Useful Information for Construction & Renovation: Philippines

Come with an open mind and realistic expectations. Life on a volunteer project is simpler and slower than at home: shared rooms, basic facilities, heat and humidity, and a culture with its own customs. Everyone feels a little out of place at first, and that is normal.

Before you travel, read the programme information we send you. When you arrive, the local team introduces you to the project, the house rules and local customs, and they are there to talk to if you feel homesick or unsure. Most volunteers find the first few days are the hardest, and the rest flies by.

We accept participants aged from 16 and above. Participants under the age of 18 must travel with a parent or legal guardian. There is no upper age limit however, we recommend participants to check with the program options that are available.

We should always be healthy and maintain our fitness. However, it depends on the project you choose and you should always be ready to work.

Nothing formal. Pack modest, practical clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. On teaching and kindergarten projects, wear neat, casual clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. On construction and conservation projects, wear hard-wearing clothes and closed shoes you do not mind ruining, plus a hat and light long sleeves for the sun. Vest tops and short shorts are not allowed while you are working.

Away from the project, dress with respect for local customs, especially in villages and at religious sites. Your coordinator will tell you about any local rules when you arrive.

Your arrival transfer is included. You will be met at the airport and taken to your accommodation, so there is nothing to arrange for the journey in.

The departure transfer at the end, from your accommodation back to the airport, is not included. You can add it as an optional extra in your account, or make your own way.

Once you have booked your flights, log in to your account and add them under Flight Details so we know when you are landing.

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.