Is Philippines Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Safety index
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How safe is Philippines?
Safety at night:Unsafe
Public transportation:Moderate
Street harassment:Moderate
Petty crimes:Moderate
Is Philippines worth visiting?
Overall rating
based on 12 experiences from female travelers
Things to do
Safety
Food
Budget-friendly
Angela
Spain
Boracay, Family travel
I have been to Boracay several times and it never fails to disappoint. You can choose to have an active holiday or just relax on the beach. The possibilities are endless as the island provides a multitude of activities and can accommodate different budget and travel types. In this trip, I stayed at Ambassador in Paradise with my mom, sister and brother-in-law. The room was ok, a bit too big - I say this because it wasn’t as clean as it could be, perhaps because there were too many nooks and crannies. The service was good and as is usually the case in the Philippines, they were gracious to older people and assisted my mom in various ways. I didn’t like that they were pretty useless when it came to first aid and couldn’t even provide an ice pack when my mom fell off the bed and had a huge bump on her forehead. It was during Christmas time and we couldn’t get any medical assistance at all and had to wait till we were back in Metro Manila. The trip was still a good one, in my opinion. If you have anyone who isn’t very mobile, you should book transfers in advance - the hotel had a private boat which made it convenient for my mom. The hotel food wasn’t very friendly to non-meat eaters specially during breakfast but there are many choices in the island and we enjoyed tasty food and tropical drinks. There are a range of activities available, some right outside the hotel and some accessed elsewhere. I love that during the pandemic, the government realized that they could make changes to the island to make it more sustainable and some water activities are conducted away from the shore to make it safer for swimmers and also to protect the environment. There’s something for everyone in Boracay.
Posted: September 4, 2024Manila, Solo travel
People of manila are very friendly and accommodating. I joined a couple of ladies for a night then head to the beach puerto galera by bus. Ferry was ok. Beach resort was marvellous. Motorcycle I rented ROCKSSS
Posted: September 3, 2024Experienced: June, 2024Bohol, Solo travel
I travelled solo to Bohol and hands down, it was one of the best experiences. The locals are very hospitable and when they have known that I travelled solo, they connect me to people that can help me travel. The food is really tasty. However, Alona, Panglao can be a bit pricey.
Posted: September 1, 2024Experienced: July, 2024
Lovisa
Sweden
Cebu, Group travel
Cebu had very fun activities but would only recommend to stay in Cebu for about 3-5 days. There are a few very nice activities such as whale shark snorkeling, canyoneering, swim with turtles and big school of sardines, visiting waterfalls, and exploring Cebu city. Me and my friend did all of them, but only needed about 3-4 days for it. Then there weren’t that much to do. We stayed in Cebu city and Moalboal.
Posted: July 18, 2024Manila, Solo travel
Manila is relatively safe when you're traveling via Grab. Public commute is not advised for solo travelers and first timers in Manila. Walking around the streets require vigilance and caution. But when you are in Bonifacio Global City, Newport Manila, the vibe is different so you can be morr carefree walking alone there.
Posted: July 14, 2024
Marion
France
Pamilacan, Solo travel
I took a boat from Baclayon to go to Pamilacan. We saw a lot of dolphins on the way. I did the best snorkeling of my life on that island. You should pay a small boat to be sure to not walk on corals but it worth it.
Posted: July 1, 2024Experienced: December, 2017
Johanna
Germany
Philippines, Solo travel
I felt very safe in Philipinen. I traveled about 2 months in this beautiful country and most of the time i spent it with locals.. I learned how to dance Budots, hiked on the Vulcans island, dived at beautiful coral gardens. People are so nice especially in Mindanao.
Posted: June 27, 2024Philippines, Group travel
Amazing destination !!!! With my best friend we’ve traveled during three weeks around Siquijor - Bohol- Coron - El Nido and Siargao ! And it was the perfect order of preferences. Island Hopping, markets, chasing waterfalls, snorkeling, diving,… there are plenty of activity so there’s no way you can get bored. One of my most beautiful trip ever.
Posted: June 14, 2024El Nido, Group travel
El Nido, Palawan, is a safe and wonderful place. We enjoyed the many things it has to offer, including good food and great vibes. We had such a good time that we want to visit again. However, food and drinks can be pricey, so try to get some groceries and bring them with you in your bag.
