Is Philippines Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

The Philippines can be a captivating destination for solo female travelers with its incredible landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm people. However, safety is a mixed bag here. In general, the locals are hospitable and respectful to female travelers. Major cities and tourist spots are policed and quite safe. However, occasional reports of street harassment, pickpocketing, and scammed can occur. Off-the-beaten-path and remote areas may pose additional risks due to less police presence and medical facilities. It's advisable to avoid travel in the southern province of Mindanao due to unrest and potential terrorist threats. Always be aware of your surroundings, follow local norms, and secure your belongings. The country is generally safe with appropriate caution.

Safety rating

4.3 /5

Based on 27 experiences from female travelers

3.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

3.7 /5

Based on 45 experiences from local women

Philippines is currently ranked #62 safest country for solo female travelers, with an overall safety rating of 4.3 out of 5. Check the full ranking.

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How safe is Philippines?

Safety at night:Unsafe

Walking alone at night in the Philippines, particularly in major cities like Manila, can poses a safety risk. It's recommended to be cautious when crossing streets, due to heavy traffic and insufficient or unpredictably timed pedestrian signals. As in any city, there are areas that can be more dangerous at night, particularly if you aren't familiar. Stick to well-lit, busy areas, and preferably, not alone. Remember to always keep an eye on your belongings, and be aware of your surroundings to minimize any potential risks.

Public transportation:Moderate

Public transportation in the Philippines is generally safe but can sometimes be uncomfortable especially during peak hours. The most common modes of transportation include taxis, jeepneys, and trains. Taxis are reliable, though it's advisable to ensure that the meter is running. Be aware that some taxi drivers might try to overcharge. Jeepneys and buses are more affordable but often crowded, and there have been occasional reports of pick-pocketing. Train systems like the LRT and MRT are also quite crowded, especially during rush hours, but are relatively safe. An important precaution to remember is to always be mindful of your belongings, as petty theft can occur in public transport.

Street harassment:Moderate

Overall, the streets of the Philippines are generally safe and welcoming for solo female travelers. However, minor instances of verbal harassment such as catcalling or unsolicited comments are sometimes reported. This tends to happen in crowded, urban areas but is not typical of daily life. As always, being mindful of your surroundings should be enough to keep you safe.

Petty crimes:Moderate

While the Philippines offer fantastic travel experiences, it's moderately prone to petty crimes such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and other forms of theft especially in the urban centers and tourist hotspots. Being vigilant and exercising increased caution can generally prevent most incidents.

Is Philippines worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 27 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.4/5

Safety

4.3/5

Food

4.1/5

Budget-friendly

3.9/5

Philippines, Family travel

We got around through tuktuks and i always felt safe, great food everywhere, we were in airbnbs and it was amazing. Always felt good especially because i was with my family. Never ate this much rice but i couldn’t complain it was goooddd

Posted: February 20, 2025

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Boracay, Solo travel

Travelled solo for my birthday, felt safe. I have met some locals and they were very friendly. Partying at night was good, everyone was respectful. There were policemen every station. There were affordable food options, and the hotel staff were also nice.

Posted: November 2, 2024Experienced: August, 2024

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Philippines, Solo travel

Bantayan Island was the second Island I went to on a trip. It's nice and affordable. There were a lot of activities you can do my favorite one was the land tour on a motorbike. Locals were very nice and accommodating ofcourse

Posted: October 11, 2024Experienced: July, 2024

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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, 2024

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Manila, 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, 2024

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Is Philippines safe for women?

Safety index

3.7 /5

Based on 45 local experiences

Crime index

2.5 /5

Based on 45 local experiences

Cebu City

Cebu City is a decent city especially for the working group. It is mostly safe, but given the considerably high population, it's still not 100% safe especially at night and in certain areas of the city.

Posted: June 3, 2025

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Meet locals in Philippines

Nicole

About Me

introverted (still working on it—needed to get out of my comfort zone). A listener who enjoys little walks/ errands. Will be graduating soon and im SO ready to explore the world

Speaking

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Nicole

About Me

I love to travel!! Connect with me on IG: nyc.nic2025

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Philippines

Nicole

Manila

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I love to travel!! Connect with me on IG: nyc.nic2025

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Alexandra

Montalban

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi! I’m a fresh high school graduate and I really really want to travel and explore!

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Philippines

Flaminia

About Me

I’m at a very particular point in my life, questioning many choices and making changes for my future. I’m an architect from Rome, about to leave everything behind and embark on a backpacking journey across Asia, starting with Thailand! I’ve never traveled solo before, and there’s a bit of anxiety, but deep down, I feel the need to explore new cultures, new ways of thinking, and to seek the simplicity that should be the driving force of the world.