Filipinos are friendly and hospitable and Family ties are strong. Though Tagalog is the official language, English is spoken almost throughout the Philippines.

Weather in the months of November till March (High Season) is relatively cool at nights and warm in the day, though occasional rain shower can be experienced. In the months of April till June (Summer), it's mostly hot and dry, while May till October (Low Season) is humid and can bring moderate to heavy rainfall.

The official monetary unit is Philippine Peso or "Piso" (in Tagalog), as written on coins and banknotes.

The exchange rates are usually best in Manila as it tends to drop by as much as 20% in provinces. In remote regions, it may only be possible to purchase goods in pesos, or US dollars, so come prepared.