Philippines Packing List: What to Bring for Islands and Cities

For the Philippines, pack light, quick-drying clothes, water shoes, a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, insect repellent, a light rain jacket and one modest outfit for churches and cities. Keep it all within a medium soft bag or backpack, because domestic flights have strict baggage limits and small boats have little space.

Start with the baggage rules

Most visitors take two or three domestic flights. On low-cost fares the included cabin allowance is often around 7 kg, and checked baggage must be bought separately, ideally when booking online. On island-hopping boats and vans, luggage is loaded by hand onto roofs or into small holds. A soft bag of around 40 to 50 litres plus a small daypack is ideal; large hard suitcases are awkward on beaches and boats.

Clothes

• Light, breathable tops and shorts or skirts, in quick-drying fabrics.
• One or two long, light layers: trousers and a long-sleeved shirt for sun, mosquitoes, air-conditioned buses and churches.
• A modest outfit covering shoulders and knees for churches such as Manila's San Agustin or Cebu's Santo Niño basilica.
• Two swimsuits so one can dry.
• A rash guard or UV swim shirt for long boat days and snorkelling.
• A light jacket or fleece for air conditioning, early boat departures, and cool places like Tagaytay, Sagada or Banaue.
• A compact rain jacket, especially from June to November.
• A hat and sunglasses, ideally with a strap for boats.

Laundry services are cheap and widespread, often charged by the kilo, so a week's worth of clothes is enough for a longer trip.

Footwear

• Water shoes or sturdy sport sandals: essential for rocky landings, the steps at Kayangan Lake and lagoon entrances. For canyoneering you need closed shoes with good grip; rentals exist, but your own fit better.
• Flip-flops for beaches and showers.
• Light trainers for cities, hikes and viewpoints.

Water and beach gear

• Dry bag (10 to 20 litres) for phone, camera, cash and passport on boats.
• Reef-safe sunscreen: mineral-based, without oxybenzone; some sites ask for no sunscreen at all in the water.
• Snorkel mask if you have one that fits well; rentals are available but quality varies.
• Waterproof phone pouch or an action camera.
• Quick-dry towel or a sarong.
• Small reusable water bottle; many hotels and tour boats offer refills.

Most Philippine highlights are on the water: a typical Coron island tour involves stairs, lagoons and swimming in a single day, and the Kawasan Falls canyoneering trip means several hours in a river. Packing for water is packing for the trip.

Documents and money

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay, with free pages.
• Printed and digital copies of passport, insurance and bookings.
• Proof of onward travel, which airlines and immigration may ask for.
• Online arrival registration: as of 2026, complete it before you fly; check the official site.
• Two payment cards kept separately, plus some euros or dollars as backup.
• Cash in small notes for islands, where ATMs can run empty.
• Driving licence and an international driving permit if you plan to rent a scooter.

Some sites require a passport for permits, for example the Puerto Princesa Underground River, so keep yours accessible.

Health and first aid

• Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin; dengue is present.
• Seasickness tablets for ferries and boat days.
• Basic first-aid kit: plasters, antiseptic, blister plasters, antihistamines, painkillers, rehydration salts and diarrhoea tablets.
• Your prescription medicines in original packaging, with enough for the whole trip.
• After-sun or aloe vera.
• Hand sanitiser for street food and long journeys.

Electronics

• Plug adapter: the Philippines mostly uses type A and B sockets (flat pins, as in the US), at 220 volts. Check that your devices accept 220 V.
• Power bank for long boat days and islands with limited electricity.
• Unlocked phone for a local SIM card.
• Headlamp or small torch for power cuts, island camps and early starts.

What to leave at home

• Large hard suitcases.
• Heavy jeans and thick clothing.
• Lots of shoes.
• Expensive jewellery.
• Anything you would hate to get wet.

Extras by trip type

Island expeditions

Small backpack for the boat, sleeping layer, headlamp, power bank, biodegradable toiletries, and cash for drinks.

Diving

Certification card, logbook, your own mask and computer if you have them; check your insurance covers diving.

Mountains in northern Luzon

Warm layer, walking shoes with grip, and rain gear.

Families

Child-sized rash guards and hats, familiar snacks, a small first-aid kit for children, and a lightweight travel stroller only if you will stay mostly in cities.

Packing for the wet season

Between June and November, add a few things: a compact umbrella as well as a rain jacket, a second dry bag for your main luggage on boats and van roofs, zip-lock bags for documents and electronics, and quick-drying shoes rather than fabric trainers that stay wet for days. Pack a small book or downloaded films for the occasional day when a typhoon keeps everyone indoors.

A two-week checklist at a glance

With laundry available almost everywhere, this is enough even for three weeks. Leave a little space in your bag for dried mangoes, coffee and handicrafts on the way home.

A note on dress and respect

Filipinos dress neatly, even in the heat, and swimwear belongs on the beach and the boat rather than in town, shops or restaurants. Throw a shirt and shorts over your swimsuit when you walk back from the beach. In Muslim areas of Mindanao and around mosques, cover arms and legs, and women may want a light scarf. Clean, modest clothes also make a difference at immigration and in government offices.

FAQ

What should I wear in the Philippines?

Light, breathable clothing for most of the day, swimwear for boats and beaches, and something covering shoulders and knees for churches.

Do I need water shoes?

Yes, they are one of the most useful items. Many boat landings, lagoons and waterfalls involve sharp rocks and coral.

What plug type is used?

Mostly type A and B with 220 volts. Bring an adapter and check your chargers.

How much luggage should I bring?

A medium soft bag and a daypack. Cheap domestic fares often include only about 7 kg of cabin baggage.

Can I buy things locally if I forget them?

Yes. Malls in Manila, Cebu and Puerto Princesa sell almost everything. On small islands, choices are limited and prices higher.