Is It Safe to Travel to Philippines in 2026?
Philippines - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands, with a total area of about 300,000 square kilometers, which are broadly categorized in three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Is It Safe to Travel to Philippines in 2026?
Philippines is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Do not travel to the Sulu Archipelago and Marawi City due to high risks of crime and terrorism. Reconsider travel to other areas of Mindanao due to crime and civil unrest.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- terrorism
- civil_unrest
- kidnapping
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: increased caution due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping, violent crimes are common, protests can escalate into violence.
Active restrictions in Philippines:
- Security escort may be required
Must obtain special authorization to travel to the Sulu Archipelago and Sulu Sea.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks of violent crime, particularly in urban areas and regions like Mindanao, where kidnappings and robberies are common.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to civil unrest and crime, but major cities have adequate infrastructure and services for corporate needs.
Families with children should be cautious due to limited healthcare access in some regions and the risk of crime, particularly in areas outside major urban centers.
Remote workers can find good connectivity in urban areas, but must be cautious of security risks and potential disruptions in less developed regions.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Philippines.
Regional Safety Breakdown
Do Not Travel Zones
The U.S. State Department advises against all travel to the following areas due to extreme risk:
- Sulu Archipelago
- Marawi City
▶Level 4 — Do Not Travel2 regions
▶Marawi City
Do not travel to this city due to ongoing clashes and high risk of violence.
▶Sulu Archipelago
Do not travel to this area due to high risks of crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
▶Level 3 — Reconsider Travel1 region
▶Mindanao
Reconsider travel to Mindanao due to crime and terrorism risks, except for certain areas.
▶Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution4 regions
▶Davao City
▶Davao del Norte Province
▶Dinagat Islands
▶Siargao Island
Philippines has 7 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Philippines has an overall threat severity of 4.5 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 5.0/10, and kidnapping risk 6.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Partly Free — scored 58/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Philippine Peso (PHP)
Language
Filipino / English
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: moderate
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Philippines
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Philippines?
▶Is it safe to travel to Philippines right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Philippines?
▶What vaccines do I need for Philippines?
▶Is Philippines safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Philippines?
More Philippines Data
Partly Free — 58/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.