Jeepneys Philippines. Riding in jeepneys.

Jeepneys in Philippines

Advantages and Disadvantages of Riding in Jeepneys in the Philippines

The first time I was at the main immigration office in Manila I spoke with a clerk who advised me not to drive in the Philippines. The man told me "driving here is very different than driving in the USA." He suggested that if I did buy a car that it would be best to hire a driver. I took his advise and did not drive during my first 3 years in the Philippines.

Driving in the Philippines is VERY different than in the US. Someone has said that traffic laws and signs are considered merely suggestions here. One of the habits that amuses me here is that often two vehicles will pass a car at the same time. That's right three abreast and two of them are in the oncoming traffic lane! The two that are passing the other must fight to get back in the right lane before colliding with the oncoming vehicles. Talk about risking everything just to save a few minutes of travel time. I just read in the news (on July 5, 2012) that there had been over 20,000 traffic accidents in Metro Manila in the past 3 months.

I actually enjoyed not driving. My first few months in country I used taxis a lot. Taxis were not expensive and I liked being driven around in air conditioned luxury. But, there are many times that a taxi is not readily available. So, transportation choices then are to ride a bus, a tricycle or a jeepney.

A jeepney terminal

Seems that the most frequent and the cheapest mode of travel is a jeepney. There are very few air conditioned jeepneys in the Philippines. Most have open air rear passenger compartments. There is usually roll down clear plastic sheeting to put down in event of rain. If rain is coming in, the driver will stop and lower the plastic coverings. There are no seatbelts in jeepneys, but they seldom travel very fast. Have never seen a jeepney accident.

As to travel time in a jeepney. It will take a little longer to get between two locations via jeepney than it will take in a taxi or a car. The jeepney stops for passengers along the way. When the driver sees someone nod or raise a hand he will stop to pick them up. I estimate that it would take about 15 minutes longer to travel from Magalang to SM City Clark by jeepney than it would take by car. Motorcycles are able to get there faster because they weave in and out of traffic and pass on the left OR right (although this is very dangerous).

You may want to travel by bus in the Philippines. Many buses are air conditioned. Buses cost a little more but usually take longer to reach one's destination because they stop for longer periods of time at their bus stops in order to take on the most passengers possible. Jeepneys seat only about 20 passengers so they tend to fill up faster. Advantages of buses are that one sits higher and thus above the thickest vehicle pollution. But, bus routes are usually only on the most heavily trafficked roadways. Jeepneys can be found on almost all roads. In Metro Manila there are more buses. Between provinces buses usually only ply the major highways linking the provinces.

One of my most memorable moments was when I exited the rear of a jeepney in a rural are outside of Angeles City.. Several students were seated near the rear door. One young lady said to me, "We are glad you're in the Philippines!" I said, "Thank you!"

When one is staying a long time in country it seems more feasible to travel like the locals. And, most of the locals ride in jeepneys. Travel by jeepney is the cheapest way to travel in the Philippines. One may travel a mile to several miles for 8  to 12  pesos (18 to 28 cents USA money). Here is a trick, instead of hiring a taxi to take you someplace it will probably be a lot cheaper to hire a jeepney. Just ask jeepney drivers if they will do a "private service" to wherever you need to go. For example, from SM City Clark in Angeles City you might hire a jeepney to take you and some new furniture back to your apartment for about 150 to 300 pesos. Or, in our case, we hired a "private jeepney" to take us and our luggage to the bus terminal for about 300 pesos. A taxi would charge about 600 to 900 pesos (it would need to travel round trip, from SM City Clark.). Or, if you need a ride to a hospital a jeepney will be cheaper and easier to find than a taxi. Just approach an empty jeepney at a jeepney terminal or on the street. You could ride a tricycle but a jeepney is a lot safer.

Compare that to the cost of bus fares in Florida, USA. A bus ride will cost $2.00 US or about 86 pesos (at the current exchange rate at the time of this writing on May 30, 2012.)

