Tag Archives: short

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Colorful Filipino Currency

Colorful Filipino Currency 💸

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The vibrant and colorful Filipino currency, known as the Philippine peso (PHP), is a fascinating aspect of the country’s rich culture.

The notes come in a spectrum of hues, including orange, red, purple, green, yellow, and light blue, making them not only functional but also visually appealing. Each denomination, from the 20-peso note to the 1,000-peso note, features unique designs that reflect the Philippines’ heritage and history.

Whether you’re planning a trip to the bustling streets of Manila or the serene beaches of Boracay, understanding and appreciating the local currency will enhance your travel experience.

Highlights

 

Peso Banknotes – A Spectrum of Colors

Check out the colorful Filipino currency! These notes are brightly colored like Euros (though the equivalent amount goes a lot further 😃). Makes a nice change from the dull old American dollars.

It can sometimes be difficult to get the locals to change the larger denominations (500 or 1000 peso notes), so we took every opportunity to keep a big stash of lower denomination notes.

1 Euro converts to approximately 63 pesos, and 1 US$ will get you around 58 pesos.

New Filipino currency

Philippine peso Banknotes

For our 20-day trip around the Philippines, we were on a daily budget of 1,800 pesos per day, excluding accommodation (€35). For accommodation, we budgeted around €30 per night, giving us a total daily budget of €65.

1-peso coin vending machine fraud

The 1-peso coin has the same size as the 1 United Arab Emirates dirham coin, which has led to vending machine fraud in the U.A.E. Similar frauds also occurred in the US, as the 1-peso coin is roughly the same size as the quarter. Newer digital parking meters are not affected by the fraud.

Demonetization of Filipino currency in 2015

If you already visited the Philippines before 2015 and are still hanging on to old peso paper currency, then you’re out of luck. Following the demonetization process for the old peso bills in 2015, the old bills are no longer accepted.

Discontinued Filipino currency

Discontinued Philippine peso Banknotes

So if you still have the old notes, you can keep them as souvenirs.

Before starting our trip to the Philippines, we had planned a budget of €1,600 (96,000 pesos) per person for the entire 20-day trip with flights. This also included a 2-night stay in Rome.

Check out Our Philippines Impressions to find out how much it actually cost.

Hotel options in Manila


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Getting Around Panama

Getting Around Panama by Shuttle Bus 🚌

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Panama is a vibrant and exciting country, offering a range of activities for visitors to experience.

Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun on a tropical beach or explore the lush rain forests, getting around Panama is made easy with shuttle bus services. These buses provide a convenient and cost-effective way to travel between popular destinations, such as Panama City and Bocas del Toro.

In this article, we delve into the benefits of using shuttle bus services, as well as highlighting one of the top shuttle bus companies in Panama.

Highlights

 

Exploring Panama with ‘Hello Travel’

Without any real train infrastructure, buses are the primary way that most Panamanians — and many travelers — get around.

The buses run frequently and are cheap enough, but if you have a few more dollars to spend you may want to make your travel a little easier. The Hello Travel bus shuttle company makes a good alternative to going it alone. For the extra cost, they can also make getting around Panama a little less stressful.

They have regular air-conditioned shuttle services to and from the more popular destinations, including:

♦  Boquete to Bocas del Toro
♦  Boquete to Santa Catalina
♦  Bocas to Puerto Viejo (Costa Rica)
♦  Bocas to San Jose  (Costa Rica)
♦  Boquete to ‘Lost and Found’ (backpackers jungle hostel in Chiriqui)

Getting Around Panama by Shuttle Bus

Getting Around Panama by Shuttle Bus

What do the Buses Cost?

The cost is in the $30-$40 range for trips within Panama, and a little extra for trips to and from Costa Rica.

We took their shuttle from Santa Catalina to David for $30 per person. The shuttle vans take small groups of around 12 to 20 people, and can be a little cramped when full (which they usually are). All luggage and backpacks are secured safely on the roof, with a tarpaulin cover.

They depart/terminate in central locations in town, and make regular bathroom breaks.

David Bus Station

David Bus Station

We took another shuttle from Boquete to Bocas del Toro for $30 per person. This included the boat transfer from Almirante to Bocas town.

Of course, if you just take the standard Panamanian buses you’ll pay half the price.

We tried both, and found the Panamanian buses to be just fine, and certainly no more crowded than the Hello Travel shuttles.

In any case, their shuttle buses don’t travel to many of the places you might want to visit, such as Boca Chica for instance. For these other destinations, you have no option but to take a local bus – or a taxi if you’re really flush.

Panama City to Bocas del Toro

Getting Around Panama by Shuttle Bus

Getting Around Panama – Albrook Bus Station

Are the Buses a Good Deal?

Getting around Panama by shuttle bus does turn out to be a convenient and cost-effective option. With frequent services provided by reliable companies like Hello Travel, you can enjoy air-conditioned comfort and stress-free travel between popular destinations like Boquete, Bocas del Toro, and Santa Catalina.

Additionally, the Hello Travel shuttle bus provides a safer alternative to public transportation, making it an excellent choice for solo travelers and groups alike. So, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, consider using a shuttle bus service to maximize your Panama travel experience.

All Hotel Options in Boquete


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