Cost of Living / Tourism Philippines

[OnMyWay]

I saw this post on FB.  Filipino traveler talking about cost of things in Philippines vs. Japan and other Asian countries.  Some of the thing she talks about are probably valid.  Tourist things are very expensive here in Central Luzon.  We would like to experience some places in Zambales but the resorts we like are usually just too expensive.  

Read the comments.  Lots of good info there.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CzE3Av58L/

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

I just returned from a 10-day trip to Japan, a country we Filipinos have always seen as the gold standard for "mahal!"

For decades and for most Filipinos, we would choose cheaper alternatives for our holidays, saving Japan for a major, once-in-a-bluemoon splurge.

My most recent trip here gave me a deeply heart-wrenching economic realization. Iba'ng iba na compared to my Japan experience years back.

The "Good News": Japan is seemingly "more affordable" now.

Here is a personal cost comparison that pleased and disturbed my family and me at the same time:

Mid-to-High-End Restaurants: We spent ¥3,000 to ¥10,000 JPY (roughly ₱1,000 to ₱3,800 PHP) per head on a decent meal—and yes, that price included melts-in-your-mouth wagyu beef. For something similar (or arguably even less in quality) in Manila, you'll easily spend ₱3,000 to ₱10,000 PHP per head!

Fast Food (McDo or Sukiya): Only ¥600 to ¥800 JPY per head, which is about ₱200 to ₱300 PHP.

The harsh reality? This price range is no longer an exorbitant "Japan-level" expense. It is the new normal in Metro Manila and many other parts of the Philippines. We are spending almost the same amount here for services or products that are often less efficient, less safe, and less world-class.

The Bad News: Japan Did Not Get Cheaper.

Let’s be brutally honest. They did not suddenly lower its cost of living for us. Sobrang tumaas lang ang cost of living natin sa Pinas.

We are now paying near-Japan prices using an income anchored by a weakening Philippine Peso. This is a clear symptom of alarming local inflation and a deeply eroded purchasing power.

I also traveled to other Asian countries this year (Vietnam, Malaysia, China) and saw the same trend: the cost of hotels, food, transportation, and shopping items are now significantly lower in those and in most Asian countries than in key cities and tourist destinations in the Philippines.

Few months ago, we stayed in a huge, luxurious suite good for a family of 4 at the 79th floor of the tallest tower in one of the tourist destinations in China. The rate was just about ₱6,000 per night for that beautiful suite inclusive of sumptuous buffet breakfast for 4. Napanganga na lang ako. Per our experience, something similar to that here in the Philippines ranges between ₱30,000 and ₱80,000 per night depending on the location.

No wonder the number of tourists visiting us is declining the past few years and many Filipinos would rather travel abroad. Maiiyak ka na lang talaga kung paano na tayo napag-iwanan.

Our biggest draw for tourism used to be our incredible affordability—our ability to offer beautiful destinations at a fraction of the cost. Dtan tuwang tuwa noon ang mga turista sa atin. We were the land of value. Now, that competitive edge is gone. If a tourist can spend roughly the same amount of money in Manila as they can in Tokyo, a city with unparalleled infrastructure, discipline, and efficiency... Why would they choose us?

No matter how our government officials deny it, the deeply unsettling truth about our economy is this: We are now priced out of our own former advantage. Our cost of living has skyrocketed to First-World prices, while our wages and services haven't leveled up.

When the cost of living in the Philippines starts to feel like a vacation in Japan, who is truly paying the price? And what future are we inadvertently building when our struggle for daily survival is priced like a luxury trip abroad?

This is more than just a travel observation; it's a call for urgent economic discussion and prompt action.

I want to hear from you: Have you experienced this economic shift in your travels or even in your daily life?

What specific policy or change do you think our government should immediately implement to stabilize the cost of living and restore our country's economic competitive advantage?

