Despite the more than 13 thousand kilometers that separate Brazil from the Philippines, there are more similarities than differences between us. The Republic of the Philippines is located between Taiwan and Indonesia, with Vietnam as its western neighbor. Comprising no less than 7,000 islands, the country is surrounded by the Philippine, Celebes, Sulu and China seas. Hence it is easy to deduce that, like Brazil, the Philippines is a gold mine of paradisiacal beaches, which take tourists from around the world to discover them. In addition, it is a country of simple, welcoming people who manage in their 30s to overcome the poverty caused by the poor distribution of income. Sound familiar?
But of course you won’t face a journey of more than 26 hours by plane just to get to know a similar nation. Don’t worry, the Philippines will shock you with its tourist attractions. There are islands, beaches, rivers and lagoons, open or hidden amidst the black rocks that seem to float on the bluest and sometimes greenest waters in the world. But, unfortunately, the structure for tourism in the country is still so precarious. What’s more, one has to be mindful of mother nature’s wrath as the Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and is prone to earthquakes and hurricanes. Check out everything you need to know before embarking on this part of the world at:
VOLTAGE AND OUTLETS: 220 volts, with sockets of three different types. There are two parallel flat holes (type A), two parallel flat holes with a third round hole in the center and below (type B) and two parallel round holes (type C). Brazilian devices with the old configuration of two parallel round pins (type C) do not need an adapter for the type C sockets, but they do for the others. The devices that have the new configuration – with three round pins, two of them parallel and the middle one slightly lower (type N) – need an adapter for all of them. Click here to see the types and learn more about the taken from each country.
HOW TO GET: There are no direct flights between Brazil and the Philippines. The most economical route options make at least two stops, one in Africa, the United States or Europe and the second in Hong Kong or China. But get ready for journeys that can last more than 50 hours! More direct – and more expensive – flights take between 26 and 28 hours with a connection in Istanbul, Doha or Qatar.
The best way to visit the Philippines is to include the country on a longer trip through Oceania or Southeast Asia. Super popular tourist destinations such as Thailand, Bali or Singapore are a short direct flight from the capital, Manila (from 3 hours to 4 hours). In addition, there are several ‘low cost’ airlines that operate in the region and make prices much more palatable than a trip from Brazil.
CLIMATE: Comprised of more than 7,100 islands, the Philippines experience several climate subtypes, but in general, humid tropical predominates, divided into two seasons, the dry and the rainy season. The first starts in December and goes until May, being divided into cold (December-February) and hot (March-May). The least rainy months are from February to April. The rainy season occurs between the months of June and November.
Unlike the color of the sky, which can range from brigadeiro blue to lead gray, the temperature hardly varies throughout the year in the Philippines, ranging from 23ºC to 31ºC and can be a little lower in the mountainous areas or a little higher. as the humidity of the air also rises. Like all Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines suffers from monsoons, the winds that bring heavy and constant rainfall at a certain time of year.
But, in this group of islands, you have to be careful with something more than just rain that can interfere with your boat trips along the wonderful beaches of El Nido, Boracay or Corón. The Philippines is part of the Pacific typhoon belt, whose season runs from July to October. An average of nine tropical storms or typhoons hit the country each year and can cause serious damage. In November 2013, typhoon Yolanda, the strongest in the history of the Philippines, left a toll of 6,800 dead, in addition to hundreds of missing.
TIMEZONE: 11 hours more than Brasília time. During Brazilian daylight saving time, the difference increases to 12 hours.
HOW LONG TO STAY: It’s hard to say how long a ‘complete’ itinerary through the Philippines would take, since we’re talking about a country made up of no less than 7,000 islands. But to get to know the local tourist ‘high lights’, you need to book 9 to 15 days. A day to discover the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. One day to travel by van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Three days to discover El Nido – one for Tour A, another for Tour C and a third to rent a private boat to visit some less touristy corner. One day to travel from El Nido to Corón by boat.
And three more days in Corón – one for the tour of the lagoons, another for the beaches and a third to rent a private boat to visit a less touristy spot. That’s if you want to stay as little as necessary, which can be quite difficult in the face of the beauties of the Philippines. If you want to take the opportunity to check out the capital, Manila, book an extra day. To go to Boracay, the famous Philippine Caribbean, calculate an extra day of travel and at least two to enjoy the beaches.
COIN: Philippine Peso, where US$1 = 49.40 PHP and R$1 = 15.05 PHP (June 2017 quotes).
DOCUMENTS: Brazilians do not need a visa for tourist trips, for up to 30 days, but a yellow fever vaccine is required. Upon entering the Philippines, you must present a passport valid for at least six months and the international certificate of vaccination. Find out here how to yellow fever vaccine.
What to do in the Philippines:
Whoever overcomes the country’s somewhat rickety tourism infrastructure will see some of the most beautiful places in the world! Check out 9 must-see things in the Philippines.
Where to stay in the Philippines:
So that you don’t end up in a stall with bamboo walls, it’s good to do a lot of research and check out our suggestions on where to stay in the Philippines on a budget.
How much does it cost to travel to Philippines:
In a poor economy with a devalued currency like the Philippines, it is easy to visit beautiful beaches and islands at low cost. Find out how much it costs to travel to the Philippines.
Philippines travel tips:
All your fears about traveling to such a far away, underdeveloped and hurricane-ravaged place will disappear when you read these 8 tips from the Philippines.
Discover the Philippines in 60 photos:
Have you never thought about visiting this country, which has been hit by typhoons and is one of the poorest in the world? See 60 photos from the Philippines that will change your mind!
