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U.S. advisory is Level 2 overall, with Do Not Travel notices for Sulu Archipelago and Marawi City.
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Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
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Travel note: I entered using the relevant visa or travel authorization available for my Nepalese passport at the time.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Rates used to convert to NPR for this trip.
| Currency | 1 unit → NPR | Date |
|---|---|---|
| PHP | 2.36 | 2024-12-29 |
| USD | 130.46 | 2024-12-29 |
| AED | 37.71 | 2024-12-29 |
| AUD | 88.59 | 2024-12-29 |
| S.No | Date | Details (Notes) | Category | Unit | Cost / Unit | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 29, 2024 | Ticket cost | Flight | 1.00 | 584.00 | 584.00 | AUD | 51,736.56 |
| 2 | Dec 29, 2024 | Visa cost | Visa | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | PHP | 0.00 |
| 3 | Dec 29, 2024 | Taxi expense from airport to hotel | Transport | 1.00 | 155.00 | 155.00 | PHP | 365.96 |
| 4 | Dec 29, 2024 | Hotel cost | Accommodation | 1.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 | USD | 1,043.68 |
| 5 | Dec 29, 2024 | SIM card expense | SIM Card | 1.00 | 59.00 | 59.00 | PHP | 139.30 |
| 6 | Dec 30, 2024 | Hotel cost | Accommodation | 1.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | USD | 2,609.20 |
| 7 | Dec 30, 2024 | Grab expense to next hotel | Transport | 1.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 | PHP | 354.15 |
| 8 | Dec 30, 2024 | Lunch expense | Food | 1.00 | 550.00 | 550.00 | PHP | 1,298.55 |
| 9 | Dec 30, 2024 | Grab expense to mall | Transport | 1.00 | 185.00 | 185.00 | PHP | 436.79 |
| 10 | Dec 30, 2024 | Tripod cost | Shopping | 1.00 | 239.00 | 239.00 | PHP | 564.28 |
| 11 | Dec 30, 2024 | T-shirt cost | Shopping | 1.00 | 999.00 | 999.00 | PHP | 2,358.64 |
| 12 | Dec 30, 2024 | Dinner expense | Food | 1.00 | 249.00 | 249.00 | PHP | 587.89 |
| 13 | Dec 30, 2024 | Massage expense | Activities | 1.00 | 600.00 | 600.00 | PHP | 1,416.60 |
| 14 | Dec 31, 2024 | Hotel cost | Accommodation | 1.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | USD | 2,609.20 |
| 15 | Dec 31, 2024 | Laundry expense | Laundry | 1.00 | 300.00 | 300.00 | PHP | 708.30 |
| 16 | Dec 31, 2024 | Return grab expense from mall to hotel | Transport | 1.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 | PHP | 354.15 |
| 17 | Dec 31, 2024 | Flight cost to Cebu from Manila | Flight | 1.00 | 134.00 | 134.00 | AED | 5,053.14 |
| 18 | Jan 01, 2025 | Taxi expense from Cebu airport to hotel | Transport | 1.00 | 385.00 | 385.00 | PHP | 908.99 |
| 19 | Jan 01, 2025 | Manila hotel to Manila airport taxi expense | Transport | 1.00 | 300.00 | 300.00 | PHP | 708.30 |
| 20 | Jan 01, 2025 | Hotel cost | Accommodation | 1.00 | 1,281.00 | 1,281.00 | PHP | 3,024.44 |
| 21 | Jan 01, 2025 | Lunch expense (biryani order) | Food | 1.00 | 320.00 | 320.00 | PHP | 755.52 |
| 22 | Jan 01, 2025 | Dinner expense | Food | 1.00 | 240.00 | 240.00 | PHP | 566.64 |
| 23 | Jan 02, 2025 | Hotel cost | Accommodation | 1.00 | 1,003.00 | 1,003.00 | PHP | 2,368.08 |
| 24 | Jan 02, 2025 | Lunch expense (Pizza) | Food | 1.00 | 208.00 | 208.00 | PHP | 491.09 |
| 25 | Jan 02, 2025 | Dinner expense (Indian restaurant) | Food | 1.00 | 585.00 | 585.00 | PHP | 1,381.19 |
| 26 | Jan 03, 2025 | Taxi expense to bus station | Transport | 1.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | PHP | 236.10 |
