Philippines tourists should take note of what to fear. Tips and advice for traveling to the Philippines. Emergency assistance in the Philippines

The Philippines is the third most populous English-speaking country in the world, the thing is that the Spaniards sold their colony to the United States in 1898, after which the locals under the leadership of the Ukrainians studied the Anglican language, after these 50 years it ended with independence, and with independence came poverty. Today, Filipinos all over the world are a symbol of good service, in the USA the word Filipina is a synonym for the word nanny, Filipinas are very attentive, helpful, their services are not so expensive, and they speak good English, moreover, American English, which elevates them favorably above servant from Mexico. The Philippines is a country of US call centers for the same reason. The English language in the Philippines is no less significant than the English language in Malta.

Life in the Philippines and Manila for Russians, reviews

The first impression one gets from Manila is that everything here is very cheap, especially taxis and food, and very warm, but there are all the disadvantages of a third world country, including unsanitary conditions, crime, and transportation problems. To be honest, it’s cheap to live in Manila, I mean the poor areas, but a European will never live there, so. the choice will only fall on expensive areas with fashionable skyscrapers where life will not be much cheaper than in Moscow. Manila is the most populous city in the World, a city of real contrasts, high costs and poverty.

Russians are rare guests in the Philippines, especially since very few Russians wanted to stay longer in this heavenly and at the same time hellish place.

Advantages and disadvantages of living in the Philippines, pros and cons

Where is the best place to live in the Philippines, Manila

The most enviable place to live in the Philippines is considered to be the largest city and capital of Manila, which has grown greatly in recent years and has included 16 other towns in its agglomeration and now estimates its population at 1.6 million people, but if you take into account the countless number of homeless and unregistered social dubious people, then the population of Manila could reach three million. Homeless people simply spend the night on the embankment on benches, and for those who don’t have enough space, they sleep under the benches.

Downshifting in the Philippines

All of Southeast Asia is an ideal place for downshifting, life at a lower speed, when there is nowhere to rush, there is no need to earn a lot, since what you have already acquired is quite sufficient, when you want to relax more, devote time to your family and friends, engage in self-education or your favorite activity , hobby, especially here it will be nice if such a thing will support you in every sense of the word. Nevertheless, the city is very beautiful, first of all, it is necessary to note the Spanish heritage in the form of graceful churches, and these are the churches of St. Augustine and San Sebastian, by the way, the latter is the only one completely metal in the world, there are rumors that Gustav Eiffel himself took part in its design , the entire complex of the old city is remarkable, but it is not visible behind the new neighborhoods and endless favelas. Near the old city is the ultra-modern part of Manila with real glass skyscrapers.

As in all of South America, Manila is a cosmopolitan city in the sense of a mixture of social contrasts, but the favelas and areas of the poor, although they alternate with the gods' areas, are isolated by fences. The most fashionable area of ​​Manila is the entire coastal area of ​​​​the ocean with endless restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, life here does not stop even at night. Manila has a big drawback: it is a very dangerous ocean, but the Filipinos managed to pollute even the ocean, swimming within the city is dangerous, in general there is a problem with clean water in the Philippines, unsanitary conditions reign everywhere. The Pasig River, which flows through the slums of Manila, is probably the dirtiest river on earth. Many slums can only be reached through it. The slums of Manila are home to villagers who have fled the horrors of rural life and found themselves in the horrors of the city. There is dirt all around here and a lack of basic household amenities. The river has not been suitable for fishing since 1980, and since 1990 it has been recognized as biologically dead.

Transport in Manila

Underground passages in Manila close at 10 pm, apparently so that the homeless, about half of whom have their own living space, do not settle down there for the night; after 10 pm, in order to cross the road you need to learn to fly.

There are also positive aspects to life in the Philippines; it is one of the few countries in the region where the majority of the population is Christian.

The climate in the Philippines is hot, the weather is monotonous throughout the year, the heat is about 30 degrees, the year is divided into rainy and dry seasons, of course it is difficult to survive the rainy season at this time, Europeans in the Philippines will not envy you.

Beaches in Manila

There are beaches in Manila and they are buried in piles of garbage. If in other places around the world you can’t swim near the city for reasons of exceeding the strict standards of the sanitary and epidemiological station, then in Manila these excesses will be simply cosmic, it will be difficult to swim, since everything is surrounded by garbage.

The Manila Yacht Club is beautiful only in general terms; if you look closely at the shores, they are completely rubbish, and you cannot see the land behind this garbage. Slums, garbage dumps and garbage dumps are interspersed with luxurious skyscrapers; such a neighborhood does not surprise anyone; the poor and the rich have become accustomed to each other’s presence and do not interfere with their lives.

