Philippines

Top 5 des lieux

1. El Nido and Bacuit Bay · Palawan

   Limestone islands, lagoons and beaches seen on island-hopping boat tours.

2. Coron · Palawan

   Clear lakes, reefs and Second World War shipwreck diving.

3. Boracay · Aklan

   White Beach and watersports; environmental rules limit visitor numbers.

4. Chocolate Hills and tarsiers · Bohol

   Unusual cone-shaped hills and a sanctuary for the tiny tarsier primate.

5. Intramuros · Manila

   Walled Spanish colonial city with San Agustin Church and Fort Santiago.

Se déplacer

• Appli de VTC

  Grab

  Main car-hailing app in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao; fixed upfront prices. Traffic in Manila is very heavy, so allow plenty of time.

• Appli de VTC

  Angkas / JoyRide / Move It

  Motorbike taxi apps in Metro Manila and Cebu: fast through traffic and cheap. Helmets provided.

• Taxi

  Taxis

  Use reputable companies or airport coupon/yellow airport taxis. Insist on the meter. The UK government warns some drivers and accomplices have robbed passengers.

• Transports en commun

  LRT and MRT (beep card)

  Rail lines in Metro Manila; crowded at peak hours. Pay with the beep card; contactless bank cards are accepted on some lines (varies).

• Transports en commun

  Jeepneys and tricycles

  Cheapest local transport, fares from about 13 PHP. Pay the fixed fare by passing coins forward. Tricycle fares for tourists should be agreed first.

• Ferries

  Domestic flights and ferries

  Islands are linked by budget flights (Cebu Pacific, PAL, AirAsia) and ferries such as 2GO and fast craft. Check weather; trips are cancelled during typhoons.

Argent et espèces

Devise: PHP · Philippine peso

Carry cash, especially small notes, for jeepneys, tricycles, island trips and small eateries; many islands have few or unreliable ATMs, so withdraw in cities before going. Cards work in malls, hotels and bigger restaurants. GCash and Maya QR payments are everywhere but need a local account. Local ATMs often charge foreign cards a fee per withdrawal.

Vérifier un taux de change vers PHP

Pourboires

Tipping is common but modest in the Philippines. Many restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge, which by law must go entirely to non-managerial staff. Where there is no service charge, tipping about 10% or leaving small notes is appreciated.

Phrases utiles

• Bill po, please. The bill, please (polite Taglish).
• Kasama na po ba ang service charge? Is the service charge already included?
• Sa inyo na po ang sukli. Keep the change.

Savoir-vivre

• Use 'po' and 'opo' to show respect when speaking to older people; Filipinos are generally very polite and friendly.
• Dress modestly in churches: cover shoulders and avoid short shorts. The country is mostly Catholic, with Muslim areas in Mindanao.
• Avoid public confrontation or shouting; losing face is taken seriously. Stay calm in disputes.
• Remove shoes when entering homes if your hosts do.
• Bargaining is normal in markets (such as Divisoria) and for tricycles, not in malls.
• Smoking is banned in public places nationwide, and vaping rules are strict in many cities.
• Pointing with the lips or raising eyebrows to say yes are common local gestures; they are not rude.

Arnaques et comment y faire face

• Drugging by new 'friends'

  Où: Manila (Ermita, Malate, Makati), malls and tourist spots

  Comment ça marche: Friendly strangers invite tourists for food or drinks, spike them with sedatives, then rob them or drain their bank cards at ATMs.

  Comment l’éviter: Do not accept food or drink from new acquaintances or go to their homes.

• Card game cheating scam

  Où: Manila malls and tourist areas

  Comment ça marche: A friendly local invites you to meet family, then into a rigged card game against a rich 'mark'; you lose large amounts.

  Comment l’éviter: Decline home invitations from strangers and never gamble with people you just met.

• Taxi meter tricks and overcharging

  Où: NAIA airport, Manila tourist areas

  Comment ça marche: Drivers refuse the meter, use fast meters or demand fixed high fares.

  Comment l’éviter: Use Grab, airport coupon or yellow airport taxis, and insist on the meter.

• Bullet planting (laglag bala)

  Où: Manila airport (NAIA), reported mainly in 2015-2016

  Comment ça marche: Airport staff were accused of slipping bullets into luggage to extort travellers. Reports have since dropped sharply.

  Comment l’éviter: Lock or wrap bags and keep them in sight at screening.

• Romance and extortion setups

  Où: Nightlife areas, dating apps

  Comment ça marche: Women befriend male tourists, then threaten false accusations to extort money.

  Comment l’éviter: Be cautious with new acquaintances and keep meetings in public places.

• Fake hotel employee

  Où: Manila streets near hotels

  Comment ça marche: A person claiming to work at your hotel offers to show you 'something nice nearby', leading to a scam or robbery.

  Comment l’éviter: Politely decline; real hotel staff will not approach you on the street.

Sécurité

• Street crime and robbery, sometimes armed, occur in Metro Manila and other cities. Do not display cash, phones or jewellery.
• Pickpocketing is common on crowded LRT/MRT trains and jeepneys.
• Methanol poisoning from bootleg drinks has been reported; buy sealed drinks from reputable places.
• Several Western governments advise against travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of terrorism and kidnapping. Check current advice.
• Typhoon season runs roughly June to November; follow PAGASA warnings and expect ferry and flight cancellations.
• Carry a passport copy; police may check ID in nightlife venues.

Pratique de l’anglais

Very good: English is an official language used in government, business, signage and education, and most people speak it.

Sources

• GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Philippines, safety and security
• Wikivoyage: Manila
• Wikivoyage: Philippines
• Lawphil: Republic Act No. 11360 (service charge distribution)

Nous vérifions ces guides auprès de sources officielles et reconnues, mais les règles et les prix changent. Une info dépassée ? Écrivez à support@tourits.app.