The Philippines attracts close to four millions tourists a year. With so much to see and an overall laid-back atmosphere, travelers look forward to many fun things while in the county. While the people are warm, friendly and quite hospitable, travelers should still make the effort to practice some travel safety tips to ensure that the trip goes off without a hitch.Travelers should begin by securing their travel documents. Have photocopies of your passport and other travel documents with you. There’s no need to carry your passport with you when you tour, as long as you are able to present some form of identification when needed. Leave your travel documents locked in your hotel safe. If you lose your passport, report it to the local authorities right away. Also, contact your government’s embassy to secure an immediate replacement. This is why having copies of your travel documents makes sense.

Travelers should also ensure that they are in good physical health before embarking on any trip. It’s a good idea to get a general checkup before leaving. Some doctors may advise having some vaccination shots done as added protection. There have been some health risks caused by mosquito borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. As a preventative measure, bring some mosquito repellant. Pack enough prescription medication and carry your doctor’s prescription with you, in case you need more. Over the counter medication, such as pain and fever relievers are readily available in the country.

Be sure to have adequate medical coverage before embarking on your trip. A majority of medical health policies do not extend coverage outside the country. It is therefore necessary to avail of travel medical insurance that will cover you for the duration of your stay in the country. There are a number of good medical facilities in the Metro Manila Metropolitan Area. However, in some rural areas, medical facilities may not be readily available. Fortunately, there are many English-speaking personnel available.

The Philippines is a hot tropical country. Travelers should stay hydrated constantly. Drink plenty of water, especially when going outdoors or enjoying outdoor activities. Heat stroke and sunburns are possible because of excessive sun exposure. Travelers should apply a liberal amount of sunscreen as protection against the damaging rays of the sun when going outdoors.

Those who plan to enjoy the many beaches and resorts in the country should be aware of any advisories from the resorts. Also, swim parallel to the shore to avoid strong undertows in some areas. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also fun to do, but do so only in designated areas. Keep in mind that some beaches may have many jellyfish, especially during the wet season. Many public beaches do not have lifeguards on duty, so always supervise young children. When enjoying various water sports activities such as jet skis and kayaks, or when riding boats, including banana boats, wear life jackets as a safety precaution. Also, avoid the coastal areas during inclement weather.

Do not drink water from the faucet, as it is often not potable. Travelers should order bottled water when dining out. Before consuming drinks and items with ice, ask if the water is from a filtered source. Otherwise, you may want to skip it. Also, be careful in trying out the street food and other smaller establishments, since food safety practices may not always be enforced. Bring along some anti-diarrhea medication as a safety precaution. At major chains, hotels and largest establishments, proper food handling safety practices are more strictly enforced so dining at these places is a safer bet.

When dining out, tipping is expected. Some establishments already include a service charge, while others do not. You may opt to round up the bill to the nearest peso amount as tip.

Exercise basic common sense when going out. Do not draw attention to yourself by wearing expensive or flashy jewelry. Hold your purse or bag in front of you whenever possible, especially in crowded areas. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are abundant all over the metropolis. When walking on the sidewalk, stay on the inner part since some thieves operate in teams and ride on a motorbike, ready to relieve people of their belongings and to drag unsuspecting victims on the street, which could result in severe physical injury. Kidnap for ransom groups still operate in the country, so follow travel advisories of the country and your embassy to determine the places that you should avoid. Keep in mind that crime is a concern in the country so exercising caution is a must.

When dining at restaurants or opening your purse or bag in a public place, be vigilant. Do not place your bag on the back of your chair. Instead, place it on your lap or on the hook found under the table. Do not let a stranger handle your belongings for you for any reason. Cellular phones, laptops, electronic tablets and other gadget are items that thieves often target. Never leave your belongings unattended even when just going to the restroom or to buy a drink. Some coffee shops and other premium establishments even provide laptop security belts for customers to prevent theft.

Before heading out, get assistance from your hotel concierge. Many major hotels provide free maps and itinerary suggestions. Also, get a business card from the hotel that you could present to the taxi driver, to help facilitate directions when you need to go back.

For travelers, the best way to get around is by taxi. Taxis are metered although there are drivers who would attempt to give you a special negotiable rate. While the jeepneys, a popular local mode of transportation, might seem fascinating, these aren’t always safe and are sometimes crowded and uncomfortable, and should be avoided by tourists, unless you are already familiar with the area and know the jeepney routes. Likewise, it could be an adventure to try other modes of transport but with caution. If this is your first time in the country and do not know your way around, other public transportation should also be avoided, such as the Metro Rail Transit, buses, ferries and other modes of transportation. A good yet expensive alternative is to use the hotel service.

Driving could be quite risky in the Philippines especially in Manila. Many drivers disregard traffic rules and make many driving safety violations. It is also common to have smaller vehicles such as motor bikes, tricycles and even pedestrians and vendors selling various wares weave in and out of traffic.

When crossing the street, try to use an overpass. Look carefully both ways before crossing, even if the light is in your favor. Many drivers do not give the right of way to pedestrians. Travelers might notice that there are many street beggars on the road. When approached, avoid making eye contact with them and do not give to panhandlers. Keep in mind that the Philippines is a developing country, so signs of poverty are readily seen in many places. Giving attention to one begging person would certainly attract more your way.

The Philippine peso is the currency used in the country. ATMs are widely available in major cities. When using these ATMs, be mindful of your surroundings. Make sure the person behind you cannot see your PIN code as you enter it. Traveler’s checks are not generally accepted except in major hotels and establishments. Cash is preferred and some shopping establishments even provide a discount or lower rate to customers who pay cash for their purchases. Major international credit cards are also widely accepted, although some establishments do not accept credit cards issued outside of the country.

When getting your dollars changed into the local currency, it’s best to go to a bank to get it done. Hotels are also a reputable place to transact business. There are black market money changers that offer higher exchange rates, but these offer no guarantees that you are not getting counterfeit money. Before leaving your hotel, be sure to have an ample amount of smaller bills since many vendors do not have change for large paper bills.

When out shopping, you have the option to bargain, especially when you are buying items in bulk, in a bazaar or street fair. There is no bargaining done in retail stores. Avoid purchasing pirated or counterfeit goods, especially fake designer bags, music CDs, movies and even video games. The price may be attractive, but there are illegal and might be confiscated. You could also be subjected to strict fines and other penalties when returning to your home country.

There are over 7,100 islands in the country, although just over 10% of these are inhabited. Most tourists stay on the two major islands, Luzon and Visayas. Many travelers are advised by their embassies and consulates against going to the Mindanao region because of increased security threats to foreign nationals. The Mindanao region is considered a high-risk area for travelers. Kidnapping, terrorism and violent clashes between government personnel and terrorist or rebel groups are quite common and could pose a significant threat to travelers. Non-essential travel to the region should be avoided.

For the rest of the country, there is some security risk involved although the government and many establishments have taken measures to increase security. Don’t be surprised if a security guard posted at the mall entrance asks to see the contents of your bag, especially backpacks. Some establishments such as shopping malls, hotels and convention centers even make customers pass through metal detectors. Even vehicles are subject to inspection.

These are just some unique Philippine travel safety tips and guidelines that travelers should keep in mind to help make your trip a safe and stress-free vacation. Use our Travel Guide Philippines to learn more about this fascinating archipelago and to help you create a fun, memorable yet safe travel itinerary. By exercising basic caution, being mindful of your surroundings and other people’s behavior, travelers could expect to have a wonderful time enjoying the many attractions of the Philippines.