If you don’t have much money but still want to travel, consider heading to the Philippines; a cheap and up-and-coming place on the “must go” list. The following are 6 ways save money while travelling in the Philippines.
Book flights early and have flexible dates
Chances are you’ll be flying between islands in the Philippines. There is a ferry that is cheaper, but it’s really slow and only goes a few days a week. Flights between islands can be a very reasonable price, as long as you book early! Sometimes two weeks ahead is OK. I LOVE the ‘whole month’ compare function on Skyscanner. You can see straight up an entire months worth of prices and you can pick out the cheapest. Take a look at this return flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. (Check it out: The Best Places to Stay in Palawan |Hostels & Hotels|)
Note: Due to my late booking I paid $150 for this same flight.
Make friends with local people
90% of Filipinos speak English, and they are super friendly and love showing tourists around – so you have no excuse! Filipinos are known to be some of the most welcoming people in the world, so just go up and start chatting to your receptionist, boat man or waiter. Another great way to find Filipino friends is to post in ‘Travel Philippines’ groups on Facebook or through CouchSurfing. Even if you don’t want to bunk with them, CS is sill a great way to find friendly locals who will happily show you cheap places to eat, give tips on things to do and can sometimes even get you cheaper tours!
Eat at the Markets and street food stalls
Seriously. Good. Food. Think delicious marinated pork and chicken on a stick, spit roast chickens, whole fish, curries and lots of other stir-fried goodness for a ridiculously low price! Try out some of the local food like Budel food; a plate full of seafood cooked different ways (around $10USD and enough for two) or pork sisig; small cubes of pork parts marinated in vinegar prior to being grilled.
Drink beer and rum bought at the supermarkets
The supermarkets will almost always be the cheapest place to buy alcoholic drinks, and when you can walk the streets with store-bought alcohol, why wouldn’t you? You can even take your BYO into restaurants and bars (sometimes)! Beers at the Supermarket are around 35PHP (.90c) and a 750mL bottle of Boracay Rum will only set you back 100PHP ($3). Stay on the lookout, though, for awesome extra-long happy hours at bars where you can drink there for the same price as a shop. And FYI if you want to get super drunk in Manila, try out TGI Fridays; it has bottomless mojitos for only $300PHP ($7USD)
Stay in hostels away from the central area
A lot of the cheapest accommodation options are separate rooms in family homes and are often not found on the Internet. If in need of a really cheap place to stay try walking away from the central area and checking places personally. Always haggle as prices can usually be bargained down!
Tours – compare prices and haggle
Another great thing to haggle prices down on are tours. I usually recommend ditching the tours completely and trying to do things by yourself, but if you can’t do it that way then politely ask them for a discount. They will usually give you one because there is so much competition that they want your business! When in El Nido I simply walked down the main street checking a few places for the Island Hop tour (most went down by at least 100PHP ($3) until I found one guy who (while obviously under the influence) dropped his price by a huge 500PHP ($12)!
How much I spent
Lets do the Math! The following budget does not include flights to the Philippines or internally. Flights from Manila to Palawan were around $150 USD return. Because I was moving so fast (I only had 2 weeks) I didn’t save as much money as I could have. But I did find ways for you to keep your costs down while here. Note: Coron was my most expensive destination because I did a day of wreck diving there which bought my expenses way above average.
Daily Cost of Philippines Budget Breakdown:
Place | Daily Average in Philippine Peso (PHP) | Daily Average in US Dollar (USD) |
---|---|---|
Average Daily Expenses for the Philippines | 1, 401.12 PHP | $31.53 USD |
Manila | 1, 070 PHP | $24.08 USD |
Puerto Princesa | 1, 457 PHP | $32.79 USD |
Port Barton | 1, 194 PHP | $26.87 USD |
El Nido | 1, 638.3 PHP | $36.87 USD |
Coron | 1, 803 PHP | $40.66 USD |
Example of Itemised Expenses (One Day):
Expenses - A day in El Nido | Cost in PHP | Cost in USD |
---|---|---|
Total Expenses for one day* | 1, 644 PHP | $36.99 |
Dorm Room at Hakuna Matata Hostel | 300 PHP | $6.75 |
All you can eat breakfast at Austria's Place | 99 PHP | $2.23 |
Island Hop Tour (Tour A of Lagoons) with Free Lunch. Booked through Hakuna Matata | 1, 000 PHP | $22.50 |
Happy Hour Beer for Sunset at Coco | 45 PHP | $1 |
Whole snapper BBQ dinner at BBQ places on the beach | 200 PHP | $4.50 |
* I chose a day which was particularly expensive to put it into perspective
Info
Country: Philippines
Language: Many; officially Filipino, but also Tagalog and English
Currency: Philippine Peso
$1 USD = ₱44.65
I was there: May 2015
Looking for more information on the Philippines? Read this awesome Complete Guide to Traveling the Philippines which has loads of information on how to plan your trip.
