Travel Information From Bermuda to Philippines

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Routine Vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (Influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to the Philippines. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given. Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to the Philippines.

Japanese Encephalitis:

Recommended for travelers who
• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis
Consider vaccination for travelers
• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there
Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of the Philippines take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series.

Rabies

Rabid dogs are commonly found in the Philippines. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in the Philippines, rabies treatment is often available.
Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.
Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include
• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas
Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to the Philippines.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

You will need 6 months validity remaining on your passport from the date you intend to entry.

Local Phrases Language : Filipino and English

Local Phrases :

Greetings

Hello = Kamusta
Good morning = Magandang umaga
Good afternoon = Magandang hapon
Goodbye = Paalam
Nice to meet you = Ikinagagalak kitang makilala

Conversational

How are you? = Kumusta ka?
I am good thank you = mabait ako salamat
What’s your name? = Ano ang iyong pangalan?
My name is … = Ang pangalan ko ay
Do you speak English? = Nagsasalita ka ba ng Ingles?
I don’t speak … = hindi ako nagsasalita…
How do you say… in … = Paano mo masasabing... sa...
I don’t understand = hindi ko maintindihan

Basics

Yes = Oo
No = Hindi
Please = Pakiusap
Thank you = Salamat
You’re welcome = Walang anuman
Excuse me (as a question) =
Excuse me (as sorry) =
Wait = Teka
Hurry up = Bilisan mo
Go away = Umalis ka
Let’s go to = Pumunta tayo sa
I want to go to … = Gusto kong pumunta sa…
A little bit = Konti lang
A lot = Marami

Shopping & Eating Out

Restaurant = Restawran
Do you have? … = Meron ka bang? …
Not too spicy = Hindi masyadong maanghang
It was delicious = Ito ay masarap
The bill, please = Ang kuwenta, pakiusap
How much? = Magkano?
Very expensive = Napakamahal
Can you reduce the price? = Maaari mong bawasan ang presyo?
Please can I have a beer? = Please pwede ba akong uminom nng beer?

Transportation & Directions

Taxi = Taxi
Car = kotse
Bus = Bus
Right = Tama
Left = Kaliwa
Straight = Diretso
Stop here = Tumigil dito

Places

Downtown = Pababa ng bayan
Street = kalye
Hotel = Hotel
Museum = Museo
Mall = Mall
Market = Merkado
Hospital = Ospital
Doctor = Doktor
Police = Pulis
Post office = Post office
Bank = bangko

Time & Dates

What time is it? = Anong oras na?
Today = Ngayong araw
Tomorrow = Bukas
The day after tomorrow = Sa makalawa
Yesterday = Kahapon
When? = Kailan?

Emergencies

Where is the toilet? = Nasaan ang palikuran?
Help me, please = Tulungan mo ako, pakiusap
Call an ambulance = Tumawag ng ambulansya
I don’t feel good = hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko

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Manila

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a densely populated bayside city on the island of Luzon, which mixes Spanish colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers. Intramuros, a walled city in colonial times, is the heart of Old Manila. It’s home to the baroque 16th-century San Agustin Church as well as Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and former military prison.

Customs Allowances : Click Here

The money changing scam

Even my late father, a veteran traveler, fell prey to this common scam a few years ago in Manila. The first warning sign of the Philippines money-changing scam is a sign advertising a very generous exchange rate, one well above the market price. This is the honey trap.

The excitement of getting a great deal blinds tourists to the risk of changing their money at a small stall instead of at a safer institution, such as a bank, where rates are lower. The stall vendor will first take your foreign currency and then count out, on a benchtop in front of you, the correct amount of Philippines Pesos.

When you nod in acceptance, having counted along and recognized the exchange is accurate, the vendor will sweep the pile of Pesos back towards them and tie it tightly with a rubber band. Most tourists then walk away happy, just as my father did, only to later undo the band, count their cash, and realize they've been heavily shorted.

That’s because, as the vendor swept the money after counting it, they deftly pushed notes either through a narrow slit in the benchtop, or down on to the floor next to them. Which is why, when your Pesos are handed to you, make sure to remove the band and count it in front of the vendor before leaving. Or, to be even safer, just avoid small money changers altogether and only do currency exchange at a bank or hotel.

The Manila horse-drawn carriage scam

I've come across these at all of Manila’s most popular tourist areas, from the sprawling Rizal Park, to the ancient Spanish citadel of Intramuros and the long waterfront boulevard Manila Baywalk. They are called Kalesa – beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriages from the Spanish era of the Philippines which offer rides to tourists who want a unique way to view this city.

Unfortunately, some of the men who operate these carriages are unscrupulous and target foreigners. They typically execute their scam in one of two ways. Firstly, when tourists ask for a ride the driver will tell them to get in, then take off immediately and avoid any discussion about the price. At the end of the journey, they’ll quote an exorbitant figure and, if you object, will raise their voice and gesticulate to both intimidate and embarrass you in public.

Alternatively, they may quote you a reasonable price at the start of the trip. Then at the end, they'll tell you that price was just a starting fare – equivalent to a flag fall in a taxi – and the full price is many multiples of the initial quote.

