Tag: Asia

  • This Is Why Thailand Is The Most Popular Destination For Americans In Southeast Asia

    This Is Why Thailand Is The Most Popular Destination For Americans In Southeast Asia

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    Now that their borders have reopened and they seem to have moved on from the darker days of the pandemic, Thailand is once again smashing tourism records and strengthening links with North America. In fact, new research has confirmed it is the go-to destination for U.S. citizens in Southeast Asia – but what’s behind this new wave of popularity?

    Woman standing on the edge of a pool in thailand in a yellow dress looking at a mountain

    For most of 2020 and 2022, Southeast Asia (which we’ll shorten to SEA) remained virtually sealed off for tourism as local governments cracked down hard on Covid, banning most, if not all, foreign arrivals, and imposing controversial measures such as nightly curfews and lockdowns. Thailand was no exception.

    Certainly, we did not expect Thailand to bounce back as strongly or this quickly, yet here we are:

    A Budget-Friendly Paradisaical Escape

    Long Tail Boat Docked In A Bay Surrounded By Nature And Geological Formations In Thailand, Southeast Asia

    As verified in new research conducted by BBC News, Thailand is the number one pick for both Americans (including Canadians) and Europeans when planning a trip to Southeast Asia. As a matter of fact, more than half of all respondents cited Thailand as their preferred destination over Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other competitors.

    To be more precise, 57.4% of those surveyed stated they would more likely visit Thailand than any other country in SEA. Why, then, is Thailand so trendy right now? In other words, why are thousands of Americans flying to the other side of the world, and facing long layovers in foreign airports, when there are other easier-to-reach sunny spots closer to home?

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    Young Woman On A Swing Gazing At The Ocean In A Bay In Thailand, With Long Boats Docked Close To Shore, Southeast Asia

    We have two possible answers: first, there is budget, and second, Thailand’s stunning nature and the fact that it is simply the perfect destination for culture-driven explorers. We will begin with budget, a pressing concern for many U.S. citizens going abroad amid the ongoing economic upheaval and the soaring costs of travel fueled by inflation.

    Thailand Is Much Cheaper Than Other Sunny Spots In The Western Hemisphere

    Long Tail Boat Docked In A Bay Surrounded By Nature And Geological Formations In Thailand, Southeast Asia

    Luxury travel is on the rise worldwide, as tourism boards around the globe begin focusing more on big spenders and long-term vacationers in hopes of cashing in from their willingness to pay more, no matter how much, for high-quality services. This includes semi-private jets, five-star, all-inclusive resorts, and other unique experiences.

    Not all travelers are keen on the splurging trend, though: many of them are actively seeking cheaper alternatives to the overpriced beaches of Mexico and Europe, even if that means longer, more complicated journeys and places where they can still indulge in some luxury, but at a much lower cost. As it turns out, Thailand is very affordable to visit.

    Aerial View Of Modern Skyscrapers At Night In Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia

    It may not be as cheap as its neighbors, especially Vietnam, but it still allows Western visitors to treat themselves without breaking the bank, be it ordering a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant at a much lower price than back at home, or spending a weekend in a guesthouse at a secluded beach without double-checking their funds.

    In general, Thailand is 65% less expensive than the U.S.: when staying a whole month, guests can expect to pay an average of USD $742, as opposed to USD $2,112. Yes, the only direct flights from North America leave from Vancouver, in Canada, and no, it is certainly not cheap to get there, but once you do, you’ll find out your hard-earned dollars stretch the furthest.

    maya bay the beach thailand

    A Vast Cultural Wealth

    Then, there is the question of tourist offer. Thailand’s natural wonders and millennia-old culture precede it: from spotless beaches made famous by Hollywood classics to intricately-built, historical Buddhist temples to open-air markets where mouth-watering street food can be sampled, it has enough points of interest to keep visitors busy for weeks on end.

    Tourists Looking Happy As They Explore Thailand, South East Asia

    One of Thailand’s strongest assets is nature, at least when it comes to staying on top of travel trends. Next year, nearly 60% of travelers will be looking to completely disconnect from their phones and explore the great outdoors when vacationing abroad, and Southeast Asia’s tropical forests and crystal clear coastline is surely a good starting point.