Sights of Manila

Manila is decorated with monuments and various sculptures, since there are practically no other attractions of its own, however, if the sculptural culture in Europe is at a very high level, then the sculptures in Manila are simple-minded and primitive and do not arouse interest.

Manila is a mixture of morals and principles, the country is poor and now can be more reminiscent of our 90s, poor city residents, who only recently began to like to show off scraps of bourgeois affiliation, shopping centers and business centers are the most elite in the city, but not everyone is allowed there.

Foreigners in the Philippines are very loved, treated with reverence and respect, this is a legacy of the colonial past. Filipinos, as mentioned above, are very cultured, modest, even shy; for some reason they feel the superiority of foreigners over themselves, in this they are very different from the proud and proud Mexicans.

Crime and safety in the Philippines

The Philippines has a high crime rate, which is typical for any poor country. In the Philippines, children are kidnapped, but they do not do it for ransom, since the parents don’t have money anyway; the stolen children are turned into beggars who ply their trade in public places and near churches. In every store you can see an armed police guard; the number of swindlers and thieves is significant.

Many Russians or Europeans with Americans who want to take a break from the whole world in the Philippines often choose not the elite centers of Manila, but the suburbs, for example, they travel south from the capital to the province of Laguna, where there is a unique underground cemetery in Nagcarlan - a Spanish crypt of the 18th century, just further into the province of Kawit there is the Spanish Fort San Felipe, Catholic churches, an American base on the island of Corregidor, and the nearest province of Batangas is a center for diving, windsurfing and Lake Taal with an active volcano in its center, around the lake there is a modern town of the same name, which boasts the largest Catholic cathedral in the eastern hemisphere of the Earth, built recently.

Houses in the Philippines

Old houses in the Philippines are collapsing and falling into disrepair; local authorities have decided to take action, according to which the old house will be donated free of charge to someone who can restore it and maintain it in good condition.

The Philippines is a great place to live for vegetarians, raw foodists, fruit eaters and other fans of healthy eating, since bananas, pineapples, mangoes, jackfruits, maranga, watermelons are harvested here almost all year round, and spa hotels offer cleansing with cosmetics based on these fruits.

Philippine cuisine is primarily rice, coconut and mango; flying over the Philippines by plane, you can see that half of all territories are occupied by rice fields, but in restaurants there is a large abundance of seafood; naturally, it is better to choose oceanic food, since the rivers are very polluted.

Paradise holiday areas and hotels for foreigners are located in the south of the province of Batangas with endless beaches, but you can also choose the more expensive resort of Boracay, this is the so-called “Philippine Bali”, the province of Palawan attracts windsurfers, note the eternal summer beach of Davao or Laiya beach in the south of Luzon.

Food
Unlike most Asian dishes, Filipino cuisine is characterized by a moderate use of spices. National Filipino cuisine is a delicate flavor combination of dishes that come from China, Malaysia, Spain, Japan and America. Of course, against the general background, seafood dishes come first. Freshly caught fish is simply grilled, boiled or steamed and served with kalamansi (a local variety of lemon), bagoong (fish paste), or vinegar flavored with labuyo. (hot pepper). The country has a huge abundance of “sea” restaurants, which offer a variety of dishes prepared from crabs, lobsters, shrimp, oysters, tuna and freshwater fish. For family celebrations and holiday dinners, “lechon” (fried suckling pig). Among other national dishes, it is necessary to note “kare-kare” (ox tails stewed in peanut sauce, also served with “bagung”); “sinigang” (meat or fish with a pleasant taste). tastes like a sour broth), and “adobo” (stewed pork or chicken in soy sauce, vinegar and garlic). Among the dishes prepared in the province, “pinakbet” (sautéed vegetables with pork and “bagung”) stands out "(Ilocos region), "relleno" (stuffed chicken or fish (the dish is prepared mainly in the central part of the island of Luzon)) and "kinilaw" (raw fish marinated in vinegar and spices (mountain area of ​​the island Visayas)). The main component of Filipino cuisine is rice. A large number of fruit crops grow in the country: mangoes, papaya, bananas, guava, lanzones and chicos. Local markets sell all kinds of sauces and sweets, such as atsara (a preserved sauce similar to chutney, an Indian sweet and sour condiment), and a crunchy dessert made from pili nuts, which grow only in Bicol region. Dishes from all provinces can be enjoyed in restaurants in Manila and other major cities in the country. In addition, there are a sufficient number of European restaurants and fast food establishments. In restaurants, the atmosphere is usually informal, tables are served by waiters.

