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Bookmark & shareAs with the other Asian Tigers, the country's economy has been fluctuating fairly wildly in recent years. Generally speaking, however, the Philippines are slightly more expensive than other countries in the region. You'll get the best value for money in the outer islands, while you're more likely to shell out on Boracay and Cebu.
The US dollar is the most recognised forecurrency in the Philippines, and is often easier (and cheaper) to change than travellers cheques; in Manila you should have no trouble changing British pounds or euros, though recently several travellers have found it hard to change travellers cheques, even in the capital, due to the rise in forged cheques. Large denomination US bills will get you a particularly good rate, but only clean banknotes are acceptable. If you want to use cheques, the bigger brands will be accepted by most banks throughout the country. ATMs are all over the place, particularly in the big cities, and they operate 24 hours daily. You can use MasterCard and Visa in them.
Whether you tip or not is up to you. Restaurant staff will generally expect one, even if there is a service charge included. If you're catching a taxi with a working meter, round up the amount. When shopping, especially in markets, it's worth trying to get a 10% discount - most Filipinos will aim for one.
- Name
- Philippine Peso
- Symbol
- P
-
Sample Price Guide
- bought from store
- P 17
- litre of petrol
- P 33
- jeepney
- P 7
- budget hotel room
- P 500
- basic meal
- P 80
Average Room Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe P300-600 P600-1000 P1000-2000 P2000+ Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe P100-170 P170-300 P300-800 P800+
Currency
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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
