This post is also available in:
Deutsch
Philippines Packing List β The Complete Guide: Immerse yourself in the beauty of this fascinating country, which is appearing on more and more travelersβ itineraries. Unlike Thailand, the Philippines is not βfull serviceβ everywhere. You will not find everything on every corner at all times. Basic essentials are easy to get, but in certain situations it can be hard to find exactly what you are used to.
Even for experienced Southeast Asia travelers like us, there are some items we regularly pack for the Philippines. These things have a fixed place on our packing list. Especially if it is your first visit to the Philippines or to Southeast Asia in general, our extensive list will be a valuable help. Arrive well prepared and enjoy every facet of what the Philippines has to offer.
We have divided this article into two sections: one for βregularβ travelers and one for backpackers with a slimmer packing list.
Table of Contents:
Less Is Often More
We love the art of traveling with minimal luggage. Especially as a backpacker, you feel the freedom of being on the road more intensely. Even so, there are some essentials that every Philippines traveler should bring.
To make sure you are well equipped for your trip, we have split our packing list into two versions: one for conventional trips and one tailored to backpacking in the Philippines. That way you can enjoy the freedom of backpacking without leaving the essentials behind.
General Philippines Packing List
Letβs start with our comprehensive packing list, which in essence lists for every traveler the things you really should have with you. This Philippines packing list also works well as a rough template for families with children, so you always have what you need on the ground. When packing for a family, simply adjust the quantities. That way you and your family will be well prepared and can enjoy your stay in the Philippines to the full.
Note: Under each item we have linked the product we recommend. These are things we have used and tested ourselves, which is why we can recommend them. If you buy an item through us, we receive a small commission, for which we are very grateful. The price for you stays the same; it simply helps us keep this free website going and improve it for you π
Suitcase & Backpack
Depending on how you plan your trip around the Philippines, you should consider using a large backpack instead of a suitcase. It makes you much more mobile and you can use ferries and local transport without much hassle. If you are only staying on Cebu, Boracay or other well-developed tourist spots, you can also arrive with a suitcase. For simple domestic trips between airports and hotels, suitcases are never a problem. Do remember to also pack a daypack for excursions to the beach or to sights. That way you can easily carry towels, drinks and so on, even on a scooter.
OR
OR
- Large travel bag with or without wheels (e.g. large REDOLZ wheeled duffel bag*)
PLUS
Tip: For backpacks we recommend a volume of 55-65 liters. That size is usually plenty for trips to tropical destinations if you are traveling alone!
Money & Documents
When it comes to documents and money, we advise you never to take too much cash. Rely instead on a good travel card, which makes it easy to withdraw cash almost anywhere. If you plan to drive a rental car or scooter, you should definitely also bring an international driving permit. For safety, it is also a good idea to store a copy of your passport in the cloud, in case you lose your passport and need to apply for a replacement.
Proper travel insurance is essential, because your regular health coverage at home often will NOT pay abroad, and in the event of an accident or unexpected illness you would have to cover everything yourself. That can quickly become a serious financial burden for you or your family!
- At least two cards (one as an emergency backup if you lose the other) β tips: Wise* & our travel card guide*
- International driving permit
- A copy of your passport, ideally saved digitally in the cloud
- Tickets and booking confirmations (your phone and the cloud are enough)
- Travel insurance! (Recommendation: SafetyWing: a single trip* / long-term travel*)
Clothing
Light clothing is always enough for the tropical climate of the Philippines. Even so, we recommend long trousers and βdecentβ clothes for government offices or visits to more upscale places such as sky bars in Manila, or if you are transiting through cities like Singapore and Hong Kong.
Do not forget a rain jacket, especially if you plan a lot of independent day trips. A sweater should also go in your bag. Domestic flights in particular can be extremely cold, as the air-conditioning is often turned up high.
