Entering and Visas

In order to enter the Philippines you have to have proof of onward travel. This can be in the form of either an air ticket or a ferry ticket. 

Upon entering you will receive a tourist visa that lasts for 30 days. It is possible to extend this visa at any time. There is an immigration office in Dumaguete City which is open Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm.

Visa extensions are easy to get. The first extension is for 38 days and costs approximately Php3870. The second extension is for 60 days and costs approximately Php5500. For any tourist staying in the country longer than 2 months it is now required to purchase an I-Card, which is a temporary form of official ID that lasts for 1 year and costs approximately Php3500. This is automatically done whenever a second visa extension is processed. Prices may vary and processing fees are not included, they are normally around Php500. For any tourist staying in the country longer than 6 months an exit visa is required. This takes up to 5 days to process and can only be done in Cebu or Manila, prices vary depending on length of stay from Php2000-9000.

(prices may have increased since writing)

Language, money and general info

The main spoken language throughout the entire country is Tagalog, however most people also speak English. In Dumaguete and the surrounding islands, Tagalog gives way to Visayan. If you learn a few basic phrases such as please (palihug) and thank you (salamat) the locals will treat you like a long lost friend.

The main currency is Philippine Peso, though many of the larger establishments will accept US dollars and Euros. Always have a handful of small notes or coins as making change anywhere can be a difficult. If you choose to pay using a credit card most places will have a surcharge of anything from 3-6%.

Travelling from one destination to the next is pretty easy and normally free of hassle. Expect every now and then to pay a ‘tourist tax’, if you research the regular fares beforehand then you can judge for yourself how much ‘tax’ you are happy to pay.

With over 7000 islands creating the Philippines there are many places to visit and though they may look nice and close on a map, travelling from 1 place to the next usually takes 1 to 2 days. Instead of trying to cover the whole country in a few weeks, we recommend focusing on one region at a time and exploring it thoroughly.

Tipping is not customary though it is greatly appreciated. There is no real protocol for this and certainly no % amount. Use your own judgment on how much you like to tip but on average 10-20% in a restaurant is always good; 50-100Php for a taxi driver on long distance; 30-50Php for a porter and 100-150Php for any type of spa/hair or massage treatment.

Philippine people are generally very nice, helpful and calm. It takes a lot to anger a local and to be honest, you shouldn’t need to. A calm head will see you through most situations you might find frustrating much more effectively than letting it get to you. Most locals take pride in their work and if you criticize them about it they will take that as a personal affront. Strangely, try not to take offense if a local calls you fat or makes other such observations about your appearance, it’s not personal.

Seasons and weather

Each region has its own micro climate, but most tend to follow the simple pattern of hot summer during the months of May – September and then slightly cooler from October – April. It is a good idea to research the rainy season for each region before booking that beach holiday. Of course the weather is something that is ever changing, if you want on the ground info just contact us. After all it’s right out our window.

Dumaguete has 3 distinct seasons. The hot season is from June – August. During this time air temperatures can exceed 30 degrees, with June and July being the hottest months. With the heat comes the thunderstorms, usually during the nighttime. The cooler months are traditionally from September – January. This time of year the air temperature drops slightly to mid – high 20 degrees. The weather can be changeable with some lovely sunny days interspersed with some rainy days. The seas can be a little rougher at this time of year due to the change of wind direction. February – May, is peak season and usually the weather is normally perfect with clear blue skies, air temperatures in the mid – high 20 degrees and the occasional rainy day. Luckily diving is accessible and amazing all year!

Average water temperature is 29 degrees with the coolest time being February when temps can drop to 26 degrees and the warmest time being June – July when water temp can hit 31 degrees.

Typhoon season is officially from June to October and hits the northern end of the Visayan region. Being below the official typhoon belt Dumaguete does not tend to have a typhoon season.

Insects

Mosquitoes are a given anywhere tropical and tend to be most active at sunset. If you are prone to being eaten alive then it is advisable to stock up on ‘Off’ or ‘Deet’ or whatever your lotion of choice is. All these products can be bought here along with mosquito coils. Another easy way to avoid nasty bug bites is to simply wear long trousers and long sleeved tops at sunset. Luckily we do not have a big mosquito problem. 

Certain areas carry the risk of Malaria and Dengue, although recent Philippine government statistics claim that Dumaguete is a low risk region. 

There are lots of other weird and wonderful insects in the Philippines; most are harmless and more afraid of you than you are of them. The most prevalent is the gecko that will find a home in any room and trust us you want them in there as they eat the annoying mosquitoes, but do make a very odd sound. 

Safety in the Philippines

The Philippines is a wonderful country with many fantastic places to visit. Remote beaches, stunning mountain ranges and world class diving are a few of the reasons tourists flock to the country yearly. However as with all developing countries there is an element of concern.

The local people of the Philippines are generally friendly, happy go lucky types who are welcoming of tourists and honored that you would take the time to visit their wonderful country. Please be aware that many locals have not got much and therefore we remind all tourist to be respectful and not flash around cash, fancy jewelry and cameras.

The current political situation has raised a number of questions around the world. The Philippines consists of over 7000 island of which 1 is currently fighting against extremists. Avoiding this area would be advisable. 

If you are concerned about any region that you plan to travel to, we advise you to contact the resort of your choice and ask them directly about the situation in their area.

Traveling around Dauin & Dumaguete

Unlike most areas in the Philippines, our region does not have ‘taxi’s. There are 2 forms of local transport, the jeepney or a tricyle. Both are good fun, cheap and what the locals use. 

Jeepneys stick to the main roads and an average journey is anywhere from Php20-50. There are no jeepney stops, so when you see one wave your arm to flag them down. Getting off is similar, either call out to the ‘conductor’ or tap a coin against the metal hand rail and hop off wherever you need to.  

Tricycles will usually take you door to door and prices vary from Php50-500 depending on distance. Not all tricycles are willing to travel out of their zones, so don’t be put off if the driver simply shakes his head and moves on. It is possible to share tricycles with random people, or you can pay a little more for private use. 

A lot of tourists will rent a motorbike to help them explore the region. There are many different bike rentals in Dumaguete and our reception can also assist you with rentals from Dauin. You will need a driving license and ID to rent a motorbike and we advice that you always wear a helmet. The driving in the Philippines can be interesting!