If you’re standing at an airport terminal in Manila or hopping off a boat in El Nido, the first thing you’re going to need is cash. Or is it? Honestly, the answer to what money do they use in philippines has changed faster than the weather in Baguio over the last few years.
While the official currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP)—locally known as the piso—the way you actually pay for things is currently a weird, hybrid mix of crisp polymer bills and QR codes stuck to the side of fruit stands. You can't just show up with a credit card and hope for the best. You’ll end up stuck at a terminal with no way to pay your trike driver.
The Basics: Meet the Philippine Peso
The peso is the king here. It’s been the backbone of the economy since... well, a long time. It is subdivided into 100 sentimos (centavos), though you’ll rarely deal with anything smaller than a 25-sentimo coin unless you're at a massive supermarket like SM or Robinson's.
The symbol you’ll see on every menu and price tag is ₱.
The Banknotes You’ll Carry
Right now, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is in the middle of a big transition. You’re going to see two types of bills: the traditional paper ones made of cotton and abaca, and the fancy new polymer (plastic) ones.
🔗 Read more: Finding Alta West Virginia: Why This Greenbrier County Spot Keeps People Coming Back
- ₱1,000 (Blue): This is the big kahuna. The new polymer version features the Philippine Eagle. Warning: smaller shops will hate you if you try to pay for a ₱50 snack with this.
- ₱500 (Yellow): Features the Benigno and Corazon Aquino (paper) or the Visayan spotted deer (new polymer).
- ₱200 (Green): These are surprisingly rare. Some locals even consider them a bit of a lucky charm because you don't see them every day.
- ₱100 (Violet): Your bread and butter for mid-range meals.
- ₱50 (Red): Essential for tips and quick snacks.
- ₱20 (Orange): While there are still orange 20-peso bills floating around, the government is aggressively pushing the 20-peso coin to replace them.
The "Jingle" in Your Pocket
The coins can be confusing because the "New Generation Currency" series (the silver ones) all look somewhat similar at a quick glance.
- ₱20 Coin: Two-toned (gold center, silver rim).
- ₱10 Coin: Silver, featuring Apolinario Mabini.
- ₱5 Coin: This one is tricky because there’s a round version and a newer nine-sided version.
- ₱1 Coin: Features Jose Rizal, the national hero.
- 25, 5, and 1 Sentimo: Mostly just annoying weight in your wallet, but good for exact change at pharmacies.
Cash is Still King, but GCash is the Prince
You’ve probably heard people say the Philippines is "cash only." That’s only half true in 2026.
If you go to a fancy mall in Makati or a nice restaurant in BGC, they’ll take your Visa or Mastercard without a second thought. But the moment you step into a "hole-in-the-wall" eatery or a souvenir shop, plastic becomes useless.
However, there is a massive shortcut: Digital Wallets. Specifically, GCash and Maya. Honestly, it’s impressive. You’ll see a blue GCash QR code at literally every street corner—from the lady selling balut to the guy fixing your flip-flops. If you’re staying for more than a week, it’s worth trying to set one up, though it can be a bit of a headache for tourists to verify their accounts without a local ID.
💡 You might also like: The Gwen Luxury Hotel Chicago: What Most People Get Wrong About This Art Deco Icon
The Reality of Using ATMs
Getting your hands on the money they use in Philippines usually starts at an ATM. Here is the part that sucks: the fees. Most Philippine ATMs charge a flat fee of ₱250 (about $4.50 to $5 USD) per withdrawal for foreign cards. And to make it worse, many machines have a withdrawal limit of just ₱10,000 or ₱20,000 per transaction. If you need ₱40,000 for a week-long island hop, you're paying that fee twice or four times.
Pro Tip: Look for HSBC ATMs in Manila or Cebu. They are famous among expats for allowing much higher withdrawal limits (sometimes up to ₱40,000) and occasionally waiving that local fee if you have the right type of international account.
Tipping and Social Etiquette
Tipping isn't mandatory, but it's "kinda" expected in tourist areas. It’s not like the US where you’re chased down for not leaving 20%.
In restaurants, check the bill for a "Service Charge." If it’s there (usually 10%), you don’t need to tip extra. If it’s not, leaving ₱20 to ₱50 is a nice gesture. For tour guides who have been out in the sun with you all day? Giving them ₱100 or ₱200 is standard and deeply appreciated.
📖 Related: What Time in South Korea: Why the Peninsula Stays Nine Hours Ahead
Avoiding the "Tourist Tax" (Scams)
The Philippines is generally very safe for travelers, but money brings out the tricksters everywhere.
- The "No Meter" Taxi: In Manila, some taxi drivers will tell you the meter is broken and quote a "special price." It is never a special price for you. Use Grab (the Southeast Asian version of Uber). You’ll see the price upfront, and you can link your credit card so no cash even changes hands.
- The Money Changer Slight of Hand: Only use reputable changers like Sanry’s or Czarina. Avoid the random guys in dark alleys promising "best rates." They have magic fingers that make ₱1,000 bills disappear during the count.
- The "Closed" Attraction: A driver might tell you the museum or park is closed today but they can take you to a "better" (more expensive) spot. It’s almost always a lie.
Exchange Rates and Best Practices
As of early 2026, the exchange rate fluctuates, but you usually get around ₱55 to ₱58 per $1 USD.
Don't exchange your money at the airport if you can help it. The rates there are notoriously bad. Get just enough to pay for your ride to the hotel, then find a mall-based money changer for the rest.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Notify your bank: Tell them you're going to the Philippines so they don't block your card the first time you try to buy a mango shake.
- Stash some USD: Keep a clean, unwrinkled $100 bill hidden in your luggage. If the power goes out and the ATMs are down (which happens in places like Siargao), a crisp Benjamin is the ultimate backup.
- Break your big bills: Whenever you're at a 7-Eleven or a supermarket, pay with your ₱1,000 notes. Use the change (the ₱50s and ₱100s) for your tricycle rides and street food.
- Download Grab: Seriously. It saves you the headache of haggling over fares and ensures you're paying the local rate, not the "tourist rate."
The answer to what money do they use in philippines is simple: Pesos. But the secret to navigating it is a healthy mix of small bills, a loaded digital wallet, and a bit of skepticism when a taxi driver says his meter is "resting."