- 7-10 shirts
- 1-2 pairs of long trousers (for arrival and departure and, if needed, smarter occasions and official appointments)
- 1 light sweater / sweatshirt (especially for visits to Baguio and higher elevations, as well as for arrival, departure and on the plane)
- 1 shirt / blouse (for smarter occasions and official appointments) β a polo shirt will also do
- 5-7 pairs of shorts
- 2-3 pairs of socks
- Underwear for 10-14 days
- Sneakers (e.g. light shoes such as Nike Free Run*)
- Sandals / slippers*
- Rain jacket / waterproof windbreaker*
- sportswear if you like to work out or do yoga*
- Sunglasses
Tip: You can have your clothes washed very easily and cheaply on the ground. So it is best not to pack too much. Clothes for 2 weeks should usually be enough, because you can have them washed in rotation.
Sports and yoga fans may want to think about bringing a mat. On our last trip we could not find a yoga mat even in large sports stores in Ayala Center in Cebu City… We recommend this travel yoga mat*, which folds down extremely compactly.
Beach Gear
When you head to the beach, you should definitely choose a microfiber towel over a classic cotton towel. It is much more compact, lighter and dries quickly. A UV shirt is a plus if you are sensitive to the sun. A snorkel set is also a must in the Philippines, because the underwater world here is among the most beautiful in all of Southeast Asia!
- Microfiber towel* (weighs only a fraction, takes up little space and dries quickly)
- snorkel set* consisting of mask and snorkel (it is worth it β the underwater world is stunning!)
- 2-3 swim shorts* / Bikinis or swimsuits*
- Beach slippers / flip-flops*
- UV swim shirt* (especially recommended for children and anyone who is sensitive to the sun)
- Cap / sun hat
Toiletries
You can also buy toiletries in the Philippines, but the question is whether you will like the local products. For men, deodorant sprays are the tricky part. They are very hard to find, and when you do, the choice is limited. Sunscreen should also come with you to the Philippines, in our view, because it is extremely expensive there by European or Western standards. Mosquito spray is available in the Philippines too, but we still swear by OFF! Deep Woods, which we always take with us.
To top up electrolytes in the heat of the Philippines and after a tiring day on tour or at the beach, we recommend powder or tablets that you can dissolve in water.
- Insect repellent (recommendation: OFF! Deep Woods*)
- Electrolyte drink mix (recommendation: Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier*)
- Sunscreen (recommendation: Hawaiian Tropic SPF 50*)
- Toothbrush (recommendation: a Colgate travel toothbrush set*)
- Toothpaste (recommendation: see above)
- Shower gel
- Body lotion
- Hair gel / hair care
- Deodorant! (It is very hard to find good deodorant sprays in the Philippines!!! β recommendation: travel size*)
- After-sun lotion (recommendation: Hawaiian Tropic products*)
- Manicure / pedicure set*
- Tampons / sanitary pads
- Razor
Tip: You can also buy most things such as shower gel, body lotion and so on in small travel bottles* and then simply look for replacements in local supermarkets or convenience stores.
Travel First-Aid Kit
A travel first-aid kit simply belongs on every Philippines packing list. Remedies for pain, fever and diarrhea are essential. A wound spray to disinfect small cuts is also always wise. It is very easy to pick up foot injuries, which should be treated quickly to avoid infection. Because many destinations in the Philippines are reached only by boat or by bus on rough roads, anyone who is prone to motion sickness should definitely pack chewing gum for travel sickness.
- Painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin*
- Anti-diarrhea tablets*
- Stomach drops such as Iberogast*
- Tylenol Cold + Flu*
- Dramamine* (highly recommended if you get seasick easily!)
- Lysol To-Go disinfectant spray*
- Water-resistant travel first-aid kit*
- Neosporin antiseptic spray*
- wound ointment if needed
- Tweezers*
- Sunburn gel (recommendation: Nivea After Sun*)
- any other medicines you need
Tech
Tech is not essential, but it can help you capture your travel memories properly. A good camera drone is our absolute insider tip, because the scenery in the Philippines looks stunning from the air! Flying drones in the Philippines is often possible without a complicated permit for smaller tourist drones, though rules can change β check the current requirements before you fly, so you can still come home with beautiful photos.
