25 Great Gifts for Filipino Travelers In Your Life
Are you looking for gift ideas for someone who loves traveling? We’re here to help! Here’s a guide for gifts for Filipino travelers to help you decide which ones to buy, starting from essentials such as powerbanks to products that can be used in the long run.
Travel Essentials
1. Reusable travel bottle
A reusable travel bottle is a must-have for everyone. There are different reusable travel bottles you can choose from — there’s a general-purpose travel bottle, insulated travel bottles for hot or cold beverages, and a filtered travel bottle for ensuring safe drinking.
Buy an Aquaflask travel bottle.
2. Powerbank
A powerbank is the ultimate “just in case” gift.” It’s the gift that keeps on charging! Universally practical and endlessly thoughtful, it’s perfect even if your recipient already owns one. After all, who turns down a backup battery to conquer the day (or night)?
For everyday errands and commutes, opt for a sleek 10,000 mAh model — compact enough for pockets, potent enough for multiple phone top-ups. Craving adventure? Level up to 15,000 mAh or higher for multi-day trips, especially in off-grid spots where outlets are rare. Moreover, there are now mini-powerbanks that pack high capacity but still fit in the palm, making them easy to carry.
3. Multi-port charger
One of the most useful travel gifts you can buy is a multi-port charger, which can carry from 3-5 slots. It can be used to charge everything — from phones, cameras, and even ipads. This is particularly handy if you’re carrying several gadgets and your hotel room has limited ports for charging.
4. Passport holder
Isn’t it nice to have all your things organized? A passport holder is a life-long gift that can be used for storing passport and other cards.
Buy a leather passport holder.
5. High-quality luggage
Whether you’re traveling locally or internationally, a high-quality luggage is a must-have. If you’re buying for someone who travels locally, make sure to choose one that fits as a carry-on (TIP: the most common size is 22″ x 14″ x 9″). Otherwise, get one that’s fit to carry enough everything you need for a multi-week travel aboard.
Regardless of the size you choose, you shouldn’t scrimp on the quality: it should be durable to endure the handling in planes and preferably something that stands out too!
Gifts for Beach Lovers
6. Anything linen
Linen clothes the current trend, and it’s likely that they will stay in fashion for a long time. In a tropical country like the Philippines, having linen clothing that lets the skin breathe is a must! Linen tops, shorts, and coords (top with shorts or pants) are usually versatile, as they can be used at home, for trips to the mall, or OOTDs on a beach trip.
7. Malong
A malong is a traditional tube skirt worn by Filipinos. But travelers know that it’s more than just a fashion piece — a malong is a lightweight, versatile item that can be used as a coverup in the beach, towel, and blanket. There are different kinds of malongs, with the most common ones in batik design sold in Mindanao area.
8. Beachborn products
For beach lovers, buy a box of beach essentials that contain soap, shampoo bar, and hair spray to keep your tresses looking fresh despite the sun! Beachborn is a local brand that manufactures organic products sourced from local materials, so you know that you’re purchasing not just for a loved one but the environment as well.
9. Dry bag
A waterproof, roll-top sack that keeps phones, cash, and clothes safe from splashes during boat transfers and island hopping. Comes in multiple liter sizes and bright colors, and floats if it goes overboard. This is an easy, practical gift for anyone doing beach hopping or water activities.
10. Aqua shoes
Aqua shoes are a necessity when beach hopping in the Philippines and other countries in Asia. A good pair will protect your feet from rough stones and surfaces and will make your beach and snorkeling trip safe.
Buy a pair of Decathlon aqua shoes.
11. Beach chair
A portable beach chair is always nice to have. Beach chairs will help you be more comfortable and save you from having sands all over your legs. Adults will also appreciate having a seat while enjoying the beach. This item is also versatile, since you can also bring them to other nature trips and picnics.
Gifts for Eco Travelers
12. Reusable straws
Is your recipient conscious about the environment? Then they’ll appreciate a gift of reusable straws.
A single reusable straw can easily replace the use of a thousand plastic straws or more, so if you know someone is environment conscious or you would like to promote a more eco-friendly traveling lifestyle, this is a good option to consider. Best of all, they are super cheap!
You can choose between metal or bamboo straws. Buy individual straws or a complete set that comes with different-sized straws plus cleaning brushes.
13. Collapsible food container
One way to live a sustainable lifestyle is to limit your disposable items and invest on reusable ones. For backpackers and mountaineers, having your own food container is a must-have. A collapsible silicone food container is just the right item to do the job. Plus, it’s designed in a way to fit easily in your backpack.
14. HHN Reef-friendly sunscreen
A high-SPF sunscreen is a must to keep our skin from sun damage. But if you’re concerned about the impacts of sunscreen in the environment, then a regular sunscreen isn’t enough! Choose a reef-friendly sunscreen that won’t harm the corals or animals in the ocean.
One of the leading reef-friendly sunscreens is made by Human Heart Nature.
Buy this HHN sunscreen.
Gifts for Campers and Backpackers
15. Sturdy backpack
A sturdy backpack is a traveler’s bestfriend. It can be used for casual weekend getaways, outdoor hiking, or even traveling abroad. In fact, it’s a good investment for people backpacking around Southeast Asia. Choose one that fits your needs and is high quality, so you won’t have sudden problems on the road such as having broken straps.
Buy an all-around Camel Crown backpack.
16. Heavy-duty sandals
A pair of heavy-duty sandals can take you to places, from charming towns to the top of the mountains. For people who love adventuring outdoors, it’s important to invest in one that will last for a long time. Thankfully