how safe is it to travel to manila?

[kenandakiko 0]

i want to go visit my girl in mania and her family. how safe is it for americans to visit the philippines? has anyone here recently traveled to the philippines and had any saftey problems? every since she went back home i miss her so much and want to go see her.. but i hear bad things about the philippines.. if u guys have been there can u give me advice. is it ok to travel there will i be ok to travel there?

[sjr09 155]

i want to go visit my girl in mania and her family. how safe is it for americans to visit the philippines? has anyone here recently traveled to the philippines and had any saftey problems? every since she went back home i miss her so much and want to go see her.. but i hear bad things about the philippines.. if u guys have been there can u give me advice. is it ok to travel there will i be ok to travel there?

It's as safe as you make it don't roam around late at nite, or flash money and your fine. your biggest threat is the taxi drivers trying to over charge you, and stay out of the bars and you'll have a girl to go back and visit!

[fpc95 0]

i want to go visit my girl in mania and her family. how safe is it for americans to visit the philippines? has anyone here recently traveled to the philippines and had any saftey problems? every since she went back home i miss her so much and want to go see her.. but i hear bad things about the philippines.. if u guys have been there can u give me advice. is it ok to travel there will i be ok to travel there?

Hello,

I recently got back from Vacation in the Philippines. My fiancee is from China and we wanted to go to see some beautiful areas in the Phils and we absolutely loved it. I was in what people say is a "safe" area. I think if you are in Manila you will be fine. I hear Mindanao there could be issues b/c of the heavily muslim population and there is some rebel activity in that area as wel. All Hearsay, so If I am wrong I hope that people correct me. I found people in Manila and Boracay and the other small places that we traveled to extremly friendly and willing to help. Everyone wants to sell you something and they will try to ask for more money from you to see if you will notice, but overall I felt safe everywhere i went. I would use standard common sense and don't go places you feel uncomfortable and depending where you are don't venture into unknown places after dark. I think you will spend time with your girl so she should be able to steer you clear of danger. You should really go, it is an eye opener!

Sincerely

Chris

[JD63 4]

It's "safe" as long as you use good judgment, aren't stupid, and stay away from problem areas. I'd do a bit of research if your unfamiliar with travel and culture in SE asia. I wouldn't be too put off about travel advisory and terror warnings, especially if you're in Manila. I'd ask the regional board, there's plenty of people with tons of experience working and traveling throughout the phils.

[Alcheringa 39]

i want to go visit my girl in mania and her family. how safe is it for americans to visit the philippines? has anyone here recently traveled to the philippines and had any saftey problems? every since she went back home i miss her so much and want to go see her.. but i hear bad things about the philippines.. if u guys have been there can u give me advice. is it ok to travel there will i be ok to travel there?

I've lived in the Philippines for several months now -- in a province where Caucasians are relatively uncommon -- and have made repeated trips to Manila and elsewhere. I've not once run into trouble; I've encountered more problems in France with drunken Parisians.

As mentioned above, the same rules apply to traveling here as do anywhere else in the world. Make an effort to be low key and to not look clueless, i.e. do not present yourself as a viable target to thieves and/or those that may intend to do harm. And stay away from the southern Muslim-occupied areas.

This translates to:

- Do not show visible signs of wealth

- Try to blend in with your clothing

- Do not walk around with an expensive camera dangling around your neck

- *Do not* walk around the streets with a look of dazed awe on your face, looking up and down and left and right at the sights

- Be friendly and courteous

- Keep your wits about you. Be aware of whom is standing around you, whom approaches you, and key in to abnormal events

- Expect to be pick-pocketed, and secure your valuables accordingly

Judging by your question, I'll assume you have no self defense or security training. If you do find yourself in an escalating situation, believe it or not the best thing to do is make a ruckus, scream for help, and if possible run. If they want your wallet, give it to them. It's not worth risking harm to yourself or loved one, unless you are sure you will be able to neutralize the miscreant.

You can always rely on the time tested "Fake Wallet" technique, where you keep your actual valuables -- ID's, credit cards, cash, traveler's checks -- in a safe place, say, discreetly in your front pocket, while carrying a throw-away wallet in your back pocket with a few hundred pesos in it. You'd be surprised how eager a thief is to take that off your hands and let you be.

All in all, it's a great place and I wouldn't let what you've heard affect your decision to visit. Just stay out of the bars and other unsavory places, and you'll more than likely be fine.

