Philippines Packing List: 34 Essential Items to Bring for a Short Itinerary
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this travel guide to the Philippines does not contain affiliate links, and all photos are mine!
Looking for an ultimate Philippines packing list for your next trip?
It can be hard to know what to pack when visiting the tropical country of the Philippines. While beaches are plentiful, there are also a lot of adventurous activities to engage in, so you will want a few extra items to keep you comfortable.
Planning a trip and a packing list can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Last year, my close friend and I had the pleasure of spending two weeks in the Philippines.
We only packed for a short itinerary of a week (to do laundry), and this is our tried and tested packing list, with unnecessary items removed, and adding the items we wished we had.
In this packing list, we will outline clothing essentials, miscellaneous items, first aid kits, and more.
This is by no means an extensive list, as we have left out rather obvious essentials such as underwear and toothpaste. This list is what we deem to be incredibly important as well as items that you may not have thought about. Being comfortable is an absolute must!
At the end of this list, take a look at our sample 2 weeks in the Philippines itinerary dedicated to fast travel and helping you prioritize things to do if you only have a short amount of time.
Happy sampling!
34 Item Philippines Packing List at a Glance
- Light and Breezy Clothes
- Workout Wear
- Swimsuits & Cover-Ups
- Flip Flops
- Water Shoes
- Sneakers
- Small Bag
- Sun Cap
- Sunglasses
- Insect Repellent
- Afterbite
- Imodium and Pepto-Bismol
- Antifungal Cream
- Iodine Tablets
- Advil
- Sunscreen
- GoPro or Adventure Camera
- Plug Adapters
- Power Bank
- Headlamp
- Towel
- Cutlery
- Sleeping Bag Liner
- Dry Bag
- Lavender Sachets
- Laundry Bag
- Snorkeling Gear
- Travel Lock
- Clothesline
- Water Bottle
- Pen
- Documents
- Eye Mask
- Ear Plugs
Clothing & Shoe Essentials
1. Light and Breezy Clothes
It should come as no surprise that regardless of what season you visit the Philippines, it will be hot and humid! All of your clothes should be light and breezy. Whether you want shorts and tank tops or loose-fitting long sleeves is up to you.
The Philippines is a primarily Christian country, but there isn’t a strict dress code. Most locals will wear short shorts and show off their skin.
The top tip is to be as comfortable as possible. You will never be cold, even indoors, as air conditioning is not common. We do not recommend even bringing a rain jacket as it will generally be too warm for one.
For some sun coverage, we recommend packing linen pants and long sleeves on top of your regular shorts and tank tops.
For women, we highly recommend packing breezy sundresses to get a break from the sticky humidity.
2. Workout Wear
We suggest adding at least 2 sets of workout gear to your Philippines packing list, even if you don’t plan on taking a run around the block.
Trust me, you definitely won’t want to jog once you find out how humid it is!
Regardless, it is a great idea to have workout clothes on top of your regular clothes, giving you an outfit option if you decide to go hiking.
While you may not want to on for your daily morning run, you also won’t want to hike Osmeña Peak in your sundress and flip flops!
3. Swimsuits & Cover-Ups
It’s not a trip to the Philippines without bringing at least one swimsuit. As mentioned above, even though the Philippines is a predominantly Christian country, they are no strict on dress codes. You will find locals with short shorts and bikinis at all of the beaches.
Therefore, feel free to pack whichever type of swimsuit you feel the most comfortable in. We do recommend packing 2 swimsuits so that one can dry while you wear the other one.
Who has ever enjoyed wearing a wet swimsuit?
Along those lines, don’t forget to bring a cover-up for beach days and island-hopping expeditions.
4. Water Shoes
If you are going to be doing any sort of water activity like island hopping, snorkeling, or canyoneering, we highly advise bringing water shoes.
They are very lightweight and won’t take up any space in your bag, but they’re wonderful because they keep your feet from getting cut up by reefs and rocks.
On certain adventures, water shoes are required because flip flops don’t provide enough support or protection.
If you go canyoneering in Moalboal, for instance, they will ask you to purchase or rent water shoes. Therefore, if you are a budget traveler, you will love bringing your own so you don’t feel the need to rent a new (but used!) pair every time you do a new activity.
5. Flip Flops
Quite a necessity for your Philippines packing list! Flip flops are not only wonderful for beach exploration, but they are also absolutely needed if you are staying in a hostel.
You definitely won’t want to walk around your hostel barefoot – and don’t even get me started on the bathroom.
