Is the Philippines an expensive place for an Australian to travel?

Question

my boyfriend asked me to name someone I really want to go for a holiday, and I said the Philippines, because I’ve herd it’s a beautiful and simple place and I’ve wanted to go for ages, he then told me he’s going to take me there just after my birthday in Jan 2009 - he’s paying for everything. is it expensive? because seeing as he insist’s on paying for the whole holiday by himself I would be left feeling very uncomfortable if its going to cost a lot.

Answer 1

absolutelt NO. but u might find urself spending all of your money when u get there. though i do feel that's insane, thats exactly what happens to tourist enjoying Philippines. enjoy!

Answer 2

If you go and buy stuff from mainstream Hotels they usually charge in dollar terms but If you go the local Malls, Stores and Markets (Lol be careful of swindling and unscrupulous merchandisers they may target you since your a foreigner and is unfamiliar with the culture) you will find out that things are a lot cheaper. Especially if you convert your cash into Pesos.

1 Australian Dollar is worth 38.42 Philippine Pesos.

~http://coinmill.com/AUD_PHP.html

But I suggest that you should find yourself a reliable Filipino friend offline and discuss with him/her in-depth stuff about the Philippines IE: the people's mannerisms, psyche, good travel locations, things to watch out for and etc.

Since the internet can never beat personal experience and face to face contact ^^

So better bung on your travel shoes and be an aggro aussie adventurer!

Answer 3

No, overall the Philippines is inexpensive.  Just note that hotels tend to be more expensive than a lot of neighboring countries and when it comes to hotels, you often get what you pay for.  Taxis, sightseeing, food, entertainment are all very reasonably priced.  Even in a tourist area (i.e., Boracay, it is still pretty decent.

Answer 4

Compared to things bought in your country, you'd feel buying stuff  here in the Philippines really cheap. I have a friend who moved to Australia and she said that canned soda are way expensive there than here. If you convert our currency to your currency when buying, it'll be pretty cheap.

If you're planning to visit the Philippines, and happen to be in Manila ( the Capital city) try and shop at Greenhills Shopping Center. It's a bargain shopping center where you'd probably find everything cheap. There's clothes, jewelry (like pearls and other semi-precious stones) and immitation of signature brands like Luis Vuiton bags to Philip Stein Watches. I see more and more tourists go there compared to before, so, just wanted to give you a tip.

Answer 5

Im from the philipines and live in Australia now,

$1 is like, 44pasos,

1 paso can buy like a 10c lollie

everything in philipines is really cheapp, like 3-5x cheaper then australia, and its a wonderful place, i miss home,

Answer 6

Nah luv take it from a fellow aussie who goes there all the time. It's not expensive on the level. Things such as food,transport,accomodation and leisure activites are alot cheaper than compared to things here home. I mean a 20 minute taxi ride from Brissie's city to an outer suburb will put you out of pocket 50 bucks after a night on the town. Over there that twenty minute cab right will cost you less than 10. Food is cheap too for example a Big mac meal at macca's will cost you like 90 peso from last memory which is basically 2 dollars,really high end resto's will only cost you about 20 or so for a really nice meal, I mean you pay more for a steak in a pub here with that money.

Hotels aren't to bad aswell and you can stay at nice places for less than a hundred a night which is pretty good. Shopping is a must also and things such as clothes, electronics and everything you can think of is I could say 30-40 percent cheaper. Ofcourse your designer labels will keep up as here but even so they are cheaper to buy there and the selection is by far huge with all things shopping concerned.

But yeah on the level its relatively cheap to stay there for afew weeks depending on what you do and what you buy and what kind of lifestyle you live. You can go either budget or splurge and at the end you'll still be fairly impressed on how much further the Aussie dollar goes in the good old Philippines. Last bit of advice is to really research what you want to do and try to learn as much as you can about the culture,the people as it will help you out alot for when you are there so you have better idea on what the place is like. Need anymore help feel free to give me a buzz. You did pick a great place to visit though and like me I'm sure you'll come back whenever you can. Cheers

Answer 7

no. i live here in the philippines but i really do not recommend a holiday in here. why? well, the places are good, but it,s not really safe. there are lots of muggers, thugs, thieves, robbers, and the cops are just as dumb as ten year old kid. im not scaring you. besides, no place is safe, right. just take caution. take care. i hoe you enjoy.

tip: stay away from those isolated islands/resorts.

     never join any hiking group that goes to the mountains.

     if you are staying in manila, focus on the "civilized" part of the city.

Answer 8

no... definitely not!!!!

it's like one of the bidget suiting travel places and philippines is a really nice place.... extraordinary!!!

you'll experience peace and quite with out paying too much....

they dont charge soo much...

and for an australian???

i know you could definitely afford to go here in the philippines....

if you do... trygoing toboracay,,,, white sand beach...

angono, rizal.... artist's paradise,,, cebu,, bicol.... manila...

Answer 9

Hi I'm from Australia but travel to the  Philippines offten this is one for the best guides  with

lot of information and photos about the Philippines on this free board

here http://travelworld101.com/board/index.ph...