Asia and Oceania

Insurance

 

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  In particular you should be aware that your insurance company might not extend cover to areas to which the FCO advises against travel. You should have insurance cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards, passport or luggage.  See the Travel Insurance.  

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see How We Can Help.

Language

 

English is widely spoken in the Philippines, and most signs are in English.

 

Registering with the British Embassy

 

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

 

Residents and longer-term visitors should register with the British Embassy and renew this annually to help keep information up-to-date.

 

Money

 

ATMs are available in Manila and other major cities.  Some machines accept major international credit or debit cards.  Retail outlets in urban areas usually accept payment by international creditcard, though often add a service charge. Banks do not always accept travellers' cheques, but it will help if you can show your receipt of purchase for the cheques.  Cash, in Pounds sterling or US dollars, can be exchanged for Philippine pesos in banks, hotels and some retail outlets.  Scottish and Northern Ireland bank notes are not generally accepted.  Buying foreign currency in the Philippines can be difficult.

Do's and Don'ts in the Philippines