is it safe for an american to travel to the philippines?

Question

i am going to visit family with my mother in the summer in pampanga.i am half filipino however i look fairly caucasion so i will stand out. i am teenager now and i have been there 4 times however not since before 9/11. i am starting to get nervous about my trip. should i not go? do you think i will be alrite if im with family? what safety precations should i take? =\

Answer 1

sweetie, it is VERY SAFE! my husband and i were there last year and since i am mestiza, i look foreign and my husband is ameircan. we travelled all over the country.... we went to cebu, to the chocolate hills in bohol, went from cebu back to manila by ferry overnight and it was sooooooooooooo much fun and so so safe.

while in manila, we took a trip up to sagada to see the hanging coffins and to bontoc to see the rice terraces. then, went to ongpin (china town) and roamed around greenhills "changue" which is the biggest flea market you can shop in.

all this we did just the two of us and everyone thought we were tourists until they heard my broken tagalog (lol). you will really enjoy the philippines. it is not like you are travelling to places in mindanao such as jolo where there are trouble going on.

it is like someone asks you if it is safe to come to the U.S.A. because of 9/11. what would you say....you'd say, of course it is safe. just because 9/11 happened does not mean no one should even consider coming to the U.S. also, how far is mindanao from luzon and manila? it is like telling someone that it is dangerous to come to los angeles because of what happened in new york which is thousands of miles away.

you will really have a good time! you can go shopping at your heart's desire and everyone there is so so nice and friendly. believe me, it is safer to be in the philippines than anywhere else in the world right now.

have fun and say hello to everyone in the philippines for us.

Answer 2

I have traveled in the Philippines alone 3 times, and had no problems. I was in Mindanao, which everybody says is so dangerous, but I found nothing but friendly, loving people there. Cebu is no more dangerous than any big city anywhere in the world. If you look for trouble, you can find it. There are a lot of poor people in Cebu and Manila, just trying to survive. You can't fault them for trying to get some of your money into their pockets. What might be a day's goofing around money to you, would be someone else's support for their family for a week. Keep that in mind when you barter with someone for anything you buy. Stay away from the bars and nightclubs, unless you know how to take care of yourself. These places are where some of the bad guys look for drunk people to take advantage of. I actually prefer the south islands to Manila or Cebu, but I am also 6'2", and trained by the Marines how to fight. Although my fighting skill comforts me, it has never been needed while traveling the Philippines.

Answer 3

Sure it's safe here in the Philippines. If you are bother and nervous about what you think that is happening in the Philippines, try not to think about it and just have fun. Now, if you really look like all white, just don't mind those people that will look and stare at you.If you go shopping or go for a trip, don't bring too many things, bring only your camera, if you will take pictures if not then don't bring it at all, bring some money with you, cellphone with load so that you will be in touch with your family, friends and relatives, and bring someone with you where ever you go, so that you will have a bodyguard. Take care. Happy Trip.

Answer 4

there's not a place in the whole world where you can consider yourself totally safe. the philippines is not an exemption. however, if you stick to your travel agency's itenerary, it's assured that it has undergone considerations and the foremost is your safety, so you won't have to worry much. but if you're a tourist on your own, just remember to be on the right side of the cities and never venture too far in the mountains. a travel guide can help you much.

Answer 5

Why not? The Philippines is safe if you know your way around and not trust strangers, the usual precautions when you travel are all you have to learn. Nothing to be paranoid about.

Happy trip and try visiting the island where my family grew up. It's called Bohol ^_^

Answer 6

Of course not all places are safe... Like in New York, you're told not to go to Bronx. In canada, hastings is not a good place. I guess in the Philippines, don't go to basilan, jolo or any abu sayaff infested places. I'm from pampanga, it's definitely safe there. Don't just climb the mountains of arayat at night.lol

Enjoy my dear! It's a lot of fun travelling.

Answer 7

dude, that's not even a question...

IT'S ABSOLUTELY SAFE...

Is this still the notion of foreigners regarding the Philippines... Oh well, can't blame them but I assure you it's definitely safe.

As for standing out, no one really cares anymore if you look foreign or not. There are so many foreigners here that its a common thing. Specially in Makati and Manila.

As for Pampanga, it's nice very friendly people. Just stay out of trouble. Filipinos are very hospitable but show your bad side to us and will kick your ***.

Don't be bothered by those terrorist threats, even terrorists here are very friendly just ask Gracia Burnham.

I'm sure your family would visit the WOWEE show so give us a holler!

Answer 8

Is it safe nowadays for an American to travel anywhere? In your case absolutely yes especaly due to your destination. Just be certain not to invite GW Bush along with you. And give our regards to Osama who now lives there. I last saw Osama sitting outside enjoying a coffee at a small place on MH del Pilar St in 2005.

Answer 9

Sure it's safe. I lived in Arayat for a while. While the army, NPA, news people and politicians kill each other off, if you're not one of them you have no worry ;-) Finally, I assume that you can speak at least a little tagalog or kapapangan. you'll be accepted as one of the people.

Answer 10

OH hell no! So, u sayin' people are barbaric and wild and dangerous? I grew up in the Philippines and I have seen the ghetto and normal side of the Phils. We ain't barbaric people who carry aeound spears or something. It's safe! In fact, we are very western. U better refine ur words before someone reports u!