- GoPro* (also great for underwater shots) β we currently use the Hero 13 Black
- Camera drone β here, DJI is pretty much the only option. The DJI Mini* is compact and not too expensive. It is worth it; the scenery is stunning!!! You will find plenty of example photos taken with the DJI Mini here on the site…
- Smartphone (perhaps also a cheaper backup phone) + charging cable
- tablet or laptop if needed
- Travel adapter* & Memory cards*
Backpacking Packing List for the Philippines
If our regular Philippines packing list feels like too much, here is the lite version for backpackers. It lets you travel light and can also be used as-is for a wider trip through Southeast Asia.
Backpack
- 50-60 liter backpack (recommendation: Mardingtop tactical backpack 50/60 liters*)
- Daypack (recommendation: Mardingtop 25 liter outdoor backpack*)
Money & Documents
- At least two cards (one as an emergency backup if you lose the other) β tips: Wise* & our travel card guide*
- International driving permit
- A copy of your passport, ideally saved digitally saved in the cloud
- Tickets and booking confirmations (your phone and the cloud are enough)
- Travel insurance! (Recommendation: SafetyWing: a single trip* / long-term travel*)
Clothing
- 3-5 shirts
- 1 pair of long trousers (for arrival and departure and, if needed, smarter occasions and official appointments)
- 1 light sweater / sweatshirt (especially for visits to Baguio and higher elevations, as well as for arrival, departure and on the plane)
- 1 polo shirt
- 3-4 pairs of shorts
- 2 pairs of socks
- Underwear for 5-7 days
- Sneakers (e.g. light shoes such as Nike Free Run*)
- Sandals / slippers*
- Rain jacket / waterproof windbreaker*
- sportswear if you like to work out or do yoga*
- Sunglasses
Beach Gear
- Microfiber towel* (weighs only a fraction, takes up little space and dries quickly)
- snorkel set* consisting of mask and snorkel (it is worth it β the underwater world is stunning!)
- 1-2 swim shorts* / Bikinis or swimsuits*
- Beach slippers / flip-flops*
- UV swim shirt / rash guard*
- Cap / sun hat
Toiletries
- Insect repellent (recommendation: OFF! Deep Woods*)
- Electrolyte drink mix (recommendation: Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier*)
- Sunscreen (recommendation: Hawaiian Tropic SPF 50*)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste (recommendation: a Colgate travel toothbrush set*)
- Shower gel
- Body lotion
- Hair gel / hair care
- Deodorant! (It is very hard to find good deodorant sprays in the Philippines!!! β recommendation: travel size*)
- After-sun lotion (recommendation: Hawaiian Tropic products*)
- Manicure / pedicure set*
- Tampons / sanitary pads
- Razor
Pack everything in small travel sizes or, more sustainably, decant it yourself into small, reusable travel bottles*!
Travel First-Aid Kit
- Painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin*
- Anti-diarrhea tablets*
- Stomach drops such as Iberogast*
- Tylenol Cold + Flu*
- Dramamine* (highly recommended if you get seasick easily!)
- Lysol To-Go disinfectant spray*
- Water-resistant travel first-aid kit*
- Neosporin antiseptic spray*
- wound ointment if needed
- Tweezers*
- Sunburn gel (recommendation: Nivea After Sun*)
- any other medicines you need
Tech
- GoPro* (also great for underwater shots) β we currently use the Hero 13 Black
- Camera drone (ideally the brand-new, ultra-compact DJI Neo*, which can also be flown without a remote control)
- Smartphone (perhaps also a cheaper backup phone)
- a tablet if needed β we recommend the Galaxy Tab*, because you can also work on it quite well with a mouse and keyboard!
- Travel adapter* & Memory cards*
Philippines Packing List to Download & Print
Here are our Philippines packing lists for easy download and printing. Use this practical option to prepare for your trip with less stress and make sure you have everything you need. At the end of our Philippines packing lists we have also added a few blank lines so you can add your own items. That way your personal needs are covered too. Get ready for your adventure in the Philippines and stay on top of what you pack.
Do you still have questions or additions about the Philippines packing list? Leave a comment β we will definitely answer your question!