💰 Quick Context: The Philippine Peso
The Philippines uses the Philippine Peso (PHP / ₱). A local restaurant meal costs ₱150–350 ($2.70–6.25), a hotel night ₱2,000–8,000 ($36–143), and a tricycle ride ₱20–50 ($0.35–0.90). Quick math: divide by 56 for a rough USD estimate (e.g., ₱5,600 ≈ $100). The Philippines is a cash-heavy country, especially outside Manila and Cebu. USD is useful as backup and widely exchangeable at licensed money changers.
🎧 Order Philippine Peso Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order PHP → CEI Currency ExchangeIsland Cash Strategy: Plan Before You Leave the City
The Philippines has over 7,600 islands, and ATM access varies dramatically between them. The number one money mistake tourists make is not bringing enough cash to the islands. Manila, Cebu, and other major cities have plenty of ATMs. But once you head to popular destinations, machines become scarce, unreliable, and frequently run out of cash.
El Nido (Palawan) has one BDO ATM in town that frequently empties out with long queues. Withdraw in Puerto Princesa before the 5-hour van ride. Budget ₱3,000–5,000 per day. Coron (Palawan) has a few ATMs in the town centre but they are unreliable. Withdraw in Manila before flying. Siargao has limited ATMs in General Luna. Withdraw in Cebu or Surigao City first. Boracay has ATMs at D'Mall and along the main road, but withdrawal limits are low and machines empty during peak season. Bring cash from Manila or Kalibo. Bohol (Panglao) has ATMs in Tagbilaran City but limited options at Alona Beach. Siquijor, Camiguin, and Bantayan have very few or no ATMs at all. Bring everything you need from the nearest city. Rule of thumb: calculate your island budget, add 30%, and withdraw everything before leaving a major city.
Cash vs. Card: What to Expect in the Philippines
Metro Manila (Makati, BGC, Ortigas) has good card acceptance at SM and Robinson's malls, hotels, chain restaurants like Jollibee and Max's, and upscale establishments. Visa and Mastercard work well. Cebu City is similar at malls and tourist businesses, though local restaurants are often cash-only. Resort areas like Boracay and Palawan's main hotels accept cards, but smaller restaurants, tour operators, dive shops, and souvenir shops are cash-only.
Cash is required for most daily life. Local restaurants (carinderias), sari-sari stores (neighbourhood convenience shops), tricycles, jeepneys, and buses all require pesos. Even Grab (ride-hailing) in Manila and Cebu defaults to cash payment, though card payment is an option. On islands, assume everything is cash-only unless your resort has specifically confirmed card acceptance. Carry ₱3,000–5,000 per day on islands, more for dive trips and tours.
How to Get Pesos for Your Philippines Trip
The Philippines is heavily cash-based outside Metro Manila and a handful of resort areas. SM and Robinson's malls in Makati, BGC, and Ortigas take cards fine; Boracay and Palawan resort hotels take cards. Step into a carinderia, a sari-sari store, a tricycle, a jeepney, a bangka boat operator, or any small island business and you're in peso territory. The local twist worth knowing: GCash (the dominant mobile wallet) handles a huge share of transactions for locals, but tourist-onboarding is improving slowly. The other twist: Philippine ATMs cap foreign-card withdrawals at painfully low ₱10,000–20,000 per transaction and stack a ₱200–250 operator fee on top, so plan to maximize each pull.
Order pesos before you fly
For pre-arrival pesos, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Philippine pesos to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery, at a small spread over the bank rate. Genuinely useful here because the Philippine ATM combination of low caps and high per-transaction fees makes pre-ordering a comfortable starter stack worth the spread. Your home bank can also order PHP (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi may stock it depending on the branch); allow 5–10 business days. The Philippines does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. Backup that works well here specifically: pack USD $200–500 in clean, post-2009 $100 bills and exchange them at the airport CzarinaFX or a licensed Manila exchange shop on landing (their rates are typically better than the ATM after the ₱250 fee). Combine with a Wise card for chain-restaurant spending and you're set.