Beverages
Alcoholic drinks include locally brewed beers, of which the San Miguel brand stands out, and delicious Philippine rum. In bars, customers are served by waiters; there are no strict restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Night life
Entertainment centers of Manila are a clear indication of the Filipinos' passion for music. Five-star hotels offer tourists a rich entertainment program, from state-of-the-art discos to performances by groups and ensembles of folk and classical music. Every evening the city hosts concerts of local or foreign performers. During the week, free concerts are held in parks and other recreational areas, sponsored by the country's banks and large corporations. Along with conventional music groups in the Philippines, there are ensembles that perform music on non-traditional instruments, such as the Pangwat Kawayan orchestra - which plays music on instruments made from bamboo, or the Rondalla group, which plays miniature guitars - ukelele. Cities like Manila, Ilocos Norte, Pampanga, Cebu, Zamboanga, Iloilo and Davao have casinos.

Purchases
The choice of goods that may be of interest to tourists in the Philippines is huge. Countless handicrafts are displayed on store shelves, from the famous Tagalog "barongs" - hand-embroidered men's shirts - to lamps made from sea shells. The shops themselves are also very diverse; these can be fashionable department stores and open-air markets. In order to feel the whole national flavor, it is worth visiting one of the flea markets, where the entire range of handicrafts is presented, these are hand-made weaving products, copper products from the southern regions of the country, wood carvings, souvenirs from rare types of sea shells, papier- masha, etc. Of particular interest are silver jewelry, coral boxes, rattan products, all kinds of wicker baskets, wicker rugs, wooden figurines of saints, clothes with national embroidery, women's dresses woven from banana and pineapple fibers and locally made cigars. Handicraft shops can be found throughout the country, especially in large cities. Large department stores stock locally produced goods as well as imported ones. Store opening hours are from 10.00 to 20.00 from Monday to Saturday, some stores have different opening hours. Most large department stores and supermarkets are open on Sundays.

When to go
The best time of year for tourist trips is from mid-December to mid-May; hurricanes usually do not occur at this time. The peak of tourist travel occurs during the Christmas holidays and Easter; at this time it can be difficult to purchase tickets for almost all types of transport.

The most colorful festivals are held in the country in January and May; the rice mountain terraces of Luzon Island are best admired in March and April, this is also the best time of year for island hopping.

What to watch out for
Dangers
In recent years, the crime situation in the country has improved significantly. In most parts of the country tourists are treated very kindly. The Philippine government constantly negotiates with Muslim and communist rebels. However, in some areas of the country there is still a threat of outbreaks of violence and banditry. In areas such as Mindanao, the Negros Islands, as well as in the provinces of Quenzon and Bicol, formations of the New People's Army operate.

In Mindanao, provinces such as Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Cotabato South and North, and Sultan Kudarat may not be safe to travel to.

The Philippines has always been and continues to be under threat of terrorist attacks from both local and international terrorists.

The country is hit by five to six hurricanes each year.

Crime
Like most major cities in the world, the crime rate in Manila is a major concern for authorities. While in the city, it is recommended to take all precautions. Fraud, pickpocketing and illegal credit card transactions are extremely common in the city. You should not fall for dubiously profitable offers. When entering the country, you must beware of casual acquaintances. In order to commit robbery, criminals can pour narcotic or intoxicating substances into a glass. Tourists visiting disreputable nightclubs are especially exposed to this risk. It is not recommended to wear expensive jewelry or carry large sums of money in cash. Use special storage rooms at hotels. When moving around the city, it is recommended to use a taxi, but even then you must take precautions. You cannot get into a car if it already has one passenger, and you must also make sure that the taxi has a meter. If the driver is reluctant to agree to your requests, it is better to take another car. For safety reasons, it is recommended to avoid moving around the city by municipal transport, be it buses, trains or minibuses.

Particular care must be taken when making transactions with credit cards. One form of credit card fraud is the illegal use of various electronic devices to read credit card information. With this information, fraudsters can then gain access to your bank account.

Health
In areas below 600 m above sea level, the threat of malaria remains throughout the year. This does not apply to the province of Bohol, Catanduanes Island, Cebu and Manila. In large cities and in flat areas, no cases of malaria were reported.

There are frequent cases of rabies in the country; it is recommended to get vaccinated. If you are bitten by an animal, consult a doctor immediately.

In the south of the country, a disease such as schistosomiasis is common. For this reason, you should not swim in standing water. It is much safer to swim in swimming pools. Group B hepatitis is common in rural areas of the country, and cases of group A and E hepatitis have also been reported.

