Philippines travel insurance

It's no surprise many activities take advantage of the nation's stunning mountains and beaches. It's important to have the right travel insurance in place for whatever you have planned. Some activities are covered by a standard policy, but others aren't - and you may need additional cover, which often comes at an added cost. Here's some examples of activities that could be covered by a standard travel insurance policy, but could require further protection depending on your circumstances:

• Scuba diving at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park - The standard of diving equipment and instruction might not be as high as the UK. You should check safety precautions and your instructor's credentials - make sure necessary safety equipment is available.

• Surfing in Siargao - If you look up idyllic surf locations, you'll find the glimmering beaches surrounding the island of Siargao. Recently, the island is one of the top destinations to visit in Southeast Asia. But the weather conditions are unpredictable and some beaches might not have lifeguards.
• Hiking at Mt Pinatubo - Just over 50 miles northwest of Manila is Mount Pinatubo, a popular hiking destination in the Zambales Mountains. It's an active volcano that last erupted in 1991 - it was actually the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. You can book tours to visit the crater lake, but there is an element of risk attached to trekking or hiking in this type of activity.

• Language: The national language is Filipino. But English is also an official language - the majority of the population in the Philippines have at least some degree of fluency in the language.
• Tipping: There's less of a tipping culture, so it's not necessarily expected that you leave one. It's becoming more common to tip in tourist areas and high-end establishments. Some establishments will add a 10% service charge automatically to your bill.
• Currency: The Philippine peso or 'piso' is the official currency of the Philippines.
• Driving: You can drive in the Philippines on a UK licence for up to 90 days. After this point, you'll have to apply for a Philippine driving licence. Road conditions can be poor and routine security checks at checkpoints aren't uncommon. It's important to comply with officials, you might find it helpful to allow yourself extra time to pass through checkpoints.

• British embassy: The British Embassy is situated in Manila and can offer emergency help. The FCDO can offer emergency assistance to British citizens who are vulnerable in the country.
• Safety: FCDO warns of a high risk of terrorism in the Philippines and advises against all travel to some locations¹. There's also a risk of extreme weather and natural disasters, like typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
• Time difference: Philippine Standard Time is 8 hours ahead of GMT and 7 hours ahead of BST.
• Airport tax: There is a travel tax you need to pay before checking in for international flights. At present, this is around 850 Philippine pesos for economy travellers (around £11.50 depending on exchange rates³). The tax is currently in effect at the Cebu Mactan airport. There isn't a tax at Manila airport, but this can change.

³Correct as of October 2024