Santa Monica to Davao (SMO–DVO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

US passport holders enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days. No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. A return or onward ticket is required. At Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Clark International Airport (CRK), or Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB), immigration stamps your passport.

The 30-day visa-free stay can be extended at any Bureau of Immigration office for up to 36 months total without leaving the country. Each extension costs PHP 3,030 to PHP 4,410 ($52 to $76) depending on the length. The first extension adds 29 days. The Philippines has 7,641 islands. Palawan (underground river in Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Coron), Boracay (White Beach), Cebu (whale sharks in Oslob, Kawasan Falls), and Siargao (surfing at Cloud 9) are the top destinations. Domestic flights connect 80+ airports: Manila to Cebu takes 1 hour 20 minutes, Manila to Puerto Princesa takes 1 hour 15 minutes.

Direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Manila run about 14 hours 30 minutes on Philippine Airlines. San Francisco to MNL runs about 14 hours on Philippine Airlines and United. Direct service also operates from New York JFK, Guam, and Honolulu. The Philippines uses the Philippine peso (PHP), trading at roughly 58 PHP per $1. GCash and Maya are the dominant digital wallets, usable at stores, restaurants, and for transport. Grab operates in Manila, Cebu, and other cities. Jeepneys (repurposed military jeeps) are the main urban transport at PHP 13 ($0.22) minimum fare. Tricycles (motorcycle taxis with sidecars) handle short hops for PHP 20 to PHP 50. A meal at a local carinderia (food stall) costs PHP 60 to PHP 120 ($1 to $2).