One of the most popular places to visit in South East Asia, the Philippines really is one of those bucket list countries that cannot be skipped.
With some of the most idyllic beaches in the world, a diverse range of foods, as well as a unique history, you’ll have a hard time leaving this awesome nation.
Exploring the picturesque rice terraces. Hiking fiery volcanoes. Exploring some truly incredible underwater life. The Philippines is sure to satisfy even the most insatiable of travellers!
Once you’ve set your heart on heading to the Philippines, now comes the fun (yet often difficult) part of packing for your trip.
As well as looking at what to bring and what to leave at home, there’s other important things to consider too.
This includes the geography and varying seasons found here, which we’ll cover as necessary.
In this ultimate packing list, we’ll go through everything you’ll need when heading to the Philippines.
This also includes our very best tips and advice, so you can have the best time possible in this stunning nation.
Psssst, if you want the stress out of planning your Philippines Itinerary, then check out our ultimate blueprint, where I've done the work for you!
Before traveling anywhere, make sure you have your travel insurance in place. We recommend SafetyWing.
Why?
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There’s some important things we need to look at before bringing out the bags.
This includes learning about the different seasons of the Philippines, and also the surprising variety of landscapes found here (not to mention some high altitudes too!).
Let’s dive into what you need to know about this picturesque country.
It’s often a big misconception that the geography of the Philippines is limited to just beaches with perfect weather, and, well… more beaches. This is pretty similar to those who go to Mexico, and are surprised that it can actually get cold sometimes!
Did you know that this archipelago country has peaks of almost 3000m?
Or how about the fact that there’s as many as 5 different climates found throughout this nation?
Yes it’s all true, and most travellers as a result end up heading to the Philippines less prepared than needed.
Much of the country is laden with thick and humid jungle.
When heading here (and you’ll want to, given the incredible biodiversity found in the jungle), you’ll need both light and breathable clothes. It’s also essential to bring a quality water-proof jacket too.
There’s also a variety of unique biomes here too, such as the Tropical Savannah. Here there’s both a dry and wet season depending on what time of year you’ll be visiting, although it’ll still be hot year-round.
Lastly there’s also some pretty high peaks in the Philippines too.
Areas like Mount Apu can get pretty chilly, and really surprise most travellers who head on these hikes.
If mountain hiking and exploration are on your Philippines bucket list, then be sure to pack those extra layers too!
Despite the Philippines' size (it’s roughly 2150km from the north to south of the mainland), the dry and wet seasons are still pretty consistent throughout the country.
This helps us a lot, since we’ll know what to expect before leaving, and also the fact that a spontaneous trip to another part of the country won’t be a total shock to the system (the peaks being the only exception).
The dry season runs from January until May, and is the overall preferred time for a visit.
In the vast majority of destinations, this will mean hot and humid. Average daily temperatures in Manila range from 79-85°F, with highs of up to 93°F and lows of down to 74°F.
Rainfall is at its lowest this time of year, which is perfect for chilling out on the beaches and island hopping.
In Manila you can expect anywhere from 2-4 inches of rainfall throughout each month. Overall, the dry season is the best (and often most preferred) time to visit the Philippines.
The wet season in contrast is much wetter (and hotter), which brings its own pros and cons. It usually begins around late May, and ends around December.
In Manila, temperatures will rise to averages of between 81-85°F, with highs reaching up to 92°F and lows of down to 75°F.
Rainfall in Manila increases much more so than the temperatures, where you can expect between 6-14 inches falling within each month!
Whilst this sounds pretty glum, it’s actually not that bad, since the showers are usually quick and intense.
This actually makes the jungle more appealing for a visit, given the rains will make the vegetation even more green and beautiful than usual.
Whilst typhoons can technically occur any time of the year, they’re most likely between May and December.
For full weather stats and more, we recommend looking on WeatherSpark.
Once you’re set on heading to the Philippines, it’s time to choose the right bag for your trip.
