The Philippines family-friendly travel guide

The Philippines has two distinct seasons: wet and dry. Generally, people prefer to visit during the dry season to get that summery tropical island vibe they’ve come looking for! September and October are often typhoon season in the Philippines.

The dry season runs between November to April. Temperatures are high during March and April, so it’s best to travel during the slightly cooler months of December to February.

Wet season occurs between May and October. The off-peak months of May and November can offer good value for money – you’ll miss the crowds, score cheaper flights and the weather’s still fairly pleasant.

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after the date you intend to return to Australia.

If you’re visiting the Philippines for tourism or business purposes and for less than 30 days, you won’t need to get a visa. 

Australian Embassy, Manila

Level 23
Tower 2
RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, 1200 PHILIPPINES
Telephone: (+63 2) 7578 100
Facsimile: (+63 2) 7578 344
Website: philippines.embassy.gov.au

You can fly direct to Manila from Australia via Philippine Airlines, Qantas or Cebu Pacific, with flights from Australia’s East Coast to Manila averaging around 8.5 hours. From Manila, it’s an easy connection to the many domestic flights to other parts of the Philippines.

Colourful jeepneys are the country’s most popular form of public transport and the tricycle, a motorcycle with an attached passenger-cabin, is the cheapest. In Manila, the elevated Light Rail Transit (LRT) or Metrorail and the Metro Railway Transit (MRT) provide efficient travel. Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses, hire cars and taxis are also available, but stick with Grab (South-East Asia’s version of Uber) for safety after dark, as taxis are not registered and are been known to drive non-direct routes to raise the fare. Island hopping is made easy by domestic flights or ferries with bunk beds and private cabins.

Should you decide to drive in the Philippines, the vast majority of road signs are in English and traffic moves on the right-hand side. You will require an international driving license, which is valid for up to 30 days after arrival, after which an International Driver’s Permit or a Philippine driving license is needed.

Filipino cuisine is a reflection of its varied cultural influences, notably Malay, Chinese and Spanish. Must-try national specialties include breakfast dish, Tapsilog, which combines dried meat with fried rice and egg; Chicken adobo, marinated chicken or pork served with garlic rice; Kinilaw, a raw fish salad; Sinigang, a sour soupy stew; and Lumpia, similar to Chinese spring rolls. The kids will love the popular dessert Halo-halo, shaved ice topped with evaporated milk, red beans, coconut jelly, purple yam, candied fruits and ice cream.

You can also try traditional snacks like cuttlefish lollipops, sugar-coated dried mango chips and the ubiquitous adobo, delicious marinated chicken or pork served with garlic rice.  And on the beaches of Boracay and Cebu, you can try a great variety of delicious, freshly cooked seafood.

If your kids are a little fussy and aren’t tempted by the local treats, American influence has resulted in the presence of a variety of fast food outlets, takeaways and Western-style eateries in urban areas, so you can always stop for a burger!

In Manila, the gigantic SM Mall of Asia has hundreds of stores, a full-size ice rink, indoor play areas, arcade games, rides and play gyms, plus an outdoor amusement park complexand the Mall of Asia Eye (an enormous 55-metre high Ferris wheel).

Some of the best shopping in Boracay can be found at D’Mall and City Mall, but make sure to keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems in pop-up markets.

A tip of PHP20 minimum is customary for taxis and hotel service staff. A 10% service charge is automatically added to the bill at many restaurants, and while leaving a tip is not essential it is always appreciated.

Light clothes in natural fibres are good for the heat and humidity. In Manila, the locals dress fairly well; wearing shorts out to dinner would certainly make you feel out of place. Most Filipinos dress fairly conservatively.

Something that can seem pretty strange to visitors is that Filipinos hiss to gain someone’s attention, often in restaurants to signal the waiter. Filipinos do not customarily lose their temper in public; you should always stay kind and adopt the Filipino maxim of bahala na (whatever will be will be).

Power sockets are of type A, B and C. The standard voltage is 220V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

Malaria is common in many provincial regions of the Philippines, but not in Manila. Zika virus is also a consideration. Protect yourself against mosquito borne diseases by packing insect repellent and ensuring your accommodation is mosquito proof. As always, you should consult your GP before international travel and take out travel insurance. 

While most parts of the Philippines are generally considered as safe as other places in Southeast Asia, we do recommend all visitors, especially those travelling with children, to exercise a high level of caution in busy or crowded cities like Manila, which are known for scams targeting tourists. Stick to busy, well-lit areas at night, avoid being showy with cash, book tours through hotels and avoid politically-motivated conversations with strangers.

It is also a good idea to stay alert of weather changes and news as the Philippines’ landscape and location makes it vulnerable to natural disasters including typhoons, earthquakes, landslides and volcano eruptions.

Although English is widely spoken in the Philippines, it can be nice and even a bit of fun for kids to make an effort to speak a little Filipino. Here are some basic phrases:

How are you?/Hi/Hello – Kumusta?/Kumusta ka? (Informal) May also be used to say “hello”
I’m fine – Mabuti
Thank you – Salamat po
You’re welcome – Walang anuman.
My name is … – Ang pangalan ko ay…
What is your name? – Anong pangalan mo? (informal) / Ano po ang pangalan ninyo? (formal)
Can you please help me? – Maaari n’yo po ba akong tulungan?

The Philipines has plenty of unique places to get the perfect holiday snap, whether you love a greener-than-green background, action shots or the quintessential island lookout ‘gram.

This group of unusually-shaped hills reside on the island of Bohol, where there are more than a thousand of them spread across 50 square kilometres. Named ‘chocolate hills’ for the brown shade they turn in the dry season, these conical hills appear almost symmetrical, creating a unique background for your family photo. There are a number of local legends that explain the natural phenomenon, including one of a heartbroken giant who’s huge tears formed the much-loved hills. Now UNESCO-listed, visitors can grab their shot from the viewing deck as the hills themselves can’t be climbed.  

An active and powerful volcano, Mayon has caused a plethora of damage over the years but its symmetrical structure rising 2462 metres above the Albay Gulf is still a big drawcard for visitors. One of the most photogenic volcanoes out there, this giant has featured in many a social media post or travel publication and is sure to release your inner photographer.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, this historical street is part of the heritage city of Vigan and takes visitors back in time to the Philippine-Spanish era of centuries gone by. Preserved and restored to its original glory, the street is lined with antique houses, stalls and boutique shops, perfect for a walk and some beautifully framed shots. You’ll also see traditional calesas here, horse-drawn carriages that add to the old Spanish atmosphere of the place.

On the island of Luzon, the remote area of the Philippine Cordillera mountain range is home to UNESCO-listed rice terraces that are recognised for being a living testimonial to the community’s system of rice production which has survived for two millennia. The terraces can be collectively referred to as the Ifugao Rice Terraces in a nod to the ethnic group that built them and consists of five clusters: the Nagacadan, the Hungduan, the central Mayoyao terrace, the Bangaan and the Batad. Built on steeper slopes and at a higher altitude than many visitors might have come across before, these terraces are visually spectacular and well worth the winding trip from Manila. The Batad rice terraces are particularly stunning and well-preserved, although reaching them is difficult and involves a three-hour offroad hike. Otherwise, there are others that are far more accessible.

There are many, many waterfalls to enjoy in the Philippines but one of the most famous ones are the Kawasan Waterfalls. Turquoise water is one of the main draws for photographers and while there are a few waterfalls, it is the first one that features in the iconic snap circulating Instagram. A canyoneering trip is a great way to explore the area and get some more unique shots while also embarking on a memorable adventure. As with many popular photo locations, it is worth getting up early to visit before the crowds arrive.