Withdraw from a Philippine bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of pesos is a major Philippine bank ATM inside a real branch or shopping mall. BDO Unibank (the largest network), BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands), Metrobank, Land Bank, and Security Bank all give the actual interbank rate with no markup. All do charge an operator fee for foreign cards, typically ₱200–250, posted on the screen before you confirm; HSBC Philippines ATMs are a notable exception with no operator fee and higher caps (up to ₱40,000 per transaction), worth seeking out in Makati and BGC. Withdrawal caps at the local Big Four run roughly ₱10,000–20,000 per transaction; max each pull. Two procedural rules in the Philippines: stick to ATMs inside SM, Robinson's, Ayala, or Glorietta malls (well-lit, security-guarded, well-stocked) rather than street-facing standalones, especially in Manila's more chaotic districts and on smaller islands. And decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". The standalone independent ATMs you'll see at airports and inside small island convenience stores stack aggressive operator fees on top of DCC pitches. See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a BDO withdrawal will actually cost on your card after the ₱250 fee plus your home bank fees? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & resort exchange windows
Three traps to walk past in the Philippines. The Travelex and Czarina counters in arrivals at MNL (NAIA) and CEB (Mactan-Cebu) advertise rates that look reasonable, but the unbranded counters in NAIA Terminal 1 and 3 lobbies routinely run 5–12% off the interbank rate. Honest exception: the licensed CzarinaFX, Sanry's, and BSP-licensed money changers in Manila's Mabini, Robinsons Manila, and Greenhills areas often beat ATM rates after fees and are widely used by locals. The exchange windows at Boracay's Station 2 and the resort kiosks in Palawan and Cebu use the "no commission" framing while baking the markup straight into the displayed rate, plus they're often short on USD-to-PHP rate competitiveness compared to mainland Manila. Third, the standalone, often unbranded ATMs you'll see inside small island convenience stores layer aggressive DCC pitches and fees on top of the standard ₱250 operator surcharge. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Land Bank, or HSBC Philippines inside malls, decline DCC, and use a BSP-licensed money changer in Manila if you've brought USD. The country page does not yet have city-specific guides for Manila and Cebu, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank-by-bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-PHP timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in the Philippines
Philippine ATMs have frustratingly low per-transaction limits (typically ₱10,000–20,000, or $179–357). Each withdrawal incurs a ₱200–250 ($3.60–4.50) fee from the Philippine bank, plus your home bank's fees. Maximize each withdrawal to the transaction limit. ATMs inside SM Malls and Robinson's Malls are well-maintained, have security guards, and are more reliable than street machines.
BDO (Banco de Oro)
The Philippines' largest bank with 4,500+ ATMs nationwide. The most reliable for foreign Visa and Mastercard withdrawals. Found at NAIA airport, SM Malls (everywhere in the Philippines), major streets, and commercial areas. Withdrawal limit: ₱10,000 per transaction at most ATMs, though some allow ₱20,000.
Top PickBPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands)
3,000+ ATMs. The Philippines' oldest bank with strong international card acceptance. Good coverage in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and major tourist destinations. Withdrawal limit: ₱10,000–20,000 per transaction.
Recommended
Metrobank
2,500+ ATMs. Well-maintained machines with reliable foreign card support. Strong in Metro Manila and major cities. Some ATMs allow up to ₱20,000 per transaction. Excellent coverage at NAIA terminals.
Recommended
HSBC Philippines
Limited ATM network (mostly Metro Manila and Cebu) but allows up to ₱40,000 per transaction ($714). Worth seeking out for larger withdrawals to minimize per-transaction fee impact. If you have an HSBC account globally, you may get reduced fees.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Some ATMs in Manila's Ermita district, Cebu's tourist strip, and Boracay offer to convert your withdrawal to USD or your home currency. Always decline and choose Philippine Pesos (PHP). The DCC markup is typically 3–7%, which on top of the already-present ₱200–250 ATM fee makes the transaction expensive. Select "Philippine Peso" or "PHP" on the screen. Euronet machines are the worst offenders.
ATMs to Avoid in the Philippines
Some options are overpriced or risky for foreign visitors. Stick to BDO, BPI, and Metrobank ATMs inside bank branches or malls.
Euronet
Present in some Manila and Cebu tourist areas. Aggressive DCC with 7–12% markups on top of standard Philippine ATM fees. Avoid entirely. Walk to a BDO or Metrobank machine instead.
