Filipino is the official language in the Philippines, with Tagalog being the most common dialect. There are many local languages and dialects spoken throughout the islands, but English is also widely spoken.
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The Philippines’ international country code is 63. To call another country from the Philippines, dial 00 followed by the appropriate country code. Main tourist resorts and major cities, like Manila, have Internet cafes.
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It’s customary to tip 10 percent of the bill for most services. If the bill already has a service charge, you don’t need to tip.
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Make sure you’re updated with security and terrorism alerts before visiting the Philippines.
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If you’re coming from an area infected with yellow fever, you’ll need to provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Check with your doctor about malaria prevention advice; both malaria and dengue fever are present in the country. The malaria risk is generally confined to rural areas, but dengue fever can be anywhere. Make sure you protect yourself against mosquito bites. Stick to bottled water and don’t get ice in your drinks. Protect yourself against cholera and rabies. Make sure you’re covered by health insurance. While medical facilities can be good in the cities, they are very expensive.
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The Philippines’ electrical current is 220 volts, 60Hz and uses both flat-blade and round two-pinned plugs.
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