Philippines: travel information
Tourist office
Department of Tourism
DOT Building, TM Kalaw Street, Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, Ermita
Manila, Philippines 1000
Tel: 0063 -2 – 524 7141
Email: info@philtourism.gov.ph
Tourist Office of the Philippines in Germany
Philippine Tourist Office
Kaiserhofstrasse 7
60313 Frankfurt/M.
Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 20 893
Email: phildot-fra@t-online.de
Philippines: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
Tourists are only allowed to enter the country if they have a return ticket and sufficient financial means to finance their stay in the country themselves.
German, Austrian and Swiss citizens need a passport that is valid for more than six months to enter the Philippines. A visa will then be issued upon entry.
The visa can be extended at the following offices, provided a valid return ticket is presented:
Bureau of Immigration, Intramuros in Manila
There are regional offices in:
- Cagayan de Oro
- Cebu City
- Davao City
- Iloilo City
- San Fernando on Pampanga
- Tacloban City
Local currency, foreign exchange regulations
The local currency of the Philippines is:
Philippine Peso (PHP) = 100 Centavos
A Filipino proverb goes: “Without money you are like a bird without wings!”
Cash machines (ATM machines) are available around the clock.
- Local currency exportNo more than PHP 10,000 may be exported.
- Import and export of foreigncurrencies Foreign currencies with a value of over US $ 3,000 must be declared upon entry.The amount of currency exported must not exceed the amount imported.
Goods, customs regulations
Inexpensive goods, souvenirs,
handicrafts made of wood can be bought particularly well in the numerous markets.
Customs regulations
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.
A total of 400 cigarettes or 250 g tobacco or 50 cigars may be imported, as well as 2 bottles of alcohol, which, however, may not have more than 1 liter capacity.
Travel medicine, vaccinations and warnings
Infectious Diseases
In the Philippines, the following infectious diseases, which are not or less common in Germany or Central and Northern Europe, are to be expected:
- Malaria: There is a year-round malaria risk in the country with the following exceptions. There is no risk in: Manila, Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu, Aclan, Bilaran, Capiz, Guimares, Iloilo, Masbate, North Samar and Siquijor. About 70% to 80% of infections occur with the very dangerous malaria tropica, the rest with malaria tertiana.
- Schistosomiasis
- Chikungunya – a serious but not fatal viral infection for a healthy adult, which is transmitted by the mosquito “Aedes albopictus” (tiger mosquito). The name of the disease comes from the East African Swahili (Kiswahili) language and roughly means: “who walks crookedly”.
- dengue fever
- Filariasis
- Typhus
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Hepatitis A and B
- Japan encephalitis
- Polio, polio
- tetanus
- rabies
- typhus
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to the Philippines are recommended vaccinations against the following diseases:
- Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country
- Hepatitis A and B
- Japan encephalitis
- Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- typhus
Malaria prophylaxis
When traveling in the country, especially when traveling to the areas mentioned above, it is advisable to undergo malaria prophylaxis. However, if the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by preparation” with you.
Compulsory vaccination
For all persons older than 1 year and arriving from a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO, there is a compulsory vaccination against an illness with yellow fever.
Yellow fever vaccination for children
In most countries where a yellow fever vaccination is compulsory, this also applies to children over one year of age, in some countries even from six months. It should be noted that
a vaccination against yellow fever had a number of side effects, such as encephalitis. Around two-thirds of those affected were children under six months. Therefore, under no circumstances should children under this age be vaccinated. But children under one year of age should also not be vaccinated if possible. If in doubt, yellow fever infection areas must then be avoided.
Any vaccination against yellow fever may only be carried out in specially authorized yellow fever vaccination centers!
Warning notices
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens’ Service
Phone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de
Philippines: Transportation
How do you get to the Philippines?
Most travelers enter the country by plane. Those coming from overseas will usually enter Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Air France offers direct flights from Paris.
Lufthansa offers direct flights from Frankfurt.
As a rule, however, the airlines make a stopover in Bangkok or Hong Kong or in the Middle East.
Travel in the country
Air connections
There are approx. 255 airports in the country, 82 of which have a paved (tar, concrete, etc.) runway, while 173 are not paved, for example grass runways.
If you don’t have a lot of time, you will certainly use the plane as a means of transport.
The main provider of flights is Philippine Airline.
Other airlines are:
- Air Philippines, www.airphils.com
- Asian Spirit Airlines, www.asianspirit.com
- Cebu Pacific, www.cebupacificair.com
- Laoag International Airlines
- Pacific Airways, www.pacificairways.com
- South East Asian Airlines, www.flyseair.com
Bus
The country has a well-developed bus system. The bus is a reliable and inexpensive means of transport in the country.
The jeepney is a minibus, a mixture of jeep and bus that travels on fixed routes.
Railways
There is a rail network totaling around 900 km.
The only passenger train runs from Manila to Bicol, the southeastern region of the island of Luzon.
Roads
There is a total of 200,000 km of roads , but only about 20,000 km of these are tarred.
Rental car
You can rent a car for a period of 90 days with the driver’s license from your home country. An international driver’s license is required for a longer period. Cars are rented to people between the ages of 25 and 60.