AvoidStandalone ATMs Near Beaches & Ports
Unbranded machines near beaches, ferry ports, and tourist walking streets (White Beach in Boracay, Alona Beach in Bohol). Higher risk of card skimming, extra fees, and low withdrawal limits. Use ATMs inside SM or Robinson's Malls instead.
AvoidAirport & Hotel Exchange Counters
Exchange counters at NAIA terminals (Manila) and Mactan-Cebu Airport offer rates 3–8% worse than mid-market. Hotel front desks charge 3–6% more. Use BDO or BPI ATMs in arrivals, or exchange at licensed money changers like Sanry's or Czarina in Makati.
AvoidPaying by Card in the Philippines
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at malls (SM, Robinson's, Ayala), hotels, chain restaurants, and upscale establishments in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. Coverage drops significantly on islands and in smaller cities. American Express has limited acceptance, mostly restricted to international hotel chains and high-end restaurants. Discover is not recommended for the Philippines.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Tap-to-pay is expanding at newer terminals in Metro Manila malls and chain restaurants, but it is not yet widespread. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at some modern terminals in Makati and BGC but are not reliable outside Manila. GCash is the Philippines' dominant mobile wallet, accepted at millions of merchants, 7-Elevens, and even sari-sari stores. You need a local Globe or TM SIM card (available at the airport for around ₱300) to register. Load it with cash at 7-Eleven, Ministop, or Cebuana Lhuillier. Genuinely useful for longer trips.
Where Cards May Not Work
Local restaurants (carinderias) across all cities are cash-only. Sari-sari stores (the neighbourhood convenience shops found on every block) accept cash or GCash only. Tricycles, jeepneys, and buses all require cash in pesos. Island-hopping boats, dive operators, and tour guides almost always require cash. Wet markets (Divisoria in Manila, Carbon Market in Cebu) are entirely cash-based. Even Grab rides in Manila often default to cash payment.
Tipping in the Philippines
Tipping Guide
Restaurants: many include a 10% service charge on the bill, so check before tipping extra. If no service charge is included, 10% is appreciated. At local carinderias and street food stalls, no tip is expected. Hotels: ₱50–100 per bag for bellhops, ₱50–100 per night for housekeeping. Tour guides and boat operators are the biggest tipping situation: ₱200–500 per day for group tours (island-hopping in El Nido, whale shark watching in Oslob), ₱500–1,000 for private guides. Island-hopping boat crews appreciate ₱100–200 per person. Spa and massage: ₱50–100. Taxis and tricycles: round up by ₱10–20. Tip in pesos. USD $1 bills are also accepted by tour guides in popular destinations.
Manila, Cebu & Beyond: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
NAIA (Manila airport) has BDO and BPI ATMs in the arrivals area of all terminals. Skip the exchange counter windows (3–8% worse rates). Withdraw what you need for your first few days, especially if heading directly to an island destination.
USD is widely exchangeable. Licensed money changers in Makati (Sanry's, Czarina Foreign Exchange) and Ermita offer rates within 0.5–1% of mid-market. $100 bills get better rates than smaller denominations. Crisp, undamaged bills are preferred. On islands, exchange rates at money changers are 2–5% worse than Manila, so exchange in the city first.
ATM withdrawal limits are a real headache. Most banks cap at ₱10,000–20,000 per transaction ($179–357), and each withdrawal costs ₱200–250 in bank fees. HSBC allows up to ₱40,000, but their ATMs are only in Metro Manila and Cebu. Plan multiple withdrawals and maximize each one to the limit.
The Philippines is very affordable. Budget ₱1,500–3,000 per day ($27–54) for mid-range travel including accommodation, meals, and transport. Island destinations like El Nido and Siargao run slightly higher at ₱3,000–5,000 per day during peak season. Dive trips cost ₱1,500–3,000 per dive.
Register your travel plans with your bank before departure. The Philippines is sometimes flagged for fraud on card transactions, and unexpected foreign ATM withdrawals can trigger holds from smaller card issuers.
Money Safety in the Philippines
Staying Safe
Use ATMs inside bank branches or malls with security guards. SM Mall and Robinson's Mall ATMs are the safest options. Avoid standalone street ATMs at night, especially in Manila's Ermita and Malate districts.
Card skimming exists in the Philippines, particularly at standalone ATMs near tourist beaches. Cover your PIN when entering it. Inspect the card slot for anything loose before inserting your card. If the machine looks tampered with, use a different one.
