GETTING AROUND AS A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER IN THE PHILIPPINES
I’ve first been to the Philippines in 2018 and it was my first long-haul trip to Asia. It was the only trip I did not plan in advance, nor looked at what to expect, what to visit or anything. I was so overwhelmed with work at that time, that I only had time to book the airplane and the hotels. Just to imagine how crazy it’s been, I did not even look enough to know that going from Manila to Boracay by airplane you have two airports, one closer than the other to Boracay. Of course, I booked the farthest one and had to travel by shuttle bus overnight to the port where we took a boat to take us to the island. Can you imagine the shock I had coming from Europe where traveling from Paris to any European destination is so in hand?
I promised myself at that time that if I make it alive to Paris, I will make an effort to prepare better for my next vacation. And I’ve been keeping my promise since then.
If you search on Google: for how safe Manila is, you will get the results that it is not safe. If I’d read that article before booking my solo trip to The Philippines I wouldn’t have done it. And I am so glad now that I did go on my trip because it was absolutely mindblowing.
SO, HERE IS MY EXPERIENCE AS A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER AND HOW I COPED WITH STRESSFUL PARTS.
GETTING AROUND AS A SOLO FEMALE
Although the traffic is very rough, and the criminality even higher, you have safe options for getting around in Manila, or on the islands.
Here is how you can get around if you Travel Solo for the first time to The Philippines:
- Jeepneys are a nice way to travel in Manila. Jeepneys are a cultural symbol, becoming a reflection of the Filipino spirit — resilient, innovative, and optimistic. It is very easy to spot them, due to their colors and you will have the region where they are heading written on the front. You pay the driver and just enjoy the ride.
- Take a taxi. They are very safe and comfortable to use, but they will get stuck in traffic for hours sometimes. I experienced this on my way to the airport to go back to Paris. I was afraid I will miss the flight as we were not moving for 30 minutes. But they are extremely cheap, so go for this option rather than taking the Metro, which I do not recommend.
- Tuk-Tuk. They have the three-wheel type of tuk-tuks and are a fun way to go around. They have the possibility of taking two people. They are present in Manila and on all Filipino islands. Especially in Boracay, you will spot them everywhere. You just grab them and they take you wherever you want.
- Motorcycle Taxis (Habal-habal) they are very present on the islands. I will not lie to you that some drivers look scary. You feel like you are in a narco movie. But they are totally safe, never had any safety problems with them or weird comments. They were very professional. They just look scary. If it was late in the evening, like 8 pm, when is completely dark, I rather went for a tuk-tuk option, for safety I suppose.
BEST HOTEL DEALS
CHECK OUT THE BEST ACTIVITY TOURS IN THE PHILIPPINES
DID YOU FIND THIS ARTICLE USEFUL?
Tell me in the comments section if you’ve been to The Philippines and what was your experience. If you are planning to go on a solo travel to The Philippines ask me for some useful tips that are not in this article.
FOR MORE TRAVEL INSPIRATION, FOLLOW ME ON
DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS
My Experience as a Solo Female Traveler in The Philippines
MY EXPERIENCE AS A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER IN THE PHILIPPINES Going on a Solo Trip, especially as a female traveler can be overwhelming. I’ve been on so many Solo Travels that you would think I got used by now. But […]
Travel Guide to Boracay
TRAVEL GUIDE TO BORACAY THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, became a Spanish colony during the 16th century. They were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 […]
Travel Guide to The Philippines
TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE PHILIPPINES This is your ultimate travel guide to The Philippines! CAPITAL: MANILA The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, became a Spanish colony during the 16th century. They were ceded to the US in 1898 following the […]
Getting Around as a Solo Female Traveler in The Philippines
GETTING AROUND AS A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER IN THE PHILIPPINES I’ve first been to the Philippines in 2018 and it was my first long-haul trip to Asia. It was the only trip I did not plan in advance, nor looked […]
Top Festivals Not to Miss in The Philippines
TOP FESTIVALS NOT TO MISS IN THE PHILIPPINES Festivals are a great way to see and experience the local culture of a city or a country. With a very tumultuous history, Filipinos did not lose their love for parties. There’s a […]
The Best Time to visit The Philippines
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, became a Spanish colony during the 16th century. They were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a […]
Travel Guide to Cebu
TRAVEL GUIDE TO CEBU THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, became a Spanish colony during the 16th century. They were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 […]
Travel Guide to Manila
TRAVEL GUIDE TO MANILA THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, became a Spanish colony during the 16th century. They were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 […]
