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Unmapped.

COUNTRY GUIDE

Philippines

Big cities, island towns and long boat rides, better with people to share them.

Working in Manila, diving in Palawan or studying in Baguio: Unmapped helps you find your place, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.

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Limestone cliffs, a small beach and turquoise water near El Nido in Palawan, the Philippines
El Nido, Palawan. Photo: Cris Tagupa / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

BASICS

Before you go.

Language
Filipino and English
Both are official, and English is widely used in business, education and on signs. Many regional languages are spoken too, such as Cebuano and Ilocano.
Currency
Philippine peso (₱, PHP)
Cards work in malls, hotels and many city restaurants. Cash and e-wallets are common elsewhere, especially on smaller islands.
Time zone
Philippine Standard Time, UTC+8
One time zone for the whole country, no daylight saving time.
Power
220 V, several plug types
Flat two-pin sockets are common and many also take round pins. A universal adapter is the easy choice.
Getting online
eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
Coverage is good in cities and can be patchy on smaller islands and in the mountains.
Emergency
911
The national emergency hotline, for police, fire and medical help.

GETTING AROUND

Easy to move, once you know how.

  • Domestic flights

    Manila and Cebu are the main hubs, with flights to Palawan, Mindanao and many smaller islands.

  • Ferries and boats

    Ferries and smaller outrigger boats link many islands. Schedules can change with the weather and the season.

  • Buses and vans

    Buses and vans cover long distances on the larger islands, including the road up to Baguio.

  • In the city

    Ride-hailing apps work in Metro Manila and other big cities. Traffic can make short trips slow, so allow extra time.

PLACES TO EXPLORE

Where to start.

A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in the Philippines through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.

BaguioManilaCoronEl NidoCebu CityDavao
Featured places in this guide. You can explore any city in the Philippines in Unmapped.

GOOD TO KNOW

Small things that help.

  • Every region is different

    The country spans many islands with their own languages, food and pace, so one region rarely speaks for another.

  • Travel time

    Getting between islands can take a full day once you add transfers, boats and the weather.

  • Rainy season

    The rainy season generally runs from June to November, and tropical cyclones can occur outside that period.

  • Cash on small islands

    Smaller islands may have few ATMs, so bring enough cash before you go.

  • Politeness

    Politeness goes a long way. Adding po and opo when speaking with older people is appreciated.

  • Tipping

    Many restaurants add a service charge. Otherwise a small tip for good service is appreciated.

UNMAPPED IN THE PHILIPPINES

Arrive knowing someone.

Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.

  • Meet people before you land

    Open Manila, Cebu City or El Nido before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.

  • Ask the City Chat

    Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about boats between islands, coworking in Cebu City or where to eat in Manila.

  • Join or host something

    Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a hike near Baguio, an island-hopping day out of Coron or a dinner in Manila.

  • Travel together

    Share your route from Manila to Palawan, or post a Buddy Plan for a boat trip, a dive day or a night out.

FAQ

Questions about Unmapped in the Philippines.

Can I use Unmapped outside Manila?

Yes. You can explore any city in the Philippines through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The places on this page are just a few to start with.

Are island towns in Unmapped too?

Yes. Towns such as El Nido and Coron have their own places in Unmapped's location directory, alongside the big cities.

Can locals use Unmapped too?

Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.

Can I explore a place before I arrive?

Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.

Can I find people for island hopping?

Yes. Share your route as a trip, or post a Buddy Plan, and see who else is heading the same way.

Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.

Sources & information

Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Cris Tagupa (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

PHILIPPINES WITH UNMAPPED

Explore the Philippines with Unmapped.

Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.

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