Help needed for going to the Philippines

Hello Neville2012,

Please note that I have moved your thread to the Philippines forum from the UK forum. Are you planning to move there ? Short term, long term ? Please provide some details so that members can guide you.

All the best,

Bhavna

@Neville2012

I flew into the country from the UK at the beginning of November.

No issues at all. Just make sure you have your covid vaccination certificates and have completed the OFFICIAL Philippine govt ’ One Health Pass’ online within 72 hours of your flight departure time. Make a hard copy of the QR code that will be sent to you just to be on the safe side. You will be asked for this at check in.

I would encourage you to watch Jennifer Terri’s blog about completing the OHP. It took me about 10 minutes. My guess is that this requirement will soon be dropped but don’t hold your breath.

Most international flights now arrive at T3 instead of T1. T3 is a much better experience.

If you’re with Philippines Airlines you will arrive at T2. Always long waits there for metered taxis.

When I left Manila ( would the last person to leave remember to turn off the lights) I stayed overnight at the Belmont hotel which overlooks the runway. The hotel is lacking in its quality of service but I had a pleasant surprise on my departure. Asked the concierge for a taxi and he said you don’t need one. I pointedly looked at my large case and said I realise we are near the airport but I’m not lugging that to the terminal. He smiled and said behind the hotel across the car park is the ‘Runway’ bridge crossing. We went outside the hotel( he wheeled my suitcase) across a small parking area and in through two glass doors entering a stunning glass enclosed crosswalk. The concierge then pointed out the extremely long queue outside T3 where they check your documents. He smiled and said You will enter the departure mall area on the 2 floor through a side security check entrance - no queue and all air conditioned. This did something to salvage the Belmonts poor service.

I mention this as much for other travelling readers as yourself. The best kept secret. I don’t advise readers to use the Belmont but get the taxi driver to drop you off behind the hotel and not outside the terminal !

@Neville2012 No special entry requirements other than e-Health Pass and onward ticket if tourist visa.  Some positive changes in past 3 years: you can drive the expressway from Laguna up north toward Baguio and PAL will fly Baguio-Cebu-Baguio starting Dec 16.

Bon voyage.

I am going to  cebu and going for one month  to see my daughter

@Neville2012 If you will connect on a new flight like CebuPacific, it flies from T3.  I could be confused, of course, NIAA does that to people   BTW, NIAA run an airport bus (grey) between T2 and T3, for international ticket holders free of charge.  I have always used Grab cars anywhere in Manila and to/fro airport.  In Baguio, all taxi are metered with little opportunity to rig the meter or routes.  In Cebu, I found taxi were fairly straightforward and honest.   

@Lotus Eater You have commented the quality of the hospitality industry here and in another forum. I do agree that the fundamental quality for the prices are defensible when compared to Bangkok, KL, Jakarta, Saigon, Hanoi.  For example, the Manor is considered the top lodge in the woods in Baguio.  Quite nice but can go for $180 a night.  Thunderbird resort in La Union beach sells for $280/night.  I really believe that the Philippines sets their prices to the local travelers not international ones, because this country does not have the same international competition as Thailand or Viet Nam. 

I have rented quite a few airbnb in top neighborhoods in Makati.  They are really, really small for their prices that just don't compared well to Viet Nam or Thailand.  In Baguio, the cheapest decent hotel (2 stars) rents for $40-50/night. 

I do hope international tourism will thrive to bring more hard currency and competition to the country. 

@duonguhm *indefensible not defensible

I arrived Davao from usa via Singapore one month 8 days ago.

watch the utube on the one health pass, have a copy of your covid vaccine's ( if you not vaccinated i dont know) .

you have to wear mask once you arrive in airport in Philippines.

they will ask you for your return flight date

ie your tourist visa for 30 days

i just said my flight leaves in 28 days

they were ok with that

i have since gone to Davao and gotten a one month extension while i work on my military visa.

i was in Cebu last week and wear masks in mall  or grocery but no one ibe asking for vaccine and i didn't have to wear mask at the Sheraton hotel.

@aalottjr did you actually have an exit flight 28 days after entry?  I had to buy onwardtickets twice because airline gates demanded actual proof of exit flight in less than 30 days.

Yes i actually had a return ticket and have now changed it to next april

i boight it and paid ectra to allow changing it.

@aalottjr

I'm surprised why more 'open ended visitors' i.e those who are not sure how long they will be in the country ,don't pay a little more for their ticket to give them that added flexibility. Going for the cheapest ticket is often a false economy even if you are planning to stay in the Philippines indefinitely. The best laid plans as they say..