Must-Have Things When Going to the Philippines



Traveling to another country can be a hit or miss. Majority of the time you'll enjoy and love it, but there are rare cases that it ends up a disaster. I suggest making a checklist when traveling especially when going to another country. Forgetting something when you're traveling locally or domestic is okay but when going international and you forget things, that can really be a whole another level of pain in the butt-butt!

I will not include in this list the most obvious essentials one must not forget: Passport, wallets, and travel documents and the likes. Of course.

Okay, here goes..

INSECT SPRAY/LOTIONS/REPELLANTS

First order of business, this bad boy here is a must. This is a tropical country. People love to stay and live in a country where there's a variety of beaches to choose from, bodies of water left and right; unfortunately, insects love it here too. Insect and/or bug spray, lotion, repellants, in whatever form, even those bracelet and patches ones. Whatever works for you, just bring it. Now, there are lots of insect spray brands people can just buy but one can have a problem with a certain brand.  People tend to forget this a lot when making suggestions on what to bring, and you can never have too much of this.

SLING BAGS

Pickpockets can attack anywhere, so if you must bring your money and documents anywhere, better to put it where you can see it all the time. If you don't fancy this type of bag, a sturdy backpack will do, just be extra cautious in public places. 

COINS

Lot of coins. Small bills too. This can be useful when paying public transportations or buying food.

 This can save you a lot of time.

MEDICINES

Drugs for emergencies. Anti-allergy drugs being the most important. During vacation, sometimes you don't know what's in your food, there's no way of avoiding all the time and that can really be a bummer. Pills for motion sickness, diarrhea, headache, toothache, and even fever, make sure you have them available all the time, especially when it strikes you in the middle of the night.

FLIP-FLOPS

Either summer time or rainy season, flip-flops is the most practical foot wear to go around.

UNIVERSAL ADAPTER

Philippines use 220 volts.

DEODORANTS/ANTI-PERSPIRANTS

Bring the most effective brand you can find. Hot and humid.. that's the weather in the Philippines.

POCKET TISSUE/WET TISSUE

Not all public rest rooms have tissue papers. Sometimes they do have but still limited supply. 

EAR PLUGS

Unless you're staying in a high-end hotel, it's good to have this available.  You know, for roosters at very early in the morning and videoke/karaoke sessions of neighbors at night. 

SMALL FLASHLIGHTS

If you have that in your phone, then you're good.

GOOD TO KNOW TIPS:

Clothing

• Sarong that can serve as shawl and cover-ups.
• Clothes that are light colored and light weight.
• Light jackets for buses with aircon and breezy nights.  

Gadgets

• Power banks and extra batteries. There are some areas where power outages are rampant so make sure they are always full.

Personal Hygiene

• Just FYI, you can rarely - like next to nothing - see tampons for sale. So if sanitary napkin is not your thing, bring your own tampons.
• Better to just buy local shampoo/conditioner because they're designed for hair exposed to humidity. 
• Sunscreen. Lots of it and the highest protection you can have. Remember, tropical.

General

• People don't use maps. Ask for directions.
• Don't display your valuables and don't leave them unattended.
• Filipinos are generally good in English. Just speak a little slower. Keep in mind English is just the second or third language. Most of the time, they can understand but shy to speak.

Remember these small random things plus the essentials and you'll be good to go. Have these handy with you and you can save so much money and precious time.