Philippines

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• The archipelago of Philippines consists of 7, 107 unique islands. The foreign influences in the country and more than one hundred ethnic groups have enhanced the exceptional identity of Filipinos.

The Life:

• Life is simple in the Philippines. However, the wealthy people tend to get richer and the poor community gets poorer. Despite the disparity, Filipinos are known for its admirable traits which are believed to have come from the combination of many cultures.
• The country is also known for its close family ties where most of them choose to live together with their families until their old age.

Cost of Living:

• The Philippines is among the least expensive countries to visit. Typically, hotel accommodations cost about $30.
• Renting an apartment, although cheap, may not be a good option especially if planning to go to different destinations. The rent will normally include a month’s deposit and another month’s advance payment. Better choices consist of apartelles and pension houses.
• Food is inexpensive. The price range for food can be as low as $1 in fast food restaurants and as high as $10 for a sit down meal.

Poker:

• Online and live poker is available in the country.

Internet Access/Speed:

• The internet access and speed largely depends on location. Most areas have fast and reliable internet connection but there are also some places where the connection is so slow, and can go worse to none at all.

Weather:

• The weather can be unpredictable at times. Generally, there are only two seasons – the sunny and rainy days. The northern part of the country encounters strong typhoons while the southern part experiences mostly hot and dry season.
• March to May will be very hot and rainy seasons starts in June and ends in October. The ideal months to visit Philippines are during the months of November until February.

U.S. Visa/Entry Difficulty Level:

• Tourists do not need any visa prior to visiting Philippines. With a US passport, they are allowed to stay in the country for about six months. Initially, a 21-day entry visa will be provided. Should the US citizen choose to stay longer, visa extension is available at the Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines.

Language:

• Filipino is the official language of the country. English is widely spoken and used as a medium of instruction in schools.
• Almost every city in the country has its own dialect.

Language Schools:

• Language schools are rare but US tourists can get the opportunities to learn the language when talking with the locals.

Banking:

• There are thousands of ATMs scattered all over the country where US tourists can withdraw funds or request for cash advances.

Food:

• Similar to the different aspects of the country, Filipino cuisine is also influenced by different cultures. Having said this, food in the Philippines is a mix of Chinese, Malay and Spanish food added with the influences of European and American cuisine.
• Instead of spices, the Filipino dishes depend more on garlic and onions. Some other local specialties include: kakanin or rice cakes, sinangag or fried garlic rice, pancit or noodles and adobo.

Recreation:

• The Philippines has probably the longest period to celebrate Christmas which starts in September and ends in late January. December is the most festive time of the year in the country – an event that US tourists must witness.
• There are several must-see destinations in the country but may need to do a lot of hopping from one city to another either by plane or by bus. The Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Palawan, Tagaytay and Puerto Galera are some recommended places to visit.
• The unique and most common mode of transportation in the country is a must-try too. One of the ways to experience life in the Philippines is through riding the jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs.
• Other activities that US tourists may want to get involved in include: aerial sports, basketball, board sailing, caving and diving.

Safety:

• The country is relatively safe but US tourists are advised to keep watch of their valuables as pickpocketing among foreigners are common. The crime rate is also high but mostly among the locals.