15 Tips For Filipinos Travelling Abroad For The First Time

Unlike in other countries where people are accustomed to travelling from such a young age, Filipinos however have just recently embraced this kind of lifestyle. Travelling, for a long time, was only reserved for the rich and famous in the Philippines and the thought of middle-income earners going on vacations in places like Palawan and Boracay was preposterous, much less abroad. This is the reason why Filipinos normally find it difficult to plan a trip overseas – or worse, are reluctant to even try. So in this article, allow me to share 15 tips that Filipinos travelling abroad for the first time could make use of.

1. SECURE YOUR PASSPORT

Securing a passport is the most important thing for anyone travelling to other countries and this is certainly important to us Filipinos. Before even thinking of booking a plane ticket, make sure to have already arranged an appointment with the DFA (Dept. Of Foreign Affairs) in your area. Setting an appointment is done online and if you plan to travel in 2-3 months’ time, you might wanna hurry, as slots run out pretty fast. If you already have a passport, make sure that it is still valid for 6 months. That means you still have 6 months before it expires, otherwise, you might wanna get yourself a new one.

2. DO YOUR RESEARCH

So you already have your passport and your plane tickets secured, but you have zero idea about the country you’re travelling to. Well, at this time, all there is to do is fire up your computer and google everything you need to know. While you may have opted to arrange your trip with a tour agency, doing your research is still necessary. Doing so will help set your expectations, broaden your perspective and avoid unnecessary disappointments during your trip.

It will also fill you up with so much information and you will find out how each country differs from their culture, traditions, and even cost of living. You might even be surprised that living in Hong Kong is more expensive than some cities in the US. Say, the average rent in Louisville, Kentucky is half the price of a property twice smaller in Hong Kong. Mind blowing, I know. Most of us Filipinos find the US intimidating not knowing that some parts of it can be cheaper than  some cities in Asia. Yup! That’s why you need to research.

3. READY YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

We Filipinos are not privileged travelers. As much as it hurts, being a citizen of a third world country makes us some of the least privileged of the world’s travelers. We constantly have to defend our reasons for travelling and prove we have the means to do so. Which is why we always need to have our travel documents at hand, such as our certificate of employment, bank statement, latest pay slips, drafted itinerary and return flight ticket, among others.

4. BE AT THE AIRPORT 3-4 HOURS BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT

Avoid missing your flight and be at the airport at least 3-4 hours before it. It’s not being over excited. It’s just allotting ample time to go through the whole process before finally stepping on that plane. Since this is your first time travelling overseas, you should know that getting on your plane is not as easy as checking in online and going straight to the boarding gates once you arrive at the airport. You still have to pay a travel tax that sometimes eats up to 30 minutes (unless this was already included in your plane ticket) and go through a tedious interview with the immigration officer, whom you have no idea if he/she will let you off the hook so easily.

5. ACE YOUR INTERVIEW WITH THE IMMIGRATION OFFICER

One of the worst things that could happen to you when you travel abroad is being offloaded, especially if it’s your first time. It would definitely scar and hurt you, especially if you have waited a long time to finally take that leap. Imagine having all that effort and excitement flushed down the drain in an instant. It could really be frustrating, but there are definitely ways to avoid it. This is where your travel documents will come in handy. Not that you will present them to the IO all at once, but they’re just there as your backup. Your best chance still to ace the interview is your confidence. Being assertive when giving your answers will give the IO no means to doubt you. And this might come as a surprise, but you might wanna consider dressing simply to make a more favorable first impression.

6. BRING US DOLLARS

Your travel funds are the very fuel of your trip and it is important for them to come in US Dollars. Why? First, to take advantage of the high exchange rates. Second, you will rarely find foreign exchange counters accepting the Philippine Peso in other countries. You could bring your local bank’s ATM card but you might suffer great loss when withdrawing abroad due to low exchange rates and other charges.

7. HAVE A CREDIT CARD

Credit cards really come in handy when travelling to other countries because fees are relatively low compared to local bank ATM cards and they don’t suffer from volatile foreign exchange rates. Having a credit card serves as your emergency go-to funds at times when you are about to run out of cash.

8. HAVE A TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is not something we Filipinos give much importance to. However, travel insurance is actually as essential as your passport. Having one gives you security and protection against anything unforeseen that may happen on your trip. Take my experience in Vietnam for example: while we were journeying the steep roads of Hai Van Pass on a motorcycle, we accidentally tripped. I suffered bruises and scratches and a trip to the hospital was something I didn’t prepare for financially. It took such a huge chunk out of my travel funds that I had to scrimp on everything during the remainder of my stay. If I’d had a travel insurance, the scenario would have been different. Sure, mine was probably an isolated case but mishaps can happen to anyone so it’s best to be prepared. There are several travel insurances you can choose from and coverage can include theft, trip cancellation, accidents, illnesses, personal liability, and so much more. Among these are SafetyWing, AIG Travel Guard and World Nomads.