    Now more than ever, vacationers are also favoring deeper cultural immersions, and staying safe behind the walls of their gated villas or resorts is no longer an enticing thought for some. Thailand is ready to accommodate their needs, offering a whole range of off-path activities that will help Americans understand the Thai way of life a bit better.

    Thai Locals Wearing Masks Against Covid In Phuket, Thailand

    As stated by John Williams, Vice President of the Advertising Sales department (BBC News), ‘travel has been in a state of flux since the pandemic, and we are seeing a wonderful comeback throughout South East Asia currently for travelers and the travel industry as a whole‘. Their own results corroborate our earlier findings:

    The research asserted that travelers’ priorities moving forward are cultural and sustainable travel. 91% of Americans and Europeans crave ‘culture and heritage’, and 72% are environmentally-conscious. Lucky for them, Thailand is fully open for tourism, with no vaccination, testing, or quarantine restrictions in place.

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  • This Is One Of The Safest Destinations In Southeast Asia For American Travelers

    This Is One Of The Safest Destinations In Southeast Asia For American Travelers

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    Safety is a major concern for American travelers country-hopping in Southeast Asia, and understandably so. Overall, the rates of petty crimes tend to be higher than those in the U.S. or Europe, and cultural and language barriers make it more difficult for foreigners to feel truly at ease, but there is one destination in particular where crime rates are far lower.

    Tourists On A Boat In A Picturesque River In Vietnam, Southeast Asia

    According to Global Guardian, an American security company, this country’s stable political situation, absence of civil unrest, nationwide violent protests, and lack of terrorist threats makes it only ‘moderately’ risky, in contrast with Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia, that have been deemed ‘not fully secure’.

    Interestingly, prior to reaching a state of peace, it provided the stage for one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century:

    Vietnam Is Safer Than Malaysia And The Philippines

    Aerial View Of A Floating Fishing Village In Vietnam, Southeast Asia

    In publishing their yearly Risk Assessment Map, which categorizes different countries based on their safety levels and that may, or may not, overlap with the U.S. Department of State’s own travel alerts, the Global Guardian classified risks in Vietnam as ‘Moderate’, making it one of the safest destinations in Southeast Asia.

    As the map shows, a majority of states in the region has been listed under the ‘Medium Risk’ category, one level higher, where the presence of ‘political instability’ is noted alongside an inability to enforce laws. Editors at the Global Guardian add that ‘Medium’ countries are highly susceptible to significant criminality and ‘sporadic unrest’.

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    Motobikers Riding Across The Streets Of Ho Chi Minh, A City With French Colonial Architecture In Vietnam, Southeast Asia

    In a sense, the map corroborates our earlier findings on the unstable situation in Colombia, over in South America, where murder rates and violent crimes affecting tourists have been rising steadily. Colombia has been enlisted under the ‘Medium’ group, similarly to Brazil, one of the least tourist-friendly destinations in the Global South.

    Back to Southeast Asia, only Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam were awarded a ‘Low’ or ‘Moderate Risk’ badge, with the luxurious city-state of Singapore being the only green, or low-risk destination out of those. In other words, roughly 36% of members in the geopolitical group are well-equipped to manage security crises.

    Female Tourist Wandering An Alleyway Full Of Colorful Lanterns In Hoi An, Vietnam

    The U.S. Considers Vietnam a Level 1 Destination

    Vietnam has come a long way since the 1970s conflict, having reintegrated into local economy and politics, in spite of its unitary socialist government. Violent crime and weapon-facilitated assaults are also rare, and due to the widespread social well-being, U.S. citizens should exercise ‘normal precautions’ traveling to Vietnam.

    Hoi An In Vietnam, Southeast Asia

    When it comes to the U.S. Department of State’s classification, it diverges slightly from Global South in the sense that the latter still does not consider Vietnam extremely safe. The official entity has included Vietnam in its Level 1 category, the lowest any country could aim for, while the private company stopped short of adding it to its green-colored ‘Low’ category.

