The Philippines at a Glance
Language
There are two official languages in the Philippines: English and Filipino (also called Tagalog). There are also over 180 unofficial languages, such as Cebuano and Bicol. English is extremely widely spoken, making it very easy to travel as an English speaker.
You’ll find the level of English spoken is higher when in bigger cities, tourist areas, and by younger people.
Best ATMs to use
ATMs can be tricky to find in the Philippines, particularly in smaller cities. Even if you do manage to find an ATM, it may often be out of money. I would strongly recommend withdrawing cash whenever you find a working ATM, particularly when outside of major cities. Most ATMs allow a maximum withdrawal of 1000 PHP ($170 USD) for a fee of about 250 PHP ($4 USD). Popular ATMs include HSBC, Citibank, and BPI.
Currency
The official currency of The Philippines is the Philippine Peso (PHP).
1 USD= 58 PHP (Philippine Peso).
Population
The Philippines has a population of over 115 million, with high population density in large cities like Quezon City, Manila and Caloocan City.
Best Simcard for travel
Globe and Smart are the two most popular tourist SIM card providers; they have the best coverage and affordable prices. You can buy SIM cards at the airport, but you will get a better price and data options at convenience stores (you can find small stores in every city or village, even off-the-beaten-track locations).
Weather
The Philippines is a country made up of thousands of islands, so the weather can be different depending on where you travel. In general, the Philippines has a tropical climate with a wet and dry season.
Dry Season also called high season in the West of the Philippines (El Nido, Puerto Princesa, Coron, Port Barton, Manila and Borocay)from November to April. The rest of the year is the wet season, which is considered a less desirable time to travel due to the rainfall and potential monsoons, which can affect ferries, flights and activities. There is no official dry season for destinations in the East of the Philippines (Siargao, Bohol, Siqiuijor, Cebu City, Moalboal and Malapascua). There is more rainfall between December to February in these areas.
