Seven Easy Steps to the Philippines

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Category: Going About

Published on Monday, 23 January 2012 16:00

Seven Easy Steps to the Philippines

Planning your trip to the Philippines is easy.

1. CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION AND SCHEDULE
The Philippines offers all forms of tourism attraction and services all year round. You can choose from beaches, outdoors, shopping and many others. Each of the 7,107 islands has something spectacular to give you.

2. RESEARCH
It is recommended that prospective guests to the Philippines should check for weather conditions, places of recreation, hospitals, currency exchange, payment facilities, food and other information relevant to the trip. Travelers can plan out their itinerary by making a list of places to go to. The internet is a great source of information. Travel books like Lonely Planet, Frommer's and Rick Steve's are very helpful as well. Knowing what to do and where to go could also help you plan your budget.

Suggested links:

Department of Tourism: Travel Tips
Lonely Planet: Philippines

3. SECURE DOCUMENTS
The Philippines is very tourist-friendly. Brazilian and Israeli nationals may enter the country and stay up to 59 days, visa-free, while nationals from many other countries may stay for up to 21 days. Check here to see the full list of countries that enjoy this visa exemption.

4. BOOK YOUR TICKETS
There are three ways to book your ticket.

Travel  Agency
Travel agencies are convenient for any visitors since they pretty much do everything for you, even visa applications. They often provide prospective travelers with options to maximize the vacation experience.

Suggested links:
World Association of Travel Agencies
Philippine Travel Agencies Association

Online Airline Services
Online services have become very popular in recent years, making booking very convenient and fast. One only needs a credit card for payment purposes.

There are more than 30 international airlines flying to the Philippines, and all have online facilities for booking. Many airlines have telephone booking as part of their service as well.

Domestic Airlines include:
Philippine Airlines
Cebu Pacific Air
Airphil Express
Zest Air
SEAir
Aeromajestic
Spirit of Manila Airlines
Sky Pasada

Ticketing Office (on-site)    
Ticketing offices are found everywhere --- in malls, commercial districts, hotels and airports.

5. CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Once you have your ticket, the next thing to do is search for accommodation that suits your budget. There are several ways to do this

Travel Agency
Usually, the travel agencies or tour providers also book your hotel rooms once you use their services for airline booking. Travel agencies may save you time, but they may charge you a bit more.

Online Hotel Booking
Hotel booking is made easy online. You are assured of a room when you get to your destination. Various platforms are available, giving travelers a range of choices from basic to luxury accommodations.

Suggested links:
Agoda.com: Philippines
AsiaHotels.com: Philippines

On-site Booking
In most tourist districts in the Philippines, hotels are clustered together, making it easy to find a place to stay. However, there is also the possibility that hotels will be full, especially on peak seasons. Fortunately, the Philippines has a wide range of accommodations to choose from.

Homestay
Certain communities in the Philippines rent out rooms to guests on a homestay basis. Frequently, these rooms have their own toilet and bath and come with a local breakfast for you to enjoy.

Local governments also give support and accreditation to homestay providers.

6. PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP
Most Filipinos speak English as a second language, but it would also be helpful to learn a few common Filipino phrases. It's best to travel and dress lightly to suit the tropical climate.

7. LASTLY, ENJOY YOURSELF!

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