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{{infobox Country
|country = of the Philippines
|language = Filipino, English, Many other dialects
|capital = [[Manila]]
|pop = 90,500,000
|currency = Philippine Peso (PHP)
|hitch = <rating country='ph' />
|map = <map lat='13' lng='122' zoom='5' view='0' width='250' height='400' country='Philippines'/>
}}
The '''Republic of the Philippines''' is an island nation located in [[South-Eastern Asia]].
On the main north-south route (Maharlika Highway), there are plenty of boats between Bicol and Samar, and a Bridge between Samar and Leyte. But if crossing between Leyte and Mindanao there are only 1-2 ferries each day. From Leyte to Mindanao a boat travels at 5.30pm each day and possibly early morning, I'm afraid I didn't check the other direction. Trucks can take 3 people on the ticket, so you might get a lift for free. == Safety ==Hitchhiking in the Philippines generally feels safe, although truck drivers often tell horror stories of carjacking and so on. But remember the Philippines is home to several ongoing armed conflicts and a reasonably high level of violent crime. It's not a reason not to hitch there, but it's good to be knowledgeable about the situation in each place and choose how cautious you want to be. Across the whole archipelago there is a conflict between the armed forces of the Philippines and the communist New People's Army. Neither side has a particular interest in causing problems for foreigners, but there is a chance you might wander into a zone of active conflict. For this reason you can also expect some suspicion. There are few foreign travellers away from the main tourist attractions, and local people often guess that foreigners are missionaries, and if not, spies for the CIA. This suspicion is understandable in the context of decades of conflict, where many people are percieved to have hidden agendas. Local people will tend to warn you if there is conflict on the road ahead. Filipino, or other Asian hitchhikers should be more cautious before heading into troublespots. A few years ago, a group of 11 people, mostly teenagers, were hitchhiking together to Sagada, a popular relaxed town in the mountains, after a punk show in Baguio. They happened to pass through a spot where, a few days before, 3 soldiers had been killed in clashes with the NPA. The military thought their behaviour unusual, and arrested them on suspicion of having carried out the attacks. Despite no evidence whatsoever linking them to the attacks, the 11 people were tortured and held in prison for 9 months. In Mindanao, there is also ongoing conflict with a range of Muslim separatist groups, and because of this long history some of those groups have turned to kidnap-for-ransom, not always clearly linked to their political objectives. This is a problem in Western Mindanao, and also the fighting tends to be much heavier here than in the conflict with the NPA. There are also conflicts with paramilitaries, usually in areas where plantation or mining companies are trying to expand. Most local people who have knowledge of the conflict advise that foreigners avoid certain areas, particularly the Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu archipelago and most of North Cotabato / Magindanao. The east of Mindanao is really fine, the road from Surigao to General Santos, or from Davao to Cagayan de Oro is as safe as anywhere in the Philippines. The north coast as far as Iligan is also usually fine. Further west there is some risk, but foreigners do go there. For people who want to travel overland to the Philippines, Zamboanga is the only place you can catch a boat to. Zamboanga city is perceived as safer than the areas around it, but many people still advise being a little cautious in this city, and leaving by boat to Cebu or Davao. == Personal Experiences ==''I have hitchhiked around many of the rural island provinces of the Philippines, especially southern Luzon/Tagalog region and the Visayas and found it incredibly easy and enjoyable, Filipinos are a very hospitable and fun people who genuinely wish to help out. A couple of times I have prefered to actually walk the distance of an island on foot, rather than hitchhike so I could see the various villages and sights, however in my 2-3 hour walk two vehicles actually stopped to ask if I wanted a lift, without me even asking or showing any intentions. I found the people's genuine happiness to help very good for hitching a ride, however public transportation is so cheap in the Philippines that often you really don't need to hitch a ride unless you really want to, or if that route has no public transporation servicing it. Many of the people who picked me up in the provinces where relatively poor, so I sometimes paid for my lift, but other times when offered they refused my money. I found many did not want my money, and often many locals jump on for a free ride going through each village, I assume they knew the driver however and it's not uncommon to see a private person's vehicle all of a sudden seem like a taxi or bus. Safety is not a big concern in the Philippines, maybe in the bigger cities, but in the provinces generally the road rules are very laid back, and it is not uncommon to be seated in unsafe places (by western standards) such as the back of a ute, or on the roof of a jeep. Keep in mind this is normal, and often they drive fairly slow (or their vehicle actually cannot go any faster), remember to hold on. Normal procedures in hitchhiking and safety, of course apply all around the world. Take care.'' Hitchhikernick - I visited in November 2023 for 3 weeks. I didn't have too much luck and had to wait long times for lifts. On several occasions I had motorcycle riders pick me up and then demand money at end, one of them literally wouldn't accept my hitching situation and even said he would drive me back to town 20km away to go to an ATM and a lecture that rides arnt free in Philippines. Of the few that I did get, one was a trucker and the rest private cars. I managed to hitch a short distance in Manila but not recommended as is more effort than it's worth. I hitched around Taal Lake region and around Batangas and Mabini on Luzon, then Malay to Iloilo city on Panay island and around Bohol and Panglao islands. Most rides were good but the heat, the rain and the difficulty hitching in towns/cities made it not worth while, especially as there are cheap overnight busses that you can get that included ferry ticket. Managed to ride a few jeepneys for free, by saying I didn't have much money after asking price. Most people speak some English, that made it easy to communicate. Average waiting time around 2.5 hrs ==Cities==
* [[Manila]]
* [[Quezón City]]
* [[Cebu]]
* [[Davao]]
* [[Angeles City]]
* [[Baguio]]
* [[Zamboanga]]
Transport is found everywhere in the Philippines, there often is a ferry or boat leaving port every hour depending on the port, and often not following the schedule to exact times, so it is a gamble sometimes. Flights are cheap to the Philippines thanks to a number of low cost airlines servicing the nation, the premier Filipino Low Cost airline is Cebu Pacific, which also serves international flights around the region.
Be careful on [[Mindanao]] island, especially in the city [[Zamboanga]]. Getting a free boat (there is only one regular one: [[Zamboanga]] to Sabah state in [[Malaysia]]) from [[Indonesia]] to [[Malaysia]] is very very hard, [[Malaysia]] immigration is pretty tough though. Air Asia has discount flights to [[Malaysia]]. If you like boats you can try your luck [http://www.sailphi.org.ph/clubs.htm here]. ==Islands==
* [[Luzon]]
* [[Mindanao]]
* [[Visayas]]
== Other Useful Info ==* [http://marcandoelpolo.com/viajar-a-dedo-autostop-filipina/ Information, tips and personal experiences of hitchhiking in The Philippines. A 3244 km journey on 72 vehicles (only in spanish)], by Marcando el Polo* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/489961387753875/ Facebook group "Hitchhikers Pilipinas"] == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki == {{nomadwiki}} {{IsIn|South-Eastern Asia}} [[Category:Philippines|*]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[de:Philippinen]]