General Info

[Key Master]

Last trip I changed my $1000 USD cash in the airport exhange booth. The exchange counter is located immediatly after immagration/customs check point to the right of the exit doors. I realized later it wasn't the best idea if one is looking to get max pesos for the dollar.

This next trip I'm planning to use Bank of Americas money exchange service. All you need is a credit card or bank account and they will deduct the amount you want exchange and send you actual pesos in the mail. Yeah I know it's awesome. So now when I hit airport I can just jump in a taxi and look for a good rate else where. The exchange rate is horrible with Bank of America (43. 20PHP-1. 00USD) but sure is going to be nice walking off that plane with a few pesos in my pocket. Might be easier dealing with the taxi now that I don't have to flip him a $5 dollar bill.

Why bother with doing this BofA thing if you are going to get ripped off by them? You changed money at the airport before, I seriously doubt that BofA's exchange is even close to as good as the airport exchange.

Also a side note. For me, when I know I'm coming back to a country, I keep small denomination bills in the currency for future usage so if I want to skip changing currency or getting money at the airport, I can just hop a taxi and then get money after I'm settled at a better exchange rate. Personally, I don't think the exchanges at the airport are all that bad in the PI. It's not going to kill you to change $100-200 if you need it along with being comfortable.

[GoodEnough]

I was there this time of year two yrs ago. Think of someone pointing a fire hose at you and turning it on. This happens about 3 times per day. So the rest of the time it is reallly humid. Everything floods and screws up the already terrible traffic. The good news is it mostly rains during the day and at night it is clear for pussy chasing!

It really depends on where you are and at what time of year. Mindanao, for example does not experience typhoons and we have not had any rain to speak of here in Davao for a couple of weeks. This is the beginning of typhoon season, so you can expect the island of Luzon -- where Manila is situated-- to get hit fairly frequently.

GE

[Devils 1]

Any idea what the climate would be like during July and August?

I have hrd PI is a place that has one of the most rains and typhoons.

Max

I was there this time of year two yrs ago. Think of someone pointing a fire hose at you and turning it on. This happens about 3 times per day. So the rest of the time it is reallly humid. Everything floods and screws up the already terrible traffic. The good news is it mostly rains during the day and at night it is clear for pussy chasing!

[Devils 1]

This next trip I'm planning to use Bank of Americas money exchange service. All you need is a credit card or bank account and they will deduct the amount you want exchange and send you actual pesos in the mail. Yeah I know it's awesome. So now when I hit airport I can just jump in a taxi and look for a good rate else where. The exchange rate is horrible with Bank of America (43. 20PHP-1. 00USD) but sure is going to be nice walking off that plane with a few pesos in my pocket. Might be easier dealing with the taxi now that I don't have to flip him a $5 dollar bill.

The best way to do this Joe is get about $100 of Philippino currency from your bank before you leave the US. But the trick is to get it all in small bills. You can get money from any ATM in the PI. The problem is they only dispense 500 and 1000 php notes. If you have ever gone thru the frustration of trying to pay a cab fare of php 150 with a 1000 note it will drive you crazy. Tell your bank you want all of the money in bills smaller than php 200.

I have found the money changer in the airport is not that bad of a deal. Any place to exchange currency is better than a hotel!

[Joe Island]

By the way in the evening under the LRT line of this street you can sample the girls too. Many are ugly old bitches but sometimes, surprisingly, a gem appears! They have cheap rooms (100 pesos short time) on the back street paralleling this one. The going rate is 300 pesos for the girl. If she looks better she may try 500.

300 pesos? ! Why so cheap? I've never heard of or seen a SW offering any service for less than 1000pesos. If I can pay those rates, I might just extend my trip to a full 3 weeks. Sounds to cheap to be true. What would I tip her 50pesos

[Finrod]

For money changers, I can definitely recommend Edzen's on Mabini St in Ermita. Easy walking distance from Robinson's. Reliable, the locals know this place.

In Makati, Sanry's in Glorietta is competitive and reliable.

The banks in the Mall of Asia are a new one to me. Thanks to Puerto La Cruz for this tip. Banks are not normally known for being as competitive as the money changer businesses. I'll check them out next time.

I'd be careful in Binondo (and in Ermita) with touts who promise really good exchange rates. You could be a victim of a scam. Check the rates on Bloomberg or XE.com the day you go.

[Denom]

I never tried their services but I was often proposed changes in Binondo (Manila), on the back of Quiapo, the plaza near Santa Cruz Church and the LRT Carriedo station. I seem to remember something about them having the best rates, better than in Ermita, but not sure it really is true.]

By the way in the evening under the LRT line of this street you can sample the girls too. Many are ugly old bitches but sometimes, surprisingly, a gem appears! They have cheap rooms (100 pesos short time) on the back street paralleling this one. The going rate is 300 pesos for the girl. If she looks better she may try 500.