Be sure to read through this section thoroughly, since your bag really can make or break your trip!
In this section we’ll go through the most important factors, which include bag size, your day pack as well as using roll-on luggage.
If you’ve ever headed to a backpacking or outdoor store before (or even just browsed online), you’d be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed.
Nowadays there’s an absolute tonne of brands and options to choose from, which makes you wonder what will be the most useful of all.
Believe it or not, but the bigger the bag doesn’t always mean the better.
This is something we’ve learned over time, and is a mistake you don’t need to make either!
What you’re going to find is that with less space available, you’re not going to bring as much with you.
Whilst this seems counterproductive, what actually ends up happening otherwise is that you bring too many things that will never get used.
This will result in a heavier bag, and also less space to pack things you pick up along the way.
We always go for a backpack with a size of between 50-60l, as opposed to bigger models that can stash up to 80l (or even more).
Advantages of choosing a smaller bag, rather than a bigger one, include:
The other important thing to keep in mind when browsing for a backpack is the quality and brand.
Whilst on the road, your bag needs to be tough and sturdy when facing the elements, whilst also gentle on the back and shoulders.
Our winner when it comes to larger backpacks is Osprey.
They know travellers extremely well, and as a result make awesome backpacks tailored for this kind of lifestyle. In other words, you’ll be getting the best bang for your buck.
As well as being comfortable to wear, they’re also very durable and will last you years.
Here are our top 2 recommendations:
Another important consideration is your day bag.
Whilst your larger backpack is useful for getting between destinations, it’s your day pack that you’ll be using the most on a daily basis.
Choosing the right day bag can also be somewhat difficult, since there’s many options on the market (and even more so than the larger backpack).
One of the most important factors for a day pack is durability.
This means choosing one that is made out of a quality material, and can be brought on longer hikes or treks and not wear easily. If you’ve ever had to pack for a trip through Thailand, then you’ll know what we mean.
It’s also a good idea to pick one that is spacious with various different compartments too.
Here’s some of the advantages of using a day pack:
Like with the larger backpack, selecting a reputable brand is important when purchasing a day pack.
It’s absolutely worth spending a little more to go with a big brand who knows this lifestyle well, compared with a smaller brand who may or may not have the experience.
And unfortunately, you won’t know until it’s too late and you’re already out there travelling!
As always, Osprey is our go-to when it comes to day packs, who create a solid range which are both spacious and durable.
Here are our top 2 recommendations:
If backpacks aren’t really your style, then roll-on luggage would be the next sensible luggage to bring with you to the Philippines.
This is usually a better option for those who are travelling with family, or are after a more inclusive holiday experience (as opposed to backpacking and heading to several destinations in one trip).
This guide outlines some of the best cases out there, as well as other reasons why roll-on luggage may be a better option for you:
Here’s some of the main advantages of bringing roll-on luggage:
The only thing to keep in mind is that roll-on luggage is much harder to take onto the plane with you, so you’ll have to pay luggage fees.
There’s also a good chance you’ll be taking many non-essentials with you, however depending on what kind of experience you’re after, it may not matter that much anyway!
Similar to when you’re picking bags, you’re going to want to go with a high quality brand when choosing roll-on luggage.
We swear by Horizn, who make both robust and spacious cases that are perfect for travel. You can read more about their benefits for a traveller.
One of the most important parts of travelling is how you prepare, and getting yourself the right bags before is a crucial step.
When it comes to selecting your larger backpack, you’ll want to go with something that is between 50-60 litres, which is more than enough for what you’ll need to bring.
Other important considerations are picking a bag that is both spacious and also durable (which you’ll get with the better brands).
Your day bag should also be chosen with care, since it’s going to be needed everyday.
For this reason you’ll want something robust and also versatile (that can survive different weather and terrains).
Lastly, you may even opt to leave the bags behind and bring roll-on luggage with you.
Useful in their own right, you’ll be able to bring a lot more items with you. Just be sure to pick cases that are easy to travel with.
