Keeping Cool in the Philippines.

Fans are one way to stay cool in the Philippines

Keeping Your Cool in the Philippines

As you may be aware, most of the year it is very hot in the Philippines. Especially in cities like Angeles City, Cebu, Davao and Manila. The further South one goes in the Philippines the hotter it gets. We found it so hot in General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro that we hardly ever ventured out of our air conditioned hotels until after 4 or 5 p.m. And be sure to keep your cool socially, if you know what's good for you.

Cool Public Transportation

Taxi Cabs

Most taxis are air conditioned. But there are many which are not air conditioned. Be sure to ask the driver if he has 'aircon' and if it is working well before you get in the cab. Generally, the newer the cab the better the air conditioning. Most taxis do not have seat belts. You may need to wait for 1/2 hour or more until you hail one that has seat belts.

Buses

There are many open-air buses. But you will probably want to avoid those. Many have wood seats.

Air conditioned buses are usually not as crowded, have soft cushioned seats, curtains at the windows and more legroom.

Trains

There are trains in the Greater Manila area, and they have very good air conditioning systems.  A great way to travel and stay cool.

Jeepneys

Jeepneys are everywhere in the Philippines. Most are not air conditioned. I have never chanced to ride in an air conditioned one. I have seen some in Manila. They will have signs saying, "Air Con" or "Air Conditioned." You will need to ask locals how to find one. If you are at a jeepney station you may ask some 'dispatchers' or drivers if there are any that use that station. I have found it fastest to just get in any jeepney that is going where I want to go.

Cool Lodging

Most hotels, apartelles, pensiones and hostels are air conditioned.

Cool Residences

There are several ways to stay cool in your dwelling.

Table fans, wall fans and standing floor fans are the choice of many Filipinos.

Air conditioning is, of course, a great way to stay cool. But, electric costs are double the cost of electricity in the USA. We rented a 2 bedroom apartment outside Angeles City for about $83 US per month and our electric bill of $70 a month was almost equal to our rent! We had installed a single 3/4-ton window type air conditioner. We used table fans to circulate the cool air through the apartment.

You may purchase window type and split type air conditioners at appliance stores in shopping malls in the Philippines.

Another way to stay cool is to live in an area with a cool climate.

Cities in Cool Areas

Baguio

Baguio is located in the mountains North of Manila and Angeles City. At an altitude of 1,540 meters (5,050 feet) the average temperature is 15 to 23 C (59 to 73 F) with the lowest temperatures between November and February.

Tagaytay

Tagaytay at about 630 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level is only about 31 miles from Manila but much cooler. With an average temperature of 23 C (75 F).

Cool Outdoors

Of course, one of the best ways to stay cool outdoors is to stay in the shade of trees or under awnings. Wear a hat and light-colored cotton clothing.

 

Massage on beach in Boracay.

How about a relaxing massage under shady palms on Boracay?

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This post will be expanded. Check back for more information about keeping cool in the Philippines. Last updated June 3, 2022.

Useful Links

Links for Visitors and Filipinos

Flying to and from the Philippines.

Jet Lag

Taxis in the Philippines.

Hotels in the Philippines.

Flying in the Philippines.

Airports in the Philippines.

Ladies of the Philippines.

Food to avoid in the Philippines.

Drinking water in the Philippines.

Passports and Visas

Currency Converter or Money Changer

American food in the Philippines.

Etiquette or manners in the Philippines.

Cheapest transportation in the Philippines.

Cheap tricycle transportation in the Philippines.

Bus travel in the Philippines.

Hospitals, Clinics and Doctors in the Philippines.

Adventure in the Philippines.

Immigration offices in the Philippines.

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This post will be expanded. Check back for more information and links for travel and living in the Philippines. Last updated June 3 2022.

U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines.

U.S. Embassy, Manila, Philippines

U.S. Embassy, Manila, Philippines

Stayin in a hotel near the embassy?

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Homepage of the US Embassy in Manila. Via the home page you can find information about the following subjects and more.

U.S. citizen services.