There are NO jeepneys in Florida, USA. In fact, I have never seen a jeepney anywhere in the USA. Maybe because of seat belt laws in the US.
It would be nice if there were jeepneys in the USA.

In the Philippines jeepneys can go where buses cannot go. They are everywhere! One never has to wait for a jeepney for more than a couple of minutes.

In the USA, one must walk to a bus stop, which may be a long distance from one's home or place of work. Then wait about 20 minutes for the next bus.

There are no seat belts in jeepneys. But, they usually travel at such slow speeds there are hardly ever any accidents resulting in injuries to passengers, as far as I know. I have never seen one in all the time I have been riding jeepneys.
There are "jeepney terminals" in downtown areas and at malls. At jeepney terminals many jeepneys wait their turn to carry passengers to surrounding areas. Drivers sleep while waiting their turn.

Entering the rear of a traditional jeepney

in Baretto Township near Subic Bay, Philippines

Most jeepneys carry about 22 passengers. Two benches in the rear, one on each side, 10 passengers on each bench and 2 more in the front seat. The seats have thin foam and a vinyl cover. Sometimes the bench covers are made from old vinyl signs.

Watch your head when boarding jeepneys!

Warning: be very careful when entering the rear of a jeepney. I have banged my head many times when pulling myself up in to the rear passenger compartment. Once, I almost knocked myself out. My head hit a steel bar so hard it made a loud bang noise. Two guys sitting near the door reached out to save me from falling back out onto the street. Fortunately it did not knock me out but it came close. I was still able to support myself.

Another hazard is light fixtures fastened to the center of the ceiling of many jeepneys. I have scratched or cut my head probably 30 times on these. Some jeepney ceilings are so low it is almost impossible for one to avoid the chrome steel fixtures.  It can be hard to remember to duck down far enough, so, if you will wear a hat it will afford some protection.

Take a few moments to look at the top of the door opening and at the lights that may be fastened to the ceiling. Then pull yourself up slowly and climb into the jeepney. Move slowly and keep your head low to avoid hitting the light fixtures or screws or other things that may be protruding from the ceiling.

It is necessary to bend way over forward to "walk" to an open spot on a bench to sit down. Bending over in public is very foreign to North Americans. I felt very self-conscious for the first few months. But bending way over is good exercise and will help to keep one in good physical shape. It has worked for me.

Some people are just too tall or too large to fit into jeepneys or tricycles. Some jeepney passenger compartments are narrower than others. In a narrow jeepney it is very difficult to avoid stepping on other passengers' feet when entering and departing. If you cannot fit in the rear of the jeepney there may be a vacant seat next to the driver. You may try to fit into it. But, if you cannot then just wait for a larger jeepney or hail a tricycle or a taxi.

Drivers will usually understand English in the major metropolitan areas. Be sure to ask the driver to let you know when you have reached your destination. This is very important because it is virtually impossible to see out the side "windows" while riding. If you are over 5 feet tall you will be able to see the sidewalks but not buildings, signs or  landmarks. If you bend down low you may be able to get an idea of where you are by looking out the front window. Try to sit in the front seat near the driver or if you are in the rear passenger compartment try to sit near the driver or move there when others exit the vehicle.

Jeepneys are color coded. For example, blue ones travel back and forth between two points via certain routes while yellow ones travel different routes to different destinations.

Manners and what to say in a jeepney

Manners dictate some unique actions when riding in a jeepney. If someone is entering the passenger compartment with a suitcase, package or other large items, be helpful. Often they will need assistance while going to an empty seat space or when departing the jeepney. Do like the Filipinos and help the package along to the seat or to the exit.

If you are sitting by the rear door opening and you see someone who needs a hand to board the jeepney then extend your hand.

If a family boards try to move or make room so they can sit together.

Pass fare coins from other passengers forward to the driver. Just give the coins to the passenger next to you.

