A lot of people have been asking me lately how on Earth I managed to pull off a trip around the Philippines. Most of them think that it must have involved tremendous amounts of money.
The truth is it didn’t.
I’m not a wealthy guy. I just worked hard and did everything I could to achieve my goal oftraveling to all the provinces of the Philippines while still being young.
I had to master the art of budget backpacking — a way to visit different places without worrying too much about your money.
Three years of traveling across the islands introduced me to some techniques that can make trips budget-friendly. For those of you who want to explore the country extensively but haven’t yet because you think it’s extremely expensive, here are 6 basic practices that can help you travel around the Philippines on a shoestring budget.
1. Don’t buy expensive gadgets and clothes.
I remember buying a cheap pair of shoes during my third year in college, and guess what, I still wear the same pair to this day. I use them every day at work and whenever I go outside to travel.
My phone is a Samsung GT-E1200T. Sounds sophisticated? I bought it for only ₱600! And with its lightweight feature, built-in flashlight, and super long battery life, it’s a flexible communication device I can bring even to the remotest islands in the country.
My shoes and phone
If you plan on climbing mountains, you don’t have to buy new sets of jackets and trekker pants. Using old clothes are okay as long as they are protective and comfortable to wear. And if they get damaged, you won’t mind it so much.
When taking photos, I use a Sony HX30V camera, a compact point-and-shoot camera that’s much cheaper than a DSLR. It’s also very handy and can fit in my pocket, freeing up space in my backpack.
El Nido, Palawan taken using my Sony HX30V
2. Sacrifice some comfort and use cheaper transportation.
The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of more than 7,000 islands. This means that going from one island to another often involves several transfers whether it be via airplane, jeepney, multicab, tricycle, boat, or habal-habal. If you’re not careful, transportation can take a huge chunk out of your budget.
It’s fortunate that we now live in the golden age of budget airlines. Sacrificing a little aviation comfort translates to unbelievably cheap plane tickets. Considering the fact that the longest domestic flight from Manila only takes about 1.5 hours, do you really need to fly business class?
Regarding land transportation options, if you value every peso in your wallet, you can choose hopping in an ordinary, non-airconditioned bus instead of an air-conditioned one, or riding a tricycle instead of a taxi, or renting a habal-habal instead of a 4×4 in crossing rough terrains.
Taking a pedicab ride in Maguindanao
3. Skip the fancy hotel.
Before embarking on your trip, it is important that you’ve already chosen the place where you want to stay so you know exactly how much your hotel room will cost. Early booking is also recommended especially if you’re traveling during the peak season at popular tourist destinations. Although walk-in accommodations are also possible, it can be a pain in the neck when all the budget places are fully booked — leaving you with no choice but to stay in an expensive hotel.
There are numerous kinds of accommodation when you travel, from cockroach-infested hotels to 5-star ones. However if you’re a backpacker who spends roughly 80% of the day outside exploring places, it’s pointless to be picky on the type of hotel you’re staying. You’ll spend little time in your hotel room. A day of walking, commuting, taking photos and restaurant hopping is exhausting. By the time you get back to your room at night, you’ll probably ignore the TV, the refrigerator and all other hotel amenities, and simply pass out.
My ₱200 per night fan room accommodation in Itbayat, Batanes
I recommend choosing a hotel room which is just enough to satisfy basic needs — comfortable bed, suitable ventilation, and sanitary bathroom. When traveling with a group, it’s best to look for dorm-type accommodations so each member can save even more money.
4. Turn street food into happy meals.
Food is important, but so is your travel fund. Choose food items that are high in carbohydrates like rice and bread. This will keep your tummy happy and your body energized. Most importantly, these items are cheap.
You’ll find a carinderia in every corner of the country, each one serving affordable meals that rarely go above ₱100.
Wide selection of grilled fish sold beside a street in Cotabato
We also have a vastitude of mouthwatering street foods like kwek kwek, kikiam, fishball, isaw, banana cue and bibingka. These choices are delicious and budget-friendly at the same time.
5. Grab a map, study it… then prepare to walk a lot.
You’re probably going to create a list of places you wish to visit prior to your trip. Why not take it a notch further and locate all these destinations on Google Maps? This way you’ll have an idea if the places you’re visiting are walking distance from one another. If they are less than 1.5 kilometers apart, especially in a city, you can just take a leisurely walk rather than flagging a taxi or using other modes of transportation. If you can walk farther than 1.5 kilometers, then you can save even more money.
Map of Sagada showing the town’s walking distance attractions (by PM Stephens)
When planning your itinerary, it’s best to establish how you intend to get from one spot to another. If you’re exploring a main town or city, try “walking” more instead of “riding.” Just don’t forget to carry a bottle of water when walking under a hot sunny day.
6. Keep the extra money saved for your next trip.
Following the 5 simple strategies above, you will probably return from your trip and realize that you were able to save plenty of money. If you feel like you deserve to spend the surplus money carelessly, don’t.
It’s better to keep these savings and start planning for your next trip.
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