philippines reopening borders

Philippines Is Open For Tourism And Becoming A Hub For Medical Tourism

Viktor Vincej·
Travel News
·32 Comments·2 mins read

The Philippines reopened to most countries on February 10 and keeps easing the entry and local restrictions.

The Philippines is admitting fully vaccinated travelers from countries that do not require a visa, such as the United States.

Arrivals must submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours prior to boarding and a vaccine certificate.  

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– Bali Reopening Borders For Tourism
– Thailand Reopening to Tourism – All You Need to Know

Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours. Therefore, double-check all information with your embassy or on official websites. Traveling Lifestyle does not take any responsibility for your decision to travel.

Philippines Reopening – LATEST UPDATES

Philippines Reopening

May 13 – The Philippines to become a hub for international “medical” tourism

The Department of Tourism regards the Philippines as an “attractive medical tourism destination,” according to health and industry.

“With world-class hospitals and facilities, skilled doctors and nurses, and the Filipino brand of hospitality, the Philippines is poised to become an attractive destination for medical tourism,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

The Philippines, according to Juergen Steinmetz, a delegate at the recent World Travel and Tourism Council Summit, has the capacity to become a top medical tourism destination.

“It’s a secret to be revealed and in the making to come out and go viral. The Philippines will become the number one destination for medical tourism,” Steinmetz told reporters. 

COVID-19 Situation in the Philippines

The CDC has ranked the Philippines as a level 2 travel risk. (Moderate high risk).

COVID-19 cases in the Philippines
Source

As of May 12, the country has reported 3,687,748 cases of COVID-19 and 60,455 deaths.

Why Visit the Philippines?

Beach in the Philippines

The Philippines is a wonderful place for a tropical escape. It’s warm and, with more than 7,000 islands, has miles of white sand beaches for visitors to relax on.

The waters are crystal clear and provide opportunities for snorkelers, divers, kayakers, and fishermen. 

Some of these locations, such as Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao, constantly make it into the top beach destinations in the world.

There are also other natural wonders, such as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. 

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the longest navigable underground river in the world. Travelers can take a tour through a cave system filled with impressive formations.

Tourists can also enjoy unique cuisine, vibrant local festivals, and some of the friendliest people in the world. Because the locals usually speak English, visitors find it easy to communicate. 

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Viktor Vincej
Editor & Writer

I've been living as a digital nomad for 10 years. I'm from Slovakia but live between the World & Barcelona. I've visited 89 countries so far and don't see myself stopping anytime soon. I love writing and publishing content for digital nomads, remote workers, and passionate travelers like you.

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32 Responses

  1. My name is Reginald and I live in the United States I met this woman from the Philippines by way of Facebook in March of 2020. It’s now May 2021 we have been praying and waiting on the Lord to move on all our behalf. I know there will come a day soon when I will receive word that it is safe to come to the Philippines to see my future wife. I’m asking everyone to pray for Philippines Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name there am I with them

  2. Hello Victor, I am from Sweden and my girlfriend from Philippines is with me in Sweden now.
    If I get married to her here in Sweden will I be able to travel with her back to Philippines now.
    Just dying to get back to Philippines.

    1. Hi, I think it’s possible but the best would be to contact your embassy in the Philippines. They will be able to confirm that for sure!

  3. My name is Reginald a Ghanaian, but currently in Dubai working here. I have a fiancé in Philippine that we are planning our marriage yet it seems your borders are still closed. Therefore I wish to know what are the current situation and measure required for me to travel there and when would the ban be lifted for foreigners to make entry into the country.. I will be so delighted if you can revert back with a prompt answer…

    1. Hi, the best way to find out is to contact your country embassy in the Philippines and ask them. They will be able to give you the best possible info.

  4. i been in close contact with the embassy in my country.
    THERE ARE NO PLANS WHAT SO EVER!
    to open the border any time soon.
    Not even when a vaccine arrives next year will change their decision.
    Only when the majority of the world is vaccinated and have a very low amount of cases will they open and that wont be until next Christmas 2021 or even later.

  5. I have been trying for 6 months to get to the Phillipines to visit/propose to my girlfriend and up until my last booked flight all of my flights had been canceled, my last booked flight was still active, but when I talked to Phillipines government official I was told foreign tourists would not be allowed entry until at least mid 2021.

  7. Hello,

    I am a filipino but I only have a canadian passport. I am planning to book a flight to Phils in October to visit my family. Am I allowed now to enter Phils since it is already Sept? If yes, are there any registrations or procedures to be done prior to arrival in Manila airport? Pls advise. Thanks.

