🇵🇭 Philippines · PHP
The Philippines uses the peso (PHP, shown as P), and it remains a largely cash-based country once you leave the big malls and hotels. Small notes are gold for jeepneys, tricycles, sari-sari stores and markets, and US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange.
The Philippine peso (PHP) is divided into 100 centavos. Notes come in 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos, with coins of 1, 5, 10 and 20 pesos plus centavos. Breaking 1,000 peso notes at small vendors is hard, so keep plenty of 20-100 peso notes for everyday transport and stalls.
Cash is essential outside malls, hotels and chain stores, and is the only option for jeepneys, tricycles, markets and most small eateries. Cards are accepted in cities and resorts but less so in provinces and islands. Carry a daily cash supply heavy on small notes, and treat cards as a backup for bigger purchases.
Licensed money changers in cities and malls generally beat banks and hotels, and US dollars get the best rates and widest acceptance. Bring clean, unmarked, newer-series bills, as torn or old foreign notes are often refused or discounted. Compare a couple of changers and count your pesos before leaving the counter.
Counters at NAIA and other airports offer poor rates; change only enough for your transfer into the city. Exchange the rest at a reputable city or mall money changer, or simply withdraw pesos from a bank ATM. Having a small amount of pesos ready on arrival is handy for taxis and tolls.
ATMs are widespread in cities but charge a fixed fee on most foreign-card withdrawals, and per-transaction limits are often low (frequently around 10,000-20,000 pesos). Withdraw the maximum per transaction to spread the flat fee, and use bank-branch or mall ATMs for safety. ATMs can be scarce or empty on small islands, so stock up before heading out.
Tipping is appreciated and fairly common in the Philippines. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge, so check the bill before adding more; if not, around 10% is a kind gesture. Small tips for hotel staff, drivers, guides and spa workers are welcomed, and rounding up is normal.
Use only licensed money changers and count your pesos carefully, as short-changing can happen at dodgy booths. Decline dynamic currency conversion and pay in pesos on card terminals. Watch for old or torn foreign bills being rejected, ATMs that are out of cash, and always agree tricycle/taxi fares or insist on the meter beforehand.
Carry enough pesos for a couple of days of transport, food and small purchases, refilling from ATMs in towns. Bring extra cash before heading to islands and remote areas, where ATMs are few and may run dry. Keep a stash of small notes specifically for jeepneys, tricycles and sari-sari stores.
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