How to Get to the Philippines for Your Elopement
The Philippines are an archipelago – a collection of islands – so to get there for your elopement, you’ll need to either take a plane or a boat. The Philippines are pretty easy to get to, and most visitors won’t need a visa unless you plan to stay over 30 days.
Get to the Philippines by Plane
The first, and most popular, way to get to the Philippines is to travel by plane. The biggest airport in the Philippines is located in Manila, and you’ll most likely land here when you arrive for your elopement. Since this is the capital city, it’s big and well-connected, which makes it the ideal place to begin your adventure.
There is also the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu City, so you may be able to find a flight here or take a connecting flight from Manila.
Get to the Philippines by Cruise
An alternative to flying to the Philippines is to take a cruise! This can be a really fun way to extend your elopement adventure and to visit a few other destinations. With so many islands, the Philippines have several ports where you can dock to enjoy the beaches, immerse yourself in the culture, and explore the amazing scenery. Whether you stop in the Philippines for a day or two on your cruise, or you hop off the boat to stay a while in this incredible country, arriving by cruise can be a fun, unique experience!
Getting Around the Philippines During Your Elopement
Once you arrive in the Philippines, you’ll need a way to get around to all your elopement adventures.
A car is usually the most convenient way to reach more remote destinations, so you can rent one to explore by car. But, it’s important to know that driving in the Philippines can be a bit of a challenge as a foreigner! Manila and other major cities are known for intense traffic, but once you reach the more rural areas it’s not so bad. The Philippines also have a reputation for drivers swerving and changing lanes suddenly, and it can be difficult for travelers to navigate this if they aren’t used to defensive driving. If you feel apprehensive about the thought of driving in the Philippines, you can also hire a driver – this way you get the convenience of having a car, and the peace of mind that comes from having a local driver who knows the country well.
In the cities, it’s really common for people to ride bicycles and tricycles to get around. You can rent one for yourself, but there are also tricycle drivers who have side cars for up to four passengers, and they act as a taxi. Another way to get around the cities is with a jeepney – which is a unique form of transportation, basically a minibus that you can flag down to get to your destination in town!
The Philippines have a pretty easy to navigate bus system, with hundreds of routes that depart from major cities and travel to more rural areas. Bus travel is usually pretty slow, but if you’re leaving the city to get to your final destination it can be an easy way to get from point A to point B.
Overall, while you’re in the city, it’s easy to get around with public transportation. But, I recommend renting a car when you want to travel to more remote areas!