Try to have exact change for your own fare. If you pay more than exact fare you may or may not get change back. If you do not know the Filipino words to use to request your change it is easiest to just consider it a tip (which I am sure the driver's family probably needs and will appreciate.)

Some Filipino words to use when riding a jeepney

Ask a nearby passenger "mekano po" or "what is the fare to Sun Valley" to find out the cost of the fare.
When handing your fare to the driver say "bayad po" which means "here is the fare."
If you are near the rear door say "bayad" and pass your coins to a passenger near you, who will in turn pass it on to other passengers until it reaches the driver's hand.
The first time I paid the driver for my girlfriend and me I pronounced it wrong. I said, "bayag po, dalawa." All of a sudden a lot of giggling and smiles from the other passengers. It seems that bayag means "balls" in Tagalog. Po is the polite way to address a person and dalawa means "two." So, I had said "two balls, po." I smiled too, but I never said "bayag po" again. So, be careful to pronounce words correctly if you try to speak the language.

If you are going to Sun Valley subdivision, for example, tell the driver "I need to 'go down' at Sun Valley." Or, listen to what other passengers tell the driver.
When a passenger who requested "Sun Valley" gets off then you just follow him or her.

Or, when you want the driver to stop so you can get off, say "para po" (which means "stop".)

If the driver starts to step on the gas before you get off say "para, po" loud enough for him to hear you.

To learn more about what to say and do when riding in a jeepney go to this Wikipedia article and scroll down to the "Practices, Etiquette and Parlance" heading.

Be VERY cautious when getting out of a jeepney

When exiting the rear of the jeepney you will be facing the ground. Have faith that the drivers of the vehicles behind you will stop! Pray.

Leaving Diosado Macapagal International Airport,
in the Clark Freeport Zone, in a Toyota Tamaraw FX (a type of van.)

Look both ways several times when exiting jeepneys in traffic, before crossing the street. Remember, motorcycles can appear out of nowhere. Also, remember, motorcycles and bicycles may pass in the tight area between the jeepney and the curb. Be very cautious!

Other information about riding in jeepneys

Pickpockets in Jeepneys

Read about my experiences with pickpockets while riding in jeepneys. On two occasions I have been the intended victim. Click on my "Pickpockets in the Philippines" article and see how I dealt with them.

Read an example of what happens to people who use weapons to rob jeepney passengers. They may be dealt with swiftly.

If you are interested in buying a jeepney visit this site to see a jeepney manufacturers in the Philippines. You may also want to visit my article about Buying a Used Car in the Philippines.

Jeepneys in the USA. I read an article about a couple who did bring a jeepney to the USA and are carrying passengers a city where there are many Filipinos in California. I imagine it must have been modified to meet US vehicle regulations.

Compare riding in jeepneys to riding in tricycles or riding in taxicabs.

If you are considering buying real estate in the Philippines.

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This article will be updated. Check back to read more about jeepney travel. This page last updated June 4, 2022.

Buying A Car In Philippines

Buy or Sell New or Secondhand Cars, Motorcycles,
Vans and Trucks in the Philippines

Buying Used Cars, Secondhand Cars or New Cars in the Philippines

Some foreigners ask, "Can I buy a car in the Philippines?"

Yes, you are permitted to buy a used car or a new car in the Philippines.

But do you really need a car in the Philippines? There are trains serving the metro Manila area and they are neat and clean, and the air conditioning is nice and cold. In each train car there are seats designated for senior citizens, disabled and pregnant women. There is also a car designated for females (be sure to stand in the designated waiting are on the platform. Children and a male friend or relative may accompany in the same car). If you travel by train, there will be many stairs to climb up and down at the stations. In Quezon City there is a station where you must climb five flights of stairs.

