What is the best time to visit Philippines?

The best time to visit Philippines depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like El Nido. Check weather patterns for Asia before booking.

What currency does Philippines use?

Philippines uses the Philippine peso (₱). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in Philippines?

Philippines has a rich food culture shaped by its history and geography. Ask locals for their favourite spots — the best food rarely needs advertising.

How many countries can visit Philippines visa-free?

161 countries can enter Philippines without a visa, typically for up to 30 days. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is Philippines safe for tourists?

Philippines is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

Philippines

The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country…

Capital

Manila

Language

English, Filipino

Currency

Philippine peso (₱)

Population

114.1M

Timezone

UTC+08:00

Visa-free access

161 countries

Travelling to Philippines

The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of.

Philippines is located in South-Eastern Asia, Asia. The capital is Manila, and the official languages are English and Filipino. The local currency is the Philippine peso (₱). With a population of 114.1M, Philippines is one of the larger country in Asia.

Philippines is one of the most accessible countries in the world for international visitors. Passport holders from 161 countries can enter without a visa, typically for stays of up to 30 days. Only 37 passports require a full embassy application.

Top places to visit in Philippines

El Nido

Limestone karst cliffs rise straight out of water so clear you can count the fish from a kayak. The lagoons — Big and Small — are surrounded by walls of jungle-covered rock that block out everything except the sound of water dripping off stalactites. It gets crowded by midday but the 6am boat tours are still almost empty, and that's the only way to do it properly.

Chocolate Hills

Over 1,200 grass-covered limestone mounds spread across 50 square kilometres, turning brown in the dry season and earning the name. The viewing deck at Carmen gives the best panorama but the real trick is renting a scooter and riding through the hills at ground level where the scale actually hits you. They're geological oddities — coral deposits lifted by tectonic activity — and they look completely unreal.

Kawasan Falls

A three-tier turquoise waterfall fed by natural springs in Badian. The water is genuinely that blue-green, not a filter trick — it's the limestone bed reflecting light. You can canyoneer down from the upper falls through a series of jumps and slides for about 1,500 pesos, and its one of the better adrenaline rushes in Southeast Asia. The bamboo rafts at the base pool are worth the 500 pesos.

Intramuros

The old walled city the Spanish built in the 1570s, heavily bombed in 1945, partially rebuilt since. Fort Santiago at the northern end is where Jose Rizal was imprisoned before his execution. The San Agustin Church — the only building to survive the war intact — has a trompe-l'oeil ceiling that took Italian artists years to finish. Walk the walls at sunset when the heat drops and the light gets good.

Cloud 9

A reef break that puts out one of the most consistent right-hand barrel waves in the Pacific. The wooden boardwalk tower is the viewing spot even if you don't surf — watching the locals thread through hollow waves at dawn is free entertainment. The island itself has transformed from a fishing village into a surf-and-coconut scene but hasn't lost its edge yet. General Luna town has the food and the nightlife.

Batan Island

The northernmost inhabited islands of the Philippines, closer to Taiwan than to Manila. Stone houses with metre-thick walls built to withstand typhoons, rolling green hills that look more like Scotland than Southeast Asia, and a population of about 17,000. The Valugan Boulder Beach has massive rocks smoothed by centuries of Pacific storms. It's remote — flights from Manila are weather-dependent and cancel often.

See all 20 places in Philippines →

Philippines visa requirements

161

Visa-free

Visa required

Countries that can visit Philippines visa-free

161 countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 30 days.

Europe

Asia

United Arab Emirates30d

Americas

Africa

Oceania

Before you go to Philippines

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Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. Philippines immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

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Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

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Currency: Philippine peso

The local currency is ₱. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

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Language: English

English is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

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Power & connectivity

Check Philippines's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

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Check your visa for Philippines

Select your passport for an instant result.

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Philippines 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

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Explore Philippines

20 places, 40 dishes, and more.

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FAQ · Philippines

Philippines — your questions

It depends on your passport. 161 countries can enter Philippines visa-free. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.