I could not recommend my Havaianas more, as they are designed to withstand heavy use. While walking in the Philippines, one of my toe straps popped off, but I was able to secure it immediately without the breakage of standard flip flops.
If I could be a Havaianas ambassador, I would be! Highly, highly recommended if you are looking to purchase a new pair of flip flops.
6. Sneakers
While you won’t need sneakers very frequently (a lot of time will be spent in flip flops), we do suggest packing a pair in case you want to do physical activities. In the cool mornings and evenings, hiking through the jungles of the Philippines is an incredibly rewarding experience.
Accessories
7. Small Bag
The Philippines is a country with a lot of great activities, but you don’t have to pack your big hiking backpack.
A smaller bag is perfectly fine, being big enough to fit your water bottle, wallet, phone, and other essentials.
I personally love my Bataan 3L Cotopaxi bag because it is big enough to fit a 1 L Nalgene. It is deceptively big while looking small! Other travelers love money belts as an alternative as well.
8. Sun Cap
This item certainly needs no introduction, but remember to add it to your Philippines packing list. The islands are hot, with very little sun coverage, so having a sun cap is a great idea to stay comfortable and cool.
9. Sunglasses
Along those lines, sunglasses will keep your eyes from feeling burned. I don’t know if this is a psychological trick, but I personally feel a lot less hot when I have my sunglasses on!
First Aid Essentials
Crafting a DIY first aid kit is a great idea for your Philippines packing list as there are certain factors to take into account when visiting rural areas.
On top of the normal contents of a first aid kit like band-aids, gauze, etc, we also recommend the following 7 items.
10. Insect Repellent
If you are visiting the Philippines in the wet season (which we don’t recommend for a myriad of reasons), you will find that there are quite a few bugs around, especially mosquitoes.
We suggest bringing insect repellent (or buying it there if you prefer an aerosol-based bottle).
Luckily, if you are visiting the country in the dry season, there won’t be many mosquitoes. Before you get your hopes up entirely, there are a bunch of other bugs like flying cockroaches and spiders the size of your hand.
The beaches of the Philippines tend to be very bug-free, with the highest population of bugs and mosquitos residing in the jungle areas.
11. Afterbite
If you unfortunately feel a gaggle of mosquitoes coming at you during your trip, it’s always a good idea to pack a small tube of Afterbite. It works really well to help calm down any nasty red bumps or side effects of getting bit. Add to your Philippines packing list to stay comfortable.
12. Imodium and Pepto-Bismol
If you are a traveler who tends to get an upset stomach, bring Imodium pills and Pepto-Bismol. These drugs are a little bit harder to come by in the Philippines, especially in the more remote villages. It is better to be safe than sorry and come prepared rather than attempting to track down medicine once you are already sick.
Filipino food is very comforting, made up mostly of rice, beans, and meat, so while you shouldn’t have any trouble, stay comfortable and pack medicine in case your stomach begins to misbehave.
13. Antifungal Cream
Antifungal cream is a good addition to your first aid kit in case anything goes awry during your adventures. The cream can be picked up at your local drugstore and is usually over the counter, so you won’t need a prescription. Just remember to pick up a tube that is the right size to travel with.
14. Iodine Tablets
While iodine tablets are only necessary if you are visiting extremely rural parts of the Philippines, feel free to pick up a few tablets to keep your water fresh.
We didn’t use ours because we stayed in hostels and accommodations that had drinking water in coolers, but if your itinerary is slightly more adventurous and you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, you’ll want to have some tablets. Making sure that the water you drink is safe is incredibly important.
If you ever feel unsure about the safety of your drinking water, pop an iodine tablet into your water or buy plastic bottles.
15. Advil
Pack Advil or your aspirin of choice to help with any pain that may arise during your adventures. If you are someone like me who gets heat-induced migraines, it’s a great idea to have some medicine with you.
If you feel a migraine creeping up, you can stop it before it gets too severe. The Philippines doesn’t have a lot of air conditioning, so you’ll want to be prepared if you are someone who is very sensitive to heat.
16. Sunscreen
Alright, sunscreen is technically not first-aid, but it’s good for your health! Bring cream from your home or buy aerosol sunscreen upon landing.
Keep in mind that it should be reef-safe sunscreen, because you don’t want to harm any of the marine life during your snorkeling and diving excursions. The photo below shows Neutrogena sun screen which is actually not reef safe! It was just the only one I had when taking photos…
Electronics
17. GoPro or Adventure Camera
There are many wonderful underwater shots that you can get while you’re in the Philippines, as there are plentiful diving and snorkeling opportunities.
Bring a GoPro or other waterproof camera that can get wet.
