7 Mistakes To Avoid Making If You Are A First-Time Visitor On Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Philippines is a relatively easy destination to visit and enjoy, even by South East Asian Standards. Most of the people there speak English and it is a beautiful country full of happy people with a relaxing vibe.
However, there are some mistakes that are easy to make, especially for someone who has never visited Philippines before. Fickle weather and a large number of islands can mess up any plans in a second. This is why more than knowing what to do, it's also good to know what not to do if you are first time visitor on Philippines.

1. Planning too much
This can apply to any destination but Philippines especially. As stated already, the weather is fickle and you can't really know for sure at what time you'll be able to see what. Vesta Trantham, a Travel Blogger at UK Writings explains: “Boats and busses don't have a steady schedule that you are used to, and they can change their direction pretty quickly. Maybe the hotel will not be to your taste or the beach will not suit you – the point is, don't make stead-fast plans. Leave plenty of room to go somewhere else if your arrangements fail”.

2. Not bringing any cash
Philippines may be one of the most popular tourist location, but it certainly doesn't accommodate to all of their needs. Payment options being one of those needs. You'll likely be unable to find a working ATM even on some of the most popular islands and cities. That's why you need to come prepared and bring enough money in cash to last you until you are sure that what you see is a fully functioning ATM.

3. Not studying the weather
Before deciding to go on this trip, take a good look at what the weather might be like in that particular month and what some predictions are. “Otherwise you'll just end up disappointed that it's always raining and you haven't seen any of the beautiful beaches that you've dreamed of. Some parts of the country are dry while it's raining in Manila so, chose your destinations accordingly. Typhoons are not so easy to deal with, but keep checking on relevant websites”, - comments Alexandra Phaneuf, a Travel advisor at Essay Roo.

4. Not acting like a local
The best way to see this wonderful location is by becoming one of the locals. Eat the food that they eat and do the things they do. Ride on their busses and boats, walk on the same streets and immerse yourself in their culture.

5. Not going to a hotel because you think private accommodation is cheaper
Getting a AirBnB apartment may seem like a good idea but you'll just spend more money than you need to. That apartment is probably more expensive than any decent, mid-range hotel in Manila or Cebu. For a lot less money, you can get a good service, a concierge and a quality accommodation while at AirBnB you would spend a lot of money and end up with no guidance or help which is a bad way to start your trip  in a big city like Manila.

6. Getting annoyed just because you spent some extra money
Philippines is probably a lot less expensive than most of European and American destinations. So, when it happens that you have to pay a few extra pesos for something, it's not a good idea to make a big fuss out of it. “You probably spend a lot more where you live and you don't pay much attention to it. This can only run your vacation and confuse the locals It's common knowledge that people in Asia don't like to raise their voice or being yelled at”, - says Martin Davis, a Travel writer at Boom Essays and Stateofwriting

7. Not joining tours
With so many beautiful places to visit and all the islands that you can see, it could be a terrible mistake not to take tours. Those guides can take you to some of the most amazing places on earth and you wouldn't be able to find them on your own.

Takeaway
There are many mistakes that a first-time visitor in Philippines can make. Most of them are easy to fix but the biggest one would be not enjoying your time there. Have fun and embrace the peaceful vibes of these wonderful islands.



Written by:

Freddie Tubbs is a travel writer and editor at Paper Fellows. He also works as a blog content writer at Academized and contributes expert posts to Australian help blogs.