TRAVEL FORMALITIES

Upon departure, any antiques you may have acquired during your stay must be accompanied by a certificate from the National Museum. You may not take more than Php5,000.00 (five thousand Philippine pesos) out of the country.

Currency
The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PhP) and the Centavo. 100 centavos = P1. Coin denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, P1, and P5. Bill denominations are 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos.

Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing outlets. Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and the laws are strictly enforced.

Most large stores, restaurants, hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express, Visa and Master Card. Traveler's checks, preferably American Express, are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted.

Travel Tax and Airport Fees
Philippine nationals are expected to pay for the Philippine Travel Tax upon departure from the Philippines. It is usually paid at the airport upon departure or oftentimes, already included in the cost of the ticket when purchased. US nationals and permanent residents (Green Card Holders) are exempt from the Philippine Travel Tax. US permanent residents need to secure a Travel Tax Exemption Certificate from the Philippine Tourism Authority at the Department of Tourism. The Philippine Travel Tax is Php1,620.00 (approximately $35.00).