So how much cash do you need when visiting the Philippines?
This is a common question for men planning their first trip to the Philippines. And some men question whether cash is even needed at all.
Let’s break this down so that you are prepared and know exactly what to expect.
Do You Need Cash in the Philippines?
YES, you should always have some cash with you when visiting the Philippines.
This is true when visiting any foreign country, even if credit cards are widely accepted and it’s just for an emergency.
You do not want to find yourself half-way around the world in a foreign country without any cash. Credit cards get lost, stolen and declined every day.
(I have personally been in a situation where the portable card reader the server brought to my table was having connectivity issues…only cash was accepted that day.)
And when it comes to the Philippines, there are infrastructure concerns in many areas that you should be aware of.
Remember: the further you venture outside major cities like Manila and Cebu, the greater your chances of encountering internet issues and power outages.
How Much Cash Do You Need in the Philippines?
Now that you understand the importance of always having cash, the question becomes “How much cash should I bring to the Philippines?”
You will need 2 types of cash on your trip: emergency cash and cash for spending.
Emergency Cash
I recommend bringing a minimum of $500 U.S. Dollars in new $100 bills. This is your emergency cash and will be enough to cover 99% of unforeseen or emergency expenses you are likely to encounter in the Philippines.
This isn’t cash to convert at a currency exchange, unless it is an emergency. Instead you will be withdrawing additional cash for spending from ATMs in the local currency. This will give you the best currency exchange rate that is available to your bank.
(Be sure to check out my article on The Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Cash for more valuable tips on this topic.)
Philippines Pesos for Spending
Since you’ve brought your emergency cash with you, the only remaining question is how much local currency should you withdrawal?
The answer will be different for everyone, but it depends on three things:
- Where are you going?
- How long will you be there?
- What will you be doing?
You will need less cash if you are staying in a major city where ATMs are everywhere and credit cards are widely accepted. In this case, the only time you actually “need” cash is when paying for small purchases, purchasing food from street vendors, and most importantly: tipping the locals.
If you plan on using credit cards for most purchases, I recommend withdrawing $200-$300 USD in the local currency (Pesos) and seeing how long that lasts based on your spending and tipping habits. It will probably last you awhile, even when tipping generously.
But if you are going out into the provinces or countryside, cash will be even more important as credit cards often won’t be accepted. You’ll want to bring enough cash for the duration of your stay.
Are ATM’s Easy to Find in the Philippines?
Yes, ATM’s are easy to find in most major cities in the Philippines. But when you go further into the countryside and provinces, they become more scarce.
So if you plan on spending time visiting the provinces, be sure to bring enough cash for the duration of your stay.
Also, make sure the bills aren’t too large in denomination (amount).
Remember, things cost much less in the countryside, and many Filipinos won’t have enough cash to give you change for large bills. You will want to have smaller denomination bills even though they are a pain to carry.
This will also help you avoid displaying large amount of cash, which is never a good idea regardless of where you are.
Final Thoughts on Using Cash in the Philippines
To wrap things up: you will need emergency cash and cash for spending when visiting the Philippines.
Where you will be staying, combined with your spending and tipping preferences, will influence how much local cash you will need to withdrawal for spending.
So the answer to “how much cash do you need when visiting the Philippines?” should be based on the items discussed above.
Next, check out this article on How to Get the Best Exchange Rate from Foreign ATMs to make sure you’re always getting the most cash in every country you visit.
