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It is very important to remind travellers to
the Philippines, especially if they are going to make multiple trips
to the Philippines, that upon arrival, they must have an outgoing
ticket. Otherwise, they are not allowed to enter the country and
will be forced to leave.
The Manila International Airport Terminal complex is about 12 Kms from the Swagman Hotel Manila. Swagman Hotel provides a FREE shuttle service from the airport to the hotel. Swagman Hotel representatives (in uniform) will meet you at the arrival lobby. It is recommended that you advise our Swagman Australia or Swagman Manila office of your pending arrival and give the flight number and date. If the guest does not make contact with our representatives upon arrival, they should call Swagman Manila Hotel at 523-8541. Remember, when departing the Philippines you are required to pay P750.00 departure tax.
For all Swagman Hotel Guests there is free airport pick up and drop off. This is valid for both the Manila International Airport, with transfer to and from the Manila Swagman Hotel, as well as transfer to and from the Domestic Airport. Upon arrival in the Philippines, there are no worries because a Swagman representative will be there to meet the guest and take them to the Swagman Hotel FREE.
Boracay Island is internationally known for its white beaches and beautiful tropical island atmosphere. As well as accommodation and transportation, Boracay Island's great diving locations, dive tours, and scenic tours can be booked through any of our offices. Swagman Travel Service has a travel office on Boracay Island and can make sure all bookings are properly taken care of .
For International Travellers, each passenger
is allowed 20 kilos, including check in baggage, plus carry on
luggage. The carry on luggage can be one bag for under the seat, and
a hanging bag (suit bag).
One of the most popular tours of the Philippines is available from the Attic Inn, The Banaue adventure treks. Guests can see the 8th wonder of the world - the famous Banaue / Ifugao Rice Terraces - carved out of the sides of the mountains. People from all over the world come to see the Banaue / Ifugao Rice Terraces. Swagman Travel Service has organized complete 4-day 3-night tours with all transportation. Lodging and Guides Included. Itinerary:
- Depart Baguio Swagman Travel Service
- Mountain Trail Trek to Mt. Data Lodge -
Rest - See Cave Mummies
- Proceed to Sagada for Overnight Stay
- Next Morning - Proceed to Bontoc, Cross
Agno River. Climb Mt. Pulis
- Arrive in Banaue for Overnight Stay and Exciting Mountain Treks - Rice Terraces Viewing
- Evening Cultural Exhibit - Banaue Hotel
- Depart Bontoc - Trek across Cordillera
Range - Cross Hydro Dam at Ambuklao - Back to Baguio (Scenic
route and Historic view of Baguio
These Banaue / Ifugao Rice Terraces Adventure Tours packages, which were initially developed for our European travelers, are designed to accommodate arrivals in Manila right through to departure. We pick you up at the airport, you stay overnight at our Swagman Hotel Manila, then on to Baguio for another overnight prior to your venture trek to the Banaue / Ifugao Rice Terraces. We then bring you back to Baguio overnight, and reverse the procedures for their exit from the country. Or you can stay on to explore more of the Philippines.
Swagman Travel Service also accommodates groups on a case-by-case basis with special prices.
A banca is a small (or not so small in some cases) outrigger boat, very common in tropical areas for local ocean transportation. They are similar to a small catamaran with two stabilizing bamboo outriggers on the sides, for rough ocean travelling.
A Barangay is a large set of small
neighborhoods called barrios in one area. There is a barangay
councilman as head of these areas.
In most countries in Asia and Southeast Asia, prices are negotiable. It is common practice to bargain and haggle with the dealers and storeholders, except in malls. Clients should shop around and get an idea of prices of items before buying and then bargain to get the price down.
A barrio is the Filipino (Tagalog) word for small rural district. It is similar to neighborhood, unified under one specific Barrio Location. There are several barrios in a barangay.
Duck pin bowling (a cross between skittles and 10-pin bowling) is available in San Fernando, La Union, not far from the La Union Swagman Travel office. Pin boys are still being used.
About 10 minutes from the Angeles Narra at Dau
Mabalacat, is another duck pin bowling with pin boys.
Ten pin bowling is available in many locations
in Manila. The nearest is Taft Avenue, 15 minutes from the Manila
Swagman Hotel.
Lawn bowling is also available. At the Copa
Cabana Beach Resort, San Fernando La Union. (See
Lawn Bowling in this section)
The Swagman Hotel offers convenient transportation between the Swagman Hotels and Travel offices.
A comprehensive Business Center operates in all Swagman Travel Service locations, providing: phone, fax, mail services and also Internet Cafe and general computer services.
Government and private offices are open 8/9 AM to 5/6 PM., Mondays to Fridays, with a lunch break from noon until 1 PM. Some private offices are open from 9 AM to noon on Saturdays also. Most shops are open from 9/10 am to 7/8 PM, Mondays to Saturdays. Many are open on Sundays until noon and those geared to the tourist trade usually open the whole day.
