IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES IN 2025?

When the topic is “popular international destinations for American travelers,” one name that doesn't frequently come to mind is the Philippines. Yet the country is becoming a hotspot for American travelers, begging the question, “Is it safe to travel to the Philippines?” 

As we’ll see, the answer is mostly yes. 

Nearly 1 million Americans visited the Philippines in 2023, according to the Philippine News Agency, with more than half of that number Americans who formerly lived in the Philippines returning to visit friends and relatives. 

However, the age curve is shifting from Baby Boomers to Millennials and younger, and as Filipino culture becomes more ensconced in the United States, more Americans without ties to the islands are visiting. 

There’s a lot to see in the country. In the Philippines you can climb mountains, explore rainforests, laze on beaches, and cruise to the more than 7,000 islands that make up this amazing nation. 

However, you can tell just from the description that there are going to be safety concerns when you visit a country this diverse. 

Safety ratings 

For the most part, there’s a consensus on the safety of the Philippines. 

The State Department gives the country a level-2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”) rating, mainly because the Philippines’ southern islands – Mindanao in particular – are overrun with insurgents. Don’t go there. There are plenty of other places in the country to enjoy.  

Meanwhile: 

• The Global Peace Index places the country 104th out of 163 countries 

• The Global Finance rankings of the World’s Safest Countries places the Philippines 134th out of 134 

• Numbeo places the Philippines 62nd out of 146 countries in its safety ratings, and Manila 306th out of 350 among cities 

• GeoSure Global gives Manila a composite score of 46.6 on a 100-point scale, with a high of 61 (for health and medical) and a low of 28 (for theft) 

Finally, our own ratings of the World’s Safest Countries place the Philippines 31st out of 42, a change from 37th the previous year. 

Okay, so what does all this mean? It means you need to fly into Manila, spend the minimum amount of time there, and then head out to a resort, start cruising around the islands, or go inland and explore the countryside. 

As Travel Rebels put it, “There are indeed places you should avoid. But because they’re all islands, there are very clear boundaries between where it’s safe to travel and where it’s not ... The fact that there’s unrest somewhere in the country certainly doesn’t mean that everywhere is unsafe.” 

The bloggers go into great detail in their posts about where you can and should go and how you should get there. It’s going to be a combination of in-country flights, boat rides, and road trips – but that’s a great way to see any country expeditiously. 

Here’s what to be aware of as you make your way around the Philippines. 

Crime 

Petty theft is a problem, primarily in the cities. Purses, backpacks, wallets, and phones are the main targets. 

In multiple blogs we’ve outlined the tips for keeping personal belongings safe, but one more time: 

• Wear shoulder bags across your body. 

• Invest in backpacks and bags with cut-proof straps, and “pickpocket-proof” pants and shorts. 

• Spread around valuables and important documents. 

• When you take off a bag or backpack, keep it in front of you. If you set it on the ground, step on the strap. 

• Be aware of your surroundings, particularly at ATMs. 

Specific to the Philippines, the State Department recommends: 

• Leaving the drugs home. In the Philippines possession equals trafficking, and the maximum penalty for trafficking is life imprisonment. 

• Being careful around children. Per the State Department, “In the Philippines, any adult in the company of a minor under 12 years old who is not related within the ‘fourth degree’ may be subject to a severe penalty.” 

• Carrying supporting documents if the gender in your passport doesn’t reflect your current gender expression. 

Out in the countryside crime is less of an issue. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be vigilant, but the incidence of petty theft drops significantly. 

Weather 

When it comes to tropical weather and natural disasters, the Philippines gets them all. Typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, floods, volcanic eruptions – none of these are out-of-bounds for the Philippines. 

While eruptions and earthquakes are truly unpredictable, other events can be planned around. 

For instance, don’t visit the Philippines between July and October because that’s when typhoons visit the Philippines. Keep an eye on NOAA’s Global Tropics Hazards Outlook to track the development of storms.  

Because the Philippines are a vast collection of islands, you need to understand where you’re going compared to where the weather problems are. One island may be experiencing wildfires, but another island a short distance away may not be. 

