Travel Guide to the Philippines: How to plan a trip from Dubai

The Philippines is an island in Southeast Asia located in the western Pacific Ocean, with around 7,641 islands, making it challenging to select which of the magnificent islands to visit first. The Philippines is separated into three primary island groups representing distinct parts of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The country’s natural beauty is abundant, with numerous stunning beaches, hilly regions, sunny weather, and a diverse bio-diversity. Furthermore, the Philippines’ distinct and diverse culture, as evidenced by its people, food, and way of life, draws many visitors. So, if you’re considering travelling from the UAE to the Philippines, this article will tell you everything you need to know.

Best time to visit The Philippines

The Philippines is best visited between November and April when the country’s stunning islands and distant locations are entirely accessible.

March through May are the warmest three months in The Philippines. Travel between islands is most convenient during this time, and delays due to tropical storms or typhoons are rare.

Avoid the months of August to October because this is when most typhoons strike, causing road closures and aircraft disruptions. Therefore, travelling during this period is not recommended. Due to these typhoons, October is the cheapest month to fly to The Philippines.

Flights from the Dubai to the Philippines

Direct flights from Dubai to Manila and Cebu are currently served by Emirates Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Etihad Airways, and Philippine Airlines. The duration of a direct flight from Dubai to the Philippines ranges from 9 to 12 hours.

Passport Validity

An eligible passport is valid for at least six months beyond the scheduled date of departure.

Visa Requirements

If you possess a UAE passport and want to travel to the Philippines, you can enter the country without a visa and stay there for up to 30 days. UAE nationals must apply for a visa if they want to remain in the Philippines for more than 30 days.

Requirements for application for Visa

A copy of your Emirates ID
A letter of no objection from the applicant’s employer or sponsor
A travel insurance certificate, as well as your return ticket
A copy of your hotel reservation
Two passport-sized photos with white background
Applicant’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Invitation from the sponsor/contact in the Philippines or company, together with a copy of the sponsor’s passport or another form of identification.

Those planning to visit the Philippines must register their information on the One Health Pass site 48 hours before departure. When entering, boarding, or arriving in the Philippines, all visitors must download the Traze App to generate and scan their QR codes.

The Covid-19 regulations

Fully vaccinated UAE incoming travellers must provide a negative RT-PCR test within 48 hours or a negative Antigen test within 24 hours of departure from the country of origin.

Travellers who have taken a booster dosage, and those under the age of 12, are exempt from the pre-departure test. Fully vaccinated travellers are not obliged to undergo facility-based quarantine upon arrival but will be asked to self-monitor for any indication or symptom for 7 days.

Unvaccinated foreign travellers partly vaccinated persons, or those whose vaccination status cannot be independently checked must produce a negative RT-PCR test obtained within 48 hours of departure from the country of origin. They will be subjected to facility-based quarantine until their negative RT-PCR result is released. After that, they will be required to monitor for any sign or symptom until the 14th day after arrival. On arrival, all passengers are subjected to health screening, which includes temperature tests and a visual examination.

Important things to know before travelling to the Philippines

Plan your vacation according to the season: The Philippines only has two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season lasts from November to May and it is the greatest time to visit the nation since it allows you to tour all sections of the island. It is also crucial to note that the country routinely experiences typhoons from August to October, making it difficult to travel across the islands due to road closures. Stay up to date on The Philippines’ weather reports in the weeks leading up to your vacation since although one area of the island may be experiencing thunderstorms, another portion of the island may be bright and sunny.

Keep the change: This will be handy for visitors exploring smaller provinces or islands where public transportation is inexpensive and things are purchased at sari-sari stores (small convenience stores where items are sold per piece instead of in packs). A tricycle driver is unlikely to have change for a thousand peso bill, let alone a 500, therefore keep at least a 50 on hand at all times.

Get around the island using tricycles: Local transportation, such as Jeepneys (brightly coloured buses), multi-cabs, buses, motor taxis, and tricycles, is the most prevalent means to move around the island. The tricycle is the most frequent mode of transportation, and it is also quite economical and simple to get you around where you need to go, simply wave one down on the street, climb in, and you’re good to go.

Beware of scammers: Visitors to this great location must be aware of the possibility of scammers, which are prevalent in the country’s major tourist sites, such as the money changing fraud, the Manila horse-drawn carriage scam, taxi scams, water sports and motorbike hiring scams. Always bargain hard with them or avoid them.

The currency: The official currency of the country is Philippine Peso

Language: The official language of the nation is Tagalog, a mix of European, Asian, and Native American languages. The majority of Filipinos speak English, making it easy for travellers to converse with them.

Use public transport: The Philippines is a large nation with a lot to see and do. Travelling around the area in a rental vehicle or a cab might be quite expensive. It is strongly advised that you take public transportation like buses, tricycles, and the metro to save money and time and will conveniently bring you to your destination.

Top places to visit In The Philippines

Here are some of the best places to see while visiting the tropical island

Boracay

Boracay is a tiny island in the Philippines’ central region. Boracay Island is famous for its resorts and beaches and is nicknamed the beach capital of The Philippines since it has more than 12 beaches. Boracay is well-known for being one of the world’s top leisure destinations, in addition to its white sand beaches. Among the several beaches on the island, White Beach on the island’s west side is one of the greatest in the Philippines and is surrounded by palm trees, bars, and restaurants. Horseback riding, scuba diving, diving helmet, snorkelling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, cliff diving, and parasailing are among the exciting activities accessible around Boracay.

Manila

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is renowned as the “Pearl of the Orient.” Gleaming towers rise among the concrete hum of the Asian metropolis. Manila is one of the most incredible destinations to visit in the Philippines, with contemporary parks, stores, and hotels that provide excellent service. The ancient Walled City of Intramuros, the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Manila Ocean Park, Binondo (Chinatown), Ermita, Malate, Manila Zoo, the National Museum Complex, and Rizal Park are also popular tourist destinations.

Cebu

Cebu is renowned as the Queen City of the South and is located in the Central Visayas area of the Philippines. It is the provincial capital of Cebu, a transportation hub, and a major tourist site. Cebu is known for having some of the greatest diving and snorkelling in the Philippines. If you enjoy diving, Cebu is one of the greatest places to go for adventures that get you can get up, close and personal with whale sharks, coral reefs, and sea turtles. Popular attractions include Museo Sugbo, Casa Gorordo Museum, Fort San Pedro, and Basilica Minore del Santo Nino.

Banaue

Many Filipinos consider the Banaue Rice Terraces to be the world’s eighth natural wonder and a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. The emerald-green terraces are considered an agricultural marvel that offers a spectacular or majestic view. Some of the terraces are thought to have been carved into the mountainside by hand over 2,000 years ago. The terraces have the most impressive view at sunrise, when clouds and fog lift off the mountain, revealing the beautiful landscape of the terraces.

Sagada

Sagada Mountain Province is known for its scenic and calming mountain valleys, rice fields, limestone caves, refreshing waterfalls, and cliffs that come with a sea of clouds, as well as home to the famous historical and mysterious hanging coffins. Outdoor enthusiasts will love this location. The steep mountains and high elevation add to the thrill of hiking, especially on Mount Ampaco, the region’s highest peak, or through Echo Valley, which has a steep and rugged terrain. This tribal region is one of the most interesting places to visit in the Philippines.