The Philippines is one of Asia's top tourist destinations. In 2019, about 8.3 million people visited the country. The Philippines is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including the white sand beaches of Boracay Island, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, and several other popular destinations.
For the best experience, tourists should pay attention to the following 7 common mistakes.
Not realizing most people can speak English
You might be surprised to learn that over 90 million Filipinos speak English. In big cities like Manila, almost everyone can converse in English.
Filipinos can communicate in English. Photo: Philippine Star
So don't hesitate to talk to Filipinos if you need help getting around. They will try to speak English and explain things to you.
Prepare too much money to travel
In the Philippines, you can buy many things at cheaper prices than you might expect. Many currencies like the US dollar, British pound, and euro have good exchange rates. So you can spend money freely without tightening your purse strings.
Travel costs in the Philippines are often cheaper than expected. Photo: Vacationhive
You should also prepare a budget and compare tour prices to get the best deal. Filipinos are friendly and will always try to help you. Therefore, you can ask them for ways to travel around the country at the most reasonable price.
Use only cars or taxis
The Philippines has many convenient means of transportation. Visitors can take jeepneys - a popular open-air minibus.
Jeepneys offer a new experience for tourists. Photo: HuffPost
Another way to travel is by tricycle. Travelers can travel between the islands by boat, ferry or plane.
Be careful, especially at the airport.
Filipinos are friendly and welcoming, but it is better to be cautious. In the capital Manila, tourists should be wary of people offering to carry your luggage or other tricks, especially at the airport. These people are often up to no good and may steal your luggage.
Tourists should not let their guard down when traveling to the Philippines. Photo: GetByBus
Some cities in the Philippines are safer than others. For example, according to the website Numbeo, Davao City has a safety index of 72.5. Meanwhile, Manila has a lower safety index of 35.1.
Numbeo is an online database of quality of life in cities. It collects data from business and government sources, then combines it with information from users to produce a final score.
Don't learn the local language
Tourists should learn a few words or a few words of the local language to adapt to the culture. The Philippines has over 100 languages but the most widely spoken include Tagalog, Ilocano and Bisaya.
The Philippines has many languages. Photo: Holidify
When you learn a few words or some common language, Filipinos feel like you are part of their family. Babbling a few words like "salamat", which means thank you, will also make you more endearing.
Disrespecting local culture
Showing respect to others is very important in the Philippines. Make sure you speak politely to others without raising your voice or becoming aggressive, especially to older people.
Filipinos always respect their elders. Photo: Philippine Star
Filipinos refer to people who flout social norms as “bastos,” which means someone who is rude and has no manners. While the people are friendly and hospitable, tourists should be careful how they talk to others.
Don't be too straightforward.
In the Philippines, people are generally more reserved and not too straightforward about what they really think. People usually follow a set script when guests come to their home.
For example, if the host asks you if you want to eat, you should decline because they may not have money to buy snacks. If they ask a second time, you should still decline for the same reason. But if they ask a third time, you should accept the offer because they are sincere.
Tourists should not be too straightforward with Filipinos. Photo: The Star
If you refuse for the third time, your host will consider it an insult. So you should pay attention and ask Filipinos to find out how to handle this situation properly.
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