Traveling in the Philippines with Children

In the Philippines, there is never a lack of attractions and activities, so there will be few complaints of boredom from the children. Besides, the Filipinos are warm and lovely, which makes the country even more kid-friendly. Some of the most popular places in the Philippines even look as if they were straight out of a picture book. 

From beaches to beautiful natural sceneries and historical landmarks, the Philippines is never short of sights and wonders your kids will love. Before you visit Mt. Mayon, ask your children to draw a volcano, and you will be amazed: the similarity between drawing and reality is amazing! The colorful coral reefs of Apo Island might not look like a Pixar movie anymore and maybe you will even meet some famous friends like Nemo or Dory there!

Put simply, the Philippines offer everything you can imagine under a tropical island and even more. The sheer enthusiasm in your children's eyes when they stand knee-deep in the warm water on the beach of Boracay will confirm that you made the right choice with the Philippines.

And that is not all. Tagaytay has a lot of attractions that your kids will enjoy, including a house full of puzzles and a Ferris wheel at the Sky Ranch. So Tagaytay is worth a visit if you are taking a trip with children to the Philippines.

Another great place for the whole family is Bohol. If you come here in summer, the grass turns brown and the hills turn into "Chocolate Hills", unfortunately without real chocolate. You should also visit the adorable tarsier's sanctuary in Bohol. The little monkeys with huge eyes are at home in the Philippines and warm every heart with their cute appearance.

In the Philippines, you will find extraordinary food that is an adventure for young and old alike. But if you prefer to play it safe, you will find restaurants and fast-food chains on every corner that serve the food you know from home. If you're traveling with a toddler, you can also find baby food everywhere.

Filipino food may not be very healthy because of the love of butter and fat. But, generally, the food in the Philippines is very digestible, often hearty, and delicious. You and your children will love it!

The people in the Philippines are especially friendly and welcoming. So, if you are planning a trip to the Philippines with kids, be prepared to meet warm-hearted, cheerful, and open-minded Filipinos.

We hardly need to mention that these extraordinarily positive people are also child-friendly. If your toddler starts crying in the jeepney, it is not unusual for the other passengers to try to cheer him up and offer their help immediately. Not only in the Jeepney but in general Filipinos are very helpful.

This part seems to be most worrying for parents who want to enjoy a trip to the Philippines with children. Since the country consists of over 7000 islands, you cannot simply call a taxi to get from A to B.

However, you don't have to worry about transportation since you can easily get from island to island by ferry - another fun factor for the kids. We recommend that you take the fast ferries as this is the most convenient option for inter-island transportation. Remember to bring warm clothes for the kids, as the air conditioning on the fast ferries often keeps them cold. Avoid smaller local ferries (Bangkas) as they are usually overcrowded.

If you are traveling in the countryside, there are some good options for you and the children. If you are in the north of Luzon, for example, you can try the colorful jeepneys. In and around Manila apps like Grab or similar are recommended. Most transports are very safe, so you don't have to worry about that. But keep in mind that there are no child seats in vehicles.

Wherever you are in the Philippines, you will always find medical help nearby. There are a lot of pharmacies and especially those that are open 24 hours a day. You can get everything you need, from tissues to medicine.

However, if you are traveling to the Philippines with children, you should inform yourself in advance about which vaccinations are recommended. Often recommended vaccinations are typhoid, diphtheria, and hepatitis A.

Overall, the Philippines is a fantastic place for a family vacation. There’s no shortage of natural attractions and the people seem quite laid back. Here you can enjoy a budget-friendly holiday complete with your family, thanks to inexpensive family-friendly accommodations and cheap transportation options.

What’s your top tip for visiting the Philippines with kids?