| 27 | Jan 03, 2025 | Bus ticket cost (Cebu to Moalboal) | Transport | 1.00 | 210.00 | 210.00 | PHP | 495.81 |
| 28 | Jan 03, 2025 | Hostel expense | Accommodation | 1.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | PHP | 944.40 |
| 29 | Jan 03, 2025 | Beer cost | Food | 1.00 | 80.00 | 80.00 | PHP | 188.88 |
| 30 | Jan 03, 2025 | Juice expense | Food | 1.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | PHP | 236.10 |
| 31 | Jan 03, 2025 | Bike expense to hostel | Transport | 1.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | PHP | 118.05 |
| 32 | Jan 04, 2025 | Room expense | Accommodation | 1.00 | 600.00 | 600.00 | PHP | 1,416.60 |
| 33 | Jan 04, 2025 | Lunch expense | Food | 1.00 | 235.00 | 235.00 | PHP | 554.84 |
| 34 | Jan 04, 2025 | Phone recharge cost | SIM Card | 1.00 | 110.00 | 110.00 | PHP | 259.71 |
| 35 | Jan 04, 2025 | ATM withdrawal charge | Bank Fee | 1.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 | PHP | 590.25 |
| 36 | Jan 04, 2025 | Bike expense to White Beach | Transport | 1.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 | PHP | 354.15 |
| 37 | Jan 04, 2025 | Beer purchase cost | Food | 1.00 | 950.00 | 950.00 | PHP | 2,242.95 |
| 38 | Jan 04, 2025 | Pizza expense with others | Food | 1.00 | 800.00 | 800.00 | PHP | 1,888.80 |
| 39 | Jan 05, 2025 | Bike expense to hostel | Transport | 1.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 | PHP | 354.15 |
| 40 | Jan 05, 2025 | Room expense | Accommodation | 1.00 | 600.00 | 600.00 | PHP | 1,416.60 |
| 41 | Jan 05, 2025 | Bike expense to bus station | Transport | 1.00 | 70.00 | 70.00 | PHP | 165.27 |
| 42 | Jan 05, 2025 | Bus expense to Kawasan Falls | Transport | 1.00 | 32.00 | 32.00 | PHP | 75.55 |
| 43 | Jan 05, 2025 | Kawasan Falls entry fee | Activities | 1.00 | 200.00 | 200.00 | PHP | 472.20 |
| 44 | Jan 05, 2025 | Water expense in Kawasan Falls | Food | 1.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 | PHP | 59.03 |
| 45 | Jan 05, 2025 | Chocolate doughnut cost | Food | 1.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | PHP | 47.22 |
| 46 | Jan 05, 2025 | Badiya market to Moalboal expense | Transport | 1.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 | PHP | 59.03 |
| 47 | Jan 05, 2025 | Jollibee expense | Food | 1.00 | 187.00 | 187.00 | PHP | 441.51 |
| 48 | Jan 05, 2025 | Bike expense to hotel from Moalboal | Transport | 1.00 | 65.00 | 65.00 | PHP | 153.47 |
| 49 | Jan 06, 2025 | Bike expense from hostel to Moalboal market | Transport | 1.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | PHP | 118.05 |
| 50 | Jan 06, 2025 | Bus expense from Moalboal to Oslob | Transport | 1.00 | 172.00 | 172.00 | PHP | 406.09 |
| 51 | Jan 06, 2025 | Hotel expense in Oslob | Accommodation | 1.00 | 16.00 | 16.00 | USD | 2,087.36 |
| 52 | Jan 06, 2025 | Lunch expense | Food | 1.00 | 175.00 | 175.00 | PHP | 413.18 |
| 53 | Jan 06, 2025 | Dinner expense | Food | 1.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | PHP | 118.05 |
| 54 | Jan 07, 2025 | Bike expense from Oslob to whale watching place | Transport | 1.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | PHP | 236.10 |
| 55 | Jan 07, 2025 | Whale shark watching fee | Activities | 1.00 | 500.00 | 500.00 | PHP | 1,180.50 |
| 56 | Jan 07, 2025 | Whale shark watching tips for camera | Tips | 1.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 | PHP | 354.15 |
| 57 | Jan 07, 2025 | Tips expense for bike guy | Tips | 1.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 | PHP | 354.15 |