Posted: June 10, 2024Boracay Island, Solo travel
Boracay Island offers a mix of experiences, but my visit had its ups and downs. Safety varies significantly by location: Station 0 and Station 1 are luxurious and safe, with friendly locals, while Station 2 can be less welcoming, especially if you look Filipino. I had a few unpleasant incidents at Station 2, like not being welcomed into a bar, being asked to pay immediately while a white duo at the next table wasn’t, and receiving generally poor treatment. These experiences unfortunately tainted my overall visit. Station 3 felt too rugged and intimidating, so I avoided it. If I were to return, I'd stick to Station 1 for its safety and friendliness. When it comes to activities, the boat tours are a must-do. You don’t need to book an expensive tour; a budget-friendly option from Klook will suffice. Ensure your tour includes Crystal Cove and Tambisaan Beach—both are beautiful, and spending a day at Crystal Cove is particularly delightful. If you enjoy nightlife, the clubs at Station 2 are fun and vibrant. For food, Gerry's is the place to go for authentic Filipino cuisine. However, be prepared for high costs in Boracay. Everything is overpriced compared to other parts of Asia, with daily expenses for food, drinks, and rides adding up to around $25-35, which is quite steep. Accommodation can greatly affect your experience. I initially stayed at Belmont and regretted it due to a poor room with no view and constant construction noise. Plus, it was far from everything. Moving to Henann Park Resort significantly improved my stay, providing better comfort and a more convenient location. For transport, the bus ride service is the best option—it's cost-effective and much better than other available rides. In summary, while Boracay has its beautiful spots and enjoyable activities, the high costs and inconsistent hospitality can be off-putting. Stick to Station 1 for the best experience, enjoy the boat tours, and make the most of the beautiful beaches and local cuisine.
Posted: June 7, 2024Experienced: January, 2024Is Philippines safe for women?
Safety index
Based on 18 local experiences
Crime index
Based on 18 local experiences
Zy
Metro Manila
Metro Manila I would say is generally safe, but crime rates depend a lot on location. BGC and Makati CBD are very safe while I wouldn’t walk alone at night in places like Tondo, Quiapo, etc. In any case, stick to ares that don’t seem sketchy and always trust your gut.
Posted: October 4, 2024Angela
Makati
Makati is such a big city that it can be hard to say exactly how safe one can be. There are so many factors involved as well as one’s baseline. I’ve always lived in cities and I think that Makati is fairly easy to navigate. I wouldn’t be brandishing around expensive devices if I was walking on the street but I think it’s possible to stop and use my phone when I need to. I would avoid deserted streets or places without streetlights but on the whole, I find that local police are pretty helpful and locals would offer help as well if I need any.
Posted: September 4, 2024Is Philippines safe right now?
United States Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution
Canada's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution
Australia's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution
Meet locals in Philippines
M
About Me
Hi. Let us expand our world, make it bigger and wider by looking at strangers as a future friend.
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Gayle
About Me
Hello everyone! I’m Gayle, 23. I am graduating from uni in June (yay) so I plan to just travel for a while after that. I’ve already been doing some traveling since January and have been to Thailand, Japan and just got back from Bali last week. I’m already set to backpack across SEA on October starting in Vietnam and just see where the journey leads me! Hoping to meet some friends along the way :)
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Stay with locals in Philippines
Skyrene
Manila
Can host for:
2 days
About me
Hi I am Sky, I am currently working as a Global Application Analyst where we implement Microsoft Dynamics across the globe. The company send me to different countries to conduct training so I get the chance to do side trips after work. I do solo travel especially during weekends to see places, culture, history, food to name a few. I would also like to host female travelers when you visit Manila, Philippines.
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Khaiyir
Philippines
Can host for:
3 days
About me
Hi, my name is Khaiyir of Khaiyir TV and I am a freediver, lady spearo and solo traveller, blogger. I frequently travel to different beaches and diving spots around Philippines.
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Upcoming visitors to Philippines
Iris
About Me
Honduran living and working in Hamburg for two years now. I like traveling and meeting new people, share stories and specially my culture.
Speaking
Anh
About Me
I currently in San Francisco but I was born and raised in Vietnam. Work at an environmental non-profit
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Safety in Philippines
