Planning a trip to the Philippines? You’re bound to have the adventure of a lifetime! And while you’ll be spending most of your time in a swimsuit and flip-flops, you’ll probably want to pack a few other essentials as well, just in case.
Read on to learn all about the perfect Philippines packing list for your upcoming island hopping, waterfall exploring, beach lounging, and tropical paradise vacation in the Philippines!
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The Philippines Travel Basics
Appropriate Dress in the Philippines
The majority of people living in the Philippines are Christian and you’ll see evidence of that everywhere – from bible verses painted on the sides of tricycles to giant billboards proclaiming how much God loves you. So there are no religious rules dictating that you need to cover up.
You’ll see tourists and locals alike frolicking on the beaches in skimpy bikinis or wandering around town in cut-off shorts. It’s also fairly unlikely that you’ll visit any churches so there’s never really a need to cover up unless you want to.
Weather in the Philippines
There are only two seasons in the Philippines – wet season and dry season. The wet season lasts from June until October and the dry season is from November through May. The hottest months of the year are April and May when temperatures average around 34 °C.
Tropical cyclones are quite common in the Philippines from July through September, with August being the most active month. If you plan on visiting during the wet season, you should be aware that ferries and boat tours are weather-dependent. It could put a big damper on your travel plans.
Visa and Passport Requirements for the Philippines
Citizens of most countries are not required to have a visa for a stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days (a few exceptions include India, Iran, Jordan, and a few others). Check your visa requirements here. Visitors from Israel can stay for up to 59 days without a visa. Be sure to purchase your return flight to your next destination prior to arriving at the airport or you may be denied boarding.
If you would like to obtain an extension on your 30-day stay, it is easy to do at any Immigration Office in the country. Your first extension will be 29 days and thereafter you may apply for 1 month, 2 months, or 6-month extensions at least one week prior to the expiration of your valid stay. Depending on what country you are from, you can extend your stay for anywhere from 24 to 36 months.
What to Pack for a Vacation in the Philippines
Baggage for Packing for the Philippines
Travel Luggage
You’ll be taking quite a few rides in tricycles during your time in the Philippines, especially in the smaller towns where there are no taxi cabs. Tricycles are essential motorbike sidecars and they have minimal luggage space. So the driver will either tie your bag onto the back with some twine or throw it on the roof rack. Better to pack in luggage that has some flexibility and can take a bit of a beating.
Carry-On Bag
Bring a carry-on that can double as a beach bag. You’ll be spending a lot of time jetting around on boats and lounging on beaches so this cute mesh tote is perfect for keeping your things organized and easily accessible during your vacation in the Philippines. It even has an insulated cooler bag section to keep your drinks cold!
Travel Pillow
The Philippines aren’t exactly conveniently located, especially if you are coming from the US. Bring a travel pillow on your flight so you can get some shut-eye during that long flight. It packs down small so it’s easy to fit this travel pillow in your suitcase.
Electronics to Pack for the Philippines
Waterproof Camera
Some of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines are actually under the water. You’ll want to capture the vibrantly colored coral and fascinating marine life with a waterproof camera. GoPro HERO8 is the most popular but the price point is quite high. There are plenty of similar options available that take high-quality photos but don’t charge you for the brand name.
Universal Travel Adapter
The outlets in the Philippines fit types A, B, and C. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. It means that you won’t need an adaptor if you are coming from America, China, Japan, or Europe. However, you may find that having a universal adapter with multiple USB ports comes in handy so you can charge multiple gadgets all at once.
Waterproof Cell Phone Case
Whether you’re island hopping on a boat, waterfall canyoneering, or snorkeling with whale sharks, you’ll want to capture photos and videos of all of your adventures. Keep your cell phone safe and dry with a universal waterproof case by JOTO while snapping away.
Dry Bag
If you want to keep more than just your cell phone dry while cruising around the islands, invest in a high-quality dry bag that’s large enough to handle your camera and other gear. If you don’t mind if your dry bag leaks a bit, there are plenty of small stands all over the country selling inexpensive options as well.
Power Bank
You’ll likely be relying on your phone throughout the day for Google maps, restaurant reviews, and taking photos of the landscape. Make sure your phone doesn’t run out of juice by investing in a power bank. This one by FosPower is small and waterproof so you don’t need to worry about keeping it dry while island hopping in the Philippines!
Earbuds
Don’t get caught without headphones on that long flight to the Philippines. This set of Bluetooth earbuds by SoundPEATS are super comfortable, have a long battery life, enter pairing mode right out of the charging case, and have built-in microphones for hands-free calling!
Portable Speaker
Long days spent lounging on the beach are more enjoyable when you have a cocktail in hand while being serenaded by your favorite jams. Invest in a set of waterproof Bluetooth portable speakers to keep yourself entertained for hours on the beaches of the Philippines!
