 Philippines Budget Travel Guide
      
Budget Travel Guides to Cities in the Philippines
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Introducing the Philippines
About the Philippines
Philippines Budget Travel Guide is created to share useful information for people planning a visit it on a budget. The Philippines is an archipelago nation in Southeast Asia. It comprises 7107 islands located on the western Pacific Ocean. With about 90 million inhabitants, the Philippines is the world's 12th most populous country. A former colony of Spain, and the United States, the Philippines is one of two predominant Roman Catholic countries in Asia, the other being East Timor. In addition to the Roman Catholics, there are also a number of minority religious groups, including various Christian denominations, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other beliefs. Multiple ethnicities, and cultures are found throughout the islands.
The Philippines derived its name from King Philip II of Spain in the 16th century. It was called Las Islas Filipinas by Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos when he explored the islands of Leyte, and Samar. Although there were other names for the archipelago, the name Filipinas was eventually chosen. The official name, however, changed a few times throughout the course of its history. During the Philippine Revolution, it was called República Filipina or the Philippine Republic. From the period of the Spanish-American War, and the Philippine-American War, until the Commonwealth period, American colonial authorities referred to the country as the Philippine Islands, a translation of the original Spanish name. The name "Philippines" began to be used during the American period and was adopted as its current official name.
Fast Facts about Philippines
Official Name: Republic of the Philippines
Capital: Manila (10,800,000, metropolitan: 14,900,000)
Population of the Philippines: 87,857,500
Languages: Filipino (official), English (official)
Currency: Philippine Peso
Religions: Roman Catholic (81%), Islam (5%), other Christian faiths (5%), others
Size: 298,170 sq km (115,124 sq miles)
Region: Asia
Chocolate Hills, Bohol, the Philippines
Author: Ramir Borja (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0)
Philippines Hotels
Before booking your hotel in the Philippines, you should first compare the room rates charged by different Hotel Booking sites. For the same room, different Hotel Booking sites actually display a different price. By using our free Search Engine, you can view the prices and make an informed decision on the most cost-effective choice. To begin, click on Hotels in the Philippines.
Philippines Hostels
If you're a backpacker on a limited budget, you can check out hostels in the Philippines with online booking facilities.
Manila, the Philippines
Author: 9shaun (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0)
San Agustin Church, Manila
Author: Wikipedia@natividads.com (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0)
Getting there
The main entry points for the Philippines are the international airports at Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark and Subic.
Arriving by Air in Manila
The majority of overseas visitors arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila. The airport has four terminals. Terminal 1 is used by non-Philippines Airlines and non-Cebu Pacific carriers. Terminal 2 is used by only Philippines Airlines. Terminal 3 serves both Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines. The fourth terminal is the Manila Passenger Domestic Terminal used by the domestic airlines such as Zest Airways, Interisland Airlines and SEAIR.
If you arrive at Ninoy Aquino Airport, you can catch a taxi for around 150 to 200 peso to most of the hotels in Manila.
In addition to Ninoy Aquino Airport, you may also arrive at Clark Air Base (officially the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) in Angeles City. This airport is used by low-cost carriers such as Air Asia and Tiger Airways.
Arriving by Air in Cebu
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) is the airport serving the island of Cebu. It is also the second busiest airport in the Philippines. Apart from Philippines Airlines, the other carriers flying to this airport include Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, China Eastern Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and SilkAir.
Budget Travel within
In this section, I will only touch on getting around the Philippines as a whole. For Manila, I will describe within the Manila section.
As the Philippines is an archipelago, you will find that flying is the most practical way for you to explore the country. It is also by far the most comfortable and least time consuming.
The country is also served with an extensive interisland ferry service. The following are some of the ferry operators:
While taking ferries and boats are cheaper than flying, be wary of overcrowding, which has often lead to sinkings. Do not board if the ferry appears over capacity.
Useful Links
National Capital Region Vacation Rentals: Find the perfect rental on TripAdvisor.
