Visit Manila

Travel Tips for a Happy Trip

By Jefferson M. Gitamondoc

A trip to a distant place can indeed be fun and exciting. However, a fun trip can sometimes turn sour without proper planning or prior knowledge of the country. Therefore, it is always advisable for travelers to learn more about a foreign country that they are about to visit so as to expect the unexpected and take proper precautions before making the trip there. Here are some useful travel tips that can help make your trip to the Philippines enjoyable and memorable.

The golden rule of traveling is to bring as little of your belongings as possible. Fortunately, most of the things that you might require are easily available upon arrival in the Philippines. Apart from the basic traveling necessities and your own special personal needs, it is not necessary to bring anything else other than (perhaps) a travel plug adapter, a pocket calculator, torchlight, an umbrella and photographic supplies. Medications can be found at drug stores in major cities. In the event that you are confronted with problems when finding the things that you need, the ever-helpful staff at any Tourist Information Center will advise you as to where you can acquire them.

Here are the 12 general and must-know tips:

1. Get low airfare during the off season, May through October. You can even come over and back on a courier flight, any time and it's very cheap.
2. Book your hotel in advance since the good hotels sometimes fill up quickly. You can always find a good "pension house", to accommodate you in the Php2,000.00-PhP4,000.00 range. These will have private bath, cable TV, air conditioning and hot water most of the time.
3. Travel by land since it is inexpensive. A ride across a large city like Cebu in an air conditioned taxi is about Php100.00 and the ride to most airports not much more than that. Most airports are close to town.
4. Jeepney fares are ranging from PhP8 to 10, about 10 cents USD, the main mode of transportation for most people. They are colorful and fun.
5. If you want to tour around Manila in a much cheaper but faster way, ride the LRT (Manila Light Rail Transit System) and the MRT (Manila Metro Rail Transit System) with fares ranging from 10-15 pesos (25-35 US cents) or a stored-value (multiple-use) ticket ranging from 100 to 200 pesos (2.50-2.80 US dollar).
6. American and other international foods are available. Fast food places from Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonald's to Filipino own, Jollibee, abound and prices are cheaper than in almost every country in the world.
7. The Philippines is always voted by the tourists as best in night life in Asia and the prices are the best too. Some of the best are found in Eastern portion of Metro Manila particularly in Metrowalk, Ortigas Center in Pasig City and Eastwood City in Quezon City.
8. There are many local handicrafts to buy. Do not overlook the silver, handmade in Baguio City, in the north of the main island Luzon, famous for years. Baguio is one of the cooler places to go too, in the mountains, the City of Pines.
9. Golf and other forms of entertainment abound. Japanese tourists fly from Japan stay two nights at a first class hotel, play two rounds of golf on the weekend, have a caddie and umbrella girl and a nice room and food for the price of one round of golf in thier home country
10. The most valuable and least expensive thing of all is the Filipino smile. It is free and every where. Filipinos are a happy people; they are fun to be with and are great entertainers and hosts. And do not be surprised if you call 1-800 and the operator is a Filipino. Almost all major US companies outsource their customer service and help desk in the Philippines.
11. If you are planning to have a vacation in one of the beaches here, it is suggested that instead of going to the overrated Boracay Island destination opt for a less crowded spots such as the island of Palawan . This was rated by National Geographic Traveler magazine as the best island destination in East and South East Asia region in 2007, and the 13th best island in the world having incredibly beautiful natural seascapes and landscapes.
12. For shoppers, you cannot miss visiting SM Mall of Asia which is the largest shopping mall in the Philippines and is the 3rd largest shopping mall in Asia in terms of Gross Leasable Area according to Forbes Magazine. Another best place to visit and to shop is in Tiendesitas Complex located in Ortigas, Pasig City. It has everything, from zoo to shopping malls and stalls.

Enjoy your stay in place where you feel like you’re home!!!