Packing isn’t something we think too much about, however it really can make or break a trip.
Once you’ve got your bags sorted, it’s now time to pack properly for your trip to the Philippines.
Here we’ll start with the absolute top priorities (you can put down those sandals for the time being).
The Philippines is a hot country year-round, with its climate best described as tropical.
You can already get a sense of what will be needed when travelling here, with lighter and breathable garments your main priorities (similar to what we pack in our Sri Lanka Packing List).
Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to bring, starting with the guys.
You’ve been eagerly waiting to see what can be packed… So here we are!
This time for the ladies, let’s look at what to pack when heading to the ever-hot (and usually wet) country of the Philippines.
In the Philippines, people prefer not to use the usual laundry machine services that we use.
They go with labanderas (people that wash clothes for you by hand), and we recommend following suit.
You can ask your hostel for contacts, which they’ll most likely have in the surrounding area.
And if staying in a hotel, you can easily walk about and find a shop on the street (you can use the hotel services if you want, but bear in mind they’ll be more costly this way).
Most travellers actually head out without packing one of these, and this is a big mistake.
Even if you don’t have any medical emergencies (fingers crossed), it can be quite relaxing to know you have most of the basic tools in case something were to happen.
In a serious emergency you’ll need to go straight to a hospital, but in other cases the below items can come in very handy. For a full list for your medical kit, be sure to read this article.
If you don’t yet own a travel first aid kit, then here’s a good option to buy.
It contains the majority of what you need and you can then just add in any other items you want to take with you.
Plus, it’s small enough to tuck away in your backpack and not take up much space.
Making sure you have all your toiletries packed and ready is another important to-do on your list before leaving home.
Here we’ll go through some of the most basic items.
Managing your finances whilst on the road will be another consideration worth thinking about before you leave.
Given some banks have high international withdrawals fees, you’ll want to check these and look at other providers (travel cards are best which we’ll look at shortly).
The overall best ATMs to withdraw from will be those of Banco de Oro, as well as Bank of the Philippine Islands.
Both have low fees, whereas others may incur higher charges for you back home.
As we previously touched upon, using travel cards is a really useful tool for travellers heading to the Philippines.
With cards such as Monzo and Revolut, you’ll be able to withdraw with less fees than most other banks.
They are both also really easy to get in touch with, in case you ever had any financial issues whilst abroad.
We’ve also written a comprehensive guide on both Monzo and Revolut, where we outline the main advantages and disadvantages between them.
Firstly we have our travel documents.
Of all the things you’ll be bringing with you, these are by far the most important (as losing just one can make things pretty difficult for you).
We recommend keeping these in your day bag on you when travelling, and somewhere locked away safe when out exploring for the day.
Once we have all of our clothes and toiletries packed in, we can now start thinking about some of the tech we’ll want to bring.
From a quality camera to drones and beyond, below we’ll go through the main gadgets you may want to bring with you to the Philippines.
Given just how beautiful the Philippines is with its endless stunning sceneries, bringing a high quality camera with you is definitely worth it. There’s many different models and makes out there, which can sometimes make it confusing what you’ll need. We recommend the A7iii, which is both affordable and a great all-rounder. Be sure to bring a couple of lens with you too so you can vary up the shots (Wide Angle and Standard lens are the best to start with).
These are perfect for the travel lifestyle. Firstly they are cheap, especially when compared with other newer alternatives that are brought out annually. Also they’re perfect for on-the-go footage, and you won’t need to spend too much time setting it up. These are a good alternative to action cameras if you’re looking to further save.
There’s many awesome experiences and adventures to be had in this stunning country. From exploring underwater to trekking through the dense jungle, you’ll want an action camera when here. A GoPro of course is a great choice, but it’s not the only one out there! There’s many other high quality and versatile action cameras you can buy without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ve reviewed some of the best currently out there on the market.