Technology
There are a raft of great apps you can download to help your travels. Another thing you can try while you travel in Philippines, a cheap Desktop in the Cloud comes in handy, allowing you to access Windows applications on any device. Try CloudDestopOnline.com; they offer a risk free trial.
Want to know more about the Philippines? Read this great guide about its top attractions.
Good prices. Thanks for the info. Might get there one day.
Daniel recently posted…Email to Blog Members!
Did you love your stay in my country? I miss the food the most. The Philippines is really cheap and would love to visit it again soon. Been living abroad for the past 10 years.
I did love my stay! It’s a really cool country – and SO CHEAP! 😀
I am not sure if I will ever get to the Philippines, but I will use your tips if I ever do. Thanks for the great travel advice.
I am jelous, it’s been years since I I last visited. You can really do a lot of cool things in the Philippines on a budget!
Chubskulit Rose recently posted…Here Comes June! Five Months in Review
What a great place to visit! I love that the prices for flights between islands can be so reasonable. Looks like you had a ton of fun!
Megan Elford recently posted…Hello, Beautiful
Hi Megan! It was a great trip! Thanks for the comment 😀
Wow, great to know! I’ve always wanted to visit the Philippines. What a place to explore. Looks so beautiful.
Jeanine recently posted…Giving is Always Better Than Receiving #HappyToPassItOn
Wow! What a great and affordable trip. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I love your tips for eating and drinking on the cheap, as well as your recommendation to meet locals – they are so much fun and usually have tips you won’t get anywhere else. I can’t wait to see your next adventure!
Jaime Nicole recently posted…A Moment for Me with Haagen Dazs Artisan Collection
I’ve never been to the Philippines and had no idea how cheap it is to travel there. These are all great travel tips.
Alli recently posted…Best of Signs Vinyl Banner Review
Wow — this looks like you can have tons of fun for not tons of money. I have heard the Philippines is a great place to visit.
Penny Struebig recently posted…Thinking Out Loud Thursday – June 4, 2015
Awesome tips! I have never visited Philippines, but I hope I can visit it some day.
Leelo R recently posted…Lookfantastic Beauty Box May 2015
These are great tips. It is important to make friends with the local as they will show you all the best places
Dogvills recently posted…Hypoallergenic Dog Training Treats
Oh Man! The Philippines are on my list of must visit places. Thanks for sharing the insider info on travel.
Audrey Kidwell recently posted…Getting Dirty in Durham
I could probably go for less cost than most people, since my friend has family there. It sounds like you know how to save money!
Tami recently posted…Favorite Book Series Made Into a Movie
That looks like such a great time! It’s nice traveling in southeast asia because after you’re there, everything is relatively cheap!
Jacob Fu recently posted…Most Popular Hike in San Diego – Cowles Mountain Hike
Booking early can really save you a lot. I also accumulate miles on my credit card so most of the time, I just pay taxes for my tickets.
no really?????” is it possible to visit philippiness this cheap. i really didn have any idea.thanx for sharing..you really helpd me out for my next holiday
Never thought of using CS to find local people to engage with…..This I like!
Great tips to enjoy the Philippines. I think a lot of people are afraid to eat street or market food…they just have to be careful but not fearful. Palawan is so beautiful, glad you enjoyed yourself.
