Cash & Duty Free - Manila

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  angelkulit025 on 21/02/2014 - 15:37

  First my advice on best way to get cash is just take Aussie notes then just change it to Pesos.(Better exchange rates in the Philippines)
  Regarding Duty Free, there's a big Duty Free Shop which is in a separate building from Ninoy Aquino Intl Airport Terminal 1. (around 500m or less) Just ask for directions when you arrive at the airport.

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    donbot on 21/02/2014 - 15:49

    Thanks for the reply. So the duty free is decent at Ninoy Aquino? He wants to get some pretty decent scotch, so keen to make sure we can get something.

    Cash? I've heard the rates in Manila are better than elsewhere.. but we're practically only going to the airport whilst in Manila. 28 degrees card has spoiled me on my trips so I'm used to getting very good rates via ATMs - in exchanging cash in PH am I likely to get near that 40:1 that the exchange rate is currently (bookings made on CC so far to date)

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  angelkulit025 on 21/02/2014 - 16:02

  Duty Free link here: http://www.dfp.com.ph/index.php
  Not sure about the 40:1.. I think you can get that rate on the local money changers. Try to avoid exchanging your money in a shopping centre as you will get around 37 to 38 pesos to 1AUD.

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    Gina Rinehart on 26/02/2014 - 00:05

    Looking at those duty free prices… Most of them are cheaper (some by a lot more than others, some are actually more expensive) than buying at home, but those prices seem a bit high for the phillipines! Wouldn't it be almost easier to just buy it in a normal liquor store before arriving at the (tourist-priced) airport?

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  [Deactivated] on 26/02/2014 - 21:01

  smokes are like 30 cents a packet in Manila, you'll be right.

  everything is cheap as hell. go to MOA in Manila, get lost, you'll be fine :)

  you can withdraw about 10,000 peso at a time i think from most ATMs

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  eurofoti on 12/03/2014 - 17:48

  +1

  Don't exchange money at the airport or hotel, they don't give good rates. There should be a lot of money changers around your hotel area, you can compare one from the other. You can get 40:1 rate.

  Once you're at the airport, a lot of men will approach you and ask if you need a taxi, they charge wayyy more than the regular cabs. Just go to the taxi stand where the yellow cabs are, from the airport to Pasay it shouldn't cost more than P1,000. Probably around P500 or less depending on the traffic condition. When using the cab in going around the metro always ask the driver to use the meter or else they'll rip you off with the prices.

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  Peck on 13/03/2014 - 09:59

  Carry $Aus cash in good condition. Regarding Easter. There are money changers everywhere. Not a problem. If you only have one night in Manila and one night in Pueto Princessa it sounds like you will be very busy without trying to run around just to save a few pesos. I would have some Pesos in my pocket before arriving, buy a little at the airport (especially to get small notes). Buy in Manila if you can do easily, otherwise I would just get it when I could (Excluding airports of course). Take security seriously. Do not exchange cash on the streets. Too many scams. Only go to a licensed changer. Double count it in front of the cashier. Don't flash you money. Be careful of sophisticated snatchers. wear money belt. Book hotels with room safes. Carry colour photocopy of passport, and leave original in room safe. Reasonably safe and happy times if you do this.

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  luxx on 27/03/2014 - 11:22

  Sounds like you are doing the Tao Expedition from El Nido to Coron? It's amazing…

  I just used ATMs with my normal VISA debit, had no worries, but be aware that there are NO ATMs in El Nido! So get plenty of cash out in Manila or PP before you get there, as you won't be able to get cash until Coron!
  Going to Sabang for the underground river? Well worth the trip, but 5 nights?? Maybe 1 night max. Spend more time in El Nido, it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, anywhere.

  Budget 600-1000PHP a day and you'll be swimming in cash with enough to spare in Palawan. Don't know what your expectations are but you can get a very good dinner for the 100-200 mark, usually less.

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  luxx on 27/03/2014 - 11:27

  Oh, and how are you getting from Sabang to El Nido? From PP to El Nido get the green Ro-Ro bus, (relatively) comfortable, and almost as quick as a mini-van. Mini-van sounds good until they pack 14 people in it - you'll pay more money, be very uncomfortable, and only save an hour over the Ro-Ro.
  Apparently there is a boat from Sabang to El Nido, but it's a long way and requires 1 night on the way in Port Barton, which is supposed to be very nice. I haven't done the boat so can't give you any more hints on that unfortunately.

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    donbot on 27/03/2014 - 15:16

    Wow.. its like you've done my trip already.

    Tao - yes, we're doing it. Got a small group of us together for post-wedding holiday. have arranged a bus to pick us up from Sabang to El Nido - daytripper. I can't wait to start the Tao Trip.. the islands look phenomenal!

    Sabang - its the venue for a mates wedding, hence the 5 nights as thats what they wanted us over for. Yes, headed to the underground river without a doubt while we're there, the bride to be has organised it with her wedding planner contact.

    El Nido - have heard that, and we're all gutted we cant stay longer there - between the wedding and the Tao trip we have 1 day (the day to get from Sabang to El Nido). Aa friend who is coming on the trip had her sister there a few months ago - couldnt rave enough about it. We're gutted we cant stay longer, but we figure the Tao trip should more than make up for the lack of time spent in El Nido.

    And seriously - 600-1000PHP a day? fark me thats a small amount of money… but I spose it makes sense.

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      luxx on 27/03/2014 - 17:39

      Hmm, maybe I should clear it up - assuming you have accommodation and stuff already paid for, food and drink can be as little as 600-1000. Beers can be had for 35-50 pesos from a store, or up to 90 at a bar. Cocktails maybe up to 150, but even in very nice bars right in Makati, Manila, we only paid 150-200.
      You can buy a bottle of Boracay Rum (think Malibu) for 80 pesos a bottle at a shop. Tanduay Rum is the local stuff, is bright orange, and gave me a hangover so bad that I cried. Seriously. But then again, it is cheap…

      If you want to go on a day trip to the islands from El Nido, prices can be between 650-850 for a whole day including lunch, but if you are doing the Tao Expedition you'll get to see the islands and stuff anyway.
      Scuba diving can be had for around 700 pesos a dive if doing 3 or more (so 2100 total) - that's about as cheap as you'll see anywhere in the world. And the diving is pretty good if you're into that sort of thing!

      So yeah, when I said 600-1000 a day, that's just food and drink really, and you can spend much more than that easily. But if you have to do it tight, that is more than enough.

      It's a pity you won't get more time in El Nido this time around, but believe me, once you see it and do the Tao Expedition, you'll be making plans to return! We were there about this time last year, spent a month in the Philippines (mostly Palawan) and feel like we barely scratched the surface - we have made plans to return for maybe 6 weeks early next year, and do the Tao Expedition again!