🧳 Packing & Checklist · 2026
Philippines Travel
Essentials
What to actually pack for the Philippines — power adapter, currency tips, sun protection, and travel insurance. A real checklist, not a generic list. Updated June 2026.
Type A/B/C
plug type · 220V
₹1,000+
travel insurance, per trip
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Power Adapter & Electronics
TYPE A / B / C · 220V
The Philippines primarily uses Type A, B and C sockets at 220V — most modern hotels and resorts accept both flat two-pin (Type A) and round two-pin (Type C) plugs, but older guesthouses on smaller islands may only have one type installed.
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Universal adapter recommended
Covers all plug types you might encounter across Manila, Boracay, El Nido and Coron in one trip.
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Voltage matches India
220V in the Philippines is the same as India's standard, so most Indian appliances work without a voltage converter.
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Power bank for island days
Carry a 10,000mAh+ power bank for full-day island-hopping tours — charging access is limited on boats.
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Waterproof phone pouch
Genuinely useful for El Nido/Coron boat transfers and lagoon days — protects your phone from sea spray.
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Universal Travel Adapter
Multi-pin (Type A/B/C/G) + 2 USB-A + 1 USB-C ports
₹799–₹1,400
VIEW →
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10,000mAh Power Bank
Slim, airline-cabin compliant, fast charging
₹999–₹1,800
VIEW →
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Philippines eSIM (5GB)
Instant activation, useful for maps and Grab
₹500–₹850
VIEW →
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Currency & Money Tools
PHP
The Philippine Peso (PHP) is the local currency. Cards work well at hotels, malls and larger restaurants, but cash genuinely matters for tricycles, jeepneys, carinderias (small local eateries), and markets.
| Method | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|
| Zero-markup forex card | Hotels, malls, larger restaurants | Confirm no forex markup fee before your trip |
| PHP cash | Tricycles, jeepneys, carinderias, markets | Carry ~PHP 1,500-2,500 for daily use |
| ATM withdrawal | Widely available in Manila, Cebu City, Boracay | Genuinely scarcer in remote El Nido/Coron — withdraw ahead |
| Indian credit/debit card | Backup only | Standard forex markup applies unless it's a zero-markup card |
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Zero-Markup Forex Card
Multi-currency, no forex markup, works across the Philippines
Free–₹500 issuance
VIEW →
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PHP Cash (exchange or withdraw)
Exchange before you fly or withdraw on arrival in Manila
PHP 1,500-2,500 recommended
EXCHANGE TIP →
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Philippines Budget Planner
Free tool — estimate exactly how much cash to carry
Free
USE TOOL →
💡 Tip: Withdraw a larger amount in Manila or Cebu City before heading to El Nido or Coron, where ATMs are genuinely harder to find.
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Sun Protection & Swim Gear
ISLAND DAYS
Given how much time you'll likely spend island-hopping and on boats, proper sun protection matters — Philippine sun is intense year-round, and lagoon tours offer little shade.
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Reef-safe sunscreen
Look for formulas without oxybenzone or octinoxate — several El Nido and Coron tour operators encourage it to protect coral in the surrounding marine parks.
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Personal snorkel gear (optional)
Most island tours provide gear, but a personal mask/snorkel set can improve comfort for the many snorkelling stops on El Nido tours.
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Rash guard or swim shirt
Reduces sunscreen reliance on long boat days, and genuinely helps prevent sunburn on the back and shoulders.
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Wide-brim hat & sunglasses
Genuinely useful on open lagoon tour boats where there's little to no shade for hours at a time.
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Reef-Safe Sunscreen SPF 50
No oxybenzone/octinoxate — coral-safe formula
₹599–₹1,299
VIEW →
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Personal Snorkel Mask Set
Anti-fog, dry-top snorkel, compact travel case
₹1,200–₹2,800
VIEW →
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Waterproof Phone Pouch
Touchscreen-compatible, secure seal for boat trips
₹399–₹899
VIEW →
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Clothing — Beach & City
DIFFERENT SETTINGS
The Philippines' warm, humid climate (25-33°C year-round) means light, breathable clothing works for most of your trip — but Manila's city stops call for slightly different packing.
