Our experience of living in the Philippines: we talk about the cost of food and housing, prices for travel in various modes of transport and bike and car rental in 2021.
Exchange rate: 1 Philippine Peso (PHP) ≈ 1.5 RUB.
Visa for the Philippines
For Russians, a visa to the Philippines is not required if the period of stay does not exceed 30 days. A Philippine visa (like an Indonesian one) can be renewed at local immigration offices. Each renewal costs differently: from 3 to 5 thousand pesos. It is possible to extend a Philippine visa without leaving the country for up to 3 years, so this country is considered one of the best for a long life without having to travel abroad to obtain a new visa. Read more about obtaining and renewing a Philippine visa in 2021.
House prices in the Philippines in 2021
Housing prices in the Philippines are completely different. In general, it all depends on what conditions you are willing to be content with and where you want to rent housing. For example, a house near Panagsama Beach (Cebu Island) or on Panglao Island in 2021 can be rented from $ 300 per month (13 thousand pesos). On Boracay, a room in a good house with internet and air conditioning, as well as a common living room and a spacious kitchen can be rented for $ 14 per day ($ 348 per month). If you rent for a long time, of course, it will be cheaper, you can find it for 7-10 thousand pesos per month. If you try, you can find a decent house under 10 thousand pesos. A double room in the cool Henann Regency Resort and Spa in Boracay will cost from $ 100 per night.
Of course, there are also completely backpacker options (for example, Moalboal Backpacker Lodge) for 200-300 pesos per day (from $ 4.5), that is, 6-9 thousand pesos per month ($ 134-200), but the conditions are appropriate there - a toilet on the floor and so on. In general, prices in dormitories are usually from 400-450 pesos (from $ 9-10).
In the city of Cebu, the capital of the island of Cebu, hotel rooms cost from 400 pesos ($ 9) for a double standard room, but on average - from 700 pesos ($ 15). At the same time, the quality of the room is poor. On the coast, prices are usually sky-high. On Bantayan Island (Cebu Province), renting a room or hotel room in 2021 will cost from about 500 pesos per day (with a fan) and from 650 pesos with air conditioning.
We recommend looking for housing in the Philippines on the service - Rumguru. There you can find both ordinary hostels and hotels, as well as houses, apartments and exotic bungalows with skids.
Philippines Food Prices - 2021
As elsewhere, prices in street stalls and cafes for locals are always much lower than in tourist establishments and restaurants on the beaches. Although you can eat inexpensively there too - keep an eye on the prices for business lunches.
In a tourist cafe in the Philippines in 2021, food prices fluctuate around 200-300 pesos per person ($ 4.5-6.5), in cafes for locals - 100-150 pesos ($ 2-3) and even cheaper. Fast food is popular in the Philippines; a burger in a stall costs about 30-40 pesos (from $ 0.7). Breakfast will cost about 90-100 pesos ($ 2), lunch - from 100. Drinks in stalls (tea, coffee) - 15-20 pesos ($ 0.4).
Approximate prices for groceries in supermarkets (prices are indicated per kg):
- durians - from 90 pesos ($ 2);
- mango - from 70 pesos ($ 1.5);
- papaya - from 25 pesos ($ 0.5);
- tangerines - from 20 pesos ($ 0.4);
- pomelo - from 80 pesos apiece;
- langsat - about 90 pesos;
- cucumbers - from 60 pesos ($ 1.3);
- meat (chicken) - from 130 pesos ($ 3);
- spaghetti - from 60 pesos per 0.5 kg ($ 1.3).
In general, we advise you to buy fruits and vegetables, as well as fish and meat at local markets, since there are always fresh products, moreover, everything costs much cheaper (sometimes twice). And, of course, bargain.
We recommend reading the article about exotic fruits of Asia with a description of the appearance and taste, names and photos.
Alcohol prices in the Philippines:
- San Miguel Pilsen (0.3 L) - about 40-50 pesos ($ 1);
- Heineken - from 80 pesos ($ 1.7);
- wine - within 200-300 pesos ($ 4-6);
- rum - from 80 pesos ($ 1.7).
Transportation prices in the Philippines
Travel on tricycle costs about 5 pesos per person for 1 km. Travel on jeepney - 6-14 pesos per person and depends on how long your route is. Jeepney is, in fact, our minibuses, only in an exotic version. A huge number of people can get into the salon; it is not forbidden to go outside the city on the roof. Jeepney takes you to the suburbs.
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, has Metro - the fare is from 15 pesos ($ 0.4).
You can move around a specific island (and even between islands) on buses... Buses pick up everyone they meet - you don't have to go to the bus station, you can catch a bus on the highway by waving your hand. The fare is low and is usually indicated on the ticket.
There are sea transport - boats, boats and ferries, but the prices are not very low (for example, we sailed on the OceanJet ferry from Bohol to Cebu for 400 pesos per person), and the trip can be very long. Sometimes it is cheaper to travel on low-cost airlines, since many islands, even small ones, have airfields. For example, you can buy low-cost tickets for flights with CebuPacific or AirAsia.
Prices for bike and car rental in the Philippines
Renting a bike in the Philippines is not too cheap. The price depends on the tourist destination and the quality of the bike. In a non-tourist city, the prices for renting a motorbike or scooter are from 200 to 400 pesos per day ($ 4.5-9). There are such prices for an hour (!). If you rent in hotels, the prices will be even higher.
Expensive gasoline: 1 liter - from 50 pesos ($ 1). Renting a car will be very expensive, as often the rental of transport means for some reason the rental of a driver (from 2 thousand pesos for 8 hours ($ 45)). In general, in the Philippines, in principle, many attractions can be reached by public transport.