Customs, laws
The country's legislation provides for strict penalties for possession, use and trafficking of drugs. Violators face long prison sentences and heavy fines. In some cases, capital punishment is applied. Cases of fraud and extortion are strictly punished. The country provides for the most severe penalties for storing and carrying firearms; in this regard, there are known cases of life imprisonment of foreign citizens who tried to bring firearms into the country.

Helpful Notes:
- Filipinos have great respect for people older than themselves, remember this!
- Filipinos are unpunctual, so you should not arrive to official events on time; being 15-20 minutes late is acceptable.
- never argue with people from authorities, this will not lead to a good result,
- avoid meeting and arguing with drunk Filipinos, especially with people in uniform,
- do not use a taxi without a meter and do not pay until your luggage is unloaded,
- do not trust your luggage, camera and personal belongings to strangers,
- the word “toilet” is considered indecent in the Philippines, so use another name - Comfort Room or CR. It is by this name that such a name is known, otherwise they simply will not understand you.
- remember that domestic flights in the Philippines use small aircraft, and the baggage allowance is based on the weight of the passenger. Check the standard weight in each case and do not protest if you are put on the scale along with your suitcases

(What to do in emergency situations)

Safety in the Philippines

It cannot be said that the Philippines is an absolutely safe state. Here, as in every tourist country, there are problems with theft and theft. To avoid being robbed, you should not wear expensive jewelry when going out. It is advisable not to take jewelry made of precious metals on vacation, but if you can’t live without them, it is better to leave them in the hotel safe, along with large amounts of money, documents, and tickets. Rural areas have a minimal crime rate, which cannot be said about large cities. To avoid unpleasant situations, it is useful to follow some rules:

• You should not make acquaintances with random passers-by. They may not be “random” at all. Thieves often follow lonely tourists for a long time. This applies to young children: they are especially persistent in their requests for financial help, and can quietly empty the pockets of tourists.
• There is no need to take night walks along uncrowded streets alone. Although many experienced tourists claim that security in the Philippines at a high level, and you don’t have to be afraid of robbery, but it’s still not worth the risk.
• You cannot accept food or water from strangers. There could be drugs mixed in there.

If theft has taken place, you need to contact the local police/Embassy. Although stolen items are unlikely to be returned.

Which regions are better not to travel to? .

The majority of the inhabitants of the archipelago are Catholics. The southern part of the Philippines is predominantly Muslim, with two Islamic factions that have been at war with each other and with local authorities for more than 40 years. Armed conflicts are rare, but you should not visit the islands of Mindanao and Sulu. And getting to these areas is problematic: transport links are poor. If you have a strong desire to admire the delights of the southern regions, you should not be rude to the locals and take pictures of them. Muslims are conservative people: walking around in a bikini in front of them can provoke conflict.

Safety in the Philippines also suffers from weather disturbances. The land was formed not so long ago: there are plenty of hot springs here. There are earthquakes in the archipelago, but they do not cover the entire territory of the country. The safest region in this regard is the province of Palawan. Local authorities warn about moving earthquakes and typhoons several days in advance: tourists will have time to prepare accordingly for evacuation. The main thing in such cases is not to panic, but to collect the necessary things and products with a clear head. It is recommended to take water, canned food, bread, fruit, and a change of clothes with you.

Between June and October, several typhoons occur in the northern regions of the archipelago. To avoid danger, you should avoid traveling to the Philippines during the off-season during this natural disaster.

Where to go for help .

In the event of an emergency, you can call for help by calling the short number 166. It doesn’t hurt to remember this number: it is used by ambulance, police, and fire departments.

If security in the Philippines was violated, and it is impossible to reach number 166 (this sometimes happens), you can call 117 (tourist police), or contact the Embassy.

Almost every hotel in the Philippines has a doctor assigned to it. For minor health problems, you can contact him. He will conduct a basic examination and prescribe medications. For more serious health problems that require hardware examination, additional testing, or surgical treatment, you should go to the hospital. There are no problems with this in the Philippines: almost every island has health care facilities. The largest of them are located in the capital:

• Makati Medical Center.
• St. Luke's Hospital.

DATA ABOUT THE RUSSIAN CONSULATE IN THE PHILIPPINES

My husband and I love to vacation in Asia and have already accumulated quite a bit of experience in independent travel. They decided to expand the geography of travel in the Philippines. Bounty-style beaches, comfortable hotels, natural attractions, delicious food - all this is the Philippines. This destination is not as popular as, for example, Thailand, so there is not a lot of information on the Internet about preparing a trip to the Philippines. I collected information bit by bit, I hope it will be useful.