[sjr09 155]

I've lived in the Philippines for several months now -- in a province where Caucasians are relatively uncommon -- and have made repeated trips to Manila and elsewhere. I've not once run into trouble; I've encountered more problems in France with drunken Parisians.

As mentioned above, the same rules apply to traveling here as do anywhere else in the world. Make an effort to be low key and to not look clueless, i.e. do not present yourself as a viable target to thieves and/or those that may intend to do harm. And stay away from the southern Muslim-occupied areas.

This translates to:

- Do not show visible signs of wealth

- Try to blend in with your clothing

- Do not walk around with an expensive camera dangling around your neck

- *Do not* walk around the streets with a look of dazed awe on your face, looking up and down and left and right at the sights

- Be friendly and courteous

- Keep your wits about you. Be aware of whom is standing around you, whom approaches you, and key in to abnormal events

- Expect to be pick-pocketed, and secure your valuables accordingly

Judging by your question, I'll assume you have no self defense or security training. If you do find yourself in an escalating situation, believe it or not the best thing to do is make a ruckus, scream for help, and if possible run. If they want your wallet, give it to them. It's not worth risking harm to yourself or loved one, unless you are sure you will be able to neutralize the miscreant.

You can always rely on the time tested "Fake Wallet" technique, where you keep your actual valuables -- ID's, credit cards, cash, traveler's checks -- in a safe place, say, discreetly in your front pocket, while carrying a throw-away wallet in your back pocket with a few hundred pesos in it. You'd be surprised how eager a thief is to take that off your hands and let you be.

All in all, it's a great place and I wouldn't let what you've heard affect your decision to visit. Just stay out of the bars and other unsavory places, and you'll more than likely be fine. LOL “self defense or security training“. it’s just the PI not L.A. Just give-um the lachon baboy

[payxibka 10,045]

not a K-1 visa general discussion topic

moving thread

[TiklingOkie 0]

i want to go visit my girl in mania and her family. how safe is it for americans to visit the philippines? has anyone here recently traveled to the philippines and had any saftey problems? every since she went back home i miss her so much and want to go see her.. but i hear bad things about the philippines.. if u guys have been there can u give me advice. is it ok to travel there will i be ok to travel there?

Dont worrie your girls family will not let anything happen to you that wont happen to them first! As a matter of fact thay will be rolling the red carpet out for you!

you will have your own posse! everywhere you go. it will even be hard at times to get 10 min alone with your girl, Family is a big deal in the Phili's

and you are now a part of hers! I'm not saying that things dont happen but try not to stress over it, just be aware of your suroundings like you would any where else that your not use to. Cuz you dont know it yet but you are a big deal. so enjoy your trip!!

[charlie&pam 1]

i have been there 3 times this year and have been all around the phils from manila and makati the first time, the second time was angeles and subic, and my final time I was in Baguio and in Urbiztondo where I was the only Kano around so I was a big attraction!!!...lol..... To be honest everywhere I went never had a problem and always met good and friendly people except the people trying to sell u things !!!...peice of advice if you say one word and talk to them u will have 5-15 people run over to u trying to sell u different things !!!! Just be yourself and enjoy it and dont worry about trivial things like that!!!

[Donald-n-Analyn 6]

i want to go visit my girl in mania and her family. how safe is it for americans to visit the philippines? has anyone here recently traveled to the philippines and had any saftey problems? every since she went back home i miss her so much and want to go see her.. but i hear bad things about the philippines.. if u guys have been there can u give me advice. is it ok to travel there will i be ok to travel there?

I agree with the excellent advice that you have already received here. One thing that I would add. If you do find yourself out at night, or in some area where you do not feel comfortable, try not to let it show. If you walk and act with an air of confidence, you will not look like an easy target. Don't hurry or act nervous

Overall, Manila, Cebu, and other metro areas areas in the Philippines are safer and much friendlier than their counterparts here in the USA. The provincial areas of the Philippines are even safer in my opinion. Just avoid areas where there are guerrillas operating. They occasionally like to "hold-nap" foreigners to collect a ransom. After all, it is not cheap operating an insurgency.

My wife used to get nervous when ever I wanted to sight-see or visit certain areas. She would say that it was dangerous, that someone got robbed there a few years ago. She would say that it is not "safe, like your country". Now that she has been here for awhile, and watched the nightly news out of Miami and Orlando, she has a newfound appreciation for just how safe HER country is after all. She also understands why I brushed off her apprehension. If I never went anywhere in the USA that a robbery had occurred in, I wouldn't even be able to get to the airport to go and visit her.

