Philippine Travel Tips for the Tenderfoot Tourist
Contrary to what is being published in some parts of Europe, Australia, and North America, the Philippines is a fairly easy and safe travel destination. Almost everyone can speak English, making communication a zip, and the locals are amazingly friendly. Understandably, there are instances of small crimes, but where in the world is the crime rate zero?
In traveling to the Philippines, what you have to worry about is the unstable weather coupled with natural disasters. And, since the country is made of of more than 7,000 islands, your travel itinerary can really be a headache if not planned properly. In order to boost your chances of a charming island trip by evading these tripwires.
Error #1: Failing to check the weather report for the duration of your stay
Your vacation will definitely be the reverse of what you have hoped for if you arrive and then spend the nest two weeks indoors because of epic monsoon rains. You have to check the weather specifically on the place where you intend to visit. Never assume that the weather is the same for the whole country. Check the regional weather forecasts and make this the basis for your destination of choice. For example, Manila is particularly wet from June to September while other parts of the country are dry.
Watch out for typhoons. If you see that your resort is in the path of a massive storm, you better reroute. You will never run out of great places to visit on the Philippines.
Error #2: Believing the Fear News
So, you have heard a few stories about being robbed, mugged, or worse, kidnapped in the Philippines. You become hesitant in setting foot in this paradise of a nation. You booked a flight to Boracay, eventually went through with the trip, but you did not leave your room and enjoyed the island.
Massive mistake! The Philippines has an baseless repute for being a totally unsafe place – a legend fired up some embassy warnings and a few jumpy Filipino expats. The entire truth is, the Philippines is as safe as anywhere in Asia. And although there has been sporadic isolated violence in some far-flung provinces in the southern tip of Mindanao, it does not spill over into other parts of the country. Check and be aware of the latest travel advisories, of course, but once you get to the Philippines you’ll likely soon be laughing at the notion of it as a dangerous country. Relax and explore.