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🇵🇭 Philippines

Philippines is no. 44 in our list of the 50 most visited destinations, with 5.9 million international arrivals in 2024. Below: visa rules for every passport, cash limits at customs and the tourist traps official travel advice warns about.

Rank 44 of 50 by international arrivals (5.9 million, 2024) · Source: UN Tourism

Check your visa route for Philippines

Pick your passport and where you live — Philippines is already filled in.

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Visa rules for your passport ↓

Explore Philippines: things to do, shopping, food and getting around

A short guide based on the Intramuros Administration. The Department of Tourism's own website didn't respond when this guide was checked.

Places to visit

Summarised in our own words from the linked pages, official tourism boards and transport authorities first; items marked "Not official" come from other guides. Prices and opening times change, so check the source before you go. Last checked 24 Oct 2026.

Common tourist traps and how to avoid them

Scams and risky spots named in official travel advice for Philippines, plus a few reported in public visitor reviews (labelled), in our own words.

  1. Armed hold-ups on jeepneys and buses

    How it works: Armed robberies on jeepneys and buses happen, particularly in Manila, sometimes fatally.

    How to avoid it: Avoid displaying cash or jewellery and stay alert on public transport.

  2. Taxi robberies

    How it works: Some taxi drivers and accomplices have robbed and harmed passengers, including from the airport.

    How to avoid it: Use reputable taxi companies, hotel transfers or arrange to be met.

  3. Methanol in drinks

    How it works: Methanol-laced alcohol is causing serious illness in the region.

    How to avoid it: Drink sealed, branded drinks.

  4. Kidnap for ransom

    How it works: Criminals kidnap people for ransom.

    How to avoid it: Follow the area advice and keep a low profile.

  5. Pedicab and e-trike 'tours' in Intramuros

    How it works: Drivers offer a tour at a low quoted price, then reveal that it was per person per 30 minutes and demand several thousand pesos.

    How to avoid it: Walk around Intramuros, or agree the total price for the whole group and the whole ride before you get in.

    From visitor reviews, not official Intramuros, Manila. Sources: reddit.com · reddit.com. Researched 23 Oct 2026; there is no official page to re-check, so this date is not updated automatically.

Areas flagged in official advice

  • Western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago (all travel)
  • Rest of Mindanao except Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao islands (all but essential travel)
  • Metro Manila demonstrations

Official advice: FCDO advises against travel to much of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.

Emergency numbers in Philippines

Other traps paraphrased from official travel advice: FCDO travel advice – Safety and security · FCDO travel advice – Warnings and insurance · FCDO travel advice – Getting help (emergency numbers) · FCDO page updated 15 Jul 2026 · Last checked 2 Nov 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Cash you can bring in and take out

Customs rules for banknotes and other cash when you enter or leave Philippines.

BSP Manual of Regulations on FX Transactions / Bureau of Customs

Bringing cash in
Declare the full amount to the Bureau of Customs if foreign currency exceeds USD 10,000 (or equivalent) – via the eTravel system or Currencies Declaration Form.
Taking cash out
Same declaration when departing.
Local currency (PHP) in
Up to PHP 50,000 per person without BSP authorisation; more needs prior written BSP authorisation and declaration.
Local currency (PHP) out
Up to PHP 50,000 per person without BSP authorisation.
Foreign currency
No limit; declare above USD 10,000.

Official source: customs.gov.ph · bsp.gov.ph · Last checked 4 Oct 2026

Philippines visa rules by passport

The general rule for each passport, from official sources. Open a passport to see conditions and options that depend on where you live.

Visa-free161 passports
Embassy visa36 passports

Verified rules for Philippines: 197 of 198 passports; awaiting verification: 1; not yet covered: 0. A rule that is awaiting verification or not yet covered is not a negative visa decision: it only means we haven't confirmed it on an official source yet.

⚠ Unofficial sources: 1 rule for Philippines is not from an official Philippines government source (based on other governments' travel advice or secondary research). They are labelled on each page, are not counted as verified above, and should be confirmed with the embassy before travel.

Requirements for all visitors to Philippines

These apply on top of the visa rules above, whatever your passport, unless an item says otherwise.

  • Arrival cardeTravel registration

    Applies to: all arriving travellers except diplomats, dignitaries and listed categories; within 72 hours.

    Official source: etravel.gov.ph · Last checked 2 Nov 2026

  • HealthYellow fever certificate if arriving from a WHO yellow-fever risk country

    Applies to: travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from a country WHO lists as a yellow-fever risk country; also after an airport transit of more than 12 hours in such a country.

    Official source: cdn.who.int · Also checked: wwwnc.cdc.govNot official · Last checked 25 Oct 2026

Nearby destinations

Official travel advice

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Plan your trip to Philippines

Verify with the embassy before you book. Visa rules change without notice. We link every rule to its official source and last checked it on 2 Nov 2026, but the embassy, official e-visa portal and your airline have the final say. MyVisaPort is not a visa agent and is not affiliated with any government.