Travelling to Davao, first time.

Hey guys,

So I booked my flights to Davao. Have any of you guys been there?

I've never been to the Philippines so I'm just looking for some general advice. I read that I don't need a visa which is a bonus. I have a couple of questions though.

1) What is the most important thing you've learned from visiting that you would do differently next time?

2) In regards to money, should I take cash with me and exchange it when there? Is it better to take my debit card - will I be able to access the money OK?

3) Did you get any vaccinations when visiting?

4) Should I get travel insurance? Where's the best place to get this?

Any other general advice would be cool. I'm a bit apprehensive since booking the flight earlier, I haven't really thought through where I'm going to stay when I'm there or anything.

Thanks for your time.

One thing I'd do different is not get in a taxi at the airport without being given a price for the journey first.

I've never had vaccinations.

Get travel insurance. You never know when you might need it and it's not so expensive.

Do you guys recommend any particular travel insurance company? I'm starting to remember all the additional little costs.

Yeah I know all about the taxi scam, my mate and I experience that in Egypt. I'm meeting my girlfriend at the airport so she can sort the local travelling out thankfully.

I read on UK Gov website about vaccinations against Yellow Fever, but don't know if it's worth the hassle or the likelihood of actual infection.

Hi Kenny. I have been to the Philippines three times, so I am not the best to answer some of your questions...

1. Not get engaged to a whore who quietly accepted my money when married to someone else!

2. Many members take cash and exchange at good rates it seems, but I have no experience of this. If you have a debit card, you can get lumbered with poor exchange rates (depending on who you bank with) and most ATMs charge 2ooPHP (about £3) per withdrawal. I used a Nationwide FlexPlus card on my last trip wish has excellent exchange rates and Philippines ATM fees can be avoided by using HSBC ATMs. If you use a credit card for purchases also make sure to get one with good exchange rates - AquaCard is a good one.

3. Yes, I got vaccinations. I visited the nurse at the local GP about 3 months before my trip. From memory, I had Hepatitis A, Diptheria, Polio, Tetanus, rabies. All were free except for a course of 3 rabies injections costing £160. Since returning, I had a six-monthly booster for Hepatitis A so that I am still covered for the next trip. It is best to see the nurse about 3 months before your depart. Different areas of the Philippines need different vaccinations; some areas need malaria treatment.

4. You definitely need travel insurance and also get an EHIC, just in case you somehow get stranded in Europe somewhere! I got my travel insurance as part of my Nationwide FlexPlus account - very cheap for an older person with medical conditions.


No need to be apprehensive about booking a flight before knowing where you are going to stay as long as you are sure that there will be vacancies somewhere! Some parts of the Philippines have festivals, or the pope may visit or Billy Graham's grandson or Pacquiao may be boxing with Mayweather, so accommodation could be in short supply! Having said that, on my first trip to the Philippines, someone was shot dead outside the hotel I stayed at.

1. I've learned that I should have gone to the Philippines for longer periods
2. Take cash, exchange £100 at the airport on arrival then change the rest of your cash at a money exchanger as advised by your loved one, she will know where to go to get the best rates. Take a credit card as well of course, you will probably be charged a fee by your card issuer for every transaction, good for paying your hotel bill and larger expenses.
3. The only recommended vaccinations for the Philippines are Hepatitis A and Tetanus.
4. Buy travel insurance for a year (online there is plenty of choice), I think you'll be going back and it works out cheaper

Stop somewhere safe, get yourself a good hotel, there are plenty of good deals to be had. Your loved one will keep you on the straight and narrow and make sure you don't wander off into any dangerous places.

I've worked and visited the Philippines many times over the years and never had any problems, its all about common sense really when you travel to any country. When people get into difficulties overseas its usually a problem of their own making and normally involves drink

Stay safe and enjoy, you're guaranteed to enjoy yourself, take it from me.

I wish I could turn back the clock and have that feeling I had years back when I first visited the Philippines.

How long is you trip?

Wise advice but taxi rip-offs are far, far less likely here in Davao where all taxi journeys are metered and safe. If you're concerned, install the "Grab Taxi" App on your Android/Apple phone and use that to book your journeys and almost all the hotels have an airport pick-up service.

You might be one of the lucky ones who will have the Mayor as a driver

I thought it may have cost more if the Mayor was driving the taxi

Had to Google this one, Mayor and taxi driving?