| 58 | Jan 07, 2025 | Bus expense from Oslob to Cebu | Transport | 1.00 | 300.00 | 300.00 | PHP | 708.30 |
| 59 | Jan 07, 2025 | KitKat and gum cost | Food | 1.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | PHP | 118.05 |
| 60 | Jan 07, 2025 | Hotel expense | Accommodation | 1.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | PHP | 2,361.00 |
| 61 | Jan 07, 2025 | Lunch expense (Chowking) | Food | 1.00 | 200.00 | 200.00 | PHP | 472.20 |
| 62 | Jan 07, 2025 | Dinner expense | Food | 1.00 | 502.00 | 502.00 | PHP | 1,185.22 |
| 63 | Jan 08, 2025 | Bike expense to Cebu airport | Transport | 1.00 | 170.00 | 170.00 | PHP | 401.37 |
| 64 | Jan 08, 2025 | Flight expense from Cebu to Palawan | Flight | 1.00 | 179.00 | 179.00 | AED | 6,750.09 |
| 65 | Jan 08, 2025 | Hotel expense | Accommodation | 1.00 | 800.00 | 800.00 | PHP | 1,888.80 |
| 66 | Jan 08, 2025 | Dinner expense | Food | 1.00 | 425.00 | 425.00 | PHP | 1,003.43 |
| 67 | Jan 08, 2025 | Lunch expense (KFC burger) | Food | 1.00 | 140.00 | 140.00 | PHP | 330.54 |
| 68 | Jan 09, 2025 | Laundry expense | Laundry | 1.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | PHP | 236.10 |
| 69 | Jan 09, 2025 | Hotel expense | Accommodation | 1.00 | 750.00 | 750.00 | PHP | 1,770.75 |
| 70 | Jan 09, 2025 | City tour expense | Activities | 1.00 | 750.00 | 750.00 | PHP | 1,770.75 |
| 71 | Jan 09, 2025 | Bakery expense | Food | 1.00 | 500.00 | 500.00 | PHP | 1,180.50 |
| 72 | Jan 09, 2025 | Tips expense for indigenous people (snake) | Tips | 1.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | PHP | 236.10 |
| 73 | Jan 09, 2025 | Tips expense for city tour guide | Tips | 1.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | PHP | 118.05 |
| 74 | Jan 09, 2025 | Mitra Ranch entrance fee | Activities | 1.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | PHP | 118.05 |
| 75 | Jan 10, 2025 | Tricycle expense to permit office | Transport | 1.00 | 30.00 | 30.00 | PHP | 70.83 |
| 76 | Jan 10, 2025 | Public transport expense to San Jose terminal | Transport | 1.00 | 17.00 | 17.00 | PHP | 40.14 |
| 77 | Jan 10, 2025 | Puerto Princesa to Sabang expense | Transport | 1.00 | 200.00 | 200.00 | PHP | 472.20 |
| 78 | Jan 10, 2025 | Hotel expense | Accommodation | 1.00 | 350.00 | 350.00 | PHP | 826.35 |
| 79 | Jan 10, 2025 | Lunch expense (chicken and rice) | Food | 1.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | PHP | 283.32 |
| 80 | Jan 10, 2025 | Dinner expense (chicken sisig with rice) | Food | 1.00 | 210.00 | 210.00 | PHP | 495.81 |
| 81 | Jan 11, 2025 | Sabang to Puerto Princesa (up to airport drop-off) | Transport | 1.00 | 350.00 | 350.00 | PHP | 826.35 |
| 82 | Jan 11, 2025 | Flight expense from Puerto Princesa to Cebu | Flight | 1.00 | 32.90 | 32.90 | USD | 4,292.13 |
| 83 | Jan 11, 2025 | Lunch expense (Chowking) | Food | 1.00 | 256.00 | 256.00 | PHP | 604.42 |
| 84 | Jan 11, 2025 | Water expense (7-Eleven) | Food | 1.00 | 35.00 | 35.00 | PHP | 82.64 |
| 85 | Jan 11, 2025 | Flight expense from Cebu to Manila | Flight | 1.00 | 153.00 | 153.00 | AED | 5,769.63 |
| Total | 134,292.06 |
Last updated 4 hours ago
U.S. advisory is Level 2 overall, with Do Not Travel notices for Sulu Archipelago and Marawi City.
Visa-free eligibility is passport-dependent. Verify current entry policy on official DFA channels before booking.
Immigration screening may request onward/return ticket and passport validity aligned with the intended stay.