  10. I found this from another site: https://www.efe.com/efe/english/business/philippines-will-not-open-to-intl-tourism-until-2nd-half-of-2021/50000265-4337046 I’d like to stress that this is unconfirmed information. But having lived in the Philippines for 12yrs on and off, I have basic understanding of how things work. So from the Governments perspective, fighting the fight against the virus is 1st and foremost, secondly, GDP. Getting the economy back to a stable prosperous condition. And thirdly Christmas, it is the most important time for families to reunite in the festive season and Filipino’s also like to share their sentiments via spending on gifts, this is another attractive reason for the Government to reopen borders before Christmas.
    Again none of this is set in stone, and can change at any point in time.

  11. Hi I’m a Nigerian, i got admission into the lycym northern university, located at Udenesa Pangasina City, since February, I’m still in Nigeria since then, i want to know if the admission is still valid and when will i be able to enter the Philippines?

  13. This is not only about Philippines, but since the number is related, i will say something about this. 3,875 deaths is not good. But in the same timespan, 6 months, there would be 5000 deaths because of traffic accidents. That is a lot more. Should logic be followed, then Philippines should ban motorvehicles. The other measure is 2000 cases daily, that number is number of covid cases per day. But this is a number used to scare. The actual numeber is (3875/180) deaths/day which is 22 people from a population of 112.000.000 (112 Million) Now, at this point everyone should see that the amount is not even significant. After all, normal death rate in Philippines is now 550.000/year. 1506 people to die every day. The 22 extra willnot even show in this statistics. The reason for holding these precautions, EVERYWHERE, is because nobody wants to stand out like the Swedish man Tengel, and receive hate and threats.. Not in Thailand, Not in the USA, not anywhere. I hope soon someone, somewhere, is able to make a decision from realistic perspective, and not because of fearing the judgement from the public internet.

  14. I am a naturalized US citizen, born in the Philippines. Philippines is my second home, after my early retirement. I have been waiting for the Phil government to open its door to US passport holders who are based in the Philippines but cannot go back to the country due to the travel ban.
    I am one of those patiently waiting. Hoping, the doors will be open for our return to the Philippines. When do you think the “balikbayan” status will be allowed to fly?
    Thank you.
    Jeremy

  15. Hello, may I ask what are your sources precisely? Because I’m everyday reading the news on official Facebook pages of Bureau of Immigration/Tourism/Transportation and nothing seems like they’re planning to reopen borders within the end of the year, they’re even setting stronger lockdown rules.

    1. Hi, Thanks for your reply. We are also researching at the moment and can’t find more information. It was only mentioned before on some of the articles we were researching as “might start reopening after 31st” but it wasn’t confirmed yet. We will update the post as soon as possible.

  16. Hello Viktor,
    I’m not sure what you are talking about cyrstalclear waters. Having lived in the Philippines for almost 30 years I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to some of the most remote areas of the Philippines. I know of very few places that you describe. Most of the beaches are polluted due to the untreated waste water (94%) and Filipinos who use rivers and streams as garbage dumps. As far as the government allowing foreign tourists to return, that will not happen until next year.

    1. Hi Chris, sorry to hear about your experience. I get your point, I’m also very concerned about pollution when traveling or living in Asia. Hope one day we can all make a change.

  17. Hi ! I’m a french guy and my travel is previous for the 10th of October, i will stay first one night in Manila, then take a flight for El Nido for one week, and then go back at Manila for 3 days, and finaly take a flight for Coron. Do you think it will be possible ? Because you said that Phillipines will reopen for tourism by the 1st of September step by step… Where come from your informations ? Do you know the website for the registration that we have to do before ? Thanks very much. Best regards.

    1. Hi, from the public sources is still unclear what measures the government will take in the next few days. But seems like on the 31st of August they will be changes about quarantine and the entrance to the country but it also might just be all extended. The best thing you can do is to message your embassy in the Philippines.

  18. I have been waiting for over 4 months! I am marrying a Filipina. She is going crazy waiting for international travel. We already have a house waiting for me! The problem in your country is that you are scaring the hell of your people needlessly! If you had let this virus go…it would have been done already, like the flu! People in my country are finally realizing this! Lockdowns and masks are doing nothing more than prolonging the virus! You are killing your country over something that is 92% almost unnoticeable and almost 7% asymptomatic. That only leaves about 1% of the population that suffers or it is fatal. Yet,you shut down the whole country and starved your people and put them out of a job! Rediculous!!!

    1. Hi Ron, with all the respect but I think you got it wrong. We are just collecting news and reporting on the situation. We’re not government and not at all based in the Philippines but in a way, I agree with what you saying. I wish you good luck and patience!

    1. Hi, the government will probably announce the next steps on the 31st of August. At the moment it’s unclear if when Philippines will be open.

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