Your Philippines packing list, what you need to bring.

Your Philippines packing list is the most important checklist you will use.

 

What to pack for a long 30 day trip to the Philippines

There’s always an alluring sense of adventure when we travel abroad. Traveling abroad should be fun, worry-free, safe, and build memories of a lifetime. 

However, finding yourself without a specific personal item you need can add anxiety and stress to an already stressful travel itinerary. Worrying about what you bring, how you bring it on long adventures is something that you can avoid.

Pack smart, pack light, Philippines packing list.

The following Philippines packing list is an article based on experience and readers’ input on what people should bring when traveling abroad for 1 month to 6 months. You need to make sure when you’re traveling abroad, and you have precisely the items you need, the ones you can’t find easily at a local drug store or retail grocery store, and avoid the things that take up space that you can get at the local stores when needed.

Packing for a long journey is almost an art. Experience has a lot to do with what you should bring, and your personal choices will fill your suitcases to the maximum. Many airlines now offer at least one checked baggage and sometimes two checked baggage if you travel abroad. 

Checked baggage on your Philippines packing list

When you add two checked baggage, plus the carry-on luggage and a personal item, you end up having 5 to 6 things to handle and carry at the airport and your final destination. 

Having too much luggage is a hazard because the thieves know and can spot you from a distance. They know that you can’t easily keep count or track of all your suitcases surrounding you like a wagon train. Thieves can sneak in and quietly remove your luggage before you even know it.

That’s why it’s important to use this list and only pack the things you need for your trip and choose the personal items you need to bring. 

Use local stores for everyday items.

Many everyday items can be found at local stores when you get there and buy them once you get there.  Disposable items are easy to find, and you can often find personal Necessities easily, almost anywhere in the world. However, When you are traveling Off the Grid, you want to make sure that you have the things that you surely need. 

This article will give you ideas you can use to make your lists of the things you should pack.  These ideas come from our experience and our readers’ experiences over time. Please enjoy the article and leave your comments at the bottom.

1) Comfortable and light clothes:

The Philippines experiences three seasons, namely rainy, dry, and hot, unlike other nations, but it’s more hot all-year-round and a little wet if you ask me.

It is a must to wear lightweight clothing, such as cotton shorts or breathable t-shirts. As you can do much of your walking along unevenly paved roads or sandy beaches, you will also need a pair of comfortable shoes. And there seems to be a LOT of walking involved while you’re in the Philippines, whether you’re in the city or the islands, so bring a few comfortable and sturdy flip flops or sandals.

Dress for humidity and heat.

When packing for the Philippines, our advice is to wear light material like nylon or other materials to “Wick” the condensed water off of your body. The Philippines is often very humid, and the humidity condenses on our skin and looks like sweat.  So a travel tip is to wear lightweight t-shirts made out of nylon, polyester, or other light material, to wick the moisture away from your shirt. 

If you wear thick cotton t-shirts, likes, here on the West Coast, this will often SOG up and soak up the water. Not only is it embarrassing, because the sweat and water seem to reveal moisture under the arms, on the chest, and the back of the shirt. It makes you look like you’re in distress, although you might not be feeling any discomfort at all.

Choices for men and women clothing

• 2 pairs of shorts 
• 4 tank tops 
• 3 t-shirts 
• 2-3 light dresses
• 2 kimonos for going over tanks or swimsuits
• 1 pair of pants, light material
• 1 sarong
• 1 light rain jacket 
• 2 swimsuits/trunks
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 2 pairs of socks

If you’re going to spend a bit of time in the mountains, such as checking out the rice terraces in Banaue or Sagada, I would also recommend having a few warm things on your Philippines packing list as it can get cold! And if you go on any of the treks, you might also want some hiking shoes as well.

• 1 light scarf
• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 lightweight but warm jacket (this will be used on the freezing planes and buses too!)
• 1 pair of leggings
• 1 long sleeve shirt
• 1 pair of hiking shoes Men / Women

2) Sun-smart wear

A walk outside under the sun will give you a good dose of vitamin D, but it’s better to be fitted with enough sun-smart gear if you’re heading to the Philippines, where you want to spend all your time on its stunning paradise-like beaches.