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/stor...uterte-moonlights-fights-crime-as-taxi-driver

Good idea

I've been a few times. I last arrived here November 2014 and still here now.
Where in Davao will you be staying ?
How long to you plan to be here ?

Be careful about where and what you eat and drink.
Personally I'd only drink purified bottled water from a reputable source.
Don't be too eager to try the wonderful smelling street foods.
Think, think and think again carefully about what you put in your mouth. Even brushing your teeth.
Always carry some water with you and drink plenty. It's easy to get dehydrated.

Here in the Philippines Cash-is-King
Be sure you have ample cash available. Don't rely too much on ATM's you may find none that will work from time to time.
Murphy's law states that when you need one most they're not available for one reason or another.

Have you travelled to SE Asia before ?
What vacinations have you previously had ?
Some vaccinations are available for free on the NHS and depending on your vacination history I'd personally suggest you consider up-to-date protection (initial or booster) for:-
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
You may want to consider Hepatitis B as it's remains pretty common here, but you'll be charged a hefty sum for it.
I would consider it recommended but you should make your own risk assessment.

It's always advisable to have some form of travel insurance.
Do please be aware that many insurance company's will be very iffy about insurance cover for travel to Mindanao so be very sure that the one you buy will be OK.
Maybe other members here can advise of those ones which will accept Mindanao

Firstly concerning health issues, consider if you want to take Malaria tablets or not. Personally I haven't ever taken any when visiting the Philippines. This is something else you'll need to pay for.
Also bring some Paracetamol or similar (yes I know it's easily available here).
I'd also suggest bringing Imodium (or similar), a small packet of wet wipes and some tissues
You need to sort out some accommodation before you arrive. Thankfully there are plenty of good quality, safe hotels here in Davao City. All within easy reach from the airport.
There's no worries concerning taxi's here in Davao. All are safe, registered and metered. Also not expensive at all.
There are some hotels here that have a shuttle service between airport and hotel.

I'm sure you'll have a fabulous visit.

Hey,

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

I'm visiting for two weeks. I know this is a very difficult question to answer because it completely depends on what activities you participate in, but how much money would in £ do you believe you would need for two weeks living comfortably? The flight is paid for and I've budgeted for accommodation so just for general living, enjoying the local activities.

So do most people just take cash with them and convert to Pesos when over there? Can you exchange before, at the Post Office here?

I'm still undecided as to whether to stay at The Ponce Suites - cool budget art hotel or The Royale Hotel. Both are relatively cheap and have good reviews. I might stay with my girlfriend a couple of the nights to.

I'm also planning to do a bit of travelling outside the city where overnight stays are likely, do you think it's best to book a hotel for the first few nights then take it from there? I know there's a festival in Davao the week prior to me going, but apparently it will have died down by then.

I'm just in the process of looking at Travel Insurance just now - though most have terrible reviews - obviously hoping not to have to use it anyway. Was thinking Argos, it's only £15 for the fortnight and apparently covers medical/theft and the essentials.

Thanks again for all your advice, I've learned a lot already.

On money. I took belt and braces. I took cash, credit card, cash card and debit card. That way if I lost one or another I was covered. Also, cash is good for when you cannot get to a hole in the wall machine, which can sometimes be the case.

I took both pesos and pounds sterling.

Unfortunately I cannot remember how much I spent on each occasion.

aside from travel and accommodation I would take a £1000 and see how much I had left over depending what you do and how expensive your tastes are and how many you are entertaining I could do fine on 250 quid but that comes with experience and meanness

Better taking too much money than not enough, I find it quite a good feeling when you have money left.

Always take a credit card for more expensive outlays like hotels.

Always stay in good hotels, they are usually safer and book ahead where possible, at least this way you can read the reviews of the hotel beforehand.

Your loved one will not let you go far wrong, trust in her advise.

I have never experienced having any money left when leaving the Philippines!

By way of example. Barclays Visa works well with Metrobank and quite well with BPI but not at all with Landbank as they only take Mastercard. Etc. Tell your bank where and when you are going and have a spare card in case one gets stuck in a machine.

Use Tripadvisor to check hotels.

there are also Phils based forums with expats giving accurate hotel and apartment reviews google

As long as it's not one of roddys men from the DDS that will be fine

What DDS? I have lived in Davao since 2010 and have yet to see any evidence that such a group ever existed beyond the wild imaginings of some folk

Davao Death Squad. Though the name is just made up by the media. The group exists, just not with that name.

It's highly-unlikely you would meet them Mark. And if you did, you wouldn't even know them.