I am visiting the philippines from the usa in 2 weeks. I want to travel by motorcycle starting in negros or cebu.
I have no real problem using Visa and MasterCard debit cards in the Philippines, at least in the big cities. You MUST notify your bank that you will be overseas or the withdrawal may be denied because of suspected fraud.
When you bring US currency make sure it is not dirty, worn out, older series or torn. I find that the banks in the P.I. fussier than Thailand.
The P.I has a lot of little private money changers, sometimes with touts outside drumming up business.
There are banks of course and you can change money in some Robinson Malls and casinos. On my last trip there my hotel in Manila (on Mabini, Ermita) had a better rate than the bank money changers at the airport. There are a lot of private money changers on Mabini.
For Manila I always stay in the Ermita area; this is where the US Embassy is located and not that far from the airport. Hotels in all price ranges, not far from Robinson Mall, restaurants and nightlife available.
If you need hotel recommendations mention a price range for your hotel. For Manila I find the hotels more expensive than Bangkok, if you have ever been there. But the beer is cheaper.
If you are arriving late at night my recommendation for the ride to your hotel is a taxi service called the Yellow Taxi. This is not a random taxi that drops off at departures. Yellow Taxi is located outside arrivals. They give you a receipt, they are registered, the cars are supposed to be newer. Yellow Taxi costs more than a taxi dropping off at departures but about half the price of the regular Airport Taxi.
I refuse to drive in Asia.
I like the Corregidor tour out of Manila. Okay if you like WWII history. You can visit Mt. Pinatubo. I did a hike around there when I was in Angeles City.
Good luck.
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