From a protection standpoint, it’s important to know how your travel-insurance policy covers trip cancellation and interruption due to natural disasters. Studying your policy before you leave can save you grief if you’re caught in a weather-related situation. 

Transportation 

The great thing about the Philippines is that it’s 7,000-plus islands. The worst thing about getting around the Philippines is that it’s 7,000-plus islands. 

Because the country is like a deconstructed atom, all protons and electrons and archipelagos, you need to have a plan of attack to see it.  

A recommended approach is: 

• Do your research and decide what you want to visit 

• Make a transportation plan to see all those places 

• Make reservations early 

The last part is important. Not only do you want to secure seats on what will be limited-seating transport modes, but flying around the Philippines is significantly cheaper the earlier you book. 

Note that securing your seats does not mean you’re out of the woods as far as transportation safety goes. There are other hurdles to overcome. 

Taxis and traffic 

Especially in Manila, the taxi system is a free-for-all. There are numerous unlicensed cabs, and many instances where taxi riders have been robbed, especially driving into the city from the airport. 

To stay taxi-safe in Manila: 

• Reserve taxis and rideshares through the Grab app 

• Make sure the meter is running when you get in the cab 

• Don’t share a ride with another rider 

• Roll up windows and lock doors 

• Ask your hotel to call a cab for you 

• Note the license number of non-compliant cabs 

If you’re thinking of driving yourself, you may want to reconsider. As the State Department puts it, driving in Philippine cities is “dense and unpredictable.” 

This isn’t any consolation, but: It’s worse for pedestrians. 

Boat transportation 

Boats are often the only way to travel between islands. They’re cheap and relatively frequent, but don’t expect them to adhere to American-style safety standards.  

In the State Department’s words, “Sufficient safety equipment may not be provided, and recommended maintenance standards and safety precautions may not be observed. Always use available safety equipment, such as lifejackets or seatbelts, even if others do not.” 

Other transportation 

Buses are a common form of intercity transport. They're cheap and they get you there ... eventually. 

You can make reservations online using Bookaway or 12Go. Advance reservations are highly recommended. 

Staying healthy 

As with any tropical country, the Philippines has a lot of bugs floating around, and it’s easy to get sick if you don’t take precautions. 

Filipino cuisine is outstanding, but if you’re buying street food, buy only freshly prepared dishes and fresh, unpeeled fruit. Drink bottled water and avoid drinks with ice in them. 

The country also has plenty of bugs of the winged and creepy-crawly varieties. In addition to poisonous centipedes and spiders, the country has lots of mosquitoes that carry lots of diseases, including: 

• Dengue 

• Chikungunya 

• Zika 

• Malaria 

Measles, tuberculosis and polio are also common in the country, so be sure to be current on your vaccinations before you leave the U.S. 

In the water, box jellyfish and sea snakes are not uncommon, and land snakes can pack a punch as well.   

Finally, watch out for the poison tree and the machineel tree, or beach apple. Their leaves and bark can cause painful blisters. 

The Filipino medical system isn’t as robust as that of the U.S., and many providers demand payment up front. For that reason, travel insurance with coverage for medical emergencies and medical evacuation is a must. 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has a variety of plans with robust medical and evacuation coverage that would be ideal for travel to the Philippines. 

Other concerns 

The Philippines has many gorgeous beaches but few lifeguards. Be water-smart and be aware of rip currents that can suck swimmers out to sea. 

Being a tropical country, the Philippines has some wicked sun. Wear sunscreen and apply it frequently. (And remember: Insect repellent goes on over sunscreen.) 

Filipino people are generally warm and friendly, and most speak at least a little English. However, learning a few words in the local language (the country has several) can go a long way in fostering friendship. Duolingo is your friend here. 

The Philippines are a popular, accessible travel destination that are only becoming more popular. Now’s your chance to visit the country before it becomes over touristed. 

With some advance planning and travel insurance from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, your trip should be fun, exciting, and safe.  

Have a great trip!