List of Countries Allowed Visa Free When Entering Philippines

Welcome to the Philippines!

Mabuhay Pilipinas! 

A greeting once you arrive in my country. The moment you step into the Philippines, you will start the excitement and of course fun! A nation composed of 7,107 islands, I'm sure you will experience adventures, relaxation because there are many options and places to choose from. If you want to learn more about this, please check out my previous blog posts.

I am sure you already heard about my country, Philippines. You want to explore the beauty of the nation and experience the warm hospitality of the people. Book your flights now! But before doing that, I am sharing you the list of countries that are visa-free when entering Philippines. Majority of countries have 30 days visa free while some have 7 days and 59 days visa free.

NAIA Arrival Area

Which countries have free visa to my country? Check this out:

Starting August 1, 2013, nationals from 151 countries may enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for a maximum of thirty (30) days, provided they are holders of a passport valid at least six (6) months beyond the period of stay in the Philippines, and present a return or outward bound ticket to their country of origin or to a next country of destination.

Pursuant to the Bureau of Immigration’s Memorandum Circular No. RADJR-2013-006.

1. Andorra 

2. Angola 

3. Antigua and Barbuda 

4. Argentina 

5. Australia 

6. Austria 

7. Bahamas 

8. Bahrain 

9. Barbados 

10. Belgium 

11. Benin 

12. Bhutan 

13. Bolivia 

14. Botswana 

15. Brazil* 

16. Brunei 

17. Bulgaria 

18. Burkina Faso 

19. Burundi 

20. Cambodia 

21. Cameroon 

22. Canada 

23. Cape Verde 

24. Central African Republic 

25. Chad 

26. Chile 

27. Colombia 

28. Comoros 

29. Congo 

30. Congo, Democratic Republic 

31. Costa Rica 

32. Cote d’ Ivoire 

33. Cyprus 

34. Czech Republic 

35. Denmark 

36. Djibouti 

37. Dominica 

38. Dominican Republic 

39. Ecuador 

40. El Salvador 

41. Equatorial Guinea 

42. Eritrea 

43. Estonia 

44. Ethiopia 

45. Fiji 

46. Finland 

47. France 

48. Gabon 

49. Gambia 

50. Germany 

51. Ghana 

52. Greece 

53. Grenada 

54. Guatemala 

55. Guinea 

56. Guinea-Bissau 

57. Guyana 

58. Haiti 

59. Honduras 

60. Hungary 

61. Iceland 

62. Indonesia 

63. Ireland 

64. Israel* 

65. Italy 

66. Jamaica 

67. Japan 

68. Kenya 

69. Kiribati 

70. Korea (ROK)

71. Kuwait

72. Laos 

73. Latvia 

74. Lesotho 

75. Liberia 

76. Liechtenstein 

77. Lithuania 

78. Luxembourg 

79. Madagascar 

80. Malawi 

81. Malaysia 

82. Maldives 

83. Mali 

84. Malta 

85. Marshall Island 

86. Mauritania 

87. Mauritius 

88. Mexico 

89. Micronesia 

90. Monaco 

91. Mongolia 

92. Morocco 

93. Mozambique 

94. Myanmar 

95. Namibia 

96. Nepal 

97. Netherlands 

98. New Zealand 

99. Nicaragua 

100. Niger 

101. Norway 

102. Oman 

103. Palau 

104. Panama 

105. Papua New Guinea 

106. Paraguay 

107. Peru 

108. Poland 

109. Portugal 

110. Qatar 

111. Romania 

112. Russia 

113. Rwanda 

114. St. Kitts and Nevis 

115. Saint Lucia 

116. St. Vincent and the Grenadines 

117. Samoa 

118. San Marino 

119. Sao Tome and Principe 

120. Saudi Arabia 

121. Senegal 

122. Seychelles 

123. Singapore 

124. Slovak Republic 

125. Slovenia 

126. Solomon Islands 

127. Somalia 

128. South Africa 

129. Spain 

130. Suriname 

131. Swaziland 

132. Sweden 

133. Switzerland 

134. Tanzania 

135. Thailand 

136. Togo 

137. Trinidad and Tobago 

138. Tunisia 

139. Turkey 

140. Tuvalu 

141. Uganda 

142. United Arab Emirates 

143. United Kingdom of Great 

 Britain and Northern Ireland 

144. United States of America 

145. Uruguay 

146. Vanuatu 

147. Vatican 

148. Venezuela 

149. Viet Nam 

150. Zambia 

151. Zimbabwe 

* Brazil and Israel remain eligible for 59-day visa-free entry as elaborated under Section 

D of FSC-21-10. 

