
Accommodations in the Philippines

Transportation in the Philippines

Food and drink in the Philippines

Tickets, excursions, and other activities

Tips: Traveling in the Philippines on a Budget
Nevertheless, consider the following tips if you want to travel the Philippines on a budget:
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Accommodation: Accommodation is a bit more expensive in the Philippines compared to other Southeast Asian countries, but you can find cheap double rooms at 10 euros a night in many places around the country and you can also take advantage of the package deals and promotions when available.
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Dining and Transportation: There are a number of cheap food options in the county. To save money on food and drinks, you can eat in carinderias frequented by the locals. Here you can have a plate of rice with vegetables and chicken for less than 1 euro. For transportation, opt for local transport instead of private, or where possible you can rent a motorcycle and save on transportation costs while at the same time be able to experience local attractions at your own schedule.
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Plan the duration of your trip. If you have 15 days, maybe you have to take 3 planes and 3 fast boats. If you travel 20-30 days, you can do everything more relaxed, opt for slower ferries, and, thus, your trip to the Philippines will be cheaper.
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Haggle, but with respect. If you want to travel to the Philippines cheaply, you can also haggle, especially if you are going to sleep in a hotel for several nights or you are going to rent a motorcycle for several days. If you need private transportation, especially a tricycle, in many cases they will try to charge you more for being a tourist. One thing you can do is to ask at the hotel reception or a local how much he usually pays for that trip, so you have an idea ahead of the pricing. Nobody wants to feel ripped off, obviously, but don't overdo haggling, going after € 0.10 either. Consider this, for a Filipino family, 20 pesos is 3 plates of rice.
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Find other travelers to share excursions or transportation. If you have to pay attention to your budget and are traveling in pairs, i.e. can share the accommodation costs, and live modestly.
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Forget about plastic bottles and carry your own reusable bottle.
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If you have a student card, you can use it on some transports and attractions to obtain discounted prices.
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Travel during the low season. You can greatly reduce how much it costs you to travel to the Philippines if you do it in the low season. If you are very concerned about the budget, opt for the months of September and October, which are usually the cheapest. Avoid Christmas, the Holy Week (March or April), and the summer months (April to May) when the main beach destinations are fully booked and rates are higher. By doing so, you not only save money but also avoid the crowd.
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Book flights in advance. This is the eternal question: do I book the flights earlier or do I wait to see how the weather is? Generally, booking a flight in the Philippines the day before is much more expensive than booking your flight a few months ahead.
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Bring cash and a good travel card. Outside of the big cities like Manila and Cebu, it can be of your advantage to bring enough cash with you. Most hotels and restaurants do not accept a card and, worst of all, withdrawing money from ATMs is 99% of the time associated with a commission of almost € 5 per transaction.
Final Thoughts
The Philippines is a destination suitable for practically all budgets. It can be extremely cheap, ideal for a medium budget, or a perfect place for those who want (and can) afford luxurious travel. In the end, your preferences, needs, and travel style will largely determine how much you spend for the whole duration of your trip.