More Photos of the Philippines
Makati Central Business District, Manila
Author: Themanilaxperience (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Cebu City, Philippines
Author: P199 (public domain)
Robinsons Place Shopping Mall, Bacolod City
Author: Mike Gonzalez (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila
Author: Ramir Borja (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 Generic)
Kayangan Lake, Coron Island
Author: Michael Ocampo (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Capitol Building, Cebu City
Author: Mike Gonzalez (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Public market, Pasig City, Metro Manila
Author: P199 (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
MacArthur Landing Memorial at Palo, Leyte Island
Author: Morten Nærbøe (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
The Bajau seafaring people at Zamboanga, Sulu Sea
Author: Alexis (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)
Banaue Rice Terraces, Luzon
Author: Magalhães (public domain)
Coconut Palace, Manila
Author: Paul Shaffner (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)
Jaro Cathedral, Iloilo City
Author: Kguirnela (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)
Seaside in Palawan, Philippines
Author: Magalhães (public domain)
Mount Mayon, Philippines
Author: Sir Mervs (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
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Places of Interest in the Philippines
Major Attractions of the Philippines
- Aliwagwag Falls
- Banaue Rice Terrace
- Chocolate Hills
- Coconut Palace
- Corregidor Island
- Mount Apo National Park
- Mount Mayon
- Pagsanjan Falls
- Taal Volcano
Biggest Cities of the Philippines
- Quezon City (2,700,000)
- Manila (1,661,000)
- Caloocan (1,379,000)
- Davao City (1,363,000)
- Cebu City (799,000)
- Zamboanga City (774,000)
- Antipolo (634,000)
- Pasig (617,000)
- Taguig (613,000)
- Valenzuela (569,000)
Biggest Metropolitan Areas in the Philippines
- Metro Manila (11,553,000)
- Metro Cebu (2,315,000)
- Metro Davao (2,046,000)
Cities and Sights in and around Metro Manila
- Metro Manila
- Angono
- Anilao
- Antipolo
- Balesin Island
- Burdeos
- Cainta
- Calamba
- Cardono
- Cavite City
- Corregidor Island
- Infanta
- Kawit
- Laguna
- Laguna de Bay
- Lake Caliraya
- Lake Taal
- Liliw
- Lipa City
- Lucena
- Luisiana
- Mabitac
- Majayjay
- Morong
- Nagcarlan
- Pagbilao Grande & Pagbilao Chico
- Pagsanjan
- Pagsanjan Falls
- Pakil
- Polillo Islands
- Quezon National Park
- Quezon Province
- Real
- San Jose Church, Las Piñas
- San Pablo
- Santiago de Apostol Church, Paete
- Taal City
- Taal Volcano
- Tagaytay City
- Tanay
- Taytay
Cities and Sights in Central Luzon
- Angeles City
- Bacolor
- Balagtas
- Baliuag
- Barrio Barretto
- Betis
- Bocaue
- Bulacan Province
- Malolos
- Marilao
- Minalungao National Park
- Mount Arayat
- Mount Pinatubo
- Mount Samat
- Meycauayan
- Pampanga Province
- San Fernando
- Subic Bay
- Tarlac Province
- Valenzuela
- Zambales Province
Cities and Sights of Ilocos Region
- Bacnotan
- Badoc
- Balaoan
- Bangar
- Bolinao
- Hundred Islands National Recreation Area
- Ilocos Norte Province
- Ilocos Sur Province
- Laoag
- La Paz Sand Dunes
- Lingayen
- Manleluag Springs National Park
- Pagudpud
- Pangasinan Province
- Paoay
- Pinsal Falls
- Quezon Island
- Rosario
- San Esteban
- San Juan
- San Nicolas
- Santiago
- Sarrat
- Tagudin
- Urdaneta City
- Vigan
Cities and Sights of Northeast Luzon
- Aparri
- Aritao
- Aurora Province
- Baler
- Bambang
- Bayombong
- Cagayan Province
- Cauayan
- Fuga Island
- Gamalaniugan
- Gattaran
- Hanging Footbridge of Ambaguio
- Iguig Calvary Hills
- Ilagan
- Isabela Province
- Palanan Wilderness Park
- Palaui Island
- Quirino
- Rio Grande de Cagayan
- Santa Victoria Caves
- Tuguegarao
- Tumauini
Cities and Sights of the Central Cordillera
- Agamatan National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
- Apayao Province
- Banga-an
