Tips for Philippine tourists
- Never hitchhike, it's not worth the risk.
- Be careful using ATMs at night or in unfamiliar surroundings.
- When walking, walk in the middle of the sidewalk and walk facing oncoming traffic.
- Try not to overload yourself with packages or other items. Keep hands as free as possible.
- Do not wear music headphones while walking or jogging.
- Do not read while walking or standing on a sidewalk.
- If you wear a purse with a shoulder strap, be prepared to let go if snatched. Other wise you could be knocked down and hurt.
- A good suggestion for men is to carry a second wallet containing a few dollar bills and old expired credit cards. If confronted at knife or gun point, give the suspect the second wallet and concentrate on a good physical description to help the police in making the arrest.
- Avoid being on the street alone if you are upset or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- If you carry a purse, carry it close to your body, preferably in front, Carry no more money or credit cards then you absolutely need.
- There are a number of ways to see the country: Escorted and hosted tours (our favorite), chauffeur-driven cars (the second-best way), frequent buses (basic but cheap) and rail service (almost totally inadequate). We don’t recommend renting a car and driving yourself — local “rules” on the road are generally ignored (if known by the drivers), and it can be extremely tricky and dangerous, as almost all of the drivers are extremely unpredictable for unaccustomed drivers (unaccustomed to the Philippine style of driving that is). If you are the victim of an accident, heaven help you—their laws are unique. Chances are, the driver who hit you will come back to finish the job: The fine for death is less than for (serious) injury (nothing personal, just financial).
Avoid traveling at night, and stay on national highways as much as possible; roads are often washed out or damaged during the rainy season (don't be surprised to see a big gaping hole just in front of a bridge, or trucks standing in the middle of the road, illuminated by 3 or 4 TINY candles). In the major cities, buses are neither safe nor comfortable, and there are no regular loading or unloading points. It’s far better to take a taxi. Don’t let drivers double the fare for air conditioning—pay only the metered amount (hotel bellmen copy down license numbers for complaints), unless it's getting late, then you can sometimes be asked to give 100 peso extra because of traffic jam problem (but then still complain to the hotel bellman, the taxi company or the police). There’s a fixed taxi rate from the airport to the hotels around. Be cautious if you take a “jeepney” (bus-like descendants of World War II jeeps). They’re a reasonable alternative to taxis, but they’re also commonly ridden by petty thieves looking for gullible tourists. Also, you'll have to know your way around to use these, as often it's unclear where you are, and where to get out, or what the route of the jeepney is.
Posts
