Imagine a picture-perfect white beach, warm, friendly staff, and the tastiest mangos you've ever had — that’s what you'll find in the Philippines. The best thing is that over 100 countries, including Qatar, don’t need a visa to visit the islands. But there are some entry requirements to fulfill, including registering on the eTravel Philippines website. Here’s how to navigate the website, along with tips on when to visit and what to see in the Philippines.

You can book a direct flight from Doha to Manila with two airlines: Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines. Flights are between 9 and 9.5 hours. Pricing greatly depends on the season — during peak times, expect to spend upwards of QAR 2,500. But throughout the year, tickets start from QAR 1,400 for both airlines.

If you don’t mind stopovers, research Air India and IndiGo prices. You’ll likely spend a couple of hours in an Indian city before reaching Manila and pay much less for tickets. 

Regardless of whether you’re booking a direct flight, travelers recommend buying a ticket at least 5 weeks in advance. 

Qatari nationals can stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days without a visa. As do the nationals of the USA, most of the EU countries, and over 100 other nationalities. 

Visitors only need to show proof of their return journey within a month and have a passport valid for 6 months after their stay. Nationals who aren’t on the list may need a visa for the Philippines, or can enter without a visa for shorter stays. 

Here’s a list of the most common travelers from Doha to Manila, along with their entry requirements:

Bear in mind that even if you don’t need a visa for the Philippines, you still have to register your arrival using their eTravel portal. Also, while travel insurance isn’t mandatory, it’s highly recommended that you get it to protect yourself from unexpected expenses for trip delays, baggage loss, and medical emergencies. 

Every trip to the Philippines must be registered on the official eTravel platform at least 72 hours before the flight. Aside from the website, you can register via the Android or iOS eTravel apps. The registration is free regardless of the method. 

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Create an account on the platform using your email. 

2. Confirm your email and log in to the platform. 

3. You’ll be redirected to the Onboarding section — fill out your information.

4. Choose New Travel Declaration to start registration. 

5. Confirm whether you’re registering for yourself or a family member, pick your travel method, and choose Arrival.

6. Input your flight number, airline, and hotel address in the Philippines.

7. Fill out a short health declaration form, stating any symptoms within the past 30 days, countries you visited, and potential exposure to communicable diseases. 

8. You’ll then receive a QR code confirming your registration. You can screenshot it or save it in an email to show it to the immigration office once you arrive. 

The Philippines has dry and wet seasons. The wet season is from June to November, which means you can expect heavy rains and typhoons during this time, so traveling isn’t recommended. Also, this is peak mosquito season. So, you’ll likely spend your trip in long sleeves and pants, soaked in repellent. 

The March to May period is dry, with little to no mosquito activity. But it’s also the hottest time of the year, with temperatures above 32°C. 

In general, the best period to visit the Philippines is from December to February. It’s dry, sunny, and not too hot. Moreover, the seas are calm, making it ideal for swimming and island hopping. But expect to spend more on accommodation and flight tickets.

The Philippines is one of the most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia, and flights will probably be your largest expense. Accommodations start from QAR 50 per person for one night, while beach resorts and fancy hotels are around QAR 400. 

You’ll save a lot of money on meals with street food and local carinderias (small eateries and food stalls). Street food starts at QAR 1, and some must-tries are turon (banana spring rolls), taho (tofu with syrup and tapioca pearls), and local pastries. A proper meal at a carinderia is between QAR 4 and QAR 8. Fast food is around QAR 12, while a fancy dining experience starts from QAR 65.

Island hopping and excursions are also pretty affordable — a shared tour with a guide and transportation is between QAR 55 and QAR 130, depending on the island. An inland lake or lagoon tour starts from QAR 40. You may also want to rent a kayak or snorkeling gear — starting from QAR 20. For diving sessions, expect to spend from QAR 140.

On average, an affordable trip to the Philippines will cost around QAR 200 per day. Those with a mid-range budget that includes better accommodation and fancier meals can expect to spend about QAR 400 a day.