- Baguio
- Balbalaasang National Park
- Balbalan
- Banaue
- Bangued
- Bauko
- Bontoc
- Hapao
- Ifugao Province
- Kabayan
- Kalinga Province
- Lagawe
- Mayoyao
- Mount Pulog
- Mount Timbac
- Poitan
- Tam-an Village
- Tinglayan
- Tinongchol Burial Rock
Cities and Sights in Bicol Peninsula
- Albay Province
- Atulayan Island
- Bacagay
- Barcelona
- Buhi
- Bula
- Bulusan Volcano National Park
- Cagsawa Ruins
- Calabidong Caves
- Camarines Norte Province
- Camarines Sur Province
- Caramoan Peninsula
- Casiguran
- Cataduanes Province
- Daet
- Gubat
- Hoyop-Hoyopan Caves
- Irosin
- Kulapnitan Caves
- Lagonoy
- Lake Bulusan
- Leaning Tower of Bombon
- Legaspi
- Luyang Caves
- Malilipot
- Masacrot Spring
- Mount Isarog
- Mount Mayon
- Naga
- Nahulugan Falls
- Panicuason
- Pili
- Roca Encantada
- Sorsogon Province
- Tabaco
Cities and Sights on the Islands off Luzon
- Ambil Island
- Ambulong Island
- Apo Island
- Bathala Caves
- Boac
- Botongan
- Burias Island
- Cabra Island
- Elephant Island
- Ilin Island
- Luyang Baga
- Mainit Hot Springs
- Malbog Sulfur Springs
- Mamburao
- Marinduque
- Masbate
- Mindoro
- Mount Halcon
- Mount Iglit-Baco National Park
- Mount Malindig
- Naujan Lake
- North Pandan Island
- Puerto Galera
- Pungaw Hot Springs
- Romblon Province
- Salomague Island
- Tablas
- Tamaraw Falls
- Ticao Island
- Tres Reyes Islands
Cities and Sights of Eastern Visayas
- Balangiga
- Barugo
- Basey
- Biliran Island
- Biri Island
- Borongan
- Carigara
- Guiuan
- Hilongos
- Homonhon Island
- Leyte
- Limasawa Island
- Mahagnao National Park
- Marabut
- Ormoc City
- Palo
- Panaon Island
- Pinipisikan Falls
- Samar
- Tacloban City
- Tong-onan Hot Springs National Park
- Villaba
Cities and Sights of Central Visayas
- Cebu City
- Badian Island
- Balicasag Island
- Bantayan Island
- Bohol Island
- Camotes Islands
- Carcar
- Carmen
- Chocolate Hills
- Danao City
- Kawasan Falls
- Mactan Island
- Malapascua
- Moalboal
- Panglao Island
- Tagbilaran
Cities and Sights of Western Visayas
- Amlan
- Antique Province
- Apo Island
- Arevalo
- Bacolod
- Bacong
- Bais City
- Boracay Island
- Cadiz City
- Canlaon National Park
- Canlaon Volcano
- Capiz Province
- Catilaran Cave
- Culasi
- Dumaguete
- Guimaras Island
- Iloilo City
- Jaro
- Kalibo
- Miagao Fortress Church
- Molo
- Murcia
- Negros Oriental
- Roxas City
- San Jose de Buenavista
- Silay
- Siquijor Island
- Sira-an Hot Springs
- Tambobo Cove
- Tanjay
- Valencia
- Zamboanguita
Cities and Sights of Palawan
- Aborlan
- Apulit Island
- Balabac Island
- Bataraza
- Brooke's Point
- Busuanga Island
- Calauit National Wildlife Sanctuary
- Coron
- Culion Island
- Dinakya Island
- El Nido
- Lake Cayangan
- Maguinit Hot Springs
- Paly
- Pangulasian
- Puerto Princesa
- Quezon, Palawan
- Rio Tuba
- Tabon Caves
- Tarampitao
- Taytay, Palawan
- Ursula Island National Bird Sanctuary
Cities and Sights of Mindanao excluding Zamboanga
- Davao City
- Babak
- Balo-i
- Bolon Sabak Bilaan Village
- Bukidnon Province
- Butuan City
- Cagayan de Oro City (CDO)
- Camiguin Province
- Cantilan
- Cateel
- Compostella Valley
- Cotabato City
- Digos
- General Santos City (Gensan)
- Gingoog City
- Iligan City
- Kaputian
- Kidapawan
- Lake Lanao
- Lake Sebu
- Lanao del Norte Province
- Lanao del Sur Province
- Limunsudan Falls
- Magsaysay
- Malaybalay
- Mangkangagi Island
- Marawi
- Mati
- Misamis Oriental Province
- Mount Candalaga
- Mount Hamiguitan
- Mount Malindang
- Mount Puting Bato
- Oroquieta City
- Ozamis City
- Palaopao Hill
- Panaon
- Pilar
- Polomolok
- Prosperidad
- Samal Island
- Siargao Island
- Sigaboy Island
- Sta Cruz
- Sungko
- Surigao City
- Tagum
- Talaingod
- Tandag
- Tangub City
Cities and Sights in Zamboanga and the Sulu Islands
- Basilan Island
- Bongao
- Dapitan City
- Dipolog City
- Great Santa Cruz Island
- Jolo
- Lamitan
- Pagadian City
- Sulu Province
- Taluksangay
- Tawi-Tawi
- Zamboanga City
- Zamboanga del Norte Province
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