Try a different word, or send us a message and we’ll answer it directly.
Yes. Most Filipinos are Catholic, and churches expect modest dress: cover your shoulders and knees, take off your hat, and keep swimwear for the beach. Some popular sites, such as Simala Shrine in Cebu, check clothing at the entrance and turn away visitors in shorts or sleeveless tops. If you visit a mosque, dress the same way and take off your shoes. A light scarf or sarong in your daypack makes it easy to cover up.
The dry season runs from roughly December to May: December to February is warm and less humid, and March to May is the hottest time of year. June to November is the wet season, with more rain and a chance of typhoons, which mostly hit between June and November. Rain usually comes in heavy bursts with sunshine in between, but a typhoon can delay boats and flights, so keep your plans flexible.
See our Philippines weather guide for month-by-month detail.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all! While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof of your policy to your group leader upon arrival (on your phone or printed). You can get a quote and purchase your travel insurance here.
We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.
Globe and Smart are the two main networks, and both sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at the airports and in town. By law every SIM must be registered: you need your passport, the address of your first accommodation and your return or onward ticket, and a SIM registered to a tourist works for 30 days. Staying longer? Ask the network about extending it. Many travellers now buy an eSIM before they fly and activate it on landing.
Get your SIM at the start, as it can be hard to buy one on smaller islands. Wi-Fi is available at most accommodation but can be slow or missing in remote spots and on island-hopping days.
We recommend using a Wise travel card. It works in most places and supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. ATMs are widely available, but some places may accept cash only, so it’s good to carry some local currency.
Around 1–2 weeks before your trip you will get a welcome email with your trip information and your group leader's contact details. If you need to reach them before then, get in touch with us and we will pass your message on.
Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.
The currency is the Philippine peso (PHP). Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops in cities and tourist centres, but cash is needed almost everywhere else, including markets, tricycles, small eateries and many island businesses.
ATMs are easy to find in the cities, but smaller island towns have few, and they can run out of cash, so take out enough before you go. Most local ATMs add a fee to each withdrawal and limit how much you can take out at once. Keep some small notes for tips and transport.
Tipping is not compulsory, but it is appreciated. Many restaurants add a service charge of around 10%; where they do not, leaving 5–10% for good service is normal. For boat crews, guides and drivers, around PHP 50–100 each at the end of a good day is a welcome thank-you.
Most visits to the Philippines are trouble-free, and the islands on our routes are well travelled. The UK government advises against travel to parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago in the far south; none of our trips goes there. Check the latest UK government travel advice before you travel.
Typhoons are the main natural risk, mostly between June and November, and boat trips do not run when the sea is unsafe. In cities, watch for pickpockets and use Grab or official taxis. Drug laws are extremely strict. On the water, always follow your boat crew's safety instructions.
Filipino, which is based on Tagalog, and English are the official languages, and English is widely spoken, so you will get by easily almost everywhere. Many regions also have their own language, such as Cebuano in Cebu and Bohol. A few words are always appreciated: salamat (thank you) and magandang umaga (good morning).
Possibly, depending on your vaccination history and your plans. See your GP or a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel, tell them your full route, and check the Philippines page on TravelHealthPro. They can advise you on vaccines and on avoiding mosquito bites.
There is one entry requirement to be aware of: you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
No. Drink bottled, filtered or purified water, which is cheap and easy to find, and many places have refill stations if you bring a reusable bottle. Ice in restaurants and bars in tourist areas is usually made from purified water. If you have a sensitive stomach, use bottled water to brush your teeth too.
Filipino food is hearty and full of flavour: try adobo, sinigang (a sour soup), fresh grilled seafood and halo-halo for dessert, and expect rice with almost every meal. It is a meat-loving cuisine, so vegetarians have fewer local options than in some other parts of Asia, but tourist areas have plenty of cafés with vegetarian dishes, and the tropical fruit is excellent everywhere. If you are vegetarian, tell us when you book so we can let the kitchens know.
Not for a stay of up to 30 days if you hold a UK, EU, US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport. You do need to register, free, on the government's eTravel system in the 72 hours before you arrive and keep the QR code, as some airlines will not let you board without it. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your stay, and have your return or onward ticket to hand.
Staying longer than 30 days, for example on a volunteer placement? You can extend by 29 days at a Bureau of Immigration office. Our Philippines visa guide has the details.
Please wait for your booking confirmation email, which tells you when we recommend arriving and departing. You can search and book flights on our flights page.
We will send you your airport transfer information one week before the tour or programme begins.
International flights are not included in the price of any tour and will need to be booked separately. You’re free to book your own flights or book here.
Once you've booked your flights, log in to My Account on our website and enter your flight arrival details. That is how your group leader knows when you are landing.
Arriving before the tour starts, or staying on at the end? Let us know as early as you can so we can check availability and pricing on extra nights.
Please let us know as soon as possible. If you are already en route and a connecting flight changes, contact your group leader or email us so we can still meet you at the airport.
Your deposit ensures your reservation for the tour or program. It guarantees your spot until 60 days prior to the scheduled commencement date, at which time the outstanding balance must be settled in full. Failure to complete payment by the specified deadline will result in the cancellation of your reservation, and the vacancy may be offered to another prospective participant. The remaining balance can be found in your account, and multiple reminders will be sent in advance of the due date to ensure timely payment.
For group tours, your place is confirmed once enough travellers have booked, and always at least four weeks (28 days) before your tour starts. Most group tours are confirmed around six months before departure.
For volunteer or private bookings, please allow 2-3 working days.
If a tour does not run, you get a full refund.
The Philippines mainly uses Type A and B sockets (flat pins, the same shape as in the US), with some Type C, and a 220V supply. UK and European travellers need an adapter. US plugs fit, but check your devices work at 220V; most phone and laptop chargers do. Bring a power bank for boat days and remote islands. See our plug and socket guide.
The trip starts and finishes in Manila.
Pop your name and email in and we’ll send a voucher code straight to your inbox.
By signing up you agree that we may occasionally send you marketing emails. This voucher code is for new bookings only.
They keep the site running, remember your currency and help us show you trips you’ll actually want. Accept all for the best experience, or read our cookie policy.
Strictly necessary
Always onLogins, your basket and keeping the site secure. Can’t be switched off.
Functional
Our live chat, so a conversation with the team carries on from page to page.
Analytics
Lets our own stats recognise your browser from visit to visit. Without it we only count visits anonymously.
Marketing
Lets us show you relevant trips on social media and other sites, and see which ads work.