It is not necessary to have a car in the Philippines because, in addition to trains, there are MANY buses, taxis, jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs all over the Philippine islands. In the major cities you will only need to wait a few minutes for the next bus or jeepney. In rural areas buses are not as frequent but there are many jeepneys and tricycles. Taxicabs are not common outside big cities.

However, a good reason to have a car is to be able to avoid some of the air pollution caused by vehicle exhaust. Get in your car and turn on the air conditioning (I hope you get a car that recycles the air instead of bringing in mostly outside air). Many buses and taxis are air conditioned but most jeepneys are not. Tricycles and pedicabs are not air conditioned and they often travel directly behind smoke belching tricycles and jeepneys.

I was advised not to drive by an official at the immigration office in Manila. "Since foreigners are considered rich in the Philippines there will be those who may try to get money out of you by getting into an accident with you" he said. So, I took his advice and used public transportation for several years.

After several years of traveling in the Philippines using public transportation, I finally bought a car that looked so bad that no one ever tried to get in a wreck with me. I had been told that Toyota is probably the best brand of used car to purchase because there are more of them on the roads in the Philippines than any other brand. So, it is easier to get used parts for a Toyota than any other kind. But I found a very OLD Mitsubishi Lancer online; built in the 1980's. A Mitsubishi "box type". I asked a "mechanic" to check it out for me. He told me it was in good shape. Ha, Ha. He was a "back yard mechanic" who lived near our apartment in a rural area.
He advised me wrong! I purchased it for 40,000 pesos (at the time that was the US equivalent of nearly $980).

I thought it would be safer to transfer the cash for the deed of sale at an attorney's office. So, I asked the seller to meet us at a lawyer's office. The attorney met with us, prepared the "Absolute Deed of Sale" for only 500 pesos (about $11.75 US at the time) and notarized the paperwork after we signed it.

This is what an old Mitsubishi Lancer
can look like when fully restored.

Be sure to have the car inspected by a good auto service shop or an auto dealership. I went to San Fernando in a jeepney one day and visited a Mitsubishi dealership. The service manager there offered to inspect, for only 500 Pesos, the one I was considering buying. I should have taken it there before buying it. But, at the time, I was not sure the car would make it there and back without breaking down! The engine did end up proving to be in good running condition.

If you want to get a car inspected, you can take it to a Bosch dealership. I was told they will inspect a car for 500 Pesos. Or you might take it to a dealership which sells the same brand. Find dealerships on the Web.
Another place you might take the car, if you are in the Angeles City area, is Performance Plus Auto Service. Read about it in this article about auto service and auto restoration.

Some new car dealerships also sell used cars.

Should you Transfer Title to the Car or use an Absolute Deed of Sale?

I am not any attorney, but these are some of the things I have been told. In the Philippines a car can change hands via an "Absolute Deed of Sale". A title is not needed to transfer ownership of the car. However, if you sell a car and do not transfer the title to the new owner you may be found liable for any accident the car is involved in. In the USA I have never purchased or sold a car without a signing over of the title to the car (a transfer of title).

I have heard two stories of people who checked with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to ascertain that the cars were legal, they were told they were. They purchased them. Shortly thereafter the police were at their doorsteps to report that they had purchased stolen cars. The cars were confiscated, and they lost the money they had purchased them with. I asked one person, "how can one be certain a car is legal?" and was told to "check with the Highway Patrol". I do not know if that is accurate information.

After hearing those horror stories, I decided not to invest much money in a used car that might eventually be found to have no clear title.

If you buy a used car in the Philippines, be sure to get the title signed over to you, instead of just buying it on an Absolute Deed of Sale.

To protect yourself, use the services of an attorney to be sure that you do everything properly.

Auto Insurance in the Philippines

Now about auto insurance. In the Philippines your insurance coverage is limited to 100,000 pesos of liability insurance if your car is more than 10 years old. And that is not very much coverage. The only way it might be possible to buy more insurance coverage is online.

You can try Geico Overseas Insurance or Clements Worldwide. Check out the brochure available at Clements.