If you are on a budget and don’t want to buy a GoPro, I love my “off-brand” version by AKASO. It has the same capabilities as a GoPro at a lower cost.
18. Plug Adapters
The Philippines utilizes type A, B, and C travel adapters similar to the ones in Japan. We highly recommend bringing one universal travel adapter that includes all of the plug types so that you don’t have to pack individual pieces.
This one from Amazon does the trick. It is also lightweight enough that it doesn’t weigh down the outlets like other heavier travel adapters.
19. Power Bank
A power bank is always a smart move, especially on long boat trips, car rides, planes, or even when all of the outlets are being used at a hostel. Power banks help you charge your devices without having to wait for an outlet!
I love mine from Jackery which fully charges an iPhone 3 times and is a necessary addition to your Philippines packing list.
Miscellaneous Items
20. Headlamp
A headlamp or flashlight is a good addition to your Philippines packing list as many outdoor activities begin early in the morning or late at night.
For instance, if you plan on hiking up Osmeña Peak in Cebu, most tours have you leave early in the morning to get to the summit before the sun rises.
If you are staying in a hostel, having a headlamp is helpful when finding items in your luggage when the overhead lights are out. Your fellow dorm mates will thank you for not disturbing them.
Finally, if your accommodation is a complex with multiple buildings, it’s nice to walk between the buildings with a personal light source. I found a spider the size of my hand in one hostel, so it was great to have a light!
21. Towel
With so many beach and waterfall destinations, the Philippines is mostly a water-oriented country, so remember to pack your own towel. Some hostels don’t even offer linens apart from sheets, and you’ll want to make sure that you don’t get caught in a sticky situation without a towel.
Nomadix has great lightweight towels for your Philippines packing list.
22. Cutlery
Plastic-free friends will greatly appreciate packing cutlery, as it’s very helpful to cut down on single-use plastics such as forks and straws.
In the Philippines, a lot of restaurants utilize plastic utensils since they are easier to discard, but if you are more eco-conscious, bring your own set.
You can either build your own at home by wrapping stainless steel utensils into a napkin, or if you want a more lightweight option, Amazon has a good set. The set is made from bamboo and includes a fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks, and a straw. It also has a carabiner! If you are running low on space, you can attach your cutlery to the outside of your bag.
23. Water Bottle
Stay hydrated when you are in the heat and humidity by bringing a water bottle with you.
Most hotels and accommodations will have water coolers to fill up, but once you leave your hostel for the day, you might not have that chance again.
Therefore, bring a water bottle that is light but also holds enough water to get you through the day. I love my Nalgene from REI as it holds one liter while remaining incredibly lightweight.
24. Sleeping Bag Liner
I do not hear enough people talking about sleeping bag liners, and I could not recommend them more.
Sleeping bag liners are incredibly thin sleeping bag inserts that keep you covered and protected from hostel beds and shared cots.
It’s a great option when you don’t feel comfortable sleeping in the sheets of a hostel, or when you are going camping and using a shared bag that has been used by many other travelers.
My sleeping bag liner is from Sea to Summit and is very lightweight, packs down into a tiny fist-sized bag, and has bug protection. In the off-chance that there are bug beds in your hostel, you are fully protected. Mine is also full-length, so you are covered at all times during the night!
25. Lavender Sachets
Now this is another item that I haven’t heard nearly enough people talk about or add to their Philippines packing list. I always think it’s a great idea to pack a little sachet that smells good. It certainly doesn’t have to be lavender-scented, but anything will help.
They can be purchased at IKEA for about $2 each, and they are great because they keep all of your clothes smelling good. We all know that things start to get stinky after a few days on the road, and even our clean clothes get contaminated with the scent of dirty laundry. This process is only expedited in the humidity of the Philippines.
It’s a fun idea to pick up the habit of putting little sachets into your bag to add a little bit of extra freshness. While obviously not required, they will make you very happy!
26. Laundry Bag
Alright, if you don’t bring a laundry bag to the Philippines, you are going to be a laundry bag convert afterward. It is a hot and humid country which means that your clothes will constantly be damp and sweaty.
It is so important to keep your clean laundry separate from your dirty laundry unless you don’t mind smelling bad throughout your trip.
A super simple laundry bag packs down into a small bag when you aren’t using it. It also makes for a great bundle when you do your laundry.
See the photo below of me with my little laundry bundle which made it super easy to take my dirty clothes to a local laundromat.
27. Travel Lock
If you are staying in a hostel, remember to bring a travel lock. Most hostels and shared dorm rooms have little lockers for your personal items, but they rarely come with travel locks.
