Informational only, not legal advice. Verify with official sources before relying on this.

Know Abroad

PhilippinesPhilippines

Local Laws & Customs

Last verified August 21, 2026

Written for U.S. passport holders

Public Conduct

  • Local-government ordinances can restrict alcohol sales during elections or in specific areas ('dry' periods and zones), which vary by city and aren't always obvious to visitors in advance.

Medicines You Can't Bring

  • Bring medications in original packaging with the prescription; given how aggressively the Philippines enforces drug law generally (see below), verify any controlled or stimulant medication's status with the FDA Philippines before traveling.

Photography & Drones

  • Avoid photographing military and government facilities. Drones require registration with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for most uses, and flying near airports and government buildings is restricted.

Drugs & Alcohol

  • The legal drinking age is 18, and tourists follow the same rule as residents.
  • Possessing, using, or trafficking controlled drugs carries severe penalties up to life imprisonment, and enforcement is genuinely aggressive, a legacy of the country's intensive anti-drug campaign. Cannabis is illegal in all forms, including with a foreign medical-marijuana prescription; bringing it in can be charged as non-bailable drug trafficking, not a minor possession offense.

Carrying ID

  • Always carry a valid photo ID, a passport or driver's license, it's what you'll be asked for if you look under 18 or if stopped by police.

The Gotcha

The Philippines charging cannabis possession as non-bailable trafficking, even for a small personal amount and even with a legitimate foreign medical prescription, is a significantly harsher framework than most Americans expect from a country otherwise popular with U.S. tourists. 'Non-bailable' specifically means you can't simply post bail and wait for trial outside detention, don't bring any cannabis product here under any circumstances.

Sources

This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.