Bars and gogos a plenty make for plentiful nightlife
Philippines is a country with a 90 million plus population located on over 7,000 islands. The reputation of the politicians leaves a great deal to be desired but the country struggles on and is generally safe. However be prepared for a guard on every business and every security guard, and his mate, carries a gun. The beaches often get rave revues and are relatively undeveloped. As ever do not stagger down dark alleys, do not flash your money and do not go with strangers even if they think they know you from before.
The main religion is Christian, so Christmas and Easter tend to be bad times to travel. A big plus is that English is widely used. In fact English is more than a second language: it is the official language and that of business and indeed parliament.
Bars and Nightlife
The Philippines offers nightlife seekers a real alternative to Thailand. Manila suffers from some very greedy bar owners in Makati but other areas offer more. Angeles City (Clark Airport), which can now be flown to direct from Asian countries, is a thriving fun bar area. I an even told Davos City in Mindanao has some lively nightlife.
Visa requirements.
Passport holders of most European countries need no pre-visa, providing you are staying for less than 21 days. A free visa is issued on arrival. Or over 21 days contact your local Philippines embassy, although extensions in country are generally quite easy: almost all travel agents will do it for you.
Manila airport arrival tips: .
Manila International Airport is modern and in many ways works well although the security is endless, so getting out can take a long time. There are ATMs at the airport, so use them as elsewhere they are no so plentiful and most machine will only accept one system.. Generally TCs need to be in US $. In the Philippines cash, preferably US dollars, is definitely king.
Getting into town has become difficult since they have restricted taxis in the airport. There are two taxi companies operating in the airport with booth outside.
If you are being met the meeting area is downstairs past the taxi stalls and down a ramp. The trip to Angeles takes about 2 hours and it is better to book via your hotel unless you know a driver,
Getting around
Manila traffic is normally grid locked and the shortest journeys can take hours. In most places, in the Philippines, taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap. The preferred local method of transport is the often-extraordinary Jeepney. Jeepney's were originally reconstructed jeeps, but now they make new ones. Well the finished product is new; the bits probably are not. Jeepneys are the original bitsers!
As the joke goes "how many people can you get in a jeepney?"
The answer, "One more!"
A word on moving around the islands, it is best done by air as ferry's regularly sink! Cebu Pacific one of the main low cost airways has rotten reputation and some strange procedures but they do get you to most palces.
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