Philippines being one of the budget travel destinations, with an experience of a nature so unique and perfect, with white sand beaches, tropical vibes, a friendly locality and its towering volcanoes makes it stand out.
Philippines, an archipelagic country situated in Western Pacific Ocean, Southeast Asia; consists of 7,641 islands- some remote and deserted, while some densely populated, are beautiful and dashing in every way.
It’s a beach bum’s delight country, with a coastline stretching across 3,000 km. divided into three regions- Luzon, Visayas and Mindanas. The country is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and rich bio-diversity, attracting tourists, worldwide.
With vast contradictions in its landscapes and activities, Philippines suit all holiday taste travellers with a slice of culture. Some of the most popular tourist activities and sightseeing places include heritage town and monuments, beaches, mountains, its tropical vegetation, rainforests, diving spots and its historical and traditional heritage. It has world’s highest endemism rate for bird species, making it a bio-diversity hotspot.
It’s a popular tourist destination offering variety of experiences, catering to tourists interested in wildlife, entertainment, adventure and even its nightlife.
The country’s underwater has been enamored, a paradise for surfing, diving and snorkeling. There are various other water sports to look out for, namely, wake-boarding, sailing, kite surfing and jet-skiing.
The islands are a home to 37 volcanoes, 18 of which are still alive.
A combination of every possible thing one looking for makes Philippines a place worth visit and an experience beyond imagination.
Accommodation – The country has variety of accommodation options, suiting needs of all kinds of travelers.
If you’re a private person looking to stay in budget options, you can rent a non-shared room with private and attached bathroom for $26 per night, in well rated hostels or guesthouse.
Hostels are quite rare to find on the islands. However, budget options for stay could amount to $12 to $25 per night.
Places with hostel options and its price range (per night) are:
Even good accommodation isn’t very expensive in Philippines, with moderate or average rooms cost around $25 to $40 per night; at times, inclusive of breakfast.
If you’re able to splurge, you’ll easily find a number of options to choose from, between luxury and boutique hotels.
Food – There are plenty of local street food outlets and vendors, with quality and hygienic options, letting you save on food. The food usually is fresh and healthy at most of the local eatery places costing about $15 per person & day.
Western fast food chains and mid-range restaurants are plenty, offering comfortable sitting options with a little view to nice scenery. The average cost of having meals at such places would amount to $20 per person & day.
Manila is food haven when it comes to Philippines, with irresistible variety and options to choose from. Here you have many fancy places to dine, opening you to choose from different cuisines and its variety food.
Transportation – Stick to ferries if you’re low on cash and avoid flights, capable of adding a huge lump to your budget. The best way to get around islands is through ferries, from Cebu Pier to Tubigon, costing around $12 per person and return fare (inclusive of luggage and terminal charges) around $21 per person.
However, if you limit you trip to one or two major islands of the country, it can cut down your expense when it comes to transport, as there are good buses helping you travel across some of the larger islands, such as Luzon, preferred choice of transportation to Manila.
Taxis are another widely available mode of transportation, but you can opt for local options such as tricycle and jeepneys, flexible and further low cost option.
Suggested daily budget –
It is however on a little higher side of budget compared to its other Southeast Asian counter parts, such as Malaysia and Indonesia. On other countries of the continent, you’ll be spending amount $30 per head, whereas, in Philippines, you’re expected to spend $45 approximately per person and day.
An approximate daily budget suiting different traveller’s needs, (per person) are:
In this budget, you’re expected to stay in hostel dorms (if lucky, in non-shared rooms), eat out at local eateries and majority street food and travel in jeepney or tricycle.
With the above stated budget, you can travel comfortably, but not luxuriously. You can rent an air-conditioned double occupancy room, eat restaurant meals with drinks and rent motorcycle to get around the main island.
You can do everything you wish to do and in style with this kind of budget. You can also enjoy adventure and water sports alongside an island resort.
Visit Best Travel Agency Philippines for cheap hotels and flight bookings
February 1, 2020