← Part of the Philippines money guide
Philippineschecked Jul 2026Do I need cash in the Philippines, or can I use cards?
Short answer: carry cash, and use cards only where they are taken. Here is where each works, how to handle the low ATM limits, and the one habit that saves you money.
At a glance
Currency
Peso (PHP), about 60 per dollar
Cards
Cities and malls only
Cash for
Jeepneys, markets, islands
ATMs
Low limits, about 250 peso fee
Cash, mostly. The Philippines is a cash-first country: cards work in Manila, Cebu and the tourist hubs at malls, hotels and bigger restaurants, but jeepneys, tricycles, sari-sari stores, markets, carinderias and small islands run on cash. Pull pesos from a bank ATM, but expect low limits (often 10,000 to 20,000 pesos) and a 250 peso fee each, so withdraw larger amounts less often. On any card or ATM screen, choose pesos, not dollars. Carry small bills.
Where cards work, and where they do not
In the cities and tourist hubs, Visa and Mastercard are fine at malls, hotels, department stores and bigger restaurants, with Amex less consistent. A no-foreign-fee card is worth carrying for those.
Everywhere else, plan on cash. Jeepneys, tricycles, sari-sari (corner) stores, wet markets, carinderias (local eateries), and most of the smaller islands do not take cards, and even in cities many small vendors are cash-only.
ATMs: low limits and a fee
ATMs are easy to find in cities and malls (BPI, BDO, Metrobank and others), but foreign-card withdrawals are usually capped at 10,000 to 20,000 pesos per transaction, and most banks charge a fee of about 250 pesos on top of your home bank's. To limit fees, pull larger amounts less often.
Always choose pesos if the machine offers to bill you in dollars, and take out enough before heading to remote islands, where ATMs are few and can run out of cash on weekends.
Carry small bills
Break large notes when you can, since jeepneys, tricycles, markets and small shops rarely have change for a 1,000 peso bill. Keep a stock of 20s, 50s and 100s for daily spending and tips.
For the fuller money picture, including the new tourist VAT refund and how tipping works, see the Philippines money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Is the Philippines cash or card?
Mostly cash. Cards are fine at malls, hotels and bigger restaurants in Manila, Cebu and the tourist hubs, but jeepneys, tricycles, sari-sari stores, markets, carinderias and small islands are cash-only. Carry small peso bills for daily spending, and use a card mainly in the cities. Even there, many small vendors take only cash.
How much can I withdraw from an ATM in the Philippines?
Foreign-card withdrawals are typically capped at 10,000 to 20,000 pesos per transaction, depending on the bank, and most add a fee of around 250 pesos each. To save on fees, withdraw the maximum less often rather than small amounts frequently, and always choose pesos rather than dollars when the machine asks.
Should I pay in pesos or dollars on my card in the Philippines?
Pesos. If a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in US dollars, decline: that dynamic currency conversion adds a marked-up rate. Choosing pesos lets your own bank handle the exchange more cheaply. The same goes for the withdrawal screen at an ATM.
Can I use US dollars in the Philippines?
Not for everyday spending. A few hotels and tours may take dollars, but shops, restaurants, taxis and markets expect pesos. Change dollars at a bank or authorized money changer in town, not the airport, or simply withdraw pesos from a bank ATM. Bring clean, unmarked bills if you do plan to exchange cash.
More on Philippines
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Tipping in the PhilippinesThe Philippines tips more than most of Asia, closer to the US: about 10% is customary and appreciated. The one thing to check is the service charge already on many bills. Here is what you actually owe.
- Do US citizens need a visa for the Philippines?Short answer: no visa for a normal visit, but there is a free form you must do before you fly, and scam sites try to charge for it. Here is exactly what you need.
- Getting around the Philippines: Grab and jeepneysShort answer: use Grab in the cities, carry coins and small bills for jeepneys and tricycles, and be firm about the meter with taxis. Here is how each works and what it costs.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinasthe peso and the financial system
- US State DepartmentPhilippines local conditions
Our own readCard acceptance, ATM limits and fees are our read from recent traveler reports and bank information, not a single official table, and vary by bank, so treat the figures as a planning guide. Checked July 2026.
How we checkHow every guide is researched, checked and dated