Philippines Vaccinations and Travel Advice
The Republic of the Philippines is a holiday destination for those of you who want a pleasant change of scenery. Whether with family, a partner or between friends, do not hesitate to come to discover the riches of this beautiful Asian country. Discover with your loved ones the 7000 paradisiacal islands surrounded by the turquoise waters of the China Sea. Palawan will amaze you with its underground rivers and wild forest, while Boracay Island’s white sands are ideal to relax on. For hikers, the island of Mindanao with Mount Apo is a plausible destination. Wherever you go, most of these islands have a bar and a restaurant to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. Those of you who love to eat will surely enjoy adobo and halo-halo. As you can see, the Philippines satisfies those who enjoy the wild and those who enjoy relaxation.
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What vaccines do I need for the Philippines in 2021?
The Government of Canada and CDC recommend the following vaccinations for travelling to the Philippines in 2021: Measles, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Rabies, Polio, Flu, COVID-19.
Recommended travel vaccinations for Philippines
| Vaccine | Disease Transmission |
|---|---|
| Traveler’s diarrhea | Contaminated water/food |
| Cholera | |
| Typhoid | |
| Hepatitis A | |
| Hepatitis B | Contaminated body fluids (blood, sex, razors, needles, etc.) |
| Rabies | Infected Animals |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Mosquito bites |
| Influenza | Airborne Droplets |
Recommended Medication for Travelling to the Philippines
| Medication | Additional Information |
|---|---|
| Acetazolamide or Dexamethasone | Recommended for prevention of acute mountain sickness |
| Azithromycin or Suprax | Antibiotic in case of traveler’s diarrhea |
| Malarone, Doxycycline or Mefloquine | Recommended anti-malaria medication |
Medical Care in the Philippines
Medical facilities remain inadequate in the Philippines. Whilst medical care is fairly good in city hospitals, it does not always meet standards set by authorities. In Manila, it is possible to get treatment from the University Hospital of St. Thomas or the Metropolitan Medical Center. On the other hand, it is near impossible to experience excellent medical care in some isolated provinces of big cities and on islands. If you contract a serious illness, you must be medically evacuated.
Pharmacies are insufficiently supplied, and therefore it is worth anticipating medical problems and bringing a first aid kit, especially if visiting remote areas.
The emergency number in the Philippines is 911.
Is Philippines Safe for Travel?
| Safety and Security | Descriptive |
|---|---|
| Boracay Island | Closed for a period of six months since April 26, 2018 |
| State of emergency | Following September 2, 2016, expect an increased security presence in public areas (malls and airports) |
| Terrorism | Risk present |
| Kidnapping | Be alert to the danger of kidnap-for-ransom |
| Crime | Risk present |
| Scams | Be wary of a variety of scams (exchange, taxi meters, online romances, etc.) |
| Demonstrations | Risk of violence |
| Road safety | Avoid travel outside urban areas and tourist centers after dark; Poor driving conditions |
| Public transportation | Exercise caution if using public transportation; Never share taxis with strangers |
| Swimming | Strong currents and undertow are common; Take posted warning about swimming conditions seriously |
| Scuba diving | Use only reputable dive companies; Verify with your dive company the location of the closest decompression chamber |
| Piracy | Pirate attacks occur in coastal water and also farther out at sea |
| Health | Zika virus warning |
| Risk level | High degree of cautionMINDANAO REGION AND VICINITY, SULU ARCHIPELAGO AND THE SOUTHERN SULU SEA – AVOID ALL TRAVEL DAVAO CITY – AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL |
Do I Need a Visa to Visit the Philippines?
Prior to travel, make sure you check with your transportation company about any passport requirements. This is important as in some cases their regulations on passport validity may be more strict than those of the destination country.
Only a passport is required to enter the Philippines if you plan to stay under 30 days. It must be valid 6 months after the date of arrival in the Philippines. You will not require a tourist visa.
A proof of return ticket will also be required.
Please click here for more information.
Embassy of Canada to Philippines information
When travelling to another country, it is important to know where the Canadian embassy is located in the event of:
- A legal problem
- A lost passport
- The need to report a crime
It is advisable to make a copy of your original passport in case you lose it.
Canadian Embassy to Philippines (MANILA)
Street Address:
Floors 6-8, Tower 2, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue,
Makati City, Manila, Philippines 0707
Tel.: +63 2 857 9000
Fax: +63 2 857 9173
Email: [email protected]
Canadian Consulate to Philippines (CEBU)
Street Address:
RD Corporate Center, 96 Gov. M.C. Cuenco Avenue,
Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Tel.: +63 32 256 3320
Fax: +63 32 238 3421
Email: [email protected]