Essentials to pack when visiting the philippines

[Matt]

Hi Every one,
I was wondering if people could post what they think are essential things to pack for your up and coming trip to the philippines. This is my first trip, and i know i need to pack mosquito repellent, moist toilet paper, imodium, light shorts and t shirts. Is there any other items that anyone would suggest are useful and essential items when visiting any part of Philippines. Thanks :)

[mupsuit]

Hi Every one,
I was wondering if people could post what they think are essential things ... Thanks :)


Take a small torch - AA battery size

Before you go - Scan all your documents - passport - airline ticket etc - and send yourself an email with the scans attached - Should you ever lose your documents you can log on, print out the scans ...............

[ivor&mel]

You can buy most things you need over there and much cheaper, I think! Are you taking any electrical stuff? You'll need an adaptor plug if so.

And if you're visiting your gf and meeting her family, it'd be best to take some pressies from the UK :)

Just had another thought (the brain's working very slowly today :rolleyes: ) What are you planning on doing about money there? I wouldn't bother with Travellers' Cheques, just take your allowance of pesos (10,000) plus US dollars and/or card. There was a thread somewhere on the forum covering that, but I can't be :butthead: to look for it at the moment :D

[baboyako]

Take a small torch - AA battery size

Before you go - Scan all your documents - passport - airline ticket etc - and send yourself an email with the scans attached - Should you ever lose your documents you can log on, print out the scans ...............

I dont have copies, so if I lose my documents I can stay in the fil & not come back :yikes::xxparty-smiley-050::Jump:

[Eljohno]

I always bring my debit card which saves you carrying money around. As has already been said you can pack light and buy clothes over there and it will leave you room for bringing some gifts over with you from here.
You can buy things over there like shower gel, toothpaste etc.

[Matt]

Thank you to all that has replied to this post. I have taken all the advice on board, especially about scanning all my documents so i have copies online if i need them. Very good practical advice every bit of it. Thank you. I have been racking my brains what to get the immediate family as gifts. I do not know what to spend, as if i spent to much they may think i am flash and if to little scroungie. I am probably thinking to much on this and what ever i bring they would be happy. Anyway thank you all again for the advice, it is greatly appreciated. Matt.

[ivor&mel]

Matt: if in doubt, take chocolate! That's one of life's rules :) There was a thread (http://www.filipinouk.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=744) a few weeks ago about what to take as pressies.

Ivor and Mel

[Matt]

Thank you Ivor and Mel, that is a very useful link and post. I am very grateful to you. Thank you. Matt

[Eljohno]

Matt as Ivor said chocolate is very popular especially among the women.

What i have done before is buy something from the UK that will let people know where it came from, like a map of the UK on a tea towel. You can always buy stuff at the stopover Airport that you are travelling through.
Check that the part of the Philippines you are going to does or does not have problems with mosquitos as you will need some malaria tablets...

[russ01539]

Dont forget to take yourself, thats the most impportant thing, closely followed by your passport, airline ticket, and plastic (pound notes are not accepted and some places dont change then). Also, if you have the balls, a large wad of cash, but make sure its well hidden / the hotel receptionist knows her life will end if it goes missing from the safe.

One more thing. Take a LARGE EMPTY SUITCASE. And have the time of your life when your there shopping. Your fiance will love to help you fill you suitcase, as long as she and her family are bought a little something too.

Everything can be bought there, especially if your staying in any major town/city. And if it appears you cant get what you want, very often a 50 peso note stuffed into the hand of a poor impoverished filipino will yield the desired results.

Have fun on your first trip to PI - I havent met anyone yet who didnt enjoy their experience.

PS (The 50 peso only locates what it is you need - the rest is negotiable !)

[deepred]

Hi, just a little reminder from a Pinay this time. Perhaps a few first-aid medicines that you are accustomed to.Change of weather might cause you coughs, colds or allergies... A photocopy of your passport (the page with personal details only) inserted in each of your suitcase may give you added protection aside from the usual colored name/bag tags for easier identification in case of loss...Camera/s, memory cards and mobile chargers and all other electronics may be cheaper here but will spare you from headache if you bring your own...personal effects are cheap and user-friendly here incl anti-perspirant amd mosquito repellant so no need to bring too. hope it helps.

[Matt]

Thank you to everyone again for all the great tips to what to take with me to my trip to the Philippines. I am staying in Manila for most of my stay as that is where my g/f and family live. So i hope to be able to get any small things that i may have forgotten to bring though i have packed everything that has been mentioned here. As for the money i am going to take a Flex account cash card from Nationwide with me, which has all my funds in. I think this is the safest and cheapest way to get my money, and also i only need to draw out what i need for each day. Thank you all again for your help it is greatly appreciated. Matt

[russ01539]

Matt, I would take some cash too - pound notes - too. At least until you get acclimatised and find where u can draw your money from.