BEACH & ISLANDS
✓ Swimwear — several sets for daily wear
✓ Light, breathable clothing (linen, cotton)
✓ Comfortable sandals or flip-flops
✓ A light rain jacket, genuinely useful June-October
MANILA & CITY STOPS
✓ One smart-casual outfit for dinner in BGC/Makati
✓ Comfortable walking shoes for Intramuros
✓ A light layer — malls and offices run heavily air-conditioned
✓ A day bag for city sightseeing
🧳 Tip: If your trip spans multiple islands, pack light and layer — you'll be repacking a carry-on for each domestic flight, and Philippine domestic carriers often have stricter baggage limits than international ones.
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Travel Insurance
GENUINELY RECOMMENDED
Travel insurance isn't a formal entry requirement. But typhoon-related flight and ferry disruptions are a real, recurring risk during the June-October window, and remote island destinations mean medical evacuation costs can add up.
| What To Check | Why It Matters |
|---|
| Weather-related trip delay/cancellation cover | Genuinely important during typhoon season (Jun-Oct) |
| Reasonable medical cover ($50,000+) | Covers treatment costs at local hospitals or clinics |
| Water sports / diving cover add-on | Standard policies sometimes exclude scuba diving — check specifically if planning to dive Coron's wrecks |
| Missed domestic connection cover | Useful given the multi-flight nature of most Philippines itineraries |
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POPULAR FOR INDIA
Comprehensive Cover
$50,000+ medical including weather-delay cover, trip cancellation and baggage — genuinely useful here.
GET A QUOTE →
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FOR DIVERS
Diving-Specific Add-On
Confirms scuba diving is covered for Coron's wrecks — standard policies sometimes exclude it by default.
COMPARE PLANS →
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INSTANT
Digital Travel Insurance App
Buy in minutes, get an instant policy certificate — useful if finalising your trip close to departure.
BUY ONLINE →
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Full Philippines Checklist
PRINT & PACK
DOCUMENTS & MONEY
✓ Passport (6+ months validity)
✓ Qualifying visa (or approved tourist visa) — see our visa guide
✓ Return/onward flight ticket
✓ Travel insurance certificate (recommended, incl. weather delay cover)
✓ Zero-markup card + PHP 1,500-2,500 cash
ELECTRONICS
✓ Universal travel adapter (Type A/B/C)
✓ Power bank (10,000mAh+)
✓ Philippines eSIM or airport SIM plan
✓ Waterproof phone pouch
✓ Underwater camera (optional)
SWIM & SUN
✓ Multiple swimwear sets
✓ Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50)
✓ Rash guard / swim shirt
✓ Personal snorkel mask (optional)
✓ Wide-brim hat & sunglasses
CLOTHING & HEALTH
✓ Smart-casual outfit for Manila dinners
✓ Light resort wear + rain jacket
✓ Motion sickness tablets (for island boat trips)
✓ Personal medication (pharmacies limited outside cities)
✓ After-sun / aloe vera gel
🧳 Tip: Check PAGASA's weather bulletins in the days before you fly if travelling June-October — genuinely worth 5 minutes given the Philippines' real typhoon risk during this window.
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FAQ
What plug adapter do I need for the Philippines?
The Philippines uses Type A, B and C sockets at 220V. A universal travel adapter is the safest choice since older hotels or guesthouses on smaller islands may only have one type installed.
How much cash should I carry in the Philippines?
Carry around PHP 1,500-2,500 (roughly ₹2,200-3,600) in cash for daily spending. Cards work at hotels and malls, but tricycles, jeepneys, carinderias and small local shops are cash-only in most areas.
Do I need reef-safe sunscreen for the Philippines?
It's genuinely worth using, especially for El Nido and Coron island-hopping and diving days. Several tour operators encourage reef-safe sunscreen (without oxybenzone or octinoxate) to protect coral in these marine-rich areas.
Is travel insurance necessary for the Philippines?
It's not a formal entry requirement. But it's genuinely worth having — typhoon-related flight and ferry disruptions are a real, recurring risk during the June-October window, and remote island destinations mean medical evacuation costs can add up.