Banking hours are Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3/4 PM; closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Calesas are horse drawn carriages usually seating 2 to 3 passengers. Adopted from the Spanish, Calesas have become popular in the Philippines, especially in Manila, Cebu and Vigan. They are more prominent in the provinces but some are still available in the bigger cities.
There are scores casinos located throughout the Philippines and casinos are located conveniently near Swagman Hotels.
MacArthur Highway, Balibago, Angeles City (5
minutes from the Swagman Narra Hotel, Angeles)
(15 minutes from the Swagman
Manila Hotel - Holiday Inn, Grand Hyatt Hotel)
Located in Manila, Chinatown is near Santa Cruz and Quiapo, with many electronics stores and street markets. Chinatown is about 10 minutes from the Swagman Hotel Manila or 5 minutes from the Central Post Office. Most of the residents, shop owners and restaurateurs are Chinese.
Fully operational catering for scheduled international flights and charter flights. Clark International Airport (DMIA) is approximately 55 Kms North of Manila.
The Philippines has a tropical climate with a relatively high humidity, mild temperature, abundant rainfall and gentle winds. There are three pronounced seasons; the wet or rainy season from June to October, the cool, dry season from November to February and hot dry season from March to May.
Temperatures range from 21 to 32 Celsius (70 to 90 Fahrenheit) with a 27 Celsius (80.6 Fahrenheit) average. The coolest month is January, averaging 25.5 Celsius (77.9 Fahrenheit), and the warmest is May, averaging 28 Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit). Both temperature and humidity are highest in April and May. These are generally good months to engage in water sports and mountain trekking activities and to observe some of the most colorful festivals.
There is a marked difference in temperature as altitude increases. For example, Baguio City, nestled 1,524 meters up in the Cordillera Mountains in Northern Luzon, has an average temperature of 64.4 Fahrenheit, 18 degrees centigrade.
Light, casual clothes are recommended for
travelling in the Philippines.
The Philippine currency is the Filipino peso, adopted from the Spanish system. Coins range from 5 centavo (centimo) to 10 pesos. The bills range from 20 pesos to 1000 pesos. As with many countries throughout the world, each denomination is a different color. When coming into the country, currencies can be converted at any Swagman Hotel or Swagman Travel Service location at very competitive rates.
As with all international travel, customs is very strict. All bags will likely be inspected and contraband will be confiscated. Drug possession is a serious offence in the Philippines, punishable by death - don't do it.
The International Airport, Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA) is located about 30 minutes from the Swagman
Manila Hotel. The Departure Tax is P750 (Seven Hundred Fifty Pesos) or about US$15. Travellers must have all correct travel documentation and airline ticket upon departure.
Tourists who are duly licensed to operate a
motor vehicle in their respective countries are allowed to drive
motor vehicles in the Philippines for a duration of 90 days from
arrival.
After 90 days of stay, any tourist or
transient visitor still desiring to operate a motor vehicle shall
pay fees and obtain and carry a valid license as provided by the
Land Transportation Office (LTO) and follow the Traffic Code of the
Philippines.
Power supply in the country is 220 volts, 60 cycles; in Baguio City, and Angeles City many hotels still offer 110 volts and 220 volts. Hotels in Metro Manila have 220 volt outlets.
Click here
to see a list of Embassies and their contact details.
A valid passport is required for all travelers. Visas may be obtained from any Philippine Diplomatic or Consular Office abroad. Visas are not required of bonafide tourists from most countries for a stay of twenty-one (21) days provided they possess valid passports, and have air or ship tickets for their onward or return journey.
Visitors who wish to remain longer than the authorized initial stay of 21 days may apply for a visa extension. The Swagman Travel Service locations throughout the country are happy to assist the processing of visa extensions. However, if you are planning a longer stay than 21 days, it is advisable to obtain your 59 day visa before entering the Philippines. Swagman Travel Service will take care of additional visa requirements.
 The Filipino Flag evolved from many designs. The current design is symbolic. The 3 stars represent the 3 main island areas of the Philippines; Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The sun represents the nation of the Philippine's. The 8 rays symbolize the first 8 provinces to become organised when the Spanish were ousted in 1898.
Flight confirmation can be handled at any Swagman Hotel or Swagman Travel Service office.
The Philippines lies on the western rim of the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator and about one thousand kilometers from the Asian mainland. It is composed of 7,107 islands (during low tide) scattered over a distance of 1,850 kilometers from north to south and 965 kilometers from west to east. The southernmost island group of Tawi-Tawi is only 24 kilometers from Borneo and the northernmost part of the chain, the Batanes Islands, is 161 kilometers South of Taiwan.