"The Consular Agency in Cebu City offers routine passport, citizenship and other services to Americans living in the central and southern Philippines.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Cebu provides notarial services and special consular services for Americans citizens including assistance regarding deaths, arrests, and the welfare and whereabouts of American citizens in the Philippines.  Americans planning to marry in the Philippines may also execute an "Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage" at the Consular Agency." 

Getting married in the Philippines.

"Any foreigner who wishes to marry in the Philippines is required by the Philippine Government to obtain from his/her Embassy a "Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage" before filing an application for a marriage license."

Consular agency in Cebu.

"The Consular Agency also accepts applications for passport renewal, replacement, additional pages, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA).  Applications are then sent to the American Embassy in Manila for adjudication.  American citizens can also register with the U.S. Embassy through the consular agency to receive updates and alerts."

Passports / Lost Passports

"Only emergency passports are available on a walk-in basis.  Please be aware that the rules for emergency passport issuance are strict, and a consular officer will determine if your situation meets the standard for an emergency.  If your situation is not considered an emergency, you will need to book an online appointment, and return to the embassy on that day.  Before coming to the embassy, please read all the instructions for the passport service you need." 

Continued security threats in the Southern Philippines.

Here you will find "Travel Cautions and Warnings" and the "Latest Messages to U.S. Citizens."

U.S. Visas for Filipinos.

Do you want to visit the United States of America? Check out the following video.

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Attorneys in Angeles City and elsewhere in the Philippines.

Visa, Passport and Immigration offices in the Philippines.

The Eurotel is a hotel near the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Scroll down this Philippine hotel page to read about the Eurotel. I walk from there to the embassy in about 15 minutes. Have patience at the front desk, the hotel is very busy. The Eurotel serves mainly Filipino food but features Western foods at a free breakfast buffet each morning; inquire as to breakfast hours. If you prefer American or Western foods, you can eat across the street at Robinson's Mall. There you may try the Fresh Baker, Sbarro's, Friday's, McDonald's and many other fast food restaurants.

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This post will be expanded. Check back for more information about the U.S Embassy, Manila, Philippines. Updated June 3, 2022.

Are Ferries Safe? in the Philippines

Ferry Boat Travel in the Philippines

Are Ferry Boats Safe in The Philippines?

Worse than the Titanic! Dona Paz burned and sank in December 1987.

I was living in Manila when the Princess of the Stars sank. Fortunately, none of my wife's friends or relatives were aboard. But many people lost their lives and many lost loved ones.

I know people who have sailed on ferry boats in the Philippines without incident. But I choose not to. Flying in the Philippines is the way we have traveled from island to island.

Before you decide to travel by ferry in the Philippines check out this list of maritime disasters in the Philippines.

In the Dona Paz video a survivor says, "I won't ride a ship again, even if it's free." After watching the video, you may decide to travel only by land and air in the Philippines.

Check out more about the Dona Paz tragedy at Wikipedia.

There are smaller boats which I would be happy to travel in. For example, small sail boats and catamarans which give rides to tourists in places like Boracay.

July 2, 2015. Hmm, maybe I will not ride in catamarans. See this story about a catamaran which capsized. Fifty-six souls perished when it capsized (at latest count.) See another story and video about the disaster.

Update Aug. 15, 2015, Another ferry engulfed in flames.

Update May 23, 2022, A Bangka on fire.

Some more advice

"Ferry accidents occur. Some vessels are poorly maintained and overcrowded. Accidents are more prevalent during the rainy season as storms can develop quickly. As a result, local authorities may suspend ferry services on short notice when a storm signal is raised, even if the weather is clear. You could get stranded at ports for several days.

If travelling by sea:

• use only a reliable company.
• don’t board vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy.
• make sure you have access to a life jacket.
• plan for extra time, especially during the rainy season" (excerpt from travel.qc.ca).

Update June 19, 2023, from an article at The Manila Times titled

"PH ferry with up to 65 people onboard catches fire at sea, rescue underway."

"Sea accidents are common in the Philippines because of frequent storms, badly maintained vessels, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces."

Other forms of transportation in the Philippines are bicycle, motorcycle, airplane, bus, taxi, jeepney, train, tricycle and pedicab.

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about traveling by ferry boats or other types of boats in the Philippines. This page updated June 19, 2023.