[craftbeerlover]

43 minutes ago, OnMyWay said:

I saw this post on FB.  Filipino traveler talking about cost of things in Philippines vs. Japan and other Asian countries.  Some of the thing she talks about are probably valid.  Tourist things are very expensive here in Central Luzon.  We would like to experience some places in Zambales but the resorts we like are usually just too expensive.  

Read the comments.  Lots of good info there.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CzE3Av58L/

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

I just returned from a 10-day trip to Japan, a country we Filipinos have always seen as the gold standard for "mahal!"

For decades and for most Filipinos, we would choose cheaper alternatives for our holidays, saving Japan for a major, once-in-a-bluemoon splurge.

My most recent trip here gave me a deeply heart-wrenching economic realization. Iba'ng iba na compared to my Japan experience years back.

The "Good News": Japan is seemingly "more affordable" now.

Here is a personal cost comparison that pleased and disturbed my family and me at the same time:

Mid-to-High-End Restaurants: We spent ¥3,000 to ¥10,000 JPY (roughly ₱1,000 to ₱3,800 PHP) per head on a decent meal—and yes, that price included melts-in-your-mouth wagyu beef. For something similar (or arguably even less in quality) in Manila, you'll easily spend ₱3,000 to ₱10,000 PHP per head!

Fast Food (McDo or Sukiya): Only ¥600 to ¥800 JPY per head, which is about ₱200 to ₱300 PHP.

The harsh reality? This price range is no longer an exorbitant "Japan-level" expense. It is the new normal in Metro Manila and many other parts of the Philippines. We are spending almost the same amount here for services or products that are often less efficient, less safe, and less world-class.

The Bad News: Japan Did Not Get Cheaper.

Let’s be brutally honest. They did not suddenly lower its cost of living for us. Sobrang tumaas lang ang cost of living natin sa Pinas.

We are now paying near-Japan prices using an income anchored by a weakening Philippine Peso. This is a clear symptom of alarming local inflation and a deeply eroded purchasing power.

I also traveled to other Asian countries this year (Vietnam, Malaysia, China) and saw the same trend: the cost of hotels, food, transportation, and shopping items are now significantly lower in those and in most Asian countries than in key cities and tourist destinations in the Philippines.

Few months ago, we stayed in a huge, luxurious suite good for a family of 4 at the 79th floor of the tallest tower in one of the tourist destinations in China. The rate was just about ₱6,000 per night for that beautiful suite inclusive of sumptuous buffet breakfast for 4. Napanganga na lang ako. Per our experience, something similar to that here in the Philippines ranges between ₱30,000 and ₱80,000 per night depending on the location.

No wonder the number of tourists visiting us is declining the past few years and many Filipinos would rather travel abroad. Maiiyak ka na lang talaga kung paano na tayo napag-iwanan.

Our biggest draw for tourism used to be our incredible affordability—our ability to offer beautiful destinations at a fraction of the cost. Dtan tuwang tuwa noon ang mga turista sa atin. We were the land of value. Now, that competitive edge is gone. If a tourist can spend roughly the same amount of money in Manila as they can in Tokyo, a city with unparalleled infrastructure, discipline, and efficiency... Why would they choose us?

No matter how our government officials deny it, the deeply unsettling truth about our economy is this: We are now priced out of our own former advantage. Our cost of living has skyrocketed to First-World prices, while our wages and services haven't leveled up.

When the cost of living in the Philippines starts to feel like a vacation in Japan, who is truly paying the price? And what future are we inadvertently building when our struggle for daily survival is priced like a luxury trip abroad?

This is more than just a travel observation; it's a call for urgent economic discussion and prompt action.

I want to hear from you: Have you experienced this economic shift in your travels or even in your daily life?

What specific policy or change do you think our government should immediately implement to stabilize the cost of living and restore our country's economic competitive advantage?

BINGO, unfortunately it doesnt end with the tourists.   Other than our lovely wives, what is better, cheaper here than any of the neighboring countries...  came back and deleted the rest.  Suffice to say, my wife and I cant wait to get our son out of here

Edited December 7, 2025 by craftbeerlover

[scott h]

3 hours ago, craftbeerlover said:

came back and deleted the rest

I hear ya craft..........If I had a child, I doubt we would have moved here. There are a lot of nicer, cheaper places in Asia and the rest of the world where folks like me can retire.