    Nevertheless, they judge Vietnam to be at a par with the United States, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, and numerous other countries of the Western World in terms of safety. In any of these, authorities are perfectly able to manage ‘most crises and threats to personal security’ despite some level of criminal activity, terrorism and/or natural disasters.

    Tourist Riding On A Vietnamese Rickshaw In Old Town Hoi An, Vietnam, Southeast Asia

    Vietnam Is Packed With Natural And Man-Made Wonders

    Vietnam is a small country rich in culture, home to breathtaking landscapes and with fast-developing urban centers. Among some of the most iconic sights, tourists will find Buddhist pagodas, monumental Communist-era buildings, a bucolic countryside where rice terraces and meandering rivers can be spotted, and of course, War History museums.

    Rice Terraces In Mu Cang Chai In The Countryside Of Vietnam, Southeast Asia

    The city of Ho Chi Minh, previously known as Saigon, is famous for its French colonial heritage and distinct Western feel, making it a sought-after attraction. On the other hand, Hanoi, the country’s capital and busiest hub, is a cultural melting pot full of centuries-old Buddhist shrines, Gothic cathedrals and other European-inspired buildings, and flea-markets.

    Luckily, all of these natural and man-made wonders are once again open to the public. Earlier this year, Vietnam became one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to scrap all of its pandemic-related entry requirements and reinstate normal tourism. Effectively, Americans are not subject to health checks prior to, or arriving in Vietnam.

    Aerial View Of Hanoi At Night, Vietnam

    They can visit without presenting a vaccine certificate, undergoing testing, or observing quarantine, making Vietnam one of the easiest to enter in a restrictive Asia. On top of that, flying there has never been easier, after the first-ever direct flights from the United States, specifically San Francisco, to Ho Chi Minh launched in late 2021.

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  • Thailand Becomes The First Destination In Asia To Lift Ban On Cannabis

    Thailand Becomes The First Destination In Asia To Lift Ban On Cannabis

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    Following two years of tightening the grip on social freedoms, as a result of Covid, Thailand seems to be pushing for more liberal policies. Soon after allowing bars and clubs in the country to resume operations and announcing an end to some of its most severe pandemic restrictions, the country is now lifting a long-standing ban on cannabis.

    Group Of Friends Hugging While Watching The Sunset In Thailand

    Thailand is officially the first destination in Asia to relax the harshest rules on the commercialization of the plant. Though these are exciting news for tourists who are also cannabis lovers, they should take it with a pinch of salt: it may have ceased being illicit across Thailand as of this month, but its recreational use remains outlawed:

    Thailand’s Economy To Reach New Highs

    Thailand Dropping Marijuana Ban Concept Image

    On Thursday (June 9) Thailand claimed the title of first country in the whole of Asia to decriminalize cannabis. In an interview with the CNN, Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who has also been behind the nation’s anti-Covid strategy, confirmed ‘it is no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana and hemp products’.

    Effectively, Thai businesses are now free to capitalize on the the rising popularity of cannabis as an additive to food and drink. From this week, bars and restaurants in the country will be free to sell cannabis-infused products, so long as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels are equal or below 0.2%.

    Concept Image Of Thai Nature, Thailand

    THC is the main psychoactive component present in cannabis. On top of that, visitors will also be allowed to use the plant for health purposes, such as treating illnesses, including chronic pain. Conversely, he warned both locals and tourists alike against abusing the new relaxed laws, reiterating the recreational use of cannabis is still illegal.

    To put it simply, smoking joints is not yet allowed in Thailand – but munching on marijuana brownies sold from licensed shops will not get you into trouble. As Charnvirakul argued, legalizing cannabis production, while still maintaining a ban on recreational usage, has the power to further boost Thailand’s economy.

    Thailand Decriminalizes Marijuana Concept Image

    Dealing another blow to those who might be hoping Thailand will follow in Canada or Holland’s footsteps in further relaxing cannabis regulations, Charnvirakul bluntly said ‘no’ to joints. According to the Health Minister, strict laws banning the consumption of cannabis in so-called ‘non-productive ways’ will continue being enforced.