Go and enjoy yourself. I can't wait until we can take our baby back for the annual Fiesta in her village!

[Guitarlo 2]

I agree with the excellent advice that you have already received here. One thing that I would add. If you do find yourself out at night, or in some area where you do not feel comfortable, try not to let it show. If you walk and act with an air of confidence, you will not look like an easy target. Don't hurry or act nervous

Overall, Manila, Cebu, and other metro areas areas in the Philippines are safer and much friendlier than their counterparts here in the USA. The provincial areas of the Philippines are even safer in my opinion. Just avoid areas where there are guerrillas operating. They occasionally like to "hold-nap" foreigners to collect a ransom. After all, it is not cheap operating an insurgency.

My wife used to get nervous when ever I wanted to sight-see or visit certain areas. She would say that it was dangerous, that someone got robbed there a few years ago. She would say that it is not "safe, like your country". Now that she has been here for awhile, and watched the nightly news out of Miami and Orlando, she has a newfound appreciation for just how safe HER country is after all. She also understands why I brushed off her apprehension. If I never went anywhere in the USA that a robbery had occurred in, I wouldn't even be able to get to the airport to go and visit her.

Go and enjoy yourself. I can't wait until we can take our baby back for the annual Fiesta in her village!

I've been all over the PI too and never a problem. I couldn't ever get used to being call "Sir" all the time! My wife is from Butuan City, Mindinao and she says stay away from the rural areas like mountains and southern areas of Mindinao province (Davao) is cool. Brace yourself for scenes of third world poverty. The Filipino are the nicest people I ever met.

Happy New Year from Minesota

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Dont worrie your girls family will not let anything happen to you that wont happen to them first! As a matter of fact thay will be rolling the red carpet out for you!

you will have your own posse! everywhere you go. it will even be hard at times to get 10 min alone with your girl, Family is a big deal in the Phili's

and you are now a part of hers! I'm not saying that things dont happen but try not to stress over it, just be aware of your suroundings like you would any where else that your not use to. Cuz you dont know it yet but you are a big deal. so enjoy your trip!!

This is a fact! LOL Merlaine and I were escorted to the corner near her house to catch a trike every evening when we left her parents house. It's only about a half a block but her brothers and or cousins walked us to the corner every time. We wandered all around the city after dark though and I never once felt uncomfortable. It very much depends where you are though, just like any place you'd go. Don't walk alone after dark in Long Beach or Compton either You'll have the time of your life and will be AMAZED by the people there..enjoy!!

[Jasman0717 9]

Manila is a fairly safe area for foreigners. I suggest you look for some expats groups, they can probalby give you a much better idea of where to go and what to do in the Manila area. Yahoo groups has a lot of Expats, I am sure you can find some for Manila.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/expatsinmanila/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/manilaexpats/

Good luck

Edited December 31, 2009 by Jasman0717

[Atencio 43]

I just came back from Butuan City last week and I can't say I was any more nervous than I would be in downtown L.A. Most of my friends were nervous about me going to Mindanao but honestly the people were very nice. Just use common sense and don't make yourself look like a target.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Watch your wallet (put it inside your shorts, or wear a money belt), and be aware of your surroundings. Manila is like any big city, and just as dangerous. Don't go out by yourself, especially at night. Don't insult anybody, and don't get in an argument. Numbers are on their side, and they fight dirty. After all, you are probably twice their size, and it's only "fair".

The Filipinos are friendly, and courteous, but not very helpful. Being an American, you are on stage, and will stand out in a crowd. You will be expected to pay for everything. Let the fiancee/wife haggle for you, preferably while you are out of sight.

Taxi drivers are the worst, they expect to keep the change, will not always reset the meter, and will offer to take you somewhere for a flat rate. They won't make change, for large (anything over 500 PP, about ten bucks) bills, so have small bills handy before you get in the cab. Airport taxis are the worst, so be especially careful there. You can get almost anywhere in Manila for 150 to 250 pesos.

Everything is cheap there, so often it is not worth arguing about 50 or 100 pesos (a buck or two). Trust your date, and her family, to keep you out of trouble. They are trying to make as good an impression on you, as you are on them. Have fun. See the sites. Take the boat trip to Corregidor, and enjoy Tagaytay. Go to Fort Santiago and Lunet Park. Check out the Mall of Asia, and the rest of the supermalls.

Good luck.