How to buy or sell secondhand cars, motorcycles in the Philippines.

I think the best way to find used cars or secondhand cars and motorcycles in the Philippines is to visit websites like this:

Tsikot website


There are hundreds or thousands of cars featured on these sites.
You will find other used car sites by doing a Google search for "secondhand cars for sale in the Philippines."

Check the condition of used cars you are considering buying in the Philippines.

Do NOT trust what a seller tells you about a car. Ask for maintenance receipts. And get it inspected by an experienced professional mechanic with a really good car code reader.

There are a lot of cars in the Philippines which have been flooded by typhoons. Especially cars owned by residents of Manila.
One car we looked at had a leaking sunroof, water stains all around it on the headliner. The interior smelled musty and damp. The seller told me "I guarantee it is not leaking." Yeah, right!

If anyone asks why we have such an old car I tell them "It is a classic and we are restoring it." We see some very fine-looking restorations of the very same Mitsubishi. Read more about my experiences while attempting to restore my old Mitsubishi Lancer in the Philippines.

Although it is not finished our old car gets us where we want to go, and it is much more comfortable and more convenient than riding in a jeepney or a tricycle.

Best cars to buy in the Philippines.

Cheapest cars to buy in the Philippines.

Auto repair in the Philippines.

Driving in the Philippines

Advertising your car for sale in the Philippines.

Advertising cars here in the Philippines.

Buying new cars in the Philippines

If you want to buy a new car in the Philippines, you can buy one cheap. The cheapest or lowest price new car I know of in the Philippines was about $7,000 US dollars for a Chery (made in China.) There are many other brands available, like Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, etc. Toyotas are all over the Philippines. It is easier to get parts for them than any other brand.

There are some vehicles which are built in the Philippines, like the Tamaraw and Jeepneys. There are motorcycle dealers all over the Philippines.

Read about precautions to take when buying a car in the Philippines.

Do you have a car to sell? Advertise it on this blog. Hundreds of buyers will see it. Your car will be featured on a page like this.

Auto Insurance in the Philippines

You can join the Philippine Automobile Association of the Philippines which includes insurance.

The information above about buying a car is believed to be true.

But be sure to seek the advice of a Filipino attorney before buying a car in the Philippines.

If you are a foreigner, please tell us your experiences about buying a car in the Philippines by making a comment below.

FREE, Advertise your car For Sale on this blog Find out more by contacting me.

You may advertise your car on this blog.

Or write a brief ad and submit it as a comment below in the "comments" section. Ask interested people to "reply" to your "comment" ad.

Meet Filipinas

Considering buying real estate in the Philippines?

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This article will be updated. Please check back for more information about buying used cars or buying new cars in the Philippines. Tsikot (CarsNow) was a paid advertisement. This page last updated June 4, 2022.

Airports in Philippines

Airports in Philippines

Airports in the Philippines

Immigration at the airport in Clark Freeport Zone

Did not go to the bureau of immigration office yesterday. Decided, instead, to go try to talk to an immigration officer at the airport. This airport is located inside the Clark Freeport Zone near Angeles City on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
Located about 80 kilometers North of Manila.

Arriving at the newer terminal of Diosado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at Clark Freeport Zone.

Only people arriving and departing are permitted inside the airport terminal here and at other airports in the Philippines. There are open air covered seating areas outside the terminal buildings.

Covered, open air, waiting area for those who come to greet arriving passengers at DMIA.

We went up to a guard at the door and asked if we could talk to an immigration officer. He said "yes, please wait over in the seating area."

Click - Official DMIA Airport Website

Instead we went to the Mini Stop convenience store inside the open air ticketing section. Sat down and drank cold drinks and ate some snacks.

Beware of excess "fees" when flying from the Philippines

We then proceeded to the seating area across from the main entrance to the terminal.
About 45 minutes later, when immigration was finished processing an arrival and then a departure, I was admitted in to speak to an officer.