[Denom]

I never tried their services but I was often proposed changes in Binondo (Manila), on the back of Quiapo, the plaza near Santa Cruz Church and the LRT Carriedo station. I seem to remember something about them having the best rates, better than in Ermita, but not sure it really is true.

Try this map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Carrie...L_enPH252PH252

[Puerto La Cruz]

I just change $200.00 at the airport and then change more in the city. That $200.00 is enough for taxi, hotel and a girl the first night, with money remaininng. The banks at Mall of Asia were at 48.20 a week ago today. The exchange joints in Ermita were at 48.00.

[Joe Island]

This is a repeat question. And yes I have RTFF! I'm just checking to see if anybody has an update on money changer. Any locations but I'm looking for something in the NCR or AC as I will be in those place soon.

Last trip I changed my $1000 USD cash in the airport exhange booth. The exchange counter is located immediatly after immagration/customs check point to the right of the exit doors. I realized later it wasn't the best idea if one is looking to get max pesos for the dollar.

This next trip I'm planning to use Bank of Americas money exchange service. All you need is a credit card or bank account and they will deduct the amount you want exchange and send you actual pesos in the mail. Yeah I know it's awesome. So now when I hit airport I can just jump in a taxi and look for a good rate else where. The exchange rate is horrible with Bank of America (43. 20PHP-1. 00USD) but sure is going to be nice walking off that plane with a few pesos in my pocket. Might be easier dealing with the taxi now that I don't have to flip him a $5 dollar bill.

Whats the change rate right now want to compare it to XE's rates they are at 47. 90PHP. 1. 00USD

[Denom]

Have any of you guys ventured to Palawan? The guidebooks say it has some of the most impressive natural scenery. I'm presuming that its difficult to find girls there given that there are few large cities and I gues it's kind of conservative. I'm not too concerned about that as I have been lucky enough to hook up with a beautiful and very sexy nursing student from Cebu who I will take along. However she is as keen as me on threesomes so it would be nice to think there maybe an opportunity to find some open minded girls there too.

That's unusual. Most by my experience are shocked about the thought of threesome. When I tell in Europe we have wife-swapping and gang-bang clubs they just don't believe me.

Finding a threesome partner in Palawan? Good luck!

[GregLondon]

Have any of you guys ventured to Palawan? The guidebooks say it has some of the most impressive natural scenery. I'm presuming that its difficult to find girls there given that there are few large cities and I gues it's kind of conservative. I'm not too concerned about that as I have been lucky enough to hook up with a beautiful and very sexy nursing student from Cebu who I will take along. However she is as keen as me on threesomes so it would be nice to think there maybe an opportunity to find some open minded girls there too.

[Ekspat]

If we can't talk you out of such thing then I guess all we can say is it depends....

Agree, it depends.... Depends on his financial situation.
Lets assume his monthly income is 10,000 USD a month.

No debts, no loans, no ex-wife to support or whatsoever,
then sending 500 USD a month to PI, who cares?

IMHO.
Cheers!

[Spam Hog]

Any idea what the climate would be like during July and August?

I have hrd PI is a place that has one of the most rains and typhoons.

Any info on this would be appreciated.

Rgds,

Max

Depends on where you go, climate can vary. Mindanao (Davao to CDO)is always a little rainyier. Typhoon season is Sept to Oct, again depends on where you are. The Eastern Visayas get hammered Sept, Oct, Nov, it bounces up thru the flat lands and heads for Manila. Cebu gets mild rain, CDO gets clobbered.

Right now is the hot season, hot and dry in Cebu, lot of rain in CDO (i was just there) typhoon in Manila. July the weather starts to change.


Spamhog

[Spam Hog]

If a girl becomes your GF and leaves the bar and goes back to her island to live, What is a reasonable amount of money to support her? How much more if they have a baby?

If we can't talk you out of such thing then I guess all we can say is it depends....depends on how you are going to be seeing her, will you return to the US or where ever and support her from afar only to team up with her when you come to the Phils or do you live in phils and want her stashed in some faraway love nest. Don't answer, just speculate.

Most (rich) Filipino's keep a mistress, some as little as P10,000 a month, so much depends on how they get together, that might include rent on a room, travel back and forth to a rondevouz point. I know of one kept lady who lives in a 3 million Peso house, she gets P20K a month from her very wealthy filipino chinese patron, they have two children together. Back in the day when the Spamhog had his mistresses I was paying about 10K to 12K, plus cell phones and occassional gifts.

I would use the P10,000 to 12,000 as a yard stick, giving over more will just cause the father of the child to come for his nick and maybe a new boyfriends cell phone and money for chicken fights. Of course she will ALWAYS badger you for more, somebody will constantly be sick, in need of funds for travel etc ad naseum.

These things ALWAYS end in tragedy (for you), don;t forget you will have to pay the bar for what she owes, expect P20K and upwards.

Good luck

SH