Travel locks are light, portable, and add an extra layer of security. Even if you think that your new friends are trustworthy, just keep your stuff locked. There is so much foot traffic in hostels at any given time, so it’s best to be safe.
28. Clothesline
It is very hard to come by coin-operated laundromats in the Philippines. Most laundry services are wash and fold, fully handled by staff. It makes doing laundry very convenient, but it can be more expensive than doing it yourself.
We recommend packing a clothesline for clothes that cannot be dried. Make sure to wash those items by hand and hang them up outside.
A clothesline works great for drying swimsuits and sweaty workout clothes before tossing them into your luggage. The name of the game is keeping your suitcase as clean as possible!
29. Dry Bag
Buy this item when you are in the Philippines! A dry bag is an absolute necessity when you are taking a boat tour as it keeps your cell phone and valuables safe.
For comparison, on the first boat tour that we took in the Philippines, we did not have a dry bag, and our stuff was soaking wet by the end of the trip.
For the second boat ride, we purchased a dry bag from a store in El Nido, and everything was perfect.
We recommend buying the dry bag when you’re already in the Philippines as they are incredibly cheap, averaging around 5 USD for a bag that will last you many more adventures to come. Buy the 5 L version if you want a size big enough for a towel.
30. Snorkeling Gear
Snorkeling gear can be quite heavy, however, you can save a couple of bucks here and there if you bring your own mask and tube to avoid renting one.
Having personal gear gives you a lot more flexibility on a day-to-day basis, especially if you plan on snorkeling a lot.
If you don’t mind carrying the extra weight in your bag, buy a cheap snorkel from a store and take it with you on your adventure to save on rental fees and logistics.
Carry-On Essentials
31. Pen
Be prepared to fill out a lot of documentation in the Philippines, from conservation fees to customs forms and more. Bring a pen so that you don’t have to borrow one from somebody else.
32. Documents
On top of the obvious documents of visas and passports, we recommend that you print out all of your other travel documents.
The Wi-Fi connection in the Philippines is not amazing, so it’s a good idea to have your hotel/activity information printed so you won’t need an internet connection to locate your accommodation address.
33. Eye mask
The sun rises quite early in the Philippines, so to get a good night’s sleep and not wake up at 5:30 am, make sure to pack an eye mask. Eye masks are great for sleeping on planes and in hostel dorm rooms!
34. Earplugs
Along the lines of an eye mask, ear plugs are an important item to pack. They are perfect for planes and loud hostels.
Even if you aren’t staying in dorm rooms, the Filipino jungle can be very loud!
I used my earplugs at night when staying at an eco-lodge in Bohol because the sound of the frogs kept me up at night. While it’s a great feeling to hear the sounds of the jungle animals, it’s also nice to get a good night’s sleep.
I love my earplugs from Loop. Even though they are more of a pricey initial investment, they last forever, and you won’t have to keep buying the silly silicon cones.
Sample Itinerary for The Philippines
Now that you know what to pack for the Philippines, it’s time to decide where you’re heading! We loved our 2-week trip to the country last year, and highly recommend the following itinerary:
Our Top Pick: Do the sardine run! Not only is it a free activity, but it is truly mesmerizing. If you have an underwater camera, you will want to bring it with you as you swim with thousands of fish surrounding you.
Our Top Pick: Visit the Tarsier Sanctuary! Even if you aren’t a fan of traditional zoos, the Tarsier Sanctuary does a great job with its conservation efforts. It is a plot of forest that has been fenced in to keep the animals safe from surrounding deforestation. If you don’t see the little fist-sized mammals here, you’ll have to travel to Borneo! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Our Top Pick: Take a boat tour! There is a reason that El Nido is so well-known for this activity. You’ll want to visit all of the wonderful attractions that the town has to offer, most of which are only accessible by boat. Boat tours are even perfect for budget travelers, as they are always incredibly well-priced. Can’t choose between El Nido and Coron? Go to both!
Our Top Pick – Take another boat tour! Even if you are winded from your adventure in El Nido, a boat tour in Coron is a completely different experience, with a bigger focus on natural wonders. The top highlights in Coron are only accessible by boat.
Our Top Pick – Parts of Manila can be seedy, especially for young female travelers. For the safest but most authentic experience, we recommend spending time in Binondo.
We hope you enjoyed this packing list for the Philippines and a sample 2 week itinerary for the beautiful country.
Of course, many items were left out of this list such as obvious toiletries, underwear, etc. These are just some items that are extra important or you may not have thought of.
Happy sampling!