how much money should I take to stay in the philippines a month?

Question

considering that I want to see alot of places in the philippines, that I prefer cheap hotels, but that I spend alot in food and native art, how much should I take aprox?

Answer 1

On the average, you should be able to find decent accomodation for about USD50 more or less per day. Depending on the length of time you want to stay in a certain place or city, you might get weekly rates that should turn out cheaper.

For food, an average meal will cost you anywhere from 2-4 USD per person(Mc Donalds, fast food). Fine dining will take you back about 20-30USD.

If you plan to take the public buses to far places like ilocos, baguio, or bicol. You'll be spending no more than 20USD per trip. Local plane fares are around USD100 more or less.

You can save more by planning ahead. Sites like cebupacificair.com or philippineairlines.com allows online ticket purchases and cebupacific gives big discounts on advanced ticket purchases. If you know where to go now, you'll be able to book early and save.

You can use the money you save for shopping! manila's becoming a great place to shop. From clothes, mobile phones and everything else, you'll find your money will go a long way when shopping in the bargain centers in manila. be prepared to haggle though, since haggling for good prices is part of the shopping culture in the city.

I'm sure you'll have a great time. Bulk of your budget will go to accomodations, so if you're not aiming for 5-star hotels, you'll be able to stretch your budget more. And your credit card will come handy if you get cash-strapped anyways.

Enjoy!

Answer 2

100 US Dollars per day or 3,000 US Dollars is sufficient enough but does not include buying of native art. Manila and other Metropolitan cities in the Philippines can get a bit expensive compared to provincial cities and towns.

Mid-range hotels cost around 25 US Dollars. If you want budget inns, it would cost around 14 US Dollars. However if you are in tourist spots like Boracay Island, you might not find accommodations lower than 25 US Dollars.

You might spend around 4 US Dollars for mid range restaurants in the provinces. You can spend less in local restaurants selling street food. Fastfood burger (basic) cost around 1 US Dollars.

Plane tickets might cost around 65 to 90 US Dollars especially now it is Philippine summer season. Early flights cost less. Inquire from airlines and other promotions.

You should also consider toiletries, laundry and emergency money just incase you get stranded or something.

Answer 3

It depends on your lifestyle. I usually spend about $1,200 on a two week trip. I know some that get by on a lot less (if you travel by a shoestring) and I know some who spend a lot more. Food is relatively cheep if you eat in local restaurants. Hotels can run the gambit from a few dollars a night to 200 I usually spend about $25 a night on hotels (even in the province). Jens Peters writes the best guide on the Philippines. See the link below for his website. Have fun!

Answer 4

hello i just spent 3 weeks over php (thied trip there)
I travel all over the country and usally do 2 -3 internal flights and stay at cheaper hotels ...but clean ..plus food drinks nite clubs stc stc ..(also u will find that u pay for alot of things for the new friends u make over there
and most will try and rip u off BUT REMBER WHEN THEY DO THAT DONT GET TOO UPSET COS THE AMOUNT THEY RIP U OFF FOR IS NORM ONLY SMALL AMOUNT BY WESTERN MONEY
so any way for that 3 weeks i spent all up around 2000 aust dollars and had a GREAT time ....the ppl there are the most happy and friendly i have ever meet in any of my trips to asia ........and i lived like a movie star spending that amount !
so i guess if u were going from the USA then 2500-3000 USD u would be like donald trump over the php
have a great trip and when u get there smile and make friends ........once u smile over there u WILL get smiles back!!!!

Answer 5

Hotels here in the Philippines are the best since they include buffet breakfast making it you to think only of food for a snack and dinner.
The Philippine breakfast in a hotel can serve as brunch already! After being in California, Hongkong and Nevada, I think our 5 star hotels can compete worldwide. Definitely, Nevada hotels have a different story since they have nightly shows.
Another option is to check in at 3 star hotels over at Ermita where I think it will be cheaper. Our food is cheaper than in the US and Hongkong. You can eat for over a $1 US in our fastfoods like in McDonalds, Jollibee, Chinese food in Chowking, or Goldilocks or Red ribbon.

Answer 6

you can take around $500 cash and a travelers check. if you want to save but do a lot of things, taking a smaller amount of cash will help you not to spend too much on expensive things and budget everything. at the same, having that amount of money will still take you in a lot of places.

Check with the hotel if they are accepting traveler's check or credit card. although, if you use your credit card, sometimes, credit card company will charge you for using it outside of the country. but its also safer than bringing cash around the metro.

Answer 7

For three weeks i took $1800 and ate very well, bought gifts and souvenirs, traveled and beached, hotels etc and still had 600 left over. So to be on the safe side, I would say take $2000.

Answer 8

i think the money you should bring depends on how you spend. a dollar converted to peso usually ranges from 48 pesos to 50 pesos. if you are coming here in baguio city and you are looking for a place to stay come to our place for a cheap but comfortable room to spend the night. email me.
usually people spend around US$200-300 during their stay here. go to sagada mountain province to see the caves. you could spend the same price and to banaue rice terraces.
anyway bring credit cards in case you would need more money and instruct your relatives so they could send you money through western union if you are in need of cash. you could have the money in an hour.

Answer 9

$3,000 should be enough if you are frugal. Food is really cheap but good. To purchase gifts and other things, go to Greenhills shopping center. For really good food, go to the Dampa, a seaside market full of fresh seafoods. It is really a joy to go there and have your food cooked just the way you want it. It's located at Macapagal, near the Mall of Asia.

Answer 10

i would bring about $2000 or more.if youre planning to see relatives then they're gonna be expecting you to give them money too.thats just how people are here.it's weird.and also you are expected to pay for them (all of them) if they are going with you.and of course people will expect you na "mag painom".,...and before you leave to go back to the states people will "EXPECT" you to give them more money before you go.when you leave you will have nothing but your luggage.=p...thats how people think here.they automatically think you are a millionaire if youre from abroad...oh and one more thing....i totally disagree with the guy above me(helping)...you will need way more than $200-300.thats not even gonna last you a week!$200-$300 is only 15,000pesos.that is nothing!