    Tourists Are Again Warned Against Smoking Joints In Thailand

    Big Buddha Statue In Thailand

    Charnvirakul reminded the public, and those visiting Thailand, of the country’s harsh penalties under the Public Health Act. Those found to be using cannabis in an illegal way risk being jailed for three months and fined USD 800.00. Tourists in particular have been alerted not to light joints in public as there will be consequences:

    If tourists come for medical treatment or come for health-related products then it’s not an issue‘, the Health Minister added, ‘but if you think that you want to come to Thailand just because you heard that cannabis or marijuana is legal, or come to Thailand to smoke joints freely, that’s wrong‘. Charnvirakul concluded by telling these tourists not to come.

    Young Traveler Gazing At Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

    Despite the big caveat, the move is still being lauded by the international community. After all, Asia as a whole, and especially Southeast Asia, a subgroup Thailand belongs to, has some of the most severe drug laws in the world. By lifting the ban, Thai authorities now expect the value of the local cannabis industry to exceed 2 billion dollars.

    In fact, the Ministry of Agriculture is planning to distribute 1 million free cannabis plants to households in Thailand, clearly encouraging people to join in the venture. Businesses and entrepreneurs will still need to register with authorities in order to obtain a permit to farm the plant and sell cannabis-derived goods.

    Thailand Chiang Mai Inthanon

    Can Digital Nomads Living In Thailand Also Grow Cannabis?

    In recent years, Thailand has proposed a new digital nomad visa allowing foreigners working remotely to remain in the country for a longer period of time. We do not know, a this point, whether foreigners residing in Thailand under any specific visa categories, including as Digital Nomads, will be allowed to grow the plant.

    Young Asian Man Using Mobile Phone On A Long Tail Boat Ride With Blurred View Of Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

    Seeing that Digital Nomad Visas require applicants to have either a majority, or most of their income originating from foreign sources, we can guess those living in Thailand under this permit will not be allowed to grow the plant and start their own Thailand-based marijuana business. When planning to visit Thailand, tourists are advised to:

    • Buy products from licensed venues
    • Strictly adhere to laws regulation the recreational use of cannabis
    • If living in Thailand and looking to build a business, seek a permit in advance

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  • 10 Countries In Asia Plan On Introducing A Vaccine Passport For Travel

    10 Countries In Asia Plan On Introducing A Vaccine Passport For Travel

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    Following months of speculation, the ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations has confirmed it is indeed working on a standardized vaccine passport for travel in the region. A total of ten Asian countries are part of the association, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

    Since Covid was first identified in early 2020, Southeast Asia has been grappling with recurrent viral surges and an endless loop of travel restrictions. While visiting the region has now become much easier again as more countries drop curbs, their ever-changing rules are still much harder to navigate than Europe’s or the America’s.

    Traveler Holding Up A Vaccine Passport For International Travel

    What’s Next For Southeast Asia Travel?

    Like it’s usually the case with travel rules in Southeast Asia, the announcement has left tourists puzzled as it is not clear how the proposed vaccine certificate will co-exist with more relaxed rules that have been put in place in participating countries – especially those like Vietnam, where all entry curbs were removed.

    Or, more importantly, whether foreigners who are not citizens of an ASEAN country would need to apply for a local vaccine passport, and how that would become operational seeing that Thailand, for instance, already struggles with issuing its controversial Thailand Passes, but here’s what has been clarified so far:

    Officials Believe A Regional Vaccine Passport Will Make Travel Seamless

    After months of a rumored ASEAN vaccine passport, health officials from different member states have agreed this week on both the mutual recognition, and implementation of vaccination certificates for resumption of international travel in the region. The agreement was reached in Bali, where entry rules have ironically been scrapped.

    Sharing the news, the Singaporean Ministry of Health (MOH) stated ‘it is important to establish seamless travel across the region’, as countries in Southeast Asia still do not see eye to eye when it comes to pandemic-era travel. For instance, while some travelers still have to jump through a few hoops visiting Thailand, they face no restrictions whatsoever in Vietnam.