The official currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP). Cash is widely used, especially on smaller islands, local markets, and for tricycles and jeepneys. ATMs are common in cities like Manila and Cebu but can run dry on remote islands, so always withdraw cash before heading to less-visited areas. Bring a backup card.
Getting around requires combining land, sea, and air travel across the 7,000+ islands. Jeepneys and tricycles are the cheapest local transport. Metered taxis are available in cities but always insist the meter is running. Domestic flights connect major islands but low-cost carriers are known for delays and cancellations. Ferries serve inter-island routes.
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. If not included, a 10% tip is a good guideline. Tip hotel staff, tour guides, and drivers around 50-100 PHP for small services. Porters at airports typically receive 20-50 PHP per bag.
The dry season from November to May is the ideal time, with sunny skies and lower humidity. The coolest and most comfortable months are December to February. The rainy season runs June to October, with August onward being peak typhoon season. Surfing on the east coast (Siargao) is best from September to November.
Last updated 5 days ago
📍 Manila
On December 28, 2024, I flew from Kathmandu to Manila with Thai Airways via Bangkok. I had a 12-hour transit in Bangkok before continuing to Manila. After arriving, I took a Grab taxi to my hostel and stayed in Manila.
📍 Manila
I spent another day in Manila and stayed there for the second night.
📍 Cebu
After two nights in Manila, I flew to Cebu and spent the day there.
📍 Moalboal
I went to Moalboal and spent one day there.
📍 Cebu area
I traveled to the whale swimming area and stayed there for the night.
📍 Cebu
The next morning, I did the whale swimming activity, and in the evening I was back in Cebu.
📍 Puerto Princesa
The next day, I flew to Puerto Princesa and stayed there that day.
📍 Long Beach
The following day, I went to Long Beach and stayed there.
📍 Puerto Princesa to Male
The next day, I returned to Puerto Princesa Airport and flew onward through Cebu, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur before continuing to Male.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Chicken or pork braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves, the Filipino national dish.
Whole roasted pig with incredibly crispy skin, the centerpiece of Filipino celebrations.
Sour soup with pork or shrimp, tamarind broth, and vegetables like kangkong and radish.
Crispy spring rolls filled with seasoned ground pork and vegetables, served with sweet chili sauce.
Shaved ice dessert layered with sweet beans, jellies, fruits, leche flan, and ube ice cream.
Sizzling plate of chopped pig face, ears, and liver seasoned with calamansi and chili.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
The bustling capital where Spanish colonial history meets modern urban energy. Explore the walled city of Intramuros with Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church, wander through Binondo — the world's oldest Chinatown — for dim sum and street food, and visit the vibrant Makati district for nightlife and rooftop dining. Rizal Park offers a green escape in the city center.
📍 Open in Google Maps →The Queen City of the South and gateway to the Visayas islands. Visit the historic Basilica del Santo Nino and Magellan's Cross marking the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines. Head south to Oslob to swim with whale sharks, chase the turquoise cascades of Kawasan Falls, or take a day trip to Moalboal for sardine run snorkeling with millions of swirling fish.
📍 Open in Google Maps →A tiny island famous for its 4-kilometer White Beach with powdery sand and crystal-clear shallow waters that glow turquoise. Station 1 has the widest, quietest stretch of sand while Station 2 buzzes with restaurants and bars. Try kiteboarding at Bulabog Beach on the windward side, cliff-jump at Ariel's Point, and end each day watching one of the Philippines' most spectacular sunsets over the sea.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Consistently voted one of the world's most beautiful islands. El Nido offers jaw-dropping island-hopping tours through the Bacuit Archipelago with hidden lagoons, towering limestone karsts, and pristine beaches. Coron features sunken Japanese WWII shipwrecks for diving and crystal-clear freshwater lakes like Kayangan. The entire province is a paradise of untouched jungle, coral reefs, and turquoise water.
📍 Open in Google Maps →The capital of Palawan and home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you glide by boat through a dramatic 8.2-kilometer cave system with cathedral-like chambers and limestone formations. The Honda Bay island-hopping tour offers snorkeling with sea turtles and starfish, while the Iwahig Firefly Watching tour lights up the mangrove river at night.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 2 weeks ago
A glimpse into our favourite moments from Philippines.
Underwater view of snorkelers alongside a whale shark in Oslob, Cebu - one of the Philippines' most iconic wildlife encounters with the world's largest fish
