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Other
likely needed way's to get around from island to island
is the use of an Ocean Jet, which is among the quickest sea going transportation available in the Philippines.
Other larger boats are cheaper but quite a bit slower and if time is not a luxury to you then stick to the fast boats for a bit more money.
However again you may not
need to include any of these services in your plan's but
if we feel you need to, we are able to advise you of
costs and locations to make your connections.
These
services are very affordable by far in comparison to any
U.S. transportation services and we are more than willing to go the
extra mile for our valued client's to equip you with
knowledge so that you need not lose time or money.
A valuable thing to remember while here in the Philippines is if you have to catch your flight from one of the major city airports and your on an island that has no airports, then plan ahead and accordingly, because the Philippines Coast Guards will put a hold on public transportation boats if there are any storms or typhoons in the area.
It is a more common occurrence since the 2008 sinking of a passenger ship killing over 800 passengers when high typhoon winds capsized the giant ship. So if you are worried about missing your flights from Manila or Cebu city to go back to the states, then your best to make different arrangements on meeting your Fiancee or Spouse.
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For many
who travel to the Philippines, the culture shock alone
is a bit stressful therefore the guidance that we
provide you can greatly eliminate your stress.
Approximately how much money should
I bring to the Philippines?
From time to time we have new clients ask us prior to making their first trip to the Philippines approximately how much money should they bring? Just like anything else we do in life whether buying a car, home or clothing everyone of us has a certain taste or style in which we prefer.
Many individuals have and know what kind of horsepower they have and this is a determining factor as to how much money you want to bring and spend while in the Philippines.
The average individual that spends up to 21 days in the Philippines is able to do very well on less than a thousand dollars. Many of these people surprisingly end up going home with a couple of hundred dollars left in their billfolds.
If you prefer to drop larger sums of cash into more luxurious living then yes you most likely will need to carry more on your trip. But on average there are decent places with air conditioning and cable television that really are cozy and not roach infested as we in U.S. would think that charge between $12.00 & $15.00 per night.
It is usually from the Visayas and down into Mindanao where these prices are easy to find. But you won't easily find prices like this if you stay in the Northern region of the Philippines known as the main island of Luzon which is where the Capital city Manila is located.
On average almost all of your lodging in this location will be the same as what you would find throughout the U.S.A. Ranging from low 30's on up to $150.00 per night. You may be able to get lucky and go online and find some of the most awesome high rise condos ranging in prices from $30.00 to $50.00 per night with all of the comforts and some, you will feel like your in your own home.
Many foreigners are asked to stay with the family of the girl that they are there to see, so if you are one of these people then you certainly will be able to save plenty of money by doing so.
Just keep in mind that as a guest in their home you may be expected without anyone asking you to provide money for groceries and other little things that may pop up. Most guys don't mind this at all for the fact that this is his new family and he develops a love for these people.
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Obtaining a
Driver's License in the Philippines |
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Foreigners who plan to drive a vehicle
in the Philippines can use their foreign licenses for upto 3 months. If
you stay in the Philippines over 3 months and wish to drive a vehicle, a
Philippine driver’s license must be obtained.
The following are the requirements for a foreign license holder who
wants to acquire or convert their foreign license to a Philippine
driver’s license.
- Original and clear
copy of the foreign license
- An English
translation of the license, if written in foreign language, must be
provided by the Embassy where the license was issued
- Original and clear copy of the passport with the personal data, latest
entry and visa extension stamps
- Medical exam
result from an LTO approved physician, hospital or clinic
- Negative Drug Test (urine) result from any DOH accredited drug testing
centre
- Positive written and practical
examination for professional license applicant or for expired
foreign license
- Filled Application Form
Take a trip to your local Land Transportation Office (LTO),
the earlier the better, with the requirements listed above. The medical
exam and drugs test can be done locally (if unsure where, your local LTO
can inform you) and are relatively simple and quick. Wait your turn, pay
you fee of P347.80 and go home with your new license.
Note: The LTO may provide you
with a temporary license depending on your place of application. If this
is the case, a permanent license will be issued to you at a later date.
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 Don't let this happen to you!!!
Before traveling to the Philippines or any other Country, be sure to contact your Bank to inform them that you will be traveling to the Philippines and you may be using your Bank credit / debit card there in the ATM machines.
If you have Master or Visa card then these logos are well know throughout the Philippines and all ATM machine will accept them. However! if you do not inform your Bank before hand and you use the ATM machine in the Philippines, then you may end up getting red flagged.
This means that the card was identified as a U.S. card and being used in the Philippines now makes it possibly stolen. This is a measure to protect you but can be a real hassle because the machine will not give your card back meaning that you must return to the Bank that belongs to that machine to get the card back.
And if you are needing cash now then you may be in trouble for a few days because some times the company will not be around to open the ATM machine when you need it and this could really mess you up especially if it happens to you the day before your flight is scheduled to leave.
Travelers Check warning
We
have gotten word recently that U.S. banks are saying that you can cash travelers
checks within the Philippines, however reports are saying other wise? Your
probably best off to not bring travelers checks on your trip due to the vast
majority of banks that will not accept them or will want you to wait a minimum
of 20 days for them to clear.
As
of now we have heard that (HSBC) Bank is about the only location that will cash
your travelers checks on the spot with a service fee of about $4.00 per check
and a daily limit of $500. so take all of this in to consideration before coming
to the Philippines.
"HSBC Bank locator"
WHAT ARE LATEST DOLLAR TO PESOS RATES?
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Once
your in the Philippines, you will most likely need to
use land transportation or a boat to get you around.
