Philippines

Visa requirements for the Philippines depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.

Typhoon season: June–October. Some areas (Palawan, Siargao) have different weather patterns — check locally

• Conservative when visiting churches — cover shoulders and knees
• Beachwear outside of beach areas is inappropriate
• Casual dress is fine in cities and markets

• 'Mano po': press the back of an elder's hand to your forehead as a sign of respect — expected when greeting older relatives
• Filipino hospitality ('Pagtutulungan') is central — food is always offered and refusing can be seen as rude
• 'Hiya' (sense of shame/face) is important — avoid causing embarrassment in public
• Indirect communication is common — 'yes' sometimes means 'I understand', not 'I agree'

• Smoking banned in most public places — designated areas only
• Anti-littering strictly enforced in many cities
• Drug offences carry severe penalties — the Philippine government takes this extremely seriously
• LGBTQ+ relationships are not legally recognized; public displays of affection can cause issues in conservative areas
• Buying alcohol requires ID — minimum age 18