I asked "I want to know what is required to take my little girl, who was born in the Philippines, with me on a flight to the USA. He told me that, for a child who was born to you in the Philippines, to depart with a parent it is best to show the child's Philippine and US passports and that there would be "a fee of 8,000 Pesos if it is her first time to leave the Philippines."
To his credit he did qualify his answer by telling me, "it would be a good idea to go and inquire at the main Philippine Immigration office in Manila."

After researching the subject on the Internet I decided not to inquire at the main Immigration office. In fact, when we finally left the Philippines, from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, there was no 8,000 peso fee. So, it appears, if we had departed from DMIA we may have been charged an additional 8,000 pesos!

A friend of ours was about to fly to Singapore from DMIA. He was told there was an additional fee to depart the airport. He said, "Show me the regulation in writing." They could not and he proceeded without paying the "additional fee." Be careful and try not to pay "fees" which are not required by law.

For all the requirements for a child to travel alone or with someone other than his or her parent or parents to a foreign country from the Philippines visit the
Department of Social Welfare and Development website.

I am told that a child, who has received his or her Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America official certificate, must use his or her US passport to enter the USA. When we arrived at Dallas International Airport in Texas we went through Immigration and Customs. I showed her US Passport and that is all that was required.

If you are planning to fly to the USA with your children be sure that you will have everything you need to take to the airport. It would be best to see a lawyer or an immigration attorney or to visit the US Embassy in Manila and the main Philippine Bureau of Immigration office in Manila and ask exactly what you will need to depart the Philippines with your child or children.

Driving from Clark Freeport Zone and SM City Clark to Magalang

When we left the airport we did not get to the play area at a mall. Instead we stopped and parked the car at an outdoor playground near the Air Force barracks. Our daughter had a good time climbing and sliding. But, that was after I lifted her into a Huey helicopter that was on permanent display in the park. There are other planes on display there also. Took pictures of her "flying" while sitting in the front right seat and holding the "stick". Then a few more pictures of her sitting on the floor in the doorway with her feet hanging over the edge. I had seen many choppers leaving my base, in Vietnam, with brave troops sitting there with rifles in their hands and feet hanging out of the craft. I'm sure there was room in the craft but I guess they chose to show off a little.

By now it was almost 5:30 pm so we headed home. Read about our nerve wracking drive home to our apartment. Another typically challenging drive.

More about Airports and Flying in the Philippines

Refer to this list of airports in the Philippines. There you can find out about provinces and cities you may want to visit while you are in the Philippines by clicking on city, province and airport names.

Read about flying in the Philippines.

Read about flying from Manila to the USA via Japan.

Read about flying to Singapore on Seair.

Safest seats are in the rear of the airplane.

If you are considering buying real estate in the Philippines.

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This article will be expanded. Please check back for more information about airports and immigration in the Philippines. This page last updated June 4, 2022.

American Expat in Philippines

Expat Blog About American Expat in the Philippines

American Expat Living in the Philippines

May 15, 2012

Woke up to another day in paradise. I love the Philippines.

Just told my lovely Filipino wife that I am starting this travel blog.

We met late in 2007 when I came to visit the Philippines. She was living in Paranaque City in the Metro Manila area. We married and now have a wonderful daughter.

We have traveled some in the Philippines and flew round trip to Singapore.


We have flown from Manila to Cebu City, Lapu Lapu, General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro. Have traveled by bus and / or traveled by jeepney to Tagaytay, Batangas, Laiya Beach, Subic City and Olongapo (in the Subic Bay Area), Bataan, Angeles City and San Fernando (in the province of Pampanga). We flew as tourists to Singapore.

We have eaten in almost every brand of American fast food restaurants in the Philippines.

We have stayed in several hotels, apartelles and pensiones in several cities on several islands.

