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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Philippines uses the Philippine peso (PHP or ₱). For most trips, bring a payment card and keep some pesos on hand: larger businesses often accept cards, while smaller businesses and taxis usually rely on cash. Use ATMs or authorised exchange outlets as needed, and check the current currency rules before crossing the border with large amounts.
What currency is used in the Philippines?
The official currency is the Philippine peso, abbreviated PHP and written with the symbol ₱. The Philippine Department of Tourism lists notes of ₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱200, ₱500 and ₱1,000; it describes the ₱200 note as uncommon. Keeping some smaller notes can be useful for modest purchases.
Should you bring cash or use a card?
Plan for both. Many larger establishments accept cards, but smaller businesses and taxis usually accept cash. A card-only plan can leave you without a convenient way to pay in some situations, while carrying only cash means missing the convenience of card payment where it is accepted.
- Bring a card you can use abroad and check its foreign transaction or conversion fees before departure.
- Keep a manageable amount of pesos for cash purchases.
- Keep a backup payment method separate from your main card and cash.
Can you use a debit card at ATMs?
ATMs are available in banks and are described by the Philippine Department of Tourism as widely available in most cities and major towns, with 24-hour operation. Access, fees and withdrawal limits vary. The U.S. Department of State says most ATMs accept U.S.-issued debit cards, but that finding should not be assumed to apply to every country’s cards or every network.
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The State Department warns that ATM fees can exceed US$5 per transaction and that withdrawal limits may be low enough to require multiple transactions. That is a warning, not a universal fee or limit. Your card issuer may also charge separately. Before relying on a particular card, check its overseas withdrawal rules and account charges; at the ATM, review any operator fee and offered conversion rate before accepting.
Where should you exchange money?
The Philippine Department of Tourism’s Australia and New Zealand office lists international airports, most hotels, large department stores, banks and authorised money changers as places to exchange foreign currency. It says exchanges elsewhere are illegal. Check the latest rate with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and compare the rate offered at the outlet before exchanging. The tourism office’s displayed Australian-dollar conversion is subject to change and should not be treated as a current quote.
When comparing cash exchange with an ATM withdrawal, consider the whole cost and convenience, not just the headline rate:
- The displayed exchange rate.
- Your card issuer’s foreign transaction or conversion charge.
- Any ATM operator fee.
- The withdrawal cap and whether the amount available is convenient for your needs.
Rates, charges and limits can vary, so there is no single option that is cheapest for every traveller or transaction.
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How much cash can you bring into or out of the Philippines?
According to a March 2, 2026 advisory from the Philippine Bureau of Customs, travellers carrying foreign currency totaling more than US$10,000, or its equivalent in other foreign currencies, must declare the full amount to Customs on arrival or departure. The declaration can be made through the e-Travel System before travel or at designated Bureau of Customs counters.
The Bureau says a traveller may bring into or take out up to ₱50,000 per person without prior approval. Carrying more than ₱50,000 in Philippine currency requires written BSP authorization and a declaration. The Bureau says authorization must be requested before departure from the country of origin and may be granted only for numismatics, currency awareness, or testing, calibration and configuration of money-counting or sorting machines.
The BSP manual also addresses declaration of the whole foreign-currency amount above the threshold and bearer monetary instruments such as travellers’ checks and other listed instruments. If you are carrying an unusual instrument or amount, confirm the applicable requirements directly with Customs or the BSP before departure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is tipping expected?
The Philippine Department of Tourism says tipping is not generally required but is appreciated. Its guidance describes rounding up fares or giving a small amount for extra assistance as examples. It calls 10% a usual restaurant tip and says tipping is optional when the bill already includes a 10% service charge. Treat this as general tourism-office guidance, not a rule that applies identically at every venue or in every region.
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