Simple Written Stories: Plan A Trip To Philippines

Are you planning to visit the Philippines? Do you want to have some ideas how your first travel will probably be?

If yes, you might want to consider some useful information I jotted down here, especially if it will be your first trip to the Philippines.

Basically, you will arrive in Manila Airport, also known as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and go through a passport control. Make sure you have 750 pesos for terminal fee and fill out the departure form. Your bags will be inspected and you will be scanned so better take off your shoes, belt, mobile phones, or things that you have in your pockets. After the custom control, you will proceed to the departure terminal. Trained dogs will also be around to check if you have drugs in your luggage. The departure is quite easy and the terminal is not so big, so there is no chance of getting lost.

Make sure to have some cash if you want to ride in a taxi. It usually costs 400-500 Philippine pesos, but it really depends where your destination or hotel is. There are money changers inside the terminal, so it will not be a problem if you don't have Philippine money.

Some hotels offer transportation services (from hotel to Manila Airport and vice versa) and it's better to book for that if it will be your first visit to the country. Or else, be prepared to get ripped off by taxi drivers in airport (not only in Manila but anywhere in the world). But you can still insist to use meter in taxi.

If someone will pick you up in your arrival, you need to look through a lot of people waving behind a barrier or better read what is written on their sign boards that matched your name. If you will not ride in the taxi, you will need to walk to the parking area with your luggage, which is approximately 400 meters away.

The weather is also unpredictable, depending what season you plan to go there. If it is not raining, you will surely think that the temperature is really hot. Expect long traffic delays within Metro Manila especially during rush hours.

Foreigners or international tourists usually stay around Malate, Ortigas and Makati area. There are lots of hotels to choose from, but ofcourse, it is up to your budget. Foreigners can also buy a pre-paid sim so it will not be expensive of calling abroad.

During the days, you can go to malls, shopping centers, parks and museums and if you prefer vibrant night life, you can go to some bars, restaurants, disco places, pubs or night clubs. You can find them everywhere, but be careful for pickpockets.

For sure, you don't want to consume all your days in Manila. You may also want to visit some top tourist destinations like Boracay, Puerto Galera, Cebu, Subic Bay, Palawan, Bohol, Baguio, Banaue, Corregidor, Pangasinan, Batangas, Iloilo and Davao. Be captivated by the beauty of nature, white beaches, small islands and be thrilled by amazing underwater adventures.

You can directly arrange a trip to those places in some travel agencies or just book your trip online. It is not hard to communicate with Filipinos as most of them understand and speak English.

Filipinos are friendly and hospitable. Filipinos also love and treasure small presents, known as pasalubong. So if you want to have more friends, the fastest way is to give some small things from your home country.

Photos of some tourist destinations in Philippines.