General information about the Philippines

The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia located in the Western Pacific Ocean. The Philippines consists of a huge number of islands. It’s even hard to imagine - 7,100 islands within one country. The capital - the city of Manila - is located on one of the largest islands - about. Luzon. Also, the major islands of the Philippines are: Mindoro, Cebu, Palawan, Negros, Mindanao (an island with a troubled situation), as well as our beloved Bohol. The most popular tourist destination is, of course, the famous island of Boracay - a paradise for beach lovers.

Philippines neighbors: o. Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam. The distance from Moscow is about 9,000 kilometers - from 12 hours of flight (if without a transfer, but with a transfer it can take several days!). The climate in the Philippines is tropical: humid and hot. The air temperature all year round is 26-30 degrees (even during the rainy season), the water temperature is 25-26 degrees.
The currency is the Philippine peso (one dollar is equal to approximately 49 pesos). The most convenient way for tourists is to take dollars with them on a trip and change them at exchange offices. We tried to change currency at exchange offices in shopping centers, the rate there was the most favorable.
The Philippines was a Spanish colony for a long time (about 300 years), after that it was an American colony for 50 years and a Japanese colony for several years. Thanks to the Spaniards, the Philippines is a Catholic country in Asia. There is a lot left in the country from the Spaniards: architecture, taste preferences, Spanish words in the language.
How to get there? You can relax in the Philippines with a package or on your own. There are, of course, some subtleties here. Tours to the Philippines cost an average of 100-200 thousand rubles. for two for 7-10 days. The advantages are an organized trip and convenient flights. The downside is that you are not mobile, you cannot change islands and hotels. We prefer independent trips. The cost of a flight from Moscow is 45-60 thousand rubles. for two. And then everything depends on desires and budget.
Non-stop flights from Moscow to Manila are rare and outrageously expensive, so tourists fly through Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, etc. You can find minimal connections, or, conversely, long ones in order to have time to see the city (as we did in Istanbul). The flight, of course, is long - we flew from Istanbul to Manila for 13 hours. But I even love such long flights, time passes quickly: a few movies, lunch, more movies - and you’re there! If it’s an overnight flight, then even better: put on your slippers, cover yourself with a blanket and think about your upcoming vacation!
Communication between the islands is quite good: low-cost airlines fly and ferries operate. The more popular the island, the easier it is to get there. Ticket prices for local lowboats and ferries are low. So you can combine several islands in one trip.
Main low-cost airlines: Air Asia (https://www.airasia.com/) and Cebu Pacific (https://www.cebupacificair.com/). We flew between the islands with both Air Asia and Cebu Pacific. Let's be honest, I like the first ones much better. We have flown around Southeast Asia many times with Air Asia and have had no problems (other than minor flight delays). We flew Cebu Pacific only once: from Cebu to Kalibo. The flight was at night, and the smoke in the cabin was a little disconcerting throughout the entire flight. Ticket prices for these two airlines are low, and Air Asia often has good discounts. Another airline whose services you can use in the Philippines is Philippines Airlines. But ticket prices are usually significantly higher.
Ferry tickets can be purchased in advance on the Internet on the companies' websites, already on site at the ferry station or at any travel agency. Largest ferry companies: Cebu Ferries (www.cebuferries.com), Oceanjet (http://www.oceanjet.net/cebu-tagbilaran), Lite Ferries (http://liteferries.com/). We traveled from Bohol Island to Cebu by Oceanjet ferry.

So what attracts tourists to the Philippines? Snow-white beaches, as in the Bounty advertisement, high mountains, underground rivers, waterfalls, virgin forests - the nature of the Philippines is simply magnificent.

A visa is not required for Russians, unless, of course, your vacation does not exceed 30 days. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country. For long-term stays, the conditions are also quite flexible: you can extend your visa at the Immigration Bureau without leaving the country.
The tourism infrastructure is quite developed, the influx of tourists is increasing every year. When planning a trip to the Philippines, first of all you need to choose an island, of which there are many. Of course, most tourists do not fly to walk around a polluted, rather dirty and not very pleasant-looking city with heavy traffic and groups of beggars. This is me about the capital of the Philippines - Manila. Although, we met our compatriots who talked about the delights of Manila. Perhaps we simply did not take a good look at the capital at one time.

Choosing an island for your holiday

So, which island should you choose for your holiday? When planning our trip, we chose from the following islands: Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, Bohol. We did not consider Mindanao (the second largest island): the situation with bandit groups periodically worsens there. At least that's what they write about in the news.

Boracay

So, in first place in terms of tourist attendance is the island of Boracay - the embodiment of an ideal beach with snow-white sand and bright turquoise water.

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This island has become the calling card of the country. People come to Boracay for a calm, measured holiday. The island is very small (7 km long and only 3 km wide). But at the same time, the infrastructure is very developed here, with a large number of hotels of different levels: from cheap guest houses to very expensive villas. What to do in Boracay? - Rest!