The land area of the archipelago is about
299,404 sq. kilometers but more than 90 per cent of the total land
area is represented by only 11 islands.
The coastline of the Philippines is about twice the size of the United States. It is washed on the East by the Pacific Ocean, on the West by the South China Sea and on the south and southwest by the Celebes and Sulu Seas, respectively. The Philippine Deep, a trench in the ocean floor off the east coast of Mindanao and the Visayas, is 10,600 kilometers. It is the World's second deepest sounding.
The Philippines is divided into three island groups: Luzon in the north; the Visayas in the center; and Mindanao in the south. Luzon, with an area of 104,688 sq. Kms is the largest island, followed by Mindanao, 94,630 sq. Kms and Samar, 13,080 sq. kms. The other major islands are Negros, 12,705 sq. kms., Palawan, 11,785 sq. kms., Panay, 11,515 sq. kms., Mindoro, 9,735 sq. kms., Leyte, 7,214 sq. kms., Cebu, 4,422 sq. kms., Bohol, 3,865 sq. kms., and Masbate, 3,269 sq. kms.
The last four islands - Leyte, Bohol, Masbate,
Cebu, together with Samar, Negros and Panay islands are generally
referred to as the Visayas.
At Clark Air Base, there is exciting Go Kart Racing is available at Clark Field, Subic Bay Freeport and Fantasy Land, Dapitan Anyone can participate. For the more daring, there is Drag Racing most weekends at Clark Field.
There are excellent golf courses throughout
the Philippines. The Swagman has it's own golf club and has regular
golf outings as well as tournaments. Any golf desires can be
arranged including reservations, equipment rentals, equipment
repairs and lots of eager golfers.
For a list of Golf Courses and Tours, contact Swagman Travel Service
- 10th to 15th Centuries - Active Trade
country with Hindus, Chinese, Indonesians and Arabs
- 15th Century - Islam influences the
southern regions
- 1521 Portuguese explorer for Spain,
Ferdinand Magellan Arrives in the Philippines
- 1565 Spanish official settlement in Cebu
and colonization begins - Philippines named after King Phillip
of Spain
- 1571 Manila founded
- 16th to 18th Century - Spanish control and
Christianity spreads
- 1898 Spanish-American war, Spain loses the
Philippines to the Americans
- January 23, 1899 - Filipino General
Aguinaldo declares Filipino Independence and Republic
- December 8, 1941 -Japanese invade the
Philippines
- 1941-1945 Japanese occupy the Philippines
- August 15, 1945 World War II ends in Asia,
the Japanese surrender
Many historical tours are available such as the Island of Corregidor - departure point of General Douglas MacArthur in World War II when he departed the Philippines before uttering those oft repeated words, "I shall return!".
There are also the sights of the Bataan Death
March and the sights of 3 former US Military facilities:
- Clark Air Force Base / Clark Field
- Camp John Hay Baguio - 20 minutes from the Swagman
Attic Inn, Baguio
- Subic Naval Base - 20 minutes from the
Swagman Travel Olongapo
Many diving and scuba diving tours are also available, centering around historical sights. In Subic Bay, Olongapo, there are wreck dive tours of US and Japanese ships. In Puerto
Galera (the port of the Galleons) there are sunken Spanish
Galleons, and there is excellent natural underwater scenery.
- New Year, January 1
- Holy Thursday, movable
- Good Friday, movable
- Labor Day, May 1
- Araw ng Kagitingan, May 6
- Independence Day, June 12
- National Heroes Day, August 27
- All Saints Day, November 1
- Bonifacio Day, November 30
- Christmas, December 25
- Rizal Day, December 30
In addition to the above holidays, special
public holidays are declared by the President to commemorate other
occasions of historical significance. Most towns and cities observe
their foundation days as a special local holiday.
The Swagman Hotel is on-line. To contact the Swagman Hotel from anywhere in the world by the Internet, our address is bookings@swaggy.com
No inoculations required before entry.
Jeepneys are the common medium sized passenger vehicle used throughout the Philippines. They evolved from the U.S. Army jeeps (GP or General Purpose Vehicles) left in the Philippines from the war. They now have become quite sophisticated jeeps and usually accommodate as many as 22 people as an open air type minibus.
The national language of the Philippines is Filipino (or Tagalog). A Malay type language with a lot of Spanish and American influence. English is still commonly accepted and spoken throughout much of the country, especially in tourist areas.
Language - Important words and phrases for the
traveller:
- otel - hotel
- aeroport - airport
- CR (pronounced as c.r./ comfort room) -
comfort room/restroom
- nasaan ba ang .....? where is the .....?
- nasaan ba ang Swagman Hotel? - where is the
Swagman Hotel?
- kamusta ka? how are you?
