Just Landed in Philippines? Your First 7 Days

Mobile data is cheap and prepaid-first; most people top up small 'promo' bundles rather than pay a monthly postpaid contract. Coverage from Globe and Smart is strong across Metro Manila, Cebu and other cities but can be patchy on smaller islands and in the provinces. SIM registration with your passport is now compulsory and must be completed before your number activates. Free Wi-Fi is common in malls, cafes and fast-food outlets, though speeds vary.

Typical cost: Around PHP 50-300 for a weekly or monthly data bundle; roughly PHP 999-1,700/month for home fibre internet from Globe, PLDT or Converge.

The Philippines is heavily cash-based, though GCash and Maya e-wallets are accepted almost everywhere, including small stores and some tricycles. Cards work reliably in malls, hotels and larger restaurants but not in most neighbourhood shops, wet markets or transport. Carrying a mix of cash, a funded e-wallet and a card covers every situation. Expect to encounter surcharges when paying certain bills or merchants by card.

Opening an account: Opening a bank account as a foreigner usually requires an ACR I-Card plus proof of address; BDO, BPI and Metrobank are the most foreigner-friendly high-street banks. Without a resident visa, options are limited and some banks will decline tourist-visa holders outright. Digital banks like Maya Bank, GoTyme and CIMB have lighter requirements and are worth exploring for everyday use.

Cash: Carry small notes and coins, as tricycle drivers, sari-sari stores and wet markets rarely have change for a PHP 1,000 note. ATMs cap withdrawals (often PHP 10,000-20,000) and charge around PHP 250 per foreign-card withdrawal, so plan fewer, larger withdrawals from bank ATMs. Break large notes at malls or supermarkets whenever you get the chance.

Tipping: Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; leave around 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added, and round up for taxis, delivery riders and helpers. Many sit-down restaurants already add a 10% service charge to the bill, so check before tipping on top.

Foreigners staying beyond 59 days must register with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and obtain an ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card), a credit-card-style ID that serves as your resident identity document for banking, work and renting. It is issued to holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including those who extend a temporary visitor (tourist) stay beyond 59 days. Separately, all registered foreign nationals holding an ACR I-Card must file an Annual Report in person at a BI office each year. There is no general residential-address registration system like some countries have; your ACR I-Card and immigration records are the key formalities.

Deadline: The ACR I-Card is required once your stay exceeds 59 days. The Annual Report must be filed within the first 60 days of each calendar year, from 1 January to 1 March.

Where: Bureau of Immigration main office in Intramuros, Manila, or any authorised BI district/satellite office; you can pre-register some services through the BI e-services portal.

Metro Manila traffic is severe, so factor in far more time than distance suggests, especially in rush hour and rain. Jeepneys and tricycles handle short local trips for a few pesos, while ride-hailing (Grab), motorcycle taxis (Angkas, JoyRide) and the elevated LRT/MRT trains cover longer routes. A rechargeable Beep card works across the LRT, MRT and some buses. The P2P (point-to-point) bus network offers comfortable, fixed-route rides between major hubs.

From the airport: From Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA, Manila), take a Grab or the official metered/coupon yellow taxi to Makati or BGC, typically PHP 300-600 and 45-90 minutes depending on traffic. The official UBE Express airport bus runs to central hubs for far less. From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Grab or a metered taxi to Cebu City centre runs roughly PHP 200-350.

Most expats rent condominium units in gated developments in Makati, BGC (Taguig), Ortigas, Alabang or Cebu, arranged through Facebook groups, Lamudi, Dot Property or a broker. Furnished short-term lets are common but cost more than an unfurnished annual lease. Viewing in person before signing is wise, as photos can flatter, and building quality varies widely even within the same district.

Typical rent: A one-bedroom condo runs roughly PHP 30,000-55,000/month in Metro Manila's prime districts, PHP 15,000-28,000 further out, and noticeably less in Cebu or the provinces. Association dues and parking are sometimes billed separately.

Deposit norm: Landlords typically ask for two months' deposit plus two months' advance rent upfront, and often a one-year lease. Read the contract carefully for who pays association dues and utilities, and get receipts for every payment, including the deposit you expect back at the end.

The Philippines has a two-tier system: basic, often crowded public hospitals and well-regarded private ones. Expats overwhelmingly use private hospitals such as St. Luke's Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City and Asian Hospital, where standards are high, English is universal, but you pay upfront. Quality drops off sharply outside the main cities, so serious cases are often referred to Manila or Cebu.

How to access it: Private hospitals accept walk-ins and have 24-hour emergency rooms; you generally pay on the spot or via an insurance guarantee letter before treatment, so keep a card or funds accessible. Pharmacies like Mercury Drug and Watsons are plentiful and many medicines, including some antibiotics, are available without prescription. For minor issues, mall-based clinics and telemedicine apps are convenient.

Insurance: Employed foreigners contribute to PhilHealth, the national scheme, but its coverage is limited, so private international or local health insurance (e.g. Maxicare, Intellicare, Medicard) is strongly advised for hospital care. Confirm whether your policy pays the hospital directly or reimburses you later, as large private bills must otherwise be settled upfront.

• Use 'po' and 'opo' and address elders and seniors respectfully; politeness and saving face matter more than bluntness.
• Filipinos are warm and hospitable, and declining an offer of food or an invitation outright can seem rude, so soften refusals rather than flatly saying no.
• Avoid raising your voice or confronting someone publicly, as causing a person to lose face damages the relationship, sometimes permanently.
• A smile, small talk and a friendly manner go a long way; expect 'Filipino time' to mean casual events start comfortably late.
• Accept and give small items or business cards with a bit of ceremony, and use both hands or a slight bow of the head to show respect to elders.
• Family comes first here; asking about someone's family, showing warmth to children and respecting religious observance (the country is largely Catholic) builds trust quickly.
• When eating out with locals, one person often insists on paying the whole bill as a gesture of hospitality; offer, but do not force a split.

• Traffic and pedestrian conditions are dangerous; drivers rarely yield, so cross with care and prefer overpasses and pedestrian bridges.
• Typhoon season (roughly June to November) brings flooding and disruption, so monitor PAGASA weather advisories and keep an emergency kit.
• Petty theft and pickpocketing occur in crowded transport hubs, jeepneys and markets, so keep phones and bags secure and avoid flashing valuables.
• A 'yes' may mean 'I heard you' rather than 'I agree'; confirm commitments gently and in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
• Some parts of western and central Mindanao carry government travel warnings; check current advisories before travelling there.