During the day, everyone sunbathes on the beaches, and in the evening they walk along the beach street and dine in restaurants. Some people find this kind of vacation boring. We only had 6 days in Boracay, the time flew by very quickly, despite the fact that we did not go on any excursions. Yes, the sunsets alone in Boracay are worth it!

Kitesurfing enthusiasts will not be bored in Boracay. There is a strong, even wind constantly blowing on Balabog Beach, which allows you to train every day.

There are not many attractions in Boracay: Mount Lajo (the highest point of the island), the private Tyrol Museum (exhibits are artistic treasures of China), and the shell museum. But the main thing on the island is, of course, the beaches.

Bohol

The island of Bohol is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. It is famous for its natural beauty and interesting excursions: chocolate hills, a park with tarsiers, zip lining over the jungle, rafting on a floating restaurant on the Loboc River, Virgin Island, as well as a rich underwater world.

Reefs, colorful fish, barracudas, dolphins, turtles, whale sharks - all this can be seen here in the Philippines. Even I, far from being the bravest person, had the pleasure of swimming next to whale sharks in Oslob and being amazed at the size of the sea turtles on the island of Balingasag. The most convenient way to get to both Oslob and Balingasag is from the island of Bohol.

In Bohol, time passes very dynamically and interestingly: only for the main excursions you need to allocate at least 5 days. By the way, Bohol is connected by a bridge to a small island - Panglao, where you should choose a hotel, since it has the best beaches. There are several beaches on the island: Alona Beach (the most popular beach on the island, where we stayed), Dumalaun Beach, Danao Beach, Bikini Beach, etc.

Cebu

The next famous island in the Philippines is Cebu. There are few tourists here. Most people come to Cebu only for a few days: to see the sights, do some shopping and move on: to Bohol or Boracay. Cebu is a large island and the city is home to large electronics manufacturing factories. The island of Cebu is famous for the fact that it was here that the famous Spanish navigator Ferdinand Magellan was killed. On the island, tourists visit 2 places associated with his name: Magellan's cross and his grave (in fact, this is not a grave, but the place where he was killed). We visited 2 more attractions: Chinese Taoist Temple and Fort San Pedro.

In my opinion, it is not worth staying in the city of Cebu for a long time; the city itself cannot be called beautiful and well-groomed. But you can go to the islands closest to it.

Malapascua and Bantoyan

Not far from the island of Cebu there are islands with gorgeous beaches - o. Malapascua and Fr. Bantoyan. Divers come to the island of Malapascua; the local waters are home to a rare species of shark - the fox shark, as well as manta rays. But the most important advantage of the island is the deserted beaches with a wide strip of sand. Malapascua suffered a devastating typhoon in 2013 and they say that the island has not yet been fully restored. The small island of Bantoyan is located 15 kilometers from Cebu, it is perfect for tourists who dream of peace and solitude.

Palawan

Another island that I really want to go to on my next trip is Fr. Palawan. This is one of the largest islands in the Philippines with stunning nature.
The central city of the island is Puerto Princesa. 75 kilometers away is the small town of Sabang, where hundreds of tourists come every day. And all because of one of the most famous natural attractions of the Philippines - the Underground River. The river is called Puerto Princesa or Underground River, its length is 8 km. The underground river is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The most popular and beautiful place in Palawan is El Nido. This is a true nature reserve, consisting of 39 small islands in Bacuit Bay. El Nido's beaches are considered some of the best in the Philippines.
Wealthy tourists often choose the small village of Dos Palmas with its luxurious hotels and villas.
Palawan is also popular with divers from all over the world: it has the richest underwater world. Whale sharks live near Puerto Princesa. Tourists visit Tubbataha Reefs National Park, famous for its unusual coral reef shapes, steep cliffs and shallow lagoons.
The big advantage of Palawan is its location: it is the safest in the Philippine archipelago, there are no strong earthquakes, and there are no volcanoes.
Probably, for my husband and me, Palawan is the most interesting place in the Philippines: with incredibly beautiful nature and various attractions. But on our first trip, we decided to choose the more well-known and understandable islands - Bohol and Boracay.

