Philippines

Mickytec

I am traveling to the Philippines in around 3 weeks. Any advice on which currency to take and how to take it? I am not planning on staying for long in big cities.

Voyager2002

There are quite a few ATMs in the major cities, so bring the right kind of plastic. You could also bring cash and visit the money-changers (rather than banks) in big cities. In the small towns and countryside you are best off with pesos, which you can get far more economically in Manila or Cebu than in the UK. Changing US dollars is marginally easier than changing sterling, but the difference is not enough to justify the cost of buying dollars.

And look out for peso bargains: one time I had stopover in Abu Dhabi on the way there, and the Bureau de Change was off-loading pesos at a very good rate, so I stocked up.

And be very sure that you have adequate insurance for cash: you are at significant risk of theft, and most travel insurance policies include cover for what they call "personal money" that turns out not to include cash!