LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Dangers & Annoyances
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There’s no glossing over the fact that the Philippines has more than its share of dangers and annoyances. These range from the danger of kidnapping in the south of the country to the wide range of scams and rip-offs that await the unwary traveller in Manila.
Of course, it’s not just the outright dangers that can make travel unpleasant in various parts of the Philippines, it’s also the annoyances. Depending upon your sensibilities and values, you may find the overt prostitution scene quite disturbing, particularly if you are unlucky enough to see evidence of the Philippines’ bustling child prostitution industry (in places like Angeles).
It’s also worth pointing out that Manila itself can be extremely challenging for some travellers. The poverty, air and noise pollution, crowds and heavy traffic conditions are enough to make even the most seasoned traveller yearn for escape. Luckily, escape is usually no more than a quick bus or plane ride away.
Scams
The most common scam in the Philippines involves drugging a tourist’s drinks or food and then robbing them. Be wary of any overly friendly stranger offering you food or drink. Some moneychangers also scam tourists out of money by using sleight-of-hand gimmicks and short-change scams.
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