Features of the Philippines

I would especially like to note the mentality of the Filipinos. Even before visiting the country, we had heard a lot from friends about the friendliness of the local population. And indeed, all the Filipinos we met were very relaxed, friendly and ready to help in any matter. Filipinos, compared to the Thais and even more so the Vietnamese, are more open people: they greet, wave, smile widely and sing almost everywhere. I would also note that most Filipinos are very attractive in appearance. Moreover, in Asia there are many pretty girls, but with men it’s usually the opposite. But in the Philippines we saw a lot of handsome men.
A very pleasant feature of the Philippines is that most of the population speaks English. English is considered the second national language. This allows tourists to feel more comfortable. Agree, it’s great when on vacation you can talk to almost anyone and ask everything you need.
Public transport in the Philippines is very specific. Jeepneys are popular in cities - these are bright minivans without windows or rear doors, designed for 12-15 passengers. There are a lot of them, they are all bright and colorful. They don’t stop at bus stops, they just slow down and people jump on as they go. On the islands there is no less strange transport - tricycles. This is a three-wheeled motorcycle with a body that can accommodate 4 people (not fat ones). Tricycles are a type of taxi, only cheaper and less convenient. But where else can you ride something like this?

For telephone communications with Russia, it is most convenient to buy a local SIM card. I bought a Smart SIM card, good call quality, 1 minute to a mobile phone in Russia cost about 20 rubles.
Food. We are one of those travelers for whom this point is very important. When we travel, local cuisine interests us no less than the sights. Food in the Philippines is varied and quite edible for us (not counting the delicacy - balut). Balut is an extremely nasty-looking food. This is a boiled duck egg in which the embryo has already formed: with a beak, cartilage and even light plumage. We didn't even try this delicacy.
Filipino cuisine is based on meat and fish dishes, with vegetarian dishes being more difficult. You should definitely try the fish named after the leader who killed Magellan - Lapu-lapu (very tender and juicy), beef in Adobo sauce, and grilled seafood. Filipino food is mostly delicious and straightforward.

Spicy dishes are present, but not as ubiquitous as in Thailand. The main side dish, of course, is rice (it is especially delicious when cooked with garlic). The only thing I didn't like at all was the desserts and pastries.

Safety. Of course, you shouldn’t relax in the Philippines. But in the resort areas we walked absolutely calmly in the evenings. During our entire vacation, we met only friendly Filipinos, we felt safe. But you shouldn’t walk around areas remote from the center, especially in the dark. After all, the Philippines is still a poor country; there is no point in provoking the local population.
Before traveling to Asian countries, many people wonder whether they need to get any special vaccinations. It’s impossible to protect yourself from everything, but you still want to feel as comfortable as possible. We did not receive any vaccinations before the trip. The only thing you should definitely do is to monitor cleanliness while traveling: wash fruits thoroughly, do not drink tap water or brush your teeth with this water, wash your hands before eating. When traveling to hot countries, we pay special attention to the freshness of food in cafes and restaurants. This is especially true for the freshness of seafood: mussels, rapana and squid, since poisoning with these products can be very dangerous.
Personally, the only disadvantages of the Philippines would be its climatic features: the country is very susceptible to natural disasters. Typhoons, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes - all this occurs here periodically and with varying intensity. Almost every year we hear news about something happening in the Philippines. Even one local guide, in response to my admiring words about the nature and weather of Bohol, replied that they live in constant tension. A month before our arrival, there was another small typhoon in Bohol: the ferry service was closed for several days. Of course, severe destruction (as, for example, on the island of Malapasucua in 2013) does not happen every year. But even small local typhoons can ruin your vacation. Weather vagaries most often occur in the summer - during the rainy season. From January to May is the safest time.

The Philippines is a special country; here you clearly understand that all the most beautiful things on Earth are created by nature. Even the most beautiful photographs do not fully convey the colors of the Philippine islands. Stunning views, good-natured people and the gentle sea will not leave anyone indifferent.

Somehow I got “spinned and wound up” studying materials for my blogs. Was too busy with work. There was not even time to follow the latest news about travel and tours. I was exhausted by the usual routine work on the Internet. But somehow I gradually sorted out all the things that had accumulated on blogs and decided to look at everything that happened in the world of travel. And I immediately came across an interesting fact that I want to write about now. I think this will be unexpected for you... Residents of America compare the journey to this country with the journey of Thor Hayerdahl. Full of danger and adventure.

Philippines. This is perhaps one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. Sun and beach lovers come here. Diving lovers. The coastline has more than seven thousand islands. Which is very popular among tourists, nature lovers, and those who like to explore its endless wonders.

Thousands of people come to the Philippines to relax. Thousands of people come here to get the most out of their vacation. But unfortunately this is often not the case. In this article I would like to warn my regular readers, as well as all new ones, against some dangers for any tourist in the Philippines. This cheerful, corrupt state.

Terrorism

In the Philippines, terrorism has recently become the “scourge” of this country. A constant threat that can be very dangerous for every tourist. The Philippine authorities themselves do not recommend tourists visiting the Mindanao region, the small Zamboanga Peninsula. Authorities warn that these areas are the most dangerous for those traveling in the Philippines.