Apps and Entertainment for your Trip to the Philippines
- Don’t forget to download offline maps of the cities you’ll be visiting in the Philippines.
- Download Grab, the Uber of SE Asia (iPhone | Android).
- Get a subscription to Amazon Audible for access to a huge selection of audiobooks to listen to while at the beach or on the plane.
- Check out the must-visit destinations in these Philippines travel guides:
Toiletries to Pack for the Philippines
Containers for Liquids
Transfer all of your favorite products into small, leak-proof refillable travel bottles. They are perfect to throw in your carry-on to freshen up during your long flight to the Philippines. But don’t worry about packing all of the toiletries that you’ll need on our trip, there are plenty of places to purchase them once you arrive.
Toiletries
There are plenty of pharmacies and beauty supply stores in the Philippines (the most popular is called Watsons) where you can buy many toiletry brands that are popular in the states. However, there are a few things that are difficult to find and/or quite expensive including:
- Tampons are rare, especially in smaller towns including El Nido and Coron.
- Most of the lotions here contain “whitening” agents (i.e. bleach). Bring your own favorite lotions from home if you’d rather leave with a tan.
- Dental floss can be oddly difficult to find, even in larger grocery stores.
- Sunscreen is expensive in the Philippines! Pack your own to avoid overspending.
Travel health and beauty essentials to pack for the Philippines:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Face wash
- Face and body lotion with SPF
- Mosquito repellent
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash
- Razor
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss
- Feminine hygiene products or a Diva cup
- Deodorant
- Make-up
- Any medications
- Hairbrush and hair ties
- Travel hairdryer
- 2 in 1 travel curling iron and straightener
Beach Wear for Island Hopping in the Philippines
Swim Suit
You’ll pretty much live in your swimsuit in the Philippines so you’ll probably want to bring more than one. Don’t worry about wearing a bikini here, there’s no need to cover up unless you want to.
Swimsuit Cover-Up
The shade offered on most of the boats is minimal so be sure you have a swimsuit cover-up with you to keep your shoulders from burning!
Flip Flops
You’ll end up wearing flip-flops all day, every day while vacationing in the Philippines. Be sure to pack at least one pair! We love Ipanemas because they are incredibly comfortable but also durable so one pair will last you a long time!
Water Shoes
In order to visit the most spectacular waterfalls on Cebu Island in the Philippines, you’ll be required to do a few water crossings and scramble up some slippery rocks. Be sure to pack some shoes with traction that you don’t mind getting wet. If you don’t want to invest in water shoes, an old pair of tennis shoes will work as well.
Beach Towel
While some hotels and boat tour operators in the Philippines will provide you with a beach towel, many will not. Best to pack your own. Pack a beach towel that is large enough to lounge on, lightweight enough to carry around with you on excursions, and that will dry quickly.
Snorkel
If you’re a snorkeling fanatic and can’t wait to see the underwater wonders of the Philippines, you may want to consider bringing your own gear. Most boat tour operators have snorkel masks available for rent but they have been through some wear and tear. You’ll love how well this full-face mask fits your face to keep the water out.
Pool Floaty
You’ll undoubtedly have a few epic photoshoots while enjoying the crystal clear water and sandy beaches in the Philippines. Bring a fun pool floaty to add a little something extra to your photos and to keep you entertained for hours at the beach!
Other clothes to pack for the Philippines:
- Plenty of denim shorts and tanks
- Dresses for a night out on the town
- A light sweater for chilly evenings
- Dressier shoes if you plan to go to a fancy restaurant or nightclub (they often have a dress code)
- One pair of underwear per day
- One pair of socks per day
- Bras
- Pajamas
Accessories to Pack for the Philippines
Cross-Body Bag
The Philippines is a reasonably safe country but, as with anywhere else, opportunistic crime can happen. Pack a crossbody bag and keep your hand on it when traveling in crowded areas of larger cities. Stay up-to-date on safety and travel advisories here.
Sun Hat
No matter how much SPF you slather on your face, you’re still bound to get more rays than you want in the Philippines. Bring a cute hat with a wide bill to keep your face protected throughout the afternoon.
Sunglasses
Keep those eyes protected from the harsh rays with a pair of polarized sunglasses and a sturdy case to keep them safe in your carry-on!
Don’t Forget to Pack
- Your passport!
- To purchase your return ticket in advance.
- Sign up for a credit card with no international transaction fees (we use and recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card).
- Get a debit card that will refund your ATM transaction fees (we use and recommend the Charles Schwab debit card).
- Call your credit card company and release your card for use in the Philippines.
- A backup credit card in case you have any issues with your primary.
- To upgrade to an international cell plan during the month that you’ll be gone.
Are we missing anything important? Let us know in the comments so we can add it to the list!
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what size dry bag do you recommend?
That all depends on what you plan on carrying in it. We have a 20-liter dry bag because we’re often carrying around our DSLR camera and an extra lens. In general, I would recommend between 13-20 liters.