Is the Philippines safe? The travel advice, and the number to call

What the UK and Canada advise, where travellers run into trouble, and the number to call.

By the Local SIM Philippines team, checked October 3, 2026

Illustration: a traveller walks a calm waterfront promenade at dusk, lamps along the low sea wall and boats resting in the shallows, a quiet headland beyond.

The short answer

The UK and Canada both carry warnings for the Philippines. Canada's level is exercise a high degree of caution, due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping; the UK advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao, except Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao. Emergency: 911.

Canada's level: exercise a high degree of caution, due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping.
Regional: the UK advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao, except Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao; Canada keeps its own lists for the island.
The everyday risks: petty theft, bag-snatching and scams, most in the cities; some taxi drivers and their accomplices have robbed passengers, so use a reputable company or a hotel transfer.
Weather and ground: around 20 typhoons a year, most between June and November; earthquakes occur regularly, and several volcanoes can erupt without warning.
Water: rip currents are common and lifeguards are rare; get local advice and avoid swimming when red flags fly.
Emergency: 911 (ambulance, fire, police).

Checked October 3, 2026

What the advice says

Topic	The advice
Petty crime	Pickpocketing, bag-snatching and swarming, especially in the cities; keep bags and phones close, avoid displaying valuables, and keep bags away from the road edge, where motorcyclists can grab them.
Taxis and street robbery	Armed hold-ups on jeepneys and buses are reported in Manila and other large cities, and some taxi drivers and their accomplices have robbed passengers; use a taxi from a reputable company or a hotel transfer.
Scams and cards	Card and ATM fraud is common; use ATMs inside a bank or a public place, cover the keypad, and treat friendly strangers offering to show you around with care.
Typhoons	Around 20 a year, most between June and November; floods and mudslides are frequent after heavy rain, and ferry services can be suspended at short notice.
Earthquakes and volcanoes	The country sits in an active seismic zone, and several volcanoes carry permanent danger zones; follow PHIVOLCS and local instructions, and expect ash to be able to disrupt flights.
Water	Rip currents are common and several drownings happen each year; lifeguards are usually absent, so get local advice and stay out when red flags fly.
Rabies	The risk comes from animal bites; avoid stray dogs, monkeys and other animals, and ask a travel health provider about the vaccine before you travel.

Petty crime
The advice
Pickpocketing, bag-snatching and swarming, especially in the cities; keep bags and phones close, avoid displaying valuables, and keep bags away from the road edge, where motorcyclists can grab them.
Taxis and street robbery
The advice
Armed hold-ups on jeepneys and buses are reported in Manila and other large cities, and some taxi drivers and their accomplices have robbed passengers; use a taxi from a reputable company or a hotel transfer.
Scams and cards
The advice
Card and ATM fraud is common; use ATMs inside a bank or a public place, cover the keypad, and treat friendly strangers offering to show you around with care.
Typhoons
The advice
Around 20 a year, most between June and November; floods and mudslides are frequent after heavy rain, and ferry services can be suspended at short notice.
Earthquakes and volcanoes
The advice
The country sits in an active seismic zone, and several volcanoes carry permanent danger zones; follow PHIVOLCS and local instructions, and expect ash to be able to disrupt flights.
Water
The advice
Rip currents are common and several drownings happen each year; lifeguards are usually absent, so get local advice and stay out when red flags fly.
Rabies
The advice
The risk comes from animal bites; avoid stray dogs, monkeys and other animals, and ask a travel health provider about the vaccine before you travel.

Where travellers run into trouble

Manila and the tourist areas
Street crime and robbery concentrate in the big cities: keep phones and bags close in crowds, avoid showing jewellery or cash, and use hotel transport or an app after dark.
Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago
This is where the advice changes: the UK advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao, except Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao. Canada advises against all travel to provinces of western Mindanao, and against non-essential travel to central and eastern Mindanao.
Nights out
The UK's advice warns about methanol poisoning from alcoholic drinks, and Canada about food and drinks from new acquaintances that may contain drugs: never leave a drink unattended, and get urgent medical help if you feel unwell after drinking.

The bottom line

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Questions

Is Philippines safe for travellers?

It depends where you are. The UK and Canada both advise against travel to parts of western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, while the rest of the country calls for normal caution: petty crime and scams in the cities, typhoons and earthquakes, and rip currents in the sea. Keep valuables close, use reputable transport, and save 911.

Which parts of the Philippines carry stronger warnings?

The UK advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao, except Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao. Canada advises against all travel to provinces of western Mindanao, and against non-essential travel to central and eastern Mindanao. Check both before you plan a route.

What should I watch for in the cities?

Petty crime, street robbery and scams. Armed hold-ups on jeepneys and buses are reported in Manila and other large cities, and some taxi drivers and their accomplices have robbed passengers; use a reputable taxi company or a hotel transfer, and keep bags on the inside, away from the road edge.

Is it safe to swim in the Philippines?

Take care in the water: rip currents are common, several drownings happen each year, and most beaches have no lifeguards or warning signs. Get advice from your hotel or local residents before getting in, and avoid the water when red flags fly.

What is the emergency number in the Philippines?

911 covers the police, fire and ambulance services, and the UK advice says to call it and ask for an ambulance in a medical emergency. Save it before you fly, and keep a way to call it: a working connection matters most when something goes wrong.

Keep reading

Sources

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Is the Philippines safe? The travel advice, and the number to call

The short answer

What the advice says

Petty crime

Taxis and street robbery

Scams and cards

Typhoons

Earthquakes and volcanoes

Water

Rabies

Where travellers run into trouble

Manila and the tourist areas

Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago

Nights out