Getting there
Helpful tips for visitors
Health:
No vaccinations are needed to travel to the Philippines, the risk of Malaria is very small unless you are planning to travel to Palawan. If you intend to do a dive course it is advisable to get a medical certificate from your doctor. Tampons are almost impossible to buy in the Philippines.
Climate:
Typically tropical. There is a cool dry season from December to March, a hot dry season from April to July. The rainy season usually lasts from July until October. From June to December there may be typhoons. Average temperature is 27 C ( 80 F ). Don't forget to bring Sweater against the air con on Airplanes, Buses and the ferry.
Money:
The US$ is the most common foreign currency. Money can be changed either with banks or with official moneychangers, who give a slightly better rate. Some moneychangers are open 24 hours in Manila. Avoid changing in the streets, if you do not like to be shortchanged!!! Away from the big tourist centers like Manila, Cebu, Boracay and Puerto Galera it is often difficult or impossible to cash credit cards, change traveler checks or even cash dollars. In Sablayan or in other remote locations only cash pesos or sometimes cash dollars (often at a very bad rate) are accepted. On Pandan we do not accept payments with credit cards however taveller cheques in dollar ($) and Euro (€) are accepted.
Immigration:
A 21-day visa is given automatically upon arrival which can easily be extended up to 59 days. For longer stays, extensions have to be applied for at the Immigration Office in Intramuros, Manila or at one of its branches in the bigger cities. Normally a stay up to one year is possible for tourists.
International airport:
The easiest way to get a taxi to your hotel is to buy a ticket at the Taxi center inside the arrival hall , after immigration and customs but before you leave the building. The trip to Ermita costs 300.- Pesos including luggage. Do not enter an unofficial taxi as they are much more expensive.
Business Hours:
Normal business hours are from 9 to 12 am and 1 to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. Banks are open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Embassies are open from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. Department stores in big cities are open from 10am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Domestic airport:
The domestic airport is usually very crowded, make sure you get there early enough, at least 90 mins before departure.
San Jose:
The airport of San Jose is about 3 km's outside of town, to get to the bus station take a tricycle from the airport (cost 20.- pesos). The buses for Sablayan leave about every hour and cost 75.- pesos, the trip to Sablayan takes about 3 hours.
Sablayan:
At the bus stop in Sablayan just take a tricycle to bring you to 'Punta in front of Ludi 's place', our Bangka (outtrigger boat) is waiting there , price is 200 pesos for 1 person + 50 p for each additional person and an additonal of 50 pesos in night time.
Information:
For more information visit www.pandan.com or read one of the following books:
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'Philippines Handbook', Jens Peters, lonely planet
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'Das Original Philippinen Handbuch', Jens Peters, JPP, deutsch
Flatboat
Tricycle