• SafetyWing – The best travel medical insurance at an affordable price of $37/4 Weeks or $1.32/day. It offers flexible plans for both short and long term travels and support is available 24/7.
• AIG Travel Guard – Provides travel insurance as low as $8/1-4days. Covers medical expenses,  medical evacuation, personal accident, loss of travel documents and many others.
• World Nomads – Top overall travel insurance. Provides emergency medical support, emergency evacuation assistance, trip cancellation assistance and coverage for adventure sports and activities.

9. TRAVEL FIRST TO VISA FREE COUNTRIES

As I mentioned, we Filipinos are not privileged travelers. We can’t just jetset to another country on a whim, unlike people from first world countries such as Singapore or the US. Too bad, but our passport is just not that powerful. Out of the 195 countries of the world, we probably can travel to at most 60 plus countries visa-free. And if you’re thinking you will just get a visa so you could fly to London or Paris in no time, think again. It’s not that easy and it’s definitely not cheap. So if your heart is aching to experience different cultures and epic adventures outside of our homeland, I suggest you start with Hong Kong, Vietnam and other countries that won’t ask for a visa.

10. BRING A REUSABLE WATER CONTAINER

Water is probably one of the cheapest commodities in The Philippines but in other countries, water is gold. While we can have 250ml of distilled water for less than twenty pesos here, in Hong Kong, it could cost you fifty. That is why it is important to bring a reusable water bottle that you can just fill with water at a restaurant or your hostel for free. Saves you some bucks and lessens your plastic waste.

11. SPEND A MINIMUM OF 3 DAYS IN EACH CITY

While hopping from one country to another in a span of 5 days is a thing for young Filipinos collecting passport stamps and adding countries to their resumes, I suggest you stay at least 3 days in each city or place you visit. Travel is not a race. It is more about learning and understanding the cultures and people from the places we travel to. It’s about making meaningful memories and connections, and a quick 24-hour visit won’t just be good enough to do that.

12. GET A TASTE OF THE LOCAL CUISINE

Nothing could bring you closer to learning about a culture than sampling the local cuisine, as a place or people could very well be defined by what they eat. Think about curry and how easily India comes to your mind or Pho for Vietnam. Food is as important a part of a culture as religion or tradition. It is a statement or a part of a country’s identity that doesn’t take much more to get to know than a palate longing to experience new flavours.

13. BE SPONTANEOUS

Sometimes when we travel, we are so keen to follow our itinerary that we forget to let loose and enjoy the moment. This is one common mistake I usually commit. And more often than not, it leads to more disappointment than I ever prepared myself for. So wherever you are going, loosen up. Just go wherever your feet will take you. I know it is easy to get caught up in your desire to see all the places on your itinerary but hey, there’s always a next time. Yes, it’s important to have a plan but when the situation calls for a change, you should embrace it wholeheartedly and simply have the best time.

14. KEEP AN OPEN MIND

You are going to a foreign land. A place that is completely different from ours. People are different and so are their culture, beliefs and the way they live. I always encounter fellow travelers complaining about unpleasant encounters overseas where the locals behaved so rudely towards them, but I always tell them we are of a completely different culture. What’s rude to us may just be anything normal to them. As it is your first time travelling in another country, always keep an open mind. Keenly observe the locals and learn from them. Don’t be presumptuous while lacking an understanding of who they are. Remember: we are different.

15. ALWAYS BE CAREFUL

“You Only Live Once” says almost every traveler I know, meaning that we always have to seize the moment and make the most out of it. While it’s definitely true, that doesn’t give anybody a license to be reckless. We still need to take caution and arm ourselves with every protection there is. Awareness is easily our best friend and so are first-aid kits, pepper spray and travel insurance. Avoid countries with ongoing conflicts. Don’t be in the streets late in the evening. If possible, dress like the locals to avoid drawing attention to yourself. Notify the local authority if you are going somewhere remote. Trust me. You’ll thank yourself for being careful one day when you’re 60 and grey but still having adventures of a lifetime.

There you have it lovelies. I hope these tips will help you on your first adventure abroad. If you require more information, drop your questions in the comments. Share this with your friends who might need it. Until next time. See yah!