Chinese Nationals, including citizens for Hong Kong and Taiwan, will need a special permit. 

Other countries not mentioned will require a visa issued at the Philippine embassy or consular office located at your country.

What are we waiting for? Come and experience my country because 

It's More Fun in the Philippines! :)

Sources of Information:

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/philippines-visa-and-entry-information/

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/download/151_countries_covered_in_30_days_visa_free_entry.pdf

The Simpler Traveler Celebrates ONE!

Happy Anniversary!

How time flies so fast! From the beginning I started working out and planning to set up a blog and it shown great success. Without you guys, nothing is impossible for achieving this!

From traveling all over the Philippines: from Luzon, Visayas to Mindanao. Travel by air, land and sea. Visiting sights and seeings across the country makes me inspire of creating a travel blog and sharing my experiences to all.

One year and counting! :)

The success of creating this blog would not be possible without the readers and supporters. With the bottom of my heart, A Big Thank You!! :)

It doesn't stop there, as the The Simpler Traveler headed to a new dimension beyond its one year anniversary. I will continue to share and inspire everyone about my travel blogs and help you especially when you will travel to my country, THE PHILIPPINES!

Once again to all 95,378 viewers and counting, Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat! (Thank you to everyone!) :)

Note: Pictures are not mine. Credits to the owner.

Cebu's Taboan Market: More Than Just a Dried Fish

Basket full of Dried Fishes

After our lunch at Zubuchon, we went back to Sampaguita Suites at downtown area for check-in and took a little rest before we headed back to another "laag" moments in the Queen City of South. Our group were frequent visitors of Cebu City and we enjoyed visiting this place. After few hours of freshen up, we hit the city once again.

Our next stop was the famous Taboan Market. We hailed a jeepney (signed 15F) just across Magellans Cross and took 10-15 minute drive to the destination. Had a little walk and immediately reached the place. It is one of the places in Cebu where you will buy your pasalubong. The place is famous for selling dried fish or danggit. Make sure you know the haggle skills and they will give you discount. :)

view infront of the market

Once you arrived to Taboan Market, you immediately smell the dried fishes which makes more intriguing. I have been to this place for several times and I love going back because of atmosphere and great place to buy pasalubong back home. :)

more choices of dried fishes

there's danggit (PHP450 per kilo)

other dried fishes

self photo

Prices vary on different type of dried fish and of course, it depends on the season. During our trip, prices range from PHP400 to PHP600 depending on class and types. Several dried fishes to choose from: aside from danggit, there were squid, fish tapa, dilis (anchovies), fish tocino and many more.  By the way, I also bought dried squid which costed me PHP600 per kilo and had to divide it per 1/4 kilo. Good thing that packaging was free and they sealed it plastic.

Not only dried fishes sold here, Taboan Market is a one stop pasalubong center where they also sell Cebu's products and delicacies. So it is a great place of doing your shopping and prices were almost the same or even lower than in other pasalubong shops and supermarkets. Just go inside and you will find different products such as the favorite dried mangoes, mango puree, otap (Cebu biscuits), Cebu chorizo (sausages), Carcar Chicharon (pork cracklings) and many more. 

more shopping ahead

different mango products sold here

many to choose from

great time to buy pasalubong

Money well spent when you are in Taboan Market. You can buy everything here especially your pasalubong back home. It is a one stop center selling great Cebu products at affordable price. make sure to include this in your itinerary when visiting Cebu. Great place and it's more than just a dried fish! :)

Tip: Bring extra clothes because the smell of dried fish will stick to your dress. But nevertheless, it's an experience to be there and more fun! ;)

Taboan Market

Pahina Central, Cebu City

See the map here

How to get there?

via commute - the best way is to ride a jeepney. From Cebu downtown area (Magellans Cross), look for  route sign going to Taboan or Tabo-an. Fare only costs PHP7.50. 

Taxi cabs also available across the city. All drivers know that place. Flag down starts at PHP40 and fare usually did not reach PHP100 depending on traffic.