The past President said that there are about 300,000 American expats living in the Philippines. Some of them are dual citizenship Filipinos who have moved back to the Philippines from the USA.
And, about 30,000 Americans live in and around Angeles City.

Living in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines

Entrance to compound where we lived for 2 years.

We lived for 2 years in the city of Paranaque in

Metro Manila in a 2-bedroom 1 bath dwelling of about 40 sq. meters or about 400 sq. feet. At times there were 8 family members residing there. The main room serves as kitchen, dining area and living room or "sala." We had TV and we had wireless internet via Smart Broadband. The family has "rights" to the dwelling (meaning there is no cost to live there.) It was crowded but enjoyable because of the warmhearted family members and neighbors. The compound consists of about 20 attached dwellings arranged in a rectangle around a central concrete "courtyard" of about 600 sq. feet. Children play there and women wash clothes and hang them on lines. The living units are single story with the exception of a couple which are 2 story units. Our daughter grew up here for the first 2 years of her life. She had plenty of kids to play with.

At times it would be very hot in the dwelling, temperatures often rose to 95F and even to 100F on really hot days. So fans were on constantly day and night. After about a year and a half we installed a ceiling (to separate the hot air space under the steel roof from our living area) and bought and installed a used air conditioner. That helped a lot, but it almost doubled the electric bill. In Metro Manila electricity cost about twice as much as in the USA.

Passenger jets taking off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) often fly over the compound. Makati City, the central business district of Manila, is only about 30 minutes away by either jeepney or taxicab. The cost of a taxi ride to Ayala's Glorietta Mall in the central business district of Makati City is around 130 pesos (about $2.90 US).

Nearby the compound where we were living is a very large "squatter" area consisting of hundreds of dwellings, mostly attached to each other. The sidewalk in the picture above goes through the compound and winds around and through the squatter area. Access to the dwellings in the squatter area is mainly via a matrix of concrete sidewalks, not roads. The dwellings there are mostly built of concrete blocks and have corrugated metal roofs. Most do not have air conditioning.

If you have the opportunity to live in a compound or a squatters' area don't pass it up. Live for a while like a great many Filipinos do. Get a real "feel" for the way most Filipinos live in the Philippines. It is an adventure. Use the dwelling as a base from which to explore other islands and other cities. From our compound we visited Tagaytay, Batangas, Bataan, Subic Bay, Olongapo and flew to General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro on the island of Mindanao. A couple of times we flew to Cebu. During our travels in the Philippines, we have stayed at all kinds of

hotels and apartelles.

Staying in a 4- or 5-star hotel you will never get a sense of what life is like for most Filipinos. And you will never get to really know the people.

Typhoon Gener and monsoon rains have caused heavy flooding during the last week of July and the first 2 weeks of August this year, 2012. I saw a cell phone video today, August 9, 2012, of our relatives walking back from the store on the street that leads to their house in Paranaque. Flooding has not been severe there. But, the water was almost up to their knees. Flooding did not reach their house. Half of Metro Manila is flooded as is Quezon City.

See dramatic photos of flooding.

While living in Metro Manila we traveled mainly by jeepney, tricycle and train. And occasionally by taxi and pedicab.

If you are going to visit Metro Manila area it would probably be best to plan your trip for the drier times of year. Typhoons are common June through October. But regardless the season people remain gracious.

The main reason not to stay in the big cities in the Philippines for very long is the air pollution.

Getting my shoes shined on a Sunday, across from a church in Paranaque.

Living in a Small Town in the Philippines

We lived another 2 years in a newer apartment in Magalang (near Angeles City) in the province of Pampanga.

Christmas 2010 at our apartment in Magalang (N. of Manila)

We leased an apartment we found online. In a newer building, of only 4 units, it was a ground floor 2 bedroom 1 bath unit of about 40 sq. meters (over 430 sq. ft.). Monthly rent was 3,500 pesos (or about $84 US @ an exchange rate of 43 pesos to a dollar) and included a gated car park in front of the unit. Try to find a rental rate like that in the USA! Rental rates for similar size and similar age apartments in the central area of Angeles City were about 12,000 to 20,000 pesos per month.