Some proactive sun wear are

• Polarized sunglasses
• Natural sunscreen
• Tanning oil
• Hat

3) Camera gear and waterproof bags

You will notice so many great things to see (above and underwater) in the Philippines you want to remember. So don’t miss the chance to catch anything. When I fly across the Philippines, I always make sure that I have my mobile, DSLR, and GoPro with me.

Because you’re most likely to go to the beach, it’s best to pack your devices in waterproof bags securely. Big, dry bags are used. It’s wide enough to hold our devices and can handle harsh conditions as well, including when we plunged into a 12-foot-high river canyon in Cebu.

4) Toiletries on your Philippines packing list

• Deodorant
• Mosquito or natural mosquito spray
• Chapstick/ lip balm

90-day Philippines packing list

1) Life straw water bottle

You can’t drink tap water in the Philippines, so it’s necessary to have a water bottle to stay hydrated on your journey. We recommend carrying a water bottle from LifeStraw that has a water filter built-in. These will be great for hiking, backpacking, and generally traveling through the Philippines, and it will make sure you drink clean and clear water.  Also, use the available single-use plastic water bottles will help save money and the environment.

2) Philippines electrical power adapter

Electricity in the Philippines has always been 220 volts, so you need a power adapter to plug something into the electrical socket. As you can use it in almost every region, we suggest buying a reliable universal power adapter like this one. It’s also perfect that it comes with a built-in safety fuse in the event of power surges and has a lifetime replacement guarantee!

3) Neck wallet

We still make sure to carry a trusty neck wallet while we fly to avoid pickpocketing and petty theft.  It always pays to be smart and make sure your belongings are safe and securely stowed away under your clothing, especially in destinations that are particularly crowded or touristy. It’s awesome because this neck wallet is big enough to carry your phone,  cash, passport, and credit cards and has many cute pockets to keep you organized.

Keep your valuables out of sight from anyone, especially thieves who can see the neck wallet and try to take advantage of you and other travelers.

4) Jet lag relief pills

The Philippines is a long way from home if you come from North America! If you don’t dress appropriately, you’re likely to feel the impact of jet lag and potentially miss your first day of sightseeing. After a long flight passing through multiple time zones, these natural jet lag relief pills are a godsend. Bring them along to help stop jet lag’s inconvenient impact.

5) Hero packing cubes

If it comes to packing, this is a game-changer. You can conveniently arrange and find all your clothes for travel in a multi-piece package of various colors to choose from. These packing cubes are excellent for both backpacking and carrying a normal suitcase, and they come with many features.  The ones I like are the laundry bags to separate your dirty clothes and a separate case for your shoes.

6) Underwater camera

Nothing is better than a lightweight, robust, and inexpensive underwater camera for capturing your incredible experience in the Philippines. A camera such as this will be a godsend while diving and snorkeling, perfect for filming live rare to see sea life such as whale sharks, sea turtles, large clams, and giant mantas. It’s also perfect for all your adventure hobbies, such as sailing, zip-lining, climbing, cave exploration, and city scootering.

Other items to consider for your Philippines packing list

• Lightweight shoes
• Water Shoe Shoes
• Pack for Toiletries
• Toothbrush Ride
• Deodorant Deodorant
• Contact Solution Contact
• Hand Wipes Antibacterial
• Medicine for the cold and flu
• Tablets for pain relievers
• Items that are anti-diarrheal
• Relief Tablets for Nausea
• Kit for First-Aid
• The Tweezer

In summary, use the list above to personalize your Philippines packing list. Everyone’s an individual, and we all have individual needs. You need to address these particular changes in your Philippines packing list and choose the things you need to pack for your long Adventure. 

For example, don’t forget to make room for medical necessities, such as diabetes equipment and testing materials, CPAP, other medical equipment, and unique items for any specific diets. For example, finding gluten-free items readily available in a supermarket in the Philippines will be hard to find. If you can’t pack it, then you might have to decide to avoid it if you can.

Only Have Fun Days

Most of all, pack the things you need to have fun, be safe, and make your travels personalized inconvenient for yourself. Again everyone packs different items because we are all individuals.

 We’d love to hear your comments below; please let us know about your experiences and the successes you had in your Nomad Adventures. 

~ Staff

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