So you’re done with your research and itinerary. You are excited but having doubts at the same time. Worry not, I know how you feel ‘coz I was in your shoes 4 years ago. So while I was traveling last week in the Visayas I was reminded of the first time I did solo travel in the Philippine. Hope this guide on “How to Travel Cheap in the Philippines” would be of help to the new breed of travelers out there.
What to expect and what to do when you finally arrive at your destination?
Take the Public Utility Vehicle
Usually you arrive at your destination via airplane. You get out of the plane and get your check-in baggage (sucks right? told you to limit the baggage to 7kgs hand-carry). As soon as you leavethe airport gate you are swarmed with all the drivers speaking dialects you don’t understand. Walk on, askthe security guard where the airport exit is and take the public utility vehicle from there (jeepney, tricycle, habal-habal). For a change, try not to take the taxi. I tell you, it would save you a lot of money. But if you already have a hotel booked in Cebu ask the driver
Enjoy and breathe some fresh air!
Cebu Colorful Multicabs- cheaper than Taxi
Go to the Public Market
At the city center or downtown, look for the public market. Whenever I find myself in a new place, I always look for the public market. Usually you can find the terminal near the public market. Or the public transportation going to the terminal. Also near the area you find the cheapest and freshest food. This is the first real encounter with culture. Observe. Observe. Observe. You will find local produce familiar and weird to your eyes. Savor the experience!
Where I ate my breakfast yesterday, Php55 for two viands and 2 cups of rice.
Eat Local
And since you are already at the market, try to sample local food. Most are found near the market. In Dumaguete, eat budbud and tsokolate; Cebu has lechon; Davao has lots of fruits; CDO offers the sweetest pineapples; batchoy is Iloilo’s pride; Vigan has the sumptuous orange empanada and Tuguegarao will fill your belly with pancit batil patung.
Spicy Boneless Lechon at Cebu
Ask the locals what’s the best. They will be more than willing to assist a visitor. And by eating local, you support the local industries and make the place thrive more.
Try to master local phrases
You can’t learn the dialect in a single trip, unless you are staying for a month. So try to ask the basics like ‘good morning’ delicious’ ‘how are you’ ‘how much’ ‘where’ ‘when’ ‘let’s eat’ ‘yes’ ‘no,’ Jot down at least 10 words/phrases. It will be useful, trust me. Makasabot nako ug Bisaya.
Do you know that Visayan-speaking locals find it amusing when Tagalogs try to speak their local dialect?
Look for the Tourism Office
It would be very helpful to look for the tourism office. They know where is the best place to go. When I visit tourism offices, I always ask “What is the highlight of your province/city/town?” I don’t usually visit everything that a province/destination has to offer. It is tiring and I don’t think people should travel just for the sake of seeing this or that. A destination should be enjoyed and experienced. It sucks when you go to a tourist spot and then spend 5-1o minutes taking photos of it then you go again to the next and the next. I don’t think it’s called travel.
Btw, I hope Local Tourism Offices would consider opening their doors during weekends where most tourists need them more.
Befriend a local
If there is one tip I would like for you to remember. This is it! Befriending a local is the best experience you will ever have while on the road. Apparently, you don’t need a guide book or a big budget to do this. You just have to be natural and as you are. It always starts with a smile or a simple question. When you are about to leave, don’t forget to get his/her number, Facebook or whatever that will keep you connected. Don’t forget to invite him/her to your place and tour him/her around.
Cebu friends- Shyne, Maou and Rea
Cathe. A friend of a friend who became my friend and now became my sister. 🙂
When you befriend a local, you can always return to that place and when you return, you return not as a tourist anymore but as a friend.
Volunteer
This is not yet widely practiced in the Philippines but I’m seeing a lot of travelers doing this already. I was able to stay in Palawan for almost a year because I volunteered in one of the organizations helping young people in leadership. I heard there are farms in Northern Luzon that offers free accommodation in exchange for a half-day work in the farm. This needs more exploration as opportunities to volunteer are everywhere. If you got any information please share on the comments section.
One way of volunteering? Helping roast lunch later…
Hope the things I said help you on your next adventure. Did I forget anything? Please feel free to share your “cheap traveling secret” below. Thanks in advance!
Should you ask for more tips, try to read my past articles:
How to Start Your Own Backpacking Trip
Make Your Trip ‘UNFORGETTABLE”
25 Things To Do While Traveling
Great journey ‘nak.
curious lang ako ‘nak, why is your logo “Highly urbanized”? no touch of the provinces you’ve traveled to.
curious lang.
Pops Obed
pops obed! thanks for dropping by.
yes, kasi its the logo for my travel and running blogs. i travel “backpack” then i run on cities “urban setting”
thanks at napansin nyo!
Hello James,
thanks for the travel tips and I am glad “nga makasabot naka ug Bisaya”. Keep practicing “para ma lihiro naka pohon”,hehehe.
Naka relate lng sa phrase na “destination should be enjoyed and experienced rather than just taking photos for 5 to 10 min, and then on to the next stop” coz the bf came last week for a visit and we´ve been to only few places coz he prefers to go to few places and enjoy the experience rather than going to a lot of places and getting stressed as a result. At first, ayaw ko kasi I want him to see a lot of places as possible, pero tama then pla sya coz he came for vacation to relax and not to be stressed. So, siya tlga ang nasunod. Panay lng ang inom namin ng Clara (beer and kas limon) and Sangria.hehehe.
exactly what im saying! haha
most of the time kasi people apply their work schedules sa travels and vacations nila where you should do something every single hour
Gotta agree with all of it. The tagalog word I always used when I travel is “magkano”. Mostly prices will start lower than when u use “how much”.
Btw, I like that lechon photo…
“Do you know that Visayan-speaking locals find it amusing when Tagalog try to speak their local dialect?”
Spot on!I recalled a friend from mnl who came to visit me here in cebu..lol I guess it’s the same when we go to mnl, dugo-dugo din sa tagalog..wahaha
BTW this post is pretty insightful..salamat! ^_____^
thanks for the well-thought comment! glad you found it insightful
Hi Kuya James, just curious about your volunteer stint in Palawan. Unsaon yun? I’m interesteeeeed! 😀
I am currently a volunteer here in Davao & Samal for 6 months. So free beach for me everyday. Haha
Hi Jade.. Im curious also.. I want to have atleast 1 month vacation kasi and is planning also to volunteer.. pano kaya gagawin ko.. how will I connect with them?
thanks
I always try and find the local tourist office for free maps and advice. also talking to locals about the area and i try not to fly anywhere but take local transport.
would like to know more about your volunteering in Palawan.
about the palawan thing-i volunteered in a youth org. wala na yun ngayon eh.
Hi James,
U did a nice job…
Hi James! Question lang, nung nagvolunteer ka sa Palawan. Ano yung mga factors na you considered? Meron ka bang pocket-money nun?
Just curious lang, I hope I can also do that. To stay in a certain place for more than a week. Gusto ko talagang makihalo-bilo sa mga locals.
I only have something to finance my stay for the first month.
i believe you can do that if 1 week lang.
Hi kuya james. Thank you for inspiring me to do solo travelling 🙂 I was really moved by your piece and it made me go to places i’ve never been too… on my own.
so keep up the good job. and keep on inspiring us 🙂
hi weekendbackpacker! thanks for the feedback, i hope you can explore deep and wide and inspire other people too!
Hello! this is a nice post and good read!
i have never traveled much but i really want to! i started volunteering last sunday for an overnight mudhouse building trip. i i profited zero and also spent zero pesos. it was a great experience. i have a day job but im looking forward to more volunteer work.