Don’t get Gouged to the Philippines!
For many people in the West, the Philippines conjure images of mail-order brides, dictators and women with far too many shoes. However, like many places in the West, this is purely the image that the media portrays. The truth is that this country, made up of around 7000 islands, is one of the most understated destinations on the planet.
Away from Manila and the other popular tourist hotspots, the Philippines offer tranquillity, privacy and a local population that are genuinely pleased to see you. Secluded beaches, daily festivals and a favourable dollar exchange rate – what more could you want?
But, how to get there?
The Philippines has the highest number of expats in the world – approximately 11,000,000 people. The airlines know this and charge almost triple prices for flights to Manila during the Christmas period, as well as their Holy Week (around Easter time). There is also a large Chinese population in Manila who celebrate the Lunar New Year – flights are full, and therefore expensive.
Away from these holidays, prices vary depending on the time of year. The hottest month is May (with the mercury hitting 110 degrees), and the coolest period is January/February, where temperatures are in the 80’s and humidity is quite low. Try and guess which one has the cheapest flights?
The wet season runs from June to November, with the last few weeks vulnerable to tropical storms. However, because the Philippines cover such a large area, the rain falls on some islands and not others. Airfares tend to be lower because it’s the rainy season, but a check of the local climate can result in a cheap ticket and cracking weather.
From North America, just about every airline with a long haul plane flies direct to the Philippines, but almost all will put you into Ninoy Aquino International in Manila. This is often the cheapest option, but not necessarily the best. The airport is renowned for being a tourist trap, and the taxi drivers are almost predatory.
It is cheaper to fly direct from the west coast of the U.S. to Manila than it is to take a stop or two. However, for those with a little extra cash, or time to spare, the best option is to fly to Hong Kong, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur. Enjoy a few days there, and then take a flight to Cebu – the up-and-coming Philippines airport – where you can enjoy your vacation without the hassle of predatory taxi drivers!