic sphere of influence over the next hundred years.