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- <text id=93CT1825>
- <title>
- Philippines--Travel
- </title>
- <history>
- Compact ALMANAC--CIA Factbook
- Southeast Asia
- Philippines
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>CIA World Factbook</source>
- <hdr>
- Travel
- </hdr>
- <body>
- <p> Climate and clothing: Except for the mountainous areas of
- northern Luzon, the climate is usually hot and humid. Cotton and
- other lightweight clothing is worn all year. If traveling to the
- popular mountain resorts in northern Luzon, light sweaters are
- appropriate.
- </p>
- <p> Transportation: Taxis in large cities can be hailed from the
- street, and the fares are very reasonable. In smaller towns,
- public transportation consists of Jeepneys and motorized
- tricycles. Long-distance buses serve all parts of the
- Philippines. The quality ranges from air-conditioned liners to
- poorly maintained and overcrowded vehicles. Jeepneys, vehicles
- built on jeep-type frames, carry 6-11 persons and are used in
- short city hauls and as transportation between villages and
- towns.
- </p>
- <p> All populated areas of the Philippines can be reached by
- automobile. Roads are often overcrowded and poorly maintained.
- </p>
- <p> Some areas of the country are plagued by civil unrest. Check
- with the Department of State's Office of Citizen Emergency
- Services in Washington, D.C. at (202) 647-5225 or the American
- Embassy in Manila for travel advisories.
- </p>
- <p> Philippine Airlines makes scheduled flights to cities and
- important towns throughout the country, and 1-day round trip
- flights are possible to some places. Several charter air
- services operate from the domestic airport in Manila.
- </p>
- <p> Telecommunications: Local and long-distance telephone service
- is available but not always reliable. International service to
- the United States is excellent. Manila is 13 time zones ahead
- of eastern standard time.
- </p>
- <p> Health: For most illnesses and medical problems, facilities
- in the Manila area are adequate. The Manila water supply is
- generally safe. Untreated or unboiled water should not be drunk
- outside the city. Dysentery is endemic in the Philippines,
- especially outside Manila. Eat only fruits that can be peeled
- and avoid fresh vegetables, unless certain they have been
- properly cleaned with safe water. Superficial skin infections
- are common in the tropics; even the smallest wound should be
- disinfected and covered with a dressing.
- </p>
- <p> Tourist attractions: Tourist sites are highly diverse, with
- may opportunities for weekend and day trips from the larger
- cities. Scuba diving, sailing, and water sports are very
- popular. Resorts matching international standards can be found
- around Manila and the central Visayan Islands. Manila, Cebu,
- Davao, and Baguio have abundant first-class hotels. In smaller
- towns, accomodations are poor.
- </p>
- <p>Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs,
- September 1989.
- </p>
-
- </body>
- </article>
- </text>
-
-