All of this does not mean you need to avoid these carriage rides. Because many of the drivers are honest, and you can counter the others with the following tactic. Before you get on the carriage, negotiate the final price and then repeat very firmly to the rider that this is the maximum You'll pay at the end of the journey.

Taxi scams in the Philippines

Taxis are remarkably good value in the Philippines and the drivers, who often speak English quite well, can be a great source of friendly conversation and advice on food and sightseeing options. Unfortunately, there’s also a minority of drivers who massively overcharge foreigners, and typically hang around the busiest tourist areas.

To protect myself, before I get into a taxi in the Philippines I always ask the driver if they'll use the meter, and then watch them activate it. Sometimes, if it’s peak hour, they’ll refuse to use the meter, which is fair because the traffic’s so bad that the meter shortchanges the driver. In those circumstances, I negotiate a reasonable, flat fare.

If you're ever being badly treated by a taxi driver in the Philippines, this is what you do: take a photo of their driver ID, displayed on the dashboard, or call the phone number of their taxi company and make a complaint right there and then. Either of those things should frighten the driver into behaving properly.

Water sports and motorcycle hire scams

Taxis are remarkably good value in the Philippines and the drivers, who often speak English quite well, can be a great source of friendly conversation and advice on food and sightseeing options. Unfortunately, there’s also a minority of drivers who massively overcharge foreigners, and typically hang around the busiest tourist areas.

To protect myself, before I get into a taxi in the Philippines I always ask the driver if they'll use the meter, and then watch them activate it. Sometimes, if it’s peak hour, they’ll refuse to use the meter, which is fair because the traffic is so bad that the meter shortchanges the driver. In those circumstances, I negotiate a reasonable, flat fare.

If you're ever being badly treated by a taxi driver in the Philippines, this is what you do: take a photo of their driver ID, displayed on the dashboard, or call the phone number of their taxi company and make a complaint right there and then. Either of those things should frighten the driver into behaving properly.

Other scams in the Philippines

Be very wary of any stranger in the Philippines who approaches you randomly in public and tries to engage you in an extended conversation, particularly if they're confident and have impressive English. Be extra cautious if this happens in or near to a busy tourist location.

This person could be a pickpocket, hoping to get you to lower your guard so they can subtly pinch your belongings, or acting as a distraction while an offsider does this deed. Or they could be looking to lure you into any one of many different scams.

Yes, meeting and befriending locals is a wonderful part of travel. But if a stranger suddenly wants you to accompany them somewhere, politely decline. You could be missing out on a fun interaction. More likely, though, You'll be sidestepping a scam.

International Driving Permit 1968 is required

• The most common religion in Philippines is Christianity.
• Don't stand with hands on hips as it denotes anger (if not meant).
• Don't forget to wear closed-toe shoes off the beach - many shops and businesses won't allow you to enter with sandals or only a men's undershirt (called "Sando" here).
• Don't wear expensive clothes or jewellery in public - keep a low profile to avoid the unwanted attention of pickpockets.
• Don't provide your passport as collateral when hiring vehicles - better use cash as deposit.
• Don't forget to have some cash in hand when entering the Philippines via airport - the fees can usually be paid only in cash.
• Don't be too affectionate in public - kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour are frowned upon if in public, especially amongst older locals.
• Don't forget to do some haggling at ukay-ukays, tiangges and bazaars.
• Don't show disrespect to Buddha or its images - large or small, ruined or not, it's regarded as a sacred object.
• Don't forget the rainy season takes place between November and April in the northeast and between May and October in the southwest.
• Don't touch a monk. Treat monks with the highest respect. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of woman.

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Philippines?

Travel insurance is very important when traveling overseas. We strongly recommend that you take out cover to travel to Philippines. You can usually take out single trip or annual multi-trip cover to give you peace of mind should anything happen.

It can be a better and cheaper option to take annual multi-trip cover as it usually covers any number of trips taken in one year with a maximum of up to around 60 days away per trip.

We work with the top names in the industry and have already pre-selected the easiest, cheapest and best quality travel insurance on the market to save you time and money trying to find the best cover.

Travel insurance typically covers the following; however, you can tailor a policy to suit your needs depending on where you are traveling to, your activities and how long you are away.

• Medical Expenses
  Medical treatment can be extremely costly and add up very quickly, and include Overnight stays in hospital, minor or major surgery, accident and emergency treatment, drugs, COVID-19 treatment, journey home if you cannot use the original ticket, dental treatment, and many more unexpected expenses.
• Baggage and personal belongings
  If your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed it is extremely frustrating. If you must buy new clothes, toiletry products or personal belongings it can be very expensive and time consuming.
• Cancellation
  Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances you may need to cancel your trip. This could be due to several reasons such as illness, injury, a bereavement or many other scenarios. Usually airlines, tour operators and hotels have large cancellation fees, so buying travel insurance that covers this is recommended.

Health Care

Healthcare of Philippines is ranked 83rd in the world. The shortage of hospitals and surgical equipment are the primary barriers to quality healthcare in the Philippines.

Health Risk

Caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

Occurs from insect bites, including mosquitoes.

Occurs from mosquito bite.

Caused by Mosquito bite.

Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus.

Caused from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.