Posted on: December 11, 2017 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

With its amazing blue waters, wonderful tropical atmosphere, and stunning beauty, the Philippines is a popular travel destination. Thanks to the availability of low-priced lodgings and value pricing on other essentials, it’s possible to enjoy travel to the Philippines even when you’re on a low budget. Using these five hacks, you can make your journey fun and affordable.

Save Money on Flights and Lodging

When traveling to the Philippines, air travel and accommodations are two of the largest expenses you’ll need to cover. Luckily, there are some tried and true travel hacks that you can use to cut costs in these specific areas:

  • Consider traveling off-peak. Most people visit the Philippines during the dry season, which occurs between January and June.
  • No matter when you plan to travel, check comparison sites like Skyscanner, where you can find excellent prices on flights to Manila.
  • If possible, consider traveling on dates that fall in the middle of the week, i.e. Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Check a few different dates to see if there’s a significant cost reduction.
  • Think about purchasing your airline tickets several months in advance. Alternately, you can attempt to save money by looking for discounted flights at the last minute. Both methods are reliable, however it is impossible to predict which method yields better prices.
  • Look for travel packages that include flights and lodging. Be sure to comparison shop.
  • If you’re adventurous and don’t feel the need to stay at a traditional hotel, consider staying at a guesthouse or trying other alternatives such as Couchsurfing, hostels, or even camping on a small island. Availability depends on your destination.
  • If you’re traveling overland or taking internal flights to different islands, consider making some portions of your journey overnight. This way you can skip the cost of lodging and nap while you’re on your way to your next destination.

Take Advantage of Low-Priced Communications Options

It’s likely that you will need to call the Philippines to make travel plans, and once you’re in country, you’ll probably want to make some outgoing calls. Instead of paying exorbitant prices traditionally associated with international calling, try using your existing phone to take advantage of VoIP service. Viber Out lets you call any mobile or landline number, and calls to others who also use the app are free. You can even make calls from your tablet or laptop: As long as you have access to an internet connection, you can connect. This strategy allows you to bypass roaming charges, plus it eliminates the hassle and expense associated with calling cards.

Don’t Overpay for Food

Eat where the locals eat or purchase healthy foods to carry along, and you’ll save plenty of money while traveling through the Philippines. When you are frugal with most of your meals, you’ll have plenty of wiggle room in your budget for fancy cocktails and a few extra-special meals that are sure to make your trip even more memorable.  Note that even cocktails and “fancy” dinners are cheap in comparison with meals in the US and other western nations. You’ll be astonished at the delicious flavors and the low prices.

Visit Free and Low-Cost Attractions

If you’re accustomed to paying entry fees everywhere you go, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you visit the Philippines. Your budget will thank you as you make your way through beautiful parks, exquisite temples, and stunning monuments, all of which are typically free of charge. If you want to visit the rice terraces, you’ll probably enjoy free entry as well. If you’re not in the mood to climb steep trails, then use a little of your savings to pay for a tricycle ride to the top. The views are worth it!

Speaking of views, feel free to laze some of your days away on the beaches. They’re absolutely beautiful, and there are no entry fees.

Try Out Some Joiners Tour Packages

“Joiners” tours are very popular in the Philippines, with tour operators collecting passengers along the way to fun destinations. These tours normally cost between $10 and $50 per day depending on what’s included, and many come complete with lunch, boat rides, professional guides, and entry fees to paid attractions. Do some research ahead of time to determine how you’d like to spend your days, and consider talking to others who have taken the tours you are considering. They’ll be able to tell you whether they felt they received a good value, or if it’s best to look for another way to have fun.

No matter how low your travel budget, you can have a fantastic time in the Philippines. People are friendly, and almost everyone speaks English very well. Relax, be flexible, and have fun!

Sources:

https://solotravelerworld.com/traveling-philippines-solo-budget/

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/2304-traveling-around-philippines-on-a-shoestring-budget

http://journeymart.com/de/philippines-best-time-to-visit.aspx

http://journeymart.com/de/philippines-travel-information.aspx

https://www.goatsontheroad.com/budget-backpacking-guide-to-the-philippines/

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