Our Lechon Lunch @ Zubuchon, Cebu City

Zubuchon! Nice to be back! :)

We were hungry after our city downtown walk. We hailed a taxi and went straight to General Maxilom Avenue, nearer Fuente Osmena Circle. A visit to Cebu is incomplete without tasting the world famous lechon or roast suckling pig. Actually it's our second visit to this restaurant and we know how tasteful is their best selling product, LECHON! :)

Located at One Mango Mall

check what was written...

lechon!! :)

"Best Pig Ever!" by Chef Anthony Bourdain

Zubuchon became famous when it was featured in television not only locally but also internationally. Chef Anthony Bourdain of No Reservations featured lechon and easily ranked it as one of the best tasting pork in the world. No wonder that people flocked here in Cebu to taste the best of the best! :)

checking out their menu

checking once again

with the gang

waiting for our meals

Waiting time for the food took 5-10 minutes. We ordered a kilo of Boneless Zubuchon and divided it into two plates, a bowl of Shrimp Sinigang, bowl of Monggo with Zubuchon and endless number of rice cups. Our drinks were a mixture of sodas, fruit shake and their famous "Iba" or Kamias Shake which ideal since we eat lechon so it will decrease the greasiness of your intake. Our dessert was Banana Turon with Dulce de Leche. 

tasty boneless Zubuchon

Zubuchon and Monggo

ready to eat!

Lunch served! :)

Happy Lunch!

Our meal was made in heaven. I love their zubuchon especially the crispiness and juiciness of it. A kilo costs PHP530 and it's all worth it. Shrimp Sinigang was also good. Not overpowering the sourness and the shrimp was fine. Monggo was also good, not salty and creamy. Iba shake was divine. I love the drink. And for the dessert, it was so good to end your meal. :)

Dessert Time! :)

Overall lunch experience was great and we were full thanks to the wonderful food that served on Zubuchon. Great food and ambiance inside. Zubuchon has many branches in Cebu and in Mango Branch was huge and great dining experience whether in groups, families, couples or even soloist. 

More information on the restaurant:

Zubuchon - One Mango Mall Branch

Address: One Mango Mall, Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City

Contact Number: +63 32-2395697

Check their Menu lists: http://www.munchpunch.com/zubuchon-one-mango-mall/menu

Like their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zubuchon/187045978068913

Revisiting Downtown Cebu City

Magellan's Cross

Maayong Buntag Sugbu!

This is my greeting after we landed in the Queen City of the South. It was a "Good Morning Cebu" as we headed to Sampaguita Hotel near downtown Cebu City. It was a long one hour travel from the airport to the downtown. Our check in time was supposed to be at 1PM but I told the staff to leave our bags at the counter while waiting for us to checked in. After that, we walked a short distance to our primary destinations.

Welcome Back to Magellan's Cross

Revisiting Cebu City is not boring and it makes me more excited since I finally see them once again. Going to downtown Cebu makes me happy it celebrates history and faith for as I am a Catholic person. Our hotel was a short distance to the tourist destination so a short walk was just fine. We finally reached Magellan's Cross and we were so happy to be back and immediately grabbed our cameras to take photos after photos. 

Happy to be here!

with the gang

picture time!

Historical Marker

inside Magellan's Cross

look up

full view of the cross

Magellan's Cross

While taking photos, one woman offered her help to take us photos inside Magellan's Cross. We obliged since she dressed up as one of group of dancing women who offered candles and prayers infront of Magellan's Cross. We thanked her and give her small amount as gratitude.

picture picture

happiness...

down to up

Thanks for this shot! :)

To those familiar, infront of Magellan's Cross is the Cebu City Hall. It was also one tourist destination so we also took photos and appreciate its architectural design.

City Hall

infront of Magellan's Cross

A walk on the right side of Magellan's Cross is Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. This is a sacred place especially to devotees of Santo Nino. Even there were many people, it remained peaceful. We offered candles and say a little prayer. We also went inside the church to pray and went inside and outside the church. By the way, this place where the famous Sinulog Festival celebrated and performed here.

walk from Magellan's Cross

Welcome to Basilica

light some candles

offered prayers

many people light up candles and say prayers

historical marker

entrance to the basilica minore

inside the church

offered prayers too

people praying

infront of the basilica, mass held every Sunday and special occasions

The Basilica Minore del Santo Nino

We went to another church which was also a short distance from the Basilica. It was Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. This is also where the new saint, San Pedro Calungsod was located. The cathedral was also the seat of Archdiocese of Cebu. It was bigger than Basilica del Santo Nino.

tarpaulin for San Pedro Calungsod

mass celebrated at the cathedral

altar

main altar

line up for San Pedro Calungsod

wait for my turn

San Pedro Calungsod

say a prayer

Pray For Us

inside Cebu Cathedral

exterior look

nice picture! :)

It was a short fine walk at downtown city. Good thing that the weather was relatively fine as we visited these areas and revisited it once more. It was a great time until we were hungry. We looked for a taxi and proceed to our next destination... and this time, it's food trip time! :)

Continue to the next blog! :)