BUT, in my case, it is cheaper than Southern California

AND

The wife is happy........................I know where my priority lies (and my safety )

[JJReyes]

We booked a cruise from Yokohama, Japan to Los Angeles through Alaska, Canada and Oregon with Los Angeles as the final destination.  This is for April 2026.  While checking for hotels in Yokohama, I was shocked by prices ranging from $80 to $125 per night.  These are high rise buildings with familiar brands names.  My initial thinking was to stay just one night.  Now it might be 1 to 2 weeks before the cruise.

Top Makati hotels after Christmas are priced online at around $180 per night with taxes.  We are hoping to get an additional discount for stays of 30 nights or more by booking directly with the property.  It's my understanding promotional prices are being offered due to low occupancy.  

[starrt]

The cost of domestic air fare is also an issue, not only here but in other countries also.

It is a lot of times less expensive to travel internationally than to travel inside of the country.

Here is a recent artcile regarding this:

https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/12/08/news/national/senator-tulfo-urges-dot-to-cut-high-airfare-costs/2238517

As far as the cost of hotels is concerned, there are all sorts of deals online for all sorts of different levels of accomodation. It all depends on one's comfort level, and pocket book.

The same goes for meals while away. Food always costs more in hotels, no matter which country you are in. By exploring around one can usually find less expensive alternatives.

 

[scott h]

Let me bounce this one off the group.

I am beginning to think that the "long nose" tax is prevailing in the tourist industry. Instead of trying to encourage repeat customers, like in the pelenke where you try and buy something the vendor will try and charge as much as possible for a pineapple not caring if you return for another at a later date, but get the bucks now. 

[JJReyes]

14 minutes ago, scott h said:

I am beginning to think that the "long nose" tax is prevailing in the tourist industry

Unfortunately, the "long nose" staying at a hotel or visiting a public market is constantly treated as a one-time visitor.  Hard to imagine him as a permanent resident.  Even if he is a long-stay person, the default assumption is "long nose" is richer than a Filipino. 

---

[scott h]

2 minutes ago, JJReyes said:

default assumption is "long nose" is richer than a Filipino. 

My point exactly JJ. It seems that the attitude is. "let's make as much as we can NOW!" and worry about tomorrow, the day after tomorrow . Not knowing, or caring that today's tourist is media savvy. They talk to each other and read social media.

Lately I have been seeing even a lot of Filipino's saying on FB that they would rather go to other SE Asian countries than stay inside the country. These are the Filipinos with disposable income, not your tricycle drivers extended family going to a nipa hut beach resort on a day outing.

[Mike J]

40 minutes ago, scott h said:

My point exactly JJ. It seems that the attitude is. "let's make as much as we can NOW!" and worry about tomorrow, the day after tomorrow

Agree completely and it used to really 'chap my @ss'.  But you can establish a business relationship as a long nose if living in the province.  It does take time, patience, and a bit of small talk.  Once they know you live here and are not a tourist they will indeed desire to keep you as a permanent customer and price accordingly.  That is my experience here in the province anyway.

[scott h]

The old saying goes "perception is reality"..........What is really sad is the perception of the Philippines. And it is not good.

I am an avid K-Drama fan boy. That is pretty much all I watch now. On all the shows when the main characters go a romantic vacation, they go to Thailand. The show the palaces, the beaches, the waterways (clean), the street food vendors, clean streets, smiling natives. Most of the Korean idols and TV stars have U-tube channels now. Same story. Thailand, Maldives, Vietnam. 

The Philippines is also featured in quite a few K-Dramas. Never the beaches or resorts or restaurants or even casinos. It is always where the gangsters, criminals and perverts go to hide out from the law. (in fairness, every so often a character's family is in the Philippines to learn English).