It might have been on your radar for quite some time now, but you really haven’t planned out a trip to the Philippines because of a number of reasons, but mostly because you really haven’t found a concrete reason to do so. In 2018, an estimated 7.1 million people visited the country, in spite of its number one tourist destination (Boracay) being closed for about 6 months.

While it’s true that the country is mostly known for its pristine white sand beaches (it’s an archipelago of more than 7000 islands after all), there’s more to it than just this. It has places with old-world charms, mountain provinces boasting rice terraces, a bustling metropolis, countless waterfalls, hot springs, diverse flora and fauna, and so much more.

This guide is made to prepare you for what you need when you arrive in the country, regardless of where you land. And of course, to get you to choose from a number of destinations, especially when you have limited time.

Travel Visa

1. Visa on Arrival (30 days)

If your country is on this list, congratulations! You can enter the Philippines with no pre-approved visa required, just make sure you have at least 6 months passport validity and can present a booked ticket (return or to your next destination).

If you have a Hong Kong Special Administrative (SAR) or Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports, you are allowed to stay in the country for 14 days. For those with Macau-Portuguese or Hong Kong British passports, you can stay for 7 days.

• Philippine Tourist Visa

If you don’t find your country in any of the aforementioned, don’t fret. Applying for a Philippine visa is easy peasy. Just head on to the Philippine Embassy in your country of residence with the following accomplished requirements:

• Passport/Travel Document Valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;
• Duly Accomplished Visa application forms;
• Passport Photos (2 pieces);
• Proof of bona fide status as tourist or businessman;
• Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to the next port of destination; and
• Payment of Visa Fees