Ferry Services
There are approximately 3,200 km of waterways in the state. The islands are connected to each other by a large number of ferries and boats.
However, one should pay attention to the seaworthiness when choosing the provider!
Ship accident
The most momentous ship accident after World War II occurred off the island of Marinduque. There, on December 20, 1987, the Filipino ferry “Dona Paz”, which was on its way to Manila, collided with a tanker. Over 4,000 people were killed as a result of the explosions and the spreading fire. Only 24 passengers and two crew members survived the inferno.
Ports of
Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iligan, Iloilo, Manila, Surigao.
Traffic rules
Right-hand traffic has been driving in the Philippines since 1946. In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. Regardless of the information provided here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in the country concerned.
Maximum speeds
In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed.
- Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 30-40 km/h, depending on the town
- According to Section 35 of the Philippine Land Transportation and Traffic Code, a maximum speed of 80 km/h applies to cars and motorcycles and only 50 km/h to trucks and buses. On individual freeway-like expressways, such as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), top speeds of up to 100 km/h or, depending on the location, surrounding buildings, etc. even up to 120 km/h apply.
It should be noted, however, that speed limits in the Philippines are hardly observed in practice or enforced by the authorities. Many Filipinos are not even aware of the limits.
Special regulations
It is mandatory to wear seat belts on all seats.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate from the Philippines is:
| RP |
Philippines: Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Philippines embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
German representations in the Philippines
Embassy in Manila
25/F, Tower II, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue
0707 Makati City, Metro-Manila,
PO Box 2190,
Makati CPO, Makati City
1261 Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel: 0063 – (0) 2 – 702 3000
Email: info@manila.diplo.de
http://www.manila.diplo.de In
addition to the Philippines, the German embassy in Manila is also responsible for:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Guam
- Marshall Islands
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Palau
Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Cebu
Ford’s Inn, AS Fortuna Street, Corner Banilad Road
6000 Cebu City.
Tel: 0063 – 32 – 236 13 18
Email: Honorarkonsul.Cebu@yahoo.com
Representation of the Philippines in Germany
Embassy in Berlin
Luisenstrasse 16
10117 Berlin
Tel.: 0049 – (0) 30-86 49 50-0
Email: info@philippine-embassy.de
Website: www.philippine-embassy.de
Austrian representations in the Philippines
Embassy in Manila
4th Floor, Prince-Building
117 Thailand Street (formerly Rada St.) Legaspi Village
Tel: 0063 – 2 – 817 9191
Email: manila-ob@bmeia.gv.at
www.aussenministerium.at/manila
In addition to the Philippines, the Austrian embassy in Manila is also responsible for:
- Palau
- Taiwan
Consulates
| Region | Contact |
| Visayas, Mindanao, Palawan | Honorary Consulate General in Cebu City (without passport authorization)CRM Building
Escario cor. Molave Sts. Lahug, Cebu City 6000 Tel: 0063 – 32 – 231 0437 Email: alentvl@mozcom.com |
| entire Philippines | Honorary Consulate General in Manila (without passport authorization)6760 Ayala Avenue
Makati, Metro Manila Manila D-2800Tel: 0063 – 2 – 891 0307 Email: ash@sycip.ph |
Representations of the Philippines in Austria
Embassy of the Philippines in Vienna
Laurenzerberg 2/2/ZWG
1010 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 533 24 01
E-Mail: office@philippine-embassy.a
Honorary Consulate General of the Philippines in Salzburg
Glanhofen 6
5016 Salzburg
Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 82 11 68
Honorary Consulate of the Philippines in Klagenfurt
St. Veiter Ring 1A/3. Stock
9020 Klagenfurt
Tel: 0043 – (0) 463 – 57 558
E-Mail: wp.office@w-rossbacher.at
Honorary Consulate of the Philippines in Innsbruck
Karl-Schönherr-Strasse 7/1st Floor
6020 Innsbruck
Tel: 0043 – (0) 512 – 58 84 90 – 25
E-Mail: philippine-consulate@imad.at
Web: www.imad.at/ consulate new
Honorary Consulate of the Philippines in St. Pölten
Wiener Straße 3 c/o gpls Rechtsanwälte Dr. Stefan Gloß
3100 St. Pölten
Tel: 0043 – (0) 2742 – 35 43 44
E-Mail: office@gpls.at
Swiss representations in the Philippines
Embassy, Embassy of Switzerland in Manila
Equitable Bank Tower, 24th Floor
8751 Paseo de Roxas
Makati City 1226, Philippines
Philippines
Tel: 0063 – 2 – 757 9000
Email: man.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
www.eda.admin.ch/ manila
In addition to the Philippines, the Swiss embassy in Manila is also responsible for:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Palau
Representations of the Philippines in Switzerland
Embassy of the Philippines in Bern
Kirchenfeldstrasse 73-75
3005 Bern
Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 350 17 17
Email: info@philembassyberne.ch
Consulates
Consulate General of the Philippines
Innere Margarethenstrasse 2
4002 Bâle
Tel: 0041 – (0) 61 – 278 99 88
Email: phconsulatebs@intergga.ch
Consulate of the Philippines in Geneva
Avenue Blanc 47
1202 Geneva
Tel: 0041 – (0) 22 – 716 19 30
