Are you planning a trip to the Philippines? Have you dreamed about the tropical islands but you are told it is too expensive? Unfortunately, millions of foreigners visit each year and decide to book their trip on an expensive package.
Careful planning makes it possible to travel to the Philippines on a budget. It would be best if you had patience and organization. If you want to travel to the Philippines on a budget, you will have to do some planning. But with these tips, it will be easy to visit this exotic destination.
1. Pack Light
You can’t pack too light. I’ve heard it’s possible to travel the Philippines on a backpack and a daypack and have a fun time, but I wouldn’t recommend it. In my opinion, you need to bring at least one big bag with you and use it for everything.
I also highly recommend bringing along a toiletry bag or duffel bag with one compartment for your clothes and another for your toiletries. If you’re planning on staying at hostels or hotels, this will come in handy because hostels and hotels don’t necessarily provide toiletry kits.
Suppose you’re going to be spending several months in the Philippines. In that case, I recommend bringing a change of clothes with you from home so that you can wear something new instead of having to buy new clothes every few weeks when going home.
2. Eat Where The Locals Eat
Many of the best meals in the Philippines are served in humble places that cater to an ever-changing crowd of travelers, expats, and locals. You’ll find cheap eats everywhere you go, but there’s a reason why the cuisine in Banaue is so good: It’s the most affordable place to eat in the world.
In this part of Asia, it’s not uncommon for a traveler to be surrounded by locals who speak no English. Understanding what they say and ensuring you order what they’re eating is the best way to get by. If you’re going out with friends, ensure everyone has their dishes so you can pass them around as needed.
Here are some tips for eating like the locals:
● Eat street food. It’s cheaper than eating at restaurants and often more delicious.
● Eat Filipino food. It may not be better than other cuisines, but it’s cheap, easy to find, and will likely be served buffet-style in a restaurant or at home with your family.
● Eat at dive bars and public markets where many people sell food from their carts or stalls (dumplings, noodles, and meatballs). You’ll get some free samples here!
3. Stay Away From Expensive Hotels
There are over a dozen reasons to stay away from expensive hotels:
- They can be expensive, especially if you want to stay there for a long time.
- They might not be as clean as you would like them to be.
- The food is not good.
- The staff might be rude or unhelpful.
It’s always better to book a room at an economy hotel than one at an expensive hotel. It is because economy hotels usually have their rates slashed by up to 50% compared with those of the more luxurious places you may want to stay at during your visit to the Philippines.
4. Stay in Hostels
The Philippines is not a cheap place to travel. But with the right attitude and planning, you can still find ways to travel on a budget. Hostels and guesthouses exist in large numbers in the Philippines that offer dorms or private rooms for as little as $2 per night.
These prices include electricity and water, though you may have to pay more for hotel services. However, some hostels may let you stay for free if you travel solo because of your age or gender.
However, suppose you expect to meet other travelers during your stay. In that case, it’s usually better to pay a little more and get better quality accommodations with more amenities such as air conditioning, cable TV, hot water showers, and free Wi-Fi internet access.
5. Use Public Transportation
If you want to travel around the Philippines on a budget, there are a few things you can do. The first thing is to use public transportation. If you can find an affordable ride, then it will be much cheaper than renting a car or booking a hotel room.
Public transportation is also very convenient because it will allow you to get off at different stops during your trip and then get back on when your destination is reached. Of course, you can also get off at different stops during your trip if necessary.
To find cheap public transportation in the Philippines, look for buses with advertisements that say “unlimited rides,” “5-trip ticket,” etc., which means they offer cheap tickets for long distances or free rides for shorter ones.
These types of buses tend to be older with fewer amenities such as air conditioning and comfortable seating. However, they are still better than taking taxis or hiring drivers because those options don’t always have enough space or money in their coffers for these kinds of trips.
6. Fly With Budget Airlines
If you want to travel through the Philippines on a budget, flying is the best way to do it. With dozens of budget airlines offering flights all over the country, it’s easy to get around without breaking the bank.
Airlines like Cebu Pacific Air and AirAsia offer daily flights between Manila and the most significant cities in Luzon. There are also long-haul services that connect Manila with Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, and Seoul.
With these airlines, you can fly anywhere in the Philippines for less than $100 per person one-way (exceptions apply).
7. Book Your Tour With a Company Based in The Philipines
Booking a tour can be confusing for people who aren’t familiar with the area. There are many different options for traveling through the Philippines on a budget, but not all are good for your travel needs.
I recommend booking your tour through a company based in the Philippines. It will ensure you get the best possible service and a great experience while traveling through the country. To beat costs, you can even book your tour before leaving your country with a cheap money-sending platform based in the Philippines.
Traveling through the Philippines has never been easy. There are many things to consider: the price of flights and accommodations, fees for transiting international borders, the transportation fees for moving from one location to another, etc. But the gist is that traveling through the Philippines can be incredibly affordable–but only if you’re smart about everything from where you go, what you do, and how much you spend.
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