Tanya recently posted…Santorini without the crowds
I have not ever been to the Philippines before but would love to experience it one day. These are totally amazing prices and I will have to checking it. Thanks for sharing.
great post. detailed information,which i consider as personal advice. i love how you’ve given us readers a break down of your travel especially the one about food!
ive always wanted to travel, ill definitely add the phillipines to my list of places to go
Miranda (Myrabev) recently posted…{GBU} The Happening ~ WEEK ELEVEN
Thanks for the comment Miranda. The Philippines are amazing. Would love to hear your stories once you go there 😀
Hey there I loved your information about the Philippines I’m going to be traveling the world starting in just a few days on the Odyssey and I was wondering did you see any personalized stories over there my job is to film people in the personal sense as far as not the touristic sense given to their daily lives and who they’re all about
Any opportunities or anything like that over there?
Loved your article if you ever want to interview be sure to visit my website for details
Hi Jay,
Were you hoping to be paid? I’ve not heard of any paid opportunities, but when you travel there are always awesome people you could meet and film. I am going to start a series where I interview cool people I meet about their life 😀
I was reading about the food and couldn’t help but think of my husbands former neighbors. They were Filipino and always brought over TONS of extra food. Noodles, so many noodles, lol. He always loved it when he say they were having guest because he knew he would get some 🙂 Thanks for the fond memories.
Samantha recently posted…Crazy Horse National Monument – The Legacy Lives On
Hey, good to know that you loved it here in the Philippines! Anything outside Manila is usually a pleasant experience. Next time, try to visit Visayas, too! In Antique, they have this large pot where they cook you, I mean, they let you have a hot bath. hihihi
Shayne recently posted…Tibiao’s Secret: Kawa Hot Bath
Does anyone know how much money is required on person when traveling to the Philippines?
Dan recently posted…Budget Guide for Palawan, Philippines
It really depends on how long you’re going for and what sort of experience you want. I stayed in cheap hostels and ate street food for around $30 per day 🙂
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Awesome Tips to Stay at budget in Philippines. Staying in Homestays is one of the best way to save in hotels and acoommodations. This way you can know more about the area living with locals.
Im heading to the Philippines on the 2nd october1 eek! have no plans as of yet and will stay as long as i feel like! do you, or does anybody know weather its worth taking a tent to places like this and when i travel up vietnam as well?? i don’t mind roughing it and if i can save money on accomodation costs so that i can travel further and longer then id be damned not to!!!!
am i able to just pitch a tent on the beach where there is few people?? anyone have any idea?? also if your from the Philippines and would like to Have a Kiwi guest for a night or a few then id love to hear from you!!!!
just found this blog/site and love it, thanks guys!
joshbliss1@gmail.com if you can assist with accomodation or anything at all in the Phillipines 🙂
You can also save money by bring your own food when going to beaches. Some places do not have corkage if you bring your own food.
Getting to know the locals is really a good way to travel on a budget. Most resorts and hotels are quite expensive if you’re not familiar with the place, the locals, being the nice people that they are, will point you to the ‘cheaper’ but ‘as good’ direction!
Agness of a TukTuk recently posted…How to NOT Get Robbed Abroad – Tips for Staying Safe while Traveling
It’s exactly what I need. Very useful and informative guide. Will keep all this advice in my mind and plan to visit the Philippines some day 🙂
Thanks for your sharing!
Hi i am from india i have to go Philippines in the cheapest way , I have a GF there , but she is not good in financial to sponsor me , i have badly needed to go for visit there can anyone help me on that
thanks 🙁
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LastDolores recently posted…LastDolores
oh wow! that was such a nice trip of yours.
that barbecue is awesome, specially that chicken.
If you guys want to know more about how to travel to Philippines without cracking your bank accounts and know more about some nice cheap budget but in an amazing place? Check this out.
https://goo.gl/S5253Q
I must say if you are a traveler then your traveling is incomplete without visiting Philippines. what a amazing destination to go
Great post, so interesting to read and the photos are beautiful too! Getting to know the locals is really a good way to travel on a budget. Most resorts and hotels are quite expensive if you’re not familiar with the place, the locals, being the nice people that they are, will point you to the ‘cheaper’ but ‘as good’ direction!
Cebu Safari
Really its a cheap traveling in Philippines. Safe food and dink is a important matter.
It really an informative post. After read it i feel interest to go to Philippines. I think that its not very cost to travel in Philippines
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