Good luck with your visit, and dont worry too much about if your famliy to be do or dont like what you give them - it is the thought that counts. I personally took a large stash of chocolae covered Kendal Mint Cake (which I believe is only brought out on special occasions) - and I also found that after a few days certain gifts I had given to one family member was swapped or being used by a different family member. If they dont like what they got they will be smile, thank you for it, and then when your not there swap it with something else until they are happy.

Enjoy yourself and your g/f in Manilla - and if possible try to organise a trip to Lake Taal for you and your family. Go to Tagaytay - order a bbq at a local restaurant and in the meantime get a boat to the volcano and hire horses for the ride to the top. When u return to Tagaytay your bbq will be waiting for you. I took my fiance and 8 members of the family + driver and the whole thing came to about 100 quid - but it was an excellent day out and an experience for my fiance and her family too, who had never had chance to do those things.

[russ01539]

Oh, and as an afterthought - ask for discount on EVERYTHING. Most places who dont advertise have one price for filipinos and one for westerners. If your g/f does the negotiations its surprising how much you can save.

[Eljohno]

Thank you to everyone again for all the great tips to what to take with me to my trip to the Philippines. I am staying in Manila for most of my stay as that is where my g/f and family live. So i hope to be able to get any small things that i may have forgotten to bring though i have packed everything that has been mentioned here. As for the money i am going to take a Flex account cash card from Nationwide with me, which has all my funds in. I think this is the safest and cheapest way to get my money, and also i only need to draw out what i need for each day. Thank you all again for your help it is greatly appreciated. Matt

Matt Nationwide are great when you use their Delta Card as there is no charge for using it abroad and as you are in Manila there will be loads of cash machines to use. You might need a little cash for the taxi from the airport unless you g/f will have some pesos....:confused:

[ervenescence]

Hi Matt,
Take David Beckham with you, LOLS.

I think everything has been mention here already, so all I can say is have a safe journey.

Give my regards to the president by the way :)

[baboyako]

Oh, and as an afterthought - ask for discount on EVERYTHING. Most places who dont advertise have one price for filipinos and one for westerners. If your g/f does the negotiations its surprising how much you can save.

I tried 85 peso for a packet of dried mango in cebu. they didn't buy it.

much easier to take all their money in a game of tongits.

[symonh2000]

An England football shirt went down a treat with my Fiancee's brother. Just a tip. :)

[ivor&mel]

An England football shirt went down a treat with my Fiancee's brother. Just a tip. :)
Whose name was on it? :yikes: It's probably devalued currency now :D

[Win2Win]

You could buy them a Portugal shirt with Deco on it.....they'll think they're Superman....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW7J0...tugal%20diving (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW7J0OIXCro&search=portugal%20diving)

[Eljohno]

You could buy them a Portugal shirt with Deco on it.....they'll think they're Superman....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW7J0...tugal%20diving

Very funny clip Keith...

When he finishes playing football he should take up acting.:doh

[symonh2000]

Whose name was on it? :yikes: It's probably devalued currency now :D

It didn't have a name on it...

[ivor&mel]

It didn't have a name on it...
That's the safest option :)

[tetla]

one more thing becareful with taxi drivers who will try to rip you off!!!always have change in your pocket because their most common line is "Sorry Sir I dont have any change" even if they do have

[scotsfiancee]

one more thing becareful with taxi drivers who will try to rip you off!!!always have change in your pocket because their most common line is "Sorry Sir I dont have any change" even if they do have


Tetla is right, and some of taxi drivers will turning you around, eventhough that particular place you want to go is just near......especially to big cities like manila and cebu..so try to look and familiarize the roads and highways for your own safety...:)

[IMONNA]

Tetla is right, and some of taxi drivers will turning you around, eventhough that particular place you want to go is just near......especially to big cities like manila and cebu..so try to look and familiarize the roads and highways for your own safety...:)


One more thing, don't bring all your money with you . Have it placed in a deposit box in the hotel where you are staying.Of course,it goes with out saying that the one you are staying is a respectable one. there are lots of hotel here don't scrimp on that since you will be more safer and your belongins too. Just have enough on your pocket for a weeks spending. Never ever accept drinks from stranger if you havent seen where it came from or leave it and drink it later on.. Many tourists mostly japanese have fallen prey to this. They ended up with out all their money and belongings when they fell asleep after drinking.

Never go out with out your girl.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[scotsfiancee]

One more thing, don't bring all your money with you . Have it placed in a deposit box in the hotel where you are staying.Of course,it goes with out saying that the one you are staying is a respectable one. there are lots of hotel here don't scrimp on that since you will be more safer and your belongins too. Just have enough on your pocket for a weeks spending. Never ever accept drinks from stranger if you havent seen where it came from or leave it and drink it later on.. Many tourists mostly japanese have fallen prey to this. They ended up with out all their money and belongings when they fell asleep after drinking.

Never go out with out your girl.:xxgrinning--00xx3::gp: :REDancedancer08: