9 Tourist Scams in the Philippines and How to Avoid Them

The Philippines is a fantastic destination for travellers. The country offers incredible experiences in terms of scenery and landscape, culture, food, wildlife, adventure activities and more. With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines offers countless opportunities for island hopping and exploring remote and idyllic destinations.

Travelling to the Philippines is an excellent idea. Regardless, the destination also comes with slight cons. Tourist scams are a common practice in many parts of the Philippines which can upset your trip. 

We’ve listed down some common travel scams that occur in the Philippines along the places that they are most common in and tips on how to avoid them.

Let’s look at the most common tourist scams you should avoid when visiting Philippines. 

1. Taxi Scams

Taxi scams are the most common tourist scams that happen across the world. Unfortunately, some of the people in The Philippines also practice this scam. When booking a taxi, either from the airport to your hotel, or to travel around the city, taxi drivers overcharge tourists. 

They don't use the taximeter and end up taking a lot of money for a short distance. In some cases, taxi drivers also take longer routes to reach your destination.

This is because they believe that as tourists, you are naïve to the prices of taxis in the city. To avoid falling for this scam, it's better to use local apps to book a taxi. You can also ask your driver to go by meter or ask for a standard, quoted price before starting your trip.

Common around: The cities of Angeles, Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa and Davao.

2. Attraction Scams

A common scam that is usually seen to occur in Asian countries is the "Attraction is closed" scam. 

Taxi drivers might falsely claim that a particular tourist destination is closed. They do this so that they can persuade you to take you to another location where they receive a commission for bringing tourists.

To avoid this scam, you can call up the tourist destination you need to visit and confirm if the location is open to tourists at that time. You can also insist that you be taken to the destination regardless of whether your driver is being too persistent. 

Common around: Manila, Boracay, Cebu City, Bohol, etc.

3. Activity Scams

Some tour or activities operators try to scam tourists by charging extra prices from them. When enrolling in tourist activities while on vacation, some operators will charge additional exorbitant prices for boating and kalesa, or horse-drawn carriage rides, etc. 

They could also demand payment from you for equipment damage that you were not aware of when the item was delivered to you.

It is best to make your reservations for activities through reputable businesses and tour booking websites to avoid falling victim to these scams in the Philippines.

Common around: Manila, Cebu City, Boracay, Palawan, Siquijor, etc.

4. Tour Guide Scams

When in a new country, you will be inclined to get a tour guide so you can explore the location better. Sometimes, you might encounter locals who are posing to be tour guides. They might try to take you around and show you places that are "unexplored".

At the end of your tour, they will ask you for a high price for their services.

Such people can either bump into you on the street and ask to show you around, or you might find such scammers online as well.

The best way to avoid this scam is by getting your tour guide from a trusted platform. You can check for reviews and ensure that they are qualified for the job.

Common around: Siquijor, Bohol, Palawan, etc.

5. Money Exchange Scams

Exchanging foreign currency in tourist destinations can be tricky. Some locals might try to slip out a few notes when handing over your local currency. There are also chances of them referring to outdated conversion rates.

Other type of money exchange scams evident is The Philippines are small-time money changers with suspiciously attractive rates. They might replace bills with smaller ones, using a faulty calculator, or charge more commission fees.

To avoid being scammed by money changers, calculate the conversion to verify and count the money they give you. Use ATMs or banks if you have to exchange currency to be on the safer side.

Common around: Angeles City, Boracay, Manila, Puerto Princesa, etc.

6. Manila Horse-drawn Carriage Scams

All of Manila’s most popular tourist areas have Kalesas – beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriages from the Spanish era of the Philippines which offer rides to tourists who want a unique way to view this city. Unfortunately, some of the operators target foreigners and try to scam them.

When tourists ask for a ride, the driver avoids mentioning a price until the end of the ride, where they can charge unreasonable prices.

To avoid falling for this scam, you can negotiate a price before starting your trip and ensure that it is reasonable enough without any additional charges.

Common around: Manila, San Fernando, Pampanga, Vigan and Laoag.

7. Motor Hiring Scams

A favorite way of getting around in a new location is by hiring a scooter or car. Although, a prominent scam in The Philippines is where renters provide tourists with pre-damaged vehicles and upon return, they charge the tourist high prices claiming the vehicle was damaged during use.

This scam not only happens with the above vehicles, but also water sport activities such as jet skiing and wind surfing. 

As a result, you can organize water sport activities in the Philippines through your own hotel. When renting a motorbike anywhere in Asia, always carefully inspect it for any tape or existing damage. Take extensive photos from every angle as evidence.

Common around: Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, etc.

8. Pickpocketing Scams

Pickpocketing scams can happen to anyone at any time. Typically reported from crowded, tourist hubs; tourists are either distracted by one person while another tries to steal their belongings. In other cases, in crowded spots, a person might pretend to bump into you and steal your belongings.

Be careful with your belongings, wallets, gadgets, etc., especially in crowded places.

Common around: The busy streets of Manila and Cebu like Divisoria as well as Carbon.

9. Love Scams

Love scams are a peculiar type of scam that is mostly seen to occur in Asian countries. Locals target tourists, especially solo travellers and strike up a conversation. They try to build a relationship with the tourist and slowly either ask for money or entice the other to get an easy visa to move countries.

One can also get catfished online when searching for a friendly person in a different country.

It is better to always take precautions and stay safe when in a foreign country. Never send money to a person you’ve only known online for a few weeks, or someone you haven’t met.

Common around: Across the Philippines.

To avoid tourist scams in the Philippines, it's essential to stay vigilant and exercise caution while traveling. Here are some tips to help you steer clear of common tourist scams:

• Do your research before you travel. Familiarize yourself with common scams and the areas where they tend to occur.
• Check for official government travel advisories and stay informed about any safety concerns in your destination.
• Use established and well-known travel agencies, tour operators, and transportation services.
• Be wary of overly persistent touts who try to steer you to specific shops, restaurants, or tours, as they may have ulterior motives.
• Keep your belongings always secure, especially in crowded places or tourist hotspots. Use a money belt or hidden pouch to carry your passport, cash, and important documents.
• If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and be prepared to walk away from a situation.
• You must also get yourself Travel Insurance to Philippines to completely secure your trip. Now that you know that petty crimes like pickpocketing can happen, if you lose your passport or other official documents, our cover can help secure your finances. Not just this, you can read more about our coverages here.

To reach out to officials in case of any emergency in Philippines, you can use the following contacts:

• Emergency Hotline: 911

• Philippine National Police (PNP Nationwide Hotline): 117

• Department of Health/Ambulance: 1555 

• In case of Fires, call: 160/ 911

• Indian Embassy in Philippines: 63-2-8430101; +63-2-8430102

Remember that while scams can occur anywhere, the majority of people you encounter during your travels are likely to be honest and helpful. Staying informed and using common sense can go a long way in ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip to the Philippines.