So, if you want an inexpensive apartment,

live in a rural area!

We had been advised by a Filipino friend and also by his policeman friend that it would be best to live in a "secure" subdivision or a "secure" building. Secure meaning with an armed security guard or guards.

However, we lived for almost 2 years in this rural apartment, in the town of Magalang, without security guards or incidents. We drove an old car and made friends with the local tricycle drivers and our neighbors.

The worst thing about the place we were living was that it was near pig farms. Check out my article about pig farms and chicken farms in the Philippines. Before you buy or lease a residence be sure to search for pig and chicken farms via Google earth, you may download it for free. Do not rent or buy a house near a pig or chicken farm!

Pickpockets, Crime and Security in the Philippines

Armed Security Guards check bags at most malls we have visited.
We always feel safe in the malls. We have never seen an incident.

In the Philippines all foreigners are called "Americans." Don't ask me why, I don't know.
All "Americans" are considered "rich." So whether you dress well or dress down you are still seen to be "rich." When traveling via jeepney, tricycle or bus always be cautious. The US Dept. of State issues travel advisories. In an advisory in 2011 it advised travelers to the Philippines not to ride on motorcycles, tricycles, jeepneys, buses or trains. The advice was to use only metered taxis. However, taxis are hardly ever found outside major metropolitan areas. We traveled, without harm, for over 5 years using all available modes of transportation.

Beware of pickpockets, especially when riding in jeepneys. Read my post about my run ins with thieves titled "Pick pockets in the Philippines. Crime in the Philippines."

Cost of living in the Philippines

The costs of living for foreigners may be considerably higher than for locals, depending on where you live and the lifestyle you choose. If you want to live more like a Filipino your costs can be very low. Read about wages in the Philippines.

Before I came to the Philippines I had read stories about how expats were living, with a wife and kids, for as low as 20,000 Pesos a month. I do not know how they do it. The only way I can imagine is that they are living in a province, away from major cities and are eating a Filipino diet of rice, fish, pork, coconut, and other local foods. I heard that one can buy a fresh 1 to 5 pound fish, just caught, for about 25 pesos from a young fisherman in provinces away from the major cities. My expenses, for our family of 3, were a minimum of 40,000 Pesos a month. This included rent (3,500 Pesos a month), electric, water, groceries, and some meals out in fast food restaurants like McDonalds, Jolibee, KFC and other American "restaurants" found in the Philippines. We also purchased some foods at grocery stores that featured imported American foods. Add in the numerous visits to doctors and hospitals and the cost can easily go up to 60,000 Pesos a month or higher. Read about our experiences at hospitals in the Philippines.

Visit this currency converter to convert Pesos into US Dollars and vice versa, or to convert any other currencies.

See my article about foods and drinks to avoid. I never drink the tap water or eat raw vegetables. And, if a drink comes with ice I always ask if the ice was made from was purified water.

We lived from 2007 until 2012 in Central Luzon.
I asked my wife and daughter if they wanted to go to the US and they answered "yes." So we flew to the USA in 2012, lived there for five years and moved back to the Philippines in 2018.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope to provide much more information about living in the Philippines. 

If you are a foreigner living in the Philippines please tell about your experiences by making a comment below.

A beach on Boracay Island, Philippines

If you are flying to

meet ladies of the Philippines consider that you may have jet leg when you arrive. 

If flying from the USA, you may find that you will stay awake all night and sleep all day for a week or two. The farther you travel to get to the Philippines the more you will be affected by jet lag.

There are many American fast food restaurants all over the Philippines.

If you are considering buying real estate in the Philippines.

Meet Filipinas

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The article on this page will be expanded. Come back to read more about expat living in the Philippines. Last updated June 26, 2022.