- mabuti, ikaw? fine, and you?
- mabuti fine
- Magandang Umaga Good Morning
- Magandang Hapon Good Afternoon
- Magandang Gabi Good Evening
- Paalam Goodbye
- Salamat Thank You
- Magkano? How much (price)?
- Masarap Delicious
- Maganda Beautiful
- Pogi Handsome
- Anong oras na ba? What time is it?
- Bakit? Why?
- Ayoko I don't like/want
- Gusto ko I like/want
- oo (pronounced oh oh) Yes
- hindi no
- isa one
- dalawa two
- tatlo three
- apat four
- lima five
- anim six
- pito seven
- walo eight
- siyam nine
- sampu ten
- Lunes Monday
- Martes Tuesday
- Miyerkules Wednesday
- Huwebes Thursday
- Biyernes Friday
- Sabado Saturday
- Linggo Sunday
A fully regulation type and size lawn bowling court is located at the Copa Cabana hotel beach resort, San Fernando, La Union. It is about 4 hours north of the Swagman Hotel Manila, right across from Swagman Travel Office, La Union. Other lawn bowls greens are located at the Hidden Vale Country Club in Angeles City and the Nomad Sports Club near Manila International Airport (NAIA).
There are many malls which are located within
an hour of the Swagman Hotel Manila. Two of the most famous, the Megamall and Shangri-la shopping centers, are located on Edsa (the major thoroughfare of Manila) and have several floors and hundreds of department stores, shops and restaurants. Robinsons and the Mall Of Asia are much closer to the Swagman Hotel Manila; the Mall Of Asia is huge.
Metro Manila is the capital of the Philippines. The population of Metro Manila is approximately 12 million people.
There are excellent hospitals and clinics in the Philippines with well-trained personnel to meet any medical need. Doctors can easily be found by consulting your Swagman Travel Service staff. Visitors taking medicines or prescriptions should carry an adequate supply for the visit or, bring a copy of the original prescription, in case it needs to be renewed.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the primary Manila International Airport, receiving flights from all countries. Swagman Hotel provides FREE airport pick up and drop off for all Swagman Guests. It is located about 30 minutes from the Swagman Hotel Manila.
The population of the Philippines is approximately 95 million people with almost 15% of the population residing in Metro Manila with a population of over 12 million.
The Philippines is a member of the Universal
Postal Union (UPU) and has regular mail service to almost all
countries of the world. All Swagman Hotels offer the service of
posting mail for the guests. Local mail is P2.00 and International
mail averages around P8.00.
The Philippines is the only predominately
Christian country in Asia with approximately 85% Christian (Roman
Catholic), 4% Muslim, 4% Aglipayan, 3% Protestant, 1% Iglesia ni
Cristo, 3% Buddhist and Taoist.
For the adventurers, the Swagman Hotel now offers scuba diving lessons. Introductory lessons can be given with the follow-on requirements completed at either Olongapo, Zambales or Puerto Galera, Mindoro.
Most major cities have taxis. Taking a taxi in Metro Manila is quite convenient and reasonably priced. There are 2 rules for taking taxis: first, never ride in a taxi without a working meter; and, second, always make the driver use the meter. Otherwise, get another taxi. If guests do this, they will have no problems.
Overseas calls can be booked from any Swagman Resort as well as International Telex and Fax. Mobile-phone SIMs and '"load" can be purchased from the Swagman Hotel or any Swagman Travel Service centre.
Tennis is a popular sport in the Philippines.
Tennis is available at or near the following locations:
Swagman Hotel Manila
- Manila Tennis and Country Clubs
Angeles Narra Hotel
- Tennis Club at Fully equipped Gym near the
hotel
- El Rancho Courts w/ instructors
Philippines time is GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) plus 8 hours. It is 2-hours behind Australian Eastern Time. Philippines is the same time as Hong Kong and Perth. There is no daylight saving time in the Philippines.
Another one of the many Swagman Travel Service activities is learning to fly an Ultra-light aircraft. These are 1- or 2-seater, single engine aircraft and are very exciting. Lessons and rides are available near in Angeles City and Swagman Travel Service centre can arrange Ultra-light lessons or flights.
The Swagman rents cars, vans, minibuses and
full size busses. Professional Drivers also available.
All visitors to the Philippines must have a VISA or get a VISA waiver. It is an offence to over-stay the period of your visa. There is no excuse to over-stay your because Swagman Travel Service centres are available to assist in obtaining a visa extension if you qualify. If you are planning an extended stay in the Philippines, and many people do, it is best to obtain a suitable visa in advance from a Philippine Embassy or Consular services office.
Water in Metro Manila and in the rest of the country is officially potable, except in some remote rural areas. Bottled mineral water is available and recommended; mineral water is available in all Swagman Hotels.
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