Practical information : Sightseeing Philippines
Timetable
Outside Manila and Cebu, there are few museums in the Philippines. These are generally open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Leisure parks are often open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Marine and nature reserves, caves and waterfalls follow the same opening hours when an entrance fee is charged.
National holidays. January1, Chinese New Year (late January-early February), Holy Thursday and Good Friday in April, June 12 (Independence Day), November1 and 30, Christmas Day (December 25), December 30 (Rizal Day) and December 31.
To be booked
Reservations are not required for museums. You don't need to book for nature sites either. If you wish to be accompanied by a guide, remember to book a day in advance. Hotels, guesthouses and inns are often very helpful in organizing and booking your visits.
Budget & Tips
Many museums are free of charge, including the national museums and some local museums. For others, admission is never very expensive, costing between PHP20 and PHP100 (less than €2). Nature reserves, parks and attractions (caves, waterfalls, beaches) are either free, or you have to pay an environmental tax or entrance fee of between 10 and 50 PHP. For island hopping (a tour of islands and natural spots), very popular in El Nido and Coron but also on other islands, count €20-30 (PHP 1,200 - 1,800) for an all-inclusive tour on a boat with around 20 people. If you're traveling with several people, we strongly advise you to opt for a private tour, which allows you to avoid the crowds and stop off at more intimate spots; count around €50 per person (PHP 3,000). For all activities, there are often discounts for seniors, children and students on presentation of proof.
Main events
There are festivals everywhere and all the time in the Philippines! To have an overview of the main ones, go to the "Agenda" section of the guide.
Guided tours
Through local tourist offices or travel agencies, you can find guided tours in the cities. On the islands, this is often less official: if you stay in a guesthouse or a small hotel, often the owners offer guided tours by scooter or tricycle, it is a good way to discover the area with a local, count about 1,000 PHP per day.
Smokers
The legislation related to smoking is quite strict in the Philippines, especially in the big cities like Manila and Cebu, where tolerance is close to zero. Smoking is not allowed on the street, in parks, on beaches, in train stations, on terraces, etc. The presence of ashtrays is a good indicator. On the islands, the practice is more random.