Another way to record all your best moments is overhead! Drones are becoming increasingly popular to bring on travels, and there’s many versatile shots that can be taken with them. The Philippines has its own rules which must be followed when operating drones, such as flying lower than 400ft. You can read this guide for a full look at what you need to do, as well as what is and isn’t permitted. If it’s your first time buying a drone, you may be scratching your head at what would be the best buy. For those starting out, we recommend the DJ Mini 2, which is good for learning the ropes. We’ve compared the best drones for travel in this comprehensive guide.
Bringing a laptop is a must for many, and especially for those who will continue to work or are eager to switch up to the nomad lifestyle. It’s best not to bring something too expensive, since you’ll be fretting more than necessary about it. If you’re thinking of buying a new laptop for travel, you’ll want something that has a long battery life, and also a quality design (so it won’t break so easily). Also be sure to buy a robust hard case too, so your laptop will be safe whilst travelling and when in transport.
Keeping yourself healthy is your priority when travelling.
Below we’ll cover the essentials you’ll need to bring with you to the Philippines.
Here’s some other things worthy of bringing with you to the Philippines.
As we’ve seen above, you don’t want to bring too much, since you only have so much precious bag space.
However, there’s some items that are a strict no-no when packing for a trip to the Philippines..
So we’ve got the bulk of our things packed and ready now.
Before setting off, it’s worth having a check through this final list in case you see anything worth bringing! You can also refer to our ultimate packing list for any more potential items.
As mentioned earlier in this guide, your important documents really are the things that you won’t want to lose!
From your Passport to Spare Bank Cards, it’s good to keep everything inside a plastic wallet, within your day pack.
When travelling between places, this means they’ll always be on you, and at less risk of being stolen or misplaced.
When you arrive at your accommodation, it would be a wise idea to move these into your main backpack (or a safe), since you probably won’t want your passport on you whilst at the beach!
Just as the song goes, in the Philippines you’re going to be feeling hot!
This makes it really easy when it comes to packing for your trip here, since you’ll only really be needing thin and breathable garments.
Cotton and Linen are your best friends here, whilst it’s best to avoid anything made out of Nylon.
We would still say to bring at least one jumper and a pair of jeans though, since you’ll still need to get to and from the Philippines (and getting cold on a plane with no extra clothes available isn’t fun business).
Before leaving on your trip, it’s a good idea to first put things in different piles.
This helps you to work out what’s best for different scenarios (when it comes to the Philippines it’s quite easy, since it’s always hot!).
The next thing to do is to go ahead and buy some packing cubes.
As well as making things much easier to find whilst travelling, they also help to keep your clothes less wrinkled too (you can learn how to use them with this useful guide).
And at the end of the day, there’s nothing worse than rushing to go out, and finding your shirt crumpled to an inch of its life.
Even though you’ve got the whole backpack in front of you, it’s not a good idea to fill it all the way up.
Aside from making it difficult to open and close, it also means you’ll have no space to pack any of those “must-buys” that you’ll find on the road (and trust us - even those who aren’t looking will eventually find something).
The solution is to pack your bag just 3/4 full, which gives you ample space.
As well as improving your overall packing skills, you’ll find at the end of the day that you still didn’t use everything you brought anyway!
Perhaps you’ve already heard of this technique, but given it’s so useful, it’s important for us to repeat this golden tip.
By rolling clothes, you’ll find that you’ll save more space than having folded them in.
And if you’re worried about creases, then I hate to break it to you… but your things won’t stay the same as you put them in, regardless of how careful you are.
If keeping things as crease-free as possible is important for you, then consider buying some packing cubes as previously mentioned.
And that’s all for our Philippines Packing List!
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve looked at everything you’ll need to bring when heading to this stunning country.
From picking the perfect bag, to clothes and other everyday items, we’ve got you fully covered here.
If you have any questions, or perhaps some of your own advice about packing for the Philippines, then feel free to comment and share below!
For help planning the rest of your Philippines adventure, here’s some other guides you might find useful:
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