Packing List for Your Round Trip

BACKPACK

Some people travel with a suitcase, For your trip to the Philippines we think it’s a good idea to travel with your backpack. And since you usually don't need too many clothes when traveling here and especially no thick clothes, it doesn't have to be the biggest backpack.

DAY KNAPSACK

LIGHT AND COMFORTABLE CLOTHES

In the Philippines, it is warm and humid all year round. This demands that you wear light, comfy clothes, and you will be more likely to pack shirts and short pants, preferably made of cotton, as they are much more breathable. 

LONG, BREATHABLE WEARS

If it does get a little cooler in the evening or during heavy rain showers, thin, long clothes are definitely not wrong. They can also protect you against mosquitoes in the evening! Thin shirts or long sleeves are very practical here.

RAIN JACKET AND SWEATER

We had a rain jacket with us and would take one with us next time. Especially if you are on a day trip or sitting on a boat in the rain, such a rain jacket can be very helpful. Because when it rains in the Philippines, it really rains. A sweater in the packing list can never hurt. Even if you only need it for arrival and departure.

SOLID SHOES

Even though the Philippines is a paradise for water rats, there is also a lot to discover on land. Therefore, besides flip-flops or tie-in sandals, a pair of sturdy shoes should not be missing. Real hiking shoes are not necessarily required and sports shoes should be sufficient in most cases. We had our hiking boots with us since we had them in our backpacks on the trip anyway.

BEACH DAYS

Of course, you will have many beaches in front of you, be in the water a lot and therefore you will also take swimming gear with you!

In the Philippines, you can find some of the best spots for diving and snorkeling. The water is crystal clear like hardly anywhere else in the world and the underwater world is colorful and varied. As long as you don't go into the sea at crowded beaches, you will find enough animals and plants underwater after only a few meters that you would be annoyed if you don't have diving goggles with you. Most of the time one uses the snorkeling gear at the accommodation. Over and over again. Who wants to save these costs can pack the following things to avoid the rental fees.

Meanwhile, to protect yourself from getting sunburn, we recommend that you use rash guards for snorkeling! Also, when you go on a snorkeling tour, you usually sit in the boat. We always have a dry bag with us for such cases: thin, small, and water-repellent, where you can safely store your camera and documents!

Of course, you will need a few other useful things on your trip besides clothes. A knife for the fresh fruit from the market, a power bank, combination lock, etc. So here are other things you'll want to bring with you during your travel to the Philippines:

NECK PILLOWS

For the long bus rides and the hours on the ferry, you will thank yourself for packing a neck pillow! Also, If you are a light sleeper, the mask and earplugs can be your best allies. 

REUSABLE STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE

If you want to be a responsible tourist, it would be great if you brought a stainless steel bottle from home to fill it up and generate less plastic. In addition, many of them do a great job in keeping your drink cold for up to 8 hours.

In addition to general passports, documents, etc., you should also take care of issues such as money, credit cards, and insurance. Yes, doesn't sound very exciting now, but at least we try to put it into a nice overview here. But here are some important information about money and insurance in advance:

CREDIT CARD

Traveling with a credit card offers you convenience, plus peace of mind when you get around as you need to worry about carrying a lot of cash. On the other hand, it’s good to know that ATM machines can be found in almost every city in the Philippines (except in El Nido, so make sure you have enough cash with you).

FOREIGN HEALTH INSURANCE

You should also have the insurance policy or confirmation of your international health insurance at hand, at least digitally, so that you can pass it on to the doctor in case of an emergency.

This one’s worth noting, carry all of your medications, including vitamins and supplements — in their original, clearly marked packaging. 

Here we’ve listed some basic medications to carry in your luggage for the Philippines:

• Oral Rehydration Salts
• Buscopan
• Charcoal tablets
• Bepanthen - Wound and healing ointment
• Betadine to treat wounds and prevent infections
• Some dressings or bandages
• Paracetamol
• Antihistamine
• Disinfection spray
• Clinical thermometer
• Mosquito spray
• Malaria stand-by tablets (prescription only)