Today there are a lot of facts about the kidnapping of tourists. Precisely tourists. It's probably very profitable there.

There have also been multiple incidents of terrorism involving explosives in some areas of the Philippines. In public transport, restaurants, markets. in which the victims were often local residents and tourists themselves.

It is advisable to go to the Philippines in a small group. It will still be safer that way. But thousands of tourists still come to the Philippines every year to relax. This country is still very beautiful. Here, like nowhere else in the world, you can find the most varied types of recreation to suit your taste. Perhaps you will find something new for yourself in this article, so do not be lazy, before traveling to the Philippines, try to find out the political situation of this country. No wonder the US State Department recently warned all American residents about the unstable situation in the Philippines. And he recommended not to visit this country unless absolutely necessary.

Scammers in the Philippines.

The Philippines belongs to the "third world" countries. High levels of unemployment and crime are the result. This is what the US State Department says in its address to its citizens. From January 30, 2013.

The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is a rather dangerous city. It is doubly dangerous if you don’t know how to behave here. It is, of course, not much more dangerous than any other city or country that belongs to “third world countries,” but it still poses a danger.

In Manila, you can often encounter scammers who dress up as law enforcement officers. I really “dug” through all the news publications in the Philippines, but I still couldn’t find the answer to how to distinguish such policemen from real ones. I really found the only way, but rather advice; Do not rent a car, but use the services of taxi drivers.

When trying to “catch” a taxi, don’t even think about running across the street. Traffic lights in the Philippines are often faulty. And no one will stop for you at the pedestrian crossing. Cars will pass within five centimeters of you, but don't be afraid. They won't hurt you on purpose. Walk a little further down the street. There are still transitions here.

The number one scam in the Philippines is Gain Your Trust. By any means. Putting drugs into your food for one purpose only. Rob, kidnap or rape. This is how it happens in the Philippines:

Neatly dressed, to some extent even elegant people (and they can be of any age) can come up to you and start a conversation with you. For example, help translate the name of a street, suggest directions, in principle they can ask you anything. You somehow decide to help them. Whether they helped or not is no longer so important. When you come to the Philippines for the first time, you don’t really know anything. The further scheme is simple.

They definitely want to thank you. They persistently offer to treat you to a drink or something else edible for the attention shown to them. Well, naturally, this treat will already be stuffed with a drug that causes unconsciousness. This is what all kinds of scammers take advantage of.

But this does not mean that you need to worry too much about the friendly intentions of the people of the Philippines.

Just try to be attentive and resourceful in such situations. And be wary of the fact that as soon as you set foot in the Philippines, strangers will want to make friends with you. This alone should alert you.

Well, a little more about taxis in the Philippines.

Before you get into a taxi, make sure that it is easy to open or close the window. Discuss or agree on the amount of travel in advance. When moving around the city, lock your doors. If they try to pick someone up with you on the way, refuse this taxi immediately. Pay the amount for which you traveled and change taxis. It is advisable to discuss all these conditions before boarding a taxi. Recently there have been cases of tourists being killed in the Philippines. Single tourists left by taxi from the airport. Then they were found killed on the roads. They were allegedly accidentally hit by a car.

Try not to get into a jeepney taxi. The Philippine police quite often receive complaints from tourists that it is in such taxis (the type of taxi can be different) that they are often robbed and raped.

But your biggest mistake in the Philippines will be if you take a taxi into the city from NAIA airport. No taxi has a license or right to operate here. Only those that Philippine tourists book through the hotel. If you want to leave by taxi, please book one in advance through your hotel. The taxi driver must have your names, and the hotel must confirm your order.

Have you forgotten that at the beginning of the article I mentioned corruption in the Philippines? One of my readers, in his letter to me, mentioned cases when, before his eyes, taxi drivers operating illegally at this airport stood next to a policeman. who naturally was already in “share” with him. Fraudsters are ready to take any risk for their profit.

In this article, I have outlined only the most dangerous types of scams in the Philippines. From which most tourists who visit this exotic country suffer.

There is no point in listing the entire criminal codec of the Philippines. But keep in mind that if you broke the law even without realizing it, you may be deported from the country. Fined and even jailed. Just try to stick to your plans for a good holiday and not break the law in the most brazen way.

The Philippines experiences typhoons very often. Floods. Landslides. Mostly from May to December. Which can seriously delay you on the road. By land, sea or air transport.

Schistomiasis in the Philippines.

Have a nice holiday. If you need additional information about the nuances of holidays in the Philippines, write. I will be happy to answer or create an additional article on your topic.