Be discreet with large cash amounts. Avoid counting money in public. Keep your main cash supply in a money belt or hidden pouch, especially at crowded markets like Divisoria or Carbon Market. Only carry what you need for the day.
Bring two cards on different networks (one Visa, one Mastercard). Philippine ATMs occasionally eat cards or go offline. A second card from a different network is essential insurance, especially on islands where there may be only one ATM. Carry $50–100 USD as emergency backup. USD can be exchanged almost anywhere in the Philippines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there ATMs in El Nido, Siargao, and Coron?
Barely. El Nido has one BDO ATM that frequently runs out of cash with long lines. Coron has a few unreliable ATMs in the town centre. Siargao has limited ATMs in General Luna. For all three destinations, withdraw enough cash in Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, or Surigao City before heading to the island. Budget ₱3,000–5,000 per day plus a 30% buffer.
Why are Philippine ATM withdrawal limits so low?
Most Philippine banks cap foreign card withdrawals at ₱10,000–20,000 per transaction ($179–357). Each withdrawal also incurs a ₱200–250 fee from the Philippine bank, plus your home bank's fees. HSBC ATMs allow up to ₱40,000 per transaction but are only found in Metro Manila and Cebu. Maximize each withdrawal to the limit to reduce per-transaction fee impact.
Should I bring USD to the Philippines?
Yes, as backup. USD is widely exchangeable throughout the Philippines. Licensed money changers in Makati (Sanry's, Czarina Foreign Exchange) offer rates within 0.5–1% of mid-market. $100 bills get better rates than smaller denominations. On islands, exchange rates are 2–5% worse than Manila, so exchange in the city before heading out.
Is tipping expected in the Philippines?
Yes. Many restaurants include a 10% service charge, so check your bill first. If not included, 10% is appreciated. Hotel bellhops receive ₱50–100 per bag. Tour guides and island-hopping boat crews receive ₱200–500 per day for group tours, ₱500–1,000 for private guides. Boat crews appreciate ₱100–200 per person. Taxi and tricycle drivers appreciate rounding up by ₱10–20.
Can I use credit cards in the Philippines?
In Metro Manila (Makati, BGC, Ortigas), yes. Malls, hotels, chain restaurants, and upscale establishments accept Visa and Mastercard. Cebu City has good acceptance at malls and tourist businesses. Major resorts in Boracay and Palawan accept cards. But local restaurants (carinderias), sari-sari stores, tricycles, jeepneys, and most island businesses are cash-only. Amex has limited acceptance.
What is GCash and can tourists use it?
GCash is the Philippines' dominant mobile wallet, accepted at millions of merchants, 7-Elevens, and even sari-sari stores. You need a local Philippine SIM card to register. If you get a Globe or TM SIM (available at the airport for around ₱300), you can load GCash with cash at 7-Eleven, Ministop, or Cebuana Lhuillier branches. It is genuinely useful for avoiding the ATM fee cycle on longer trips.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend pesos like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card at BDO/Metrobank ATM | Good (₱200–250 fee per withdrawal) | ★★★★☆ | Primary cash access in cities |
| City money changer (USD cash) | Best (within 1% of mid-market) | ★★★☆☆ | Best rates for USD in Manila/Cebu |
| No-FX-fee credit card | Good (no surcharge) | ★★★☆☆ | Hotels, malls, upscale restaurants |
| Airport exchange counter | Poor (3–8% worse) | ★★☆☆☆ | Absolute emergency only |
Philippines Quick Facts
| Currency | Philippine Peso (PHP / ₱). Divide by 56 for quick USD estimate |
| Cash vs. Card | Cash-heavy. Cards at Manila malls and hotels only. Islands are cash-only |
| Best ATMs | BDO (largest), BPI, Metrobank, HSBC (highest limits) |
| ATM Limits | ₱10,000–20,000 per transaction. HSBC up to ₱40,000 |
| Island Rule | Withdraw all cash before heading to islands. ATMs are scarce and unreliable |
| Tipping | 10% at restaurants (if no service charge). Tip boat crews and guides in pesos |
| DCC Risk | Present at Euronet and tourist-area ATMs. Always choose PHP |
| Best Strategy | Withdraw in Manila/Cebu before islands. USD cash as backup. No-FX-fee card for hotels |