How to Plan a Budget Trip to the Philippines

The Philippines offers everything any adventurous traveler can wish for, starting from sky-high volcanoes and perfect coral reefs to lush jungles, underground rivers, huge caves, and some mesmerizing waterfalls. It is known for its ideal white-sand beaches, beautiful seas, captivating sunsets, and friendly locals.

Moreover, it stands as one of the most budget-friendly destinations, attracting budget travelers from all over the world. The key for you to tour around in the Philippines on a budget is to travel like a local.

Here is how to cut expenses on these three general main things during your trip to the Philippines:

Lodging in the Philippines

You can replace expensive hotel suites with dorm rooms in hostels, as sharing a room divides the costs. Additionally, booking communal bunk rooms will allow you to meet new people.

If you are looking for another option, local guesthouses and shacks on the beach can be even cheaper than hostels.

Daily Food Budget Philippines

When hungry and wandering the streets, aim to check your dining options first; because when you just pick the first restaurant, you encounter you won’t be sure whether it is overpriced and out of your budget or not.

Alternatively, you can buy cheap lunches in a supermarket or even a local fresh food market.

Also, hostels and spare rooms often give you access to a kitchen if you want to cook for yourself.

Transportation

If you are long on time and short on cash, you should take ferries instead of flights that can be pretty heavy on the pocket to move from one island to another.

Besides, there are plenty of long-distance public transport buses and trains running across some of the bigger islands that can be more affordable.

Best Budget Travel Tips When in the Philippines

Befriend the Locals

Filipinos are known to be friendly and always willing to help strangers. Hence, you can feel free to ask for directions or instant travel recommendations at any time.

If you guarantee their trust, they might invite you to stay in their homes, especially when visiting the country during the Christmas season and special events.

Some locals will be delighted to give you a tour around their hometown to help save money on tour guides as well.

Look for Travel Buddies

Try to buddy up with a group rather than solo when traveling to help minimize expenditures on transportation and accommodation by splitting up the total fare.

How Much Does it Cost to Fly to the Philippines?

A budget domestic airline carrier is the best option when flying to the Philippines.

You can keep an eye out for Air Asia, one of the most affordable airlines servicing the country that offers frequent Piso fare seat sales. In this way, you can pre-book all your flights when there is a sale.

Book your Flight Tickets Early to Save

Airfare is a substantial chunk of anyone’s travel budget, so it is always best for you to book your trip months or even a year in advance. A well-timed booking could get you a round trip flight for five to six times less than what it would typically cost you.

Not to mention, if you booked your flights in the wee hours of the morning when online seat reservations have just refreshed, it is more likely you will have less competition going for the same seats.

Avoid the Travel Rush When You Travel to the Philippines from the USA

If you are trying to save money on flights, travel during the week and off-peak times.

To be more specific, you should avoid traveling to the Philippines during the summer when school is out and during Christmas time.

On top of that, if you choose to travel to this country during other celebrations or festivals, you will witness hotel rates increase by up to 100% and more restrictions on your stay per booking.

Camp

Taking a tent and choosing to camp is highly recommended if you are running short on your accommodations budget.

You can find so many epic places to camp, such as beaches and plenty of hostels that will permit you to pitch in their garden.

Try Hitchhiking Out

Hitchhiking is a pretty safe, free, and quite common way in the Philippines to get around.

It will not only help you save money on transportation, but it is similarly a fantastic way to meet new people and create adventurous moments.

Would you travel to the Philippines from USA for a vacation?

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Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.