    Chinatown In Kuala Lampur, Malaysia

    On top of that, some ASEAN countries do not necessarily recognize vaccination certificates issued in fellow member states, making international travel in the region an even bigger challenge for local residents, and sometimes even tourists. Grappling with a patchwork of entry rules when country-hopping in the region is no fun.

    The Bali meeting, where health ministers and other senior officials sought to address these issues, resulted in member states vowing to ‘facilitate smooth international travel’. At the minute, however, ministers have not detailed how exactly foreigners, and Southeast Asians alike, can expect travel rules to change.

    James Bond Island In Thailand, Phuket Province

    Dreams Of A Full Asian Reopening Seem More And More Unattainable

    Implementing a mandatory vaccine passport would most certainly add to the woes of both unvaccinated and restriction-wary vaccinated travelers, while making the dream of a full Southeast Asian reopening unattainable. In order for that happen, countries would most certainly require a more relaxed approach to Covid, including treating it as endemic.

    The fact that the collective is still discussing the implementation of a vaccine certificate, when countries like Vietnam and Indonesia have already outpaced others in fully scrapping entry requirements, is not an indication of that. Interestingly, judging by their statements, health officials in fact believe this will help boost tourism.

    Young Asian Man Wearing Face Mask While Checking Departure Board At Airport

    Besides a wider acceptance of an ASEAN vaccine passport for travel, officials also proposed a new ACPHEED – ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases, an equivalent to the U.S. CDC and the European Union’s ECDC. In their words, this would help enhance the ASEAN response to public health emergencies.

    What About Foreign Tourists Visiting Southeast Asia?

    As mentioned above, Southeast Asian nations have different entry requirements in place, ranging from pre-departure testing to entry passes. Unlike the EU, which has moved towards harmonizing travel across the bloc in recent months, the ASEAN has not been as successful and the lack of mutual cooperation on border mesures is evident.

    Young Asian Woman Wearing A Face Mask In Bangkok, Thailand

    The Singaporean Minister of Health, Mr. Ong Ye Kung, expressed his desire to see a regional vaccine passport modelled after the EU’s Digital Covid Certificate. The certificate helped smooth travel within Europe throughout most of 2021, with the most obvious downside being foreign travelers were sometimes also expected to apply for a local vaccine passport.

    Right now, we cannot confirm travelers will also need to apply for an ASEAN Vaccine Passport ahead of flying, besides carrying their own certificates from home. Seeing that the EU certificate is an obvious inspiration, any such development wouldn’t be a surprise, especially in Southeast Asia where Covid restrictions are stricter.

    Group Of Asian Passengers Wearing Face Masks In A Flight During The Covid Pandemic

    Vaccine Certificates Are Becoming The Norm In Southeast Asia

    So far, Asian officials have not yet established how their system for mutually recognizing each other country’s vaccines, or an ASEAN-wide health passport will be put in place, but Ong did add that ‘checking for vaccination certifications may well be the norm for travel, just (like how) we check our bags and our passports’.

    Ahead of launching its own vaccine passport, Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed his support the proposal, stating that every ASEAN member should adopt a ‘standardized’ Covid certificate in order to ‘rejuvenate the aviation sector’. Other business and health groups also applauded the move, agreeing it will make travel ‘seamless’.

    Young Asian Woman With Face Mask Pulling Suitcase In Airport Terminal

    We will report back soon as more information is published, including whether tourists will need to add an Asian vaccine certificate to their expanding list of travel documents. For now, there is still unfortunately a lot fo question marks. For all the latest entry requirements in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, please refer to this page.

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  • The Most Recent Changes In Southeast Asia Travelers Need To Know For May

    The Most Recent Changes In Southeast Asia Travelers Need To Know For May

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    A hugely popular part of the world for both backpackers and luxury holidaymakers alike, Southeast Asia has struggled over the past couple of years as its once-strict entry requirements decimated the levels of tourism that the region had grown accustomed to.

    Today however, the situation is markedly different from how it was at the start of the pandemic, with various entry restrictions being lifted across Southeast Asia on an almost weekly basis. 

    Now, travel to Southeast Asia is now more accessible than it has been at any other point over the last two years, for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers alike, with many of these changes just happening in May.

    Here’s a look at the most recent changes to the entry requirements of various Southeast Asian nations, plus an overview of the current entry restrictions and requirements that travelers should know for other countries in the region. 

    Malaysia

    Malaysia is another Southeast Asian country that is set to make several changes to its entry requirements from May 1st. From May 1st, Malaysia will:

    • Remove both pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 test requirements for vaccinated travelers
    • Remove all social distancing requirements
    • Remove its outdoor mask mandate
    • Remove the Covid-19 insurance requirement
    • Remove the need to check-in to premises with the MySejahtera app

    Travelers who are not fully vaccinated will be required to take an RT-PCR test two days before departure and a supervised RTK-Ag test within 24 hours of arrival, as well as quarantine for five days. Nightclubs are set to be able to reopen from May 15th.

    Thailand

    Thailand’s entry requirements have changed a lot over the past few months, and next month will see them face their most significant easing yet. From May 1st:

    • Vaccinated travelers will no longer need to take a test upon arrival
    • Vaccinated travelers will not need to pre-book a hotel for their first night
    • The mandatory travel insurance coverage amount will be lowered to $10,000 for all travelers

    From May 1st, unvaccinated travelers face two options.

    Those who do not take a test before departure will be required to register for a Thailand Pass with a 5-day quarantine hotel booking. After these five days of quarantine, they will need to take a PCR test on Day 5 in order to be able to leave.

    Alternatively, those who upload proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of travel via the Thailand Pass system will be allowed to enter and move freely – like vaccinated travelers.

    All travelers must still apply for the Thailand Pass in order to be able to enter the country. 

    Singapore

    Just this week, Singapore altered its entry restrictions so that fully vaccinated travelers will no longer need to undergo any Covid-19 testing to enter Singapore. With on-arrival testing already removed, that means travelers can now enter Singapore completely test-free. That means that the only requirements remaining for travelers visiting Singapore are:

    • show proof of their vaccination status – which can be verified online prior to traveling
    • complete an online SG Arrival Card prior to departure
    • download the TraceTogether application
    • purchase travel insurance which covers any Covid-19 medical expenses.

    Unvaccinated travelers are currently unable to enter Singapore.

    Lion Fountain In Singapore, South East Asia

    Cambodia

    Cambodia removed its testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers in March, meaning that vaccinated travelers from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom can now enter without any Covid-19 testing or quarantine requirements. Easy!

    Whilst unvaccinated travelers may still enter, they will need to quarantine for 7 days upon arrival into the country – with the location designated by the Cambodian Ministry of Health – and must undergo a Covid-19 PCR test on day 7 of their quarantine. Unvaccinated travelers must prove they hold $2000 in cash to cover any quarantine expenses.

    Bali

    Travelers to Bali above the age of 18 must be fully vaccinated. A PCR test must be taken 48 hours before departure, as well as upon arrival into Bali. Mandatory insurance is required, along with a return ticket and, of course, the correct visa type where necessary. Fully-vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine. 

    Want to know what it’s currently like to visit Bali right now? One of our writers entered a few days ago and is giving readers an on-the-ground glimpse.

    Vietnam

    Vietnam boasts some of the easiest entry requirements in Southeast Asia. The country does not require visitors to present a Covid-19 vaccine certificate, or certificate showing proof of recovery when entering the country. In order to enter, travelers must either:

    • take a Covid-19 RT-PCR or RT-LAMP test no more than three days (72 hours) prior to departure, OR;
    • take a Covid-19 rapid antigen test no more than one day (24 hours) prior to departure.

    Travelers must also purchase health insurance that covers Covid-19 medical expenses.

    Philippines

    To enter the Philippines, travelers must take either an RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of departing from their country of origin or a laboratory-administered antigen/ART test taken 24 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. Travelers must also fill out the e-Health Declaration Card online and register for the health pass, as well as have travel insurance with a minimum coverage amount of U.S.$35,000. Travelers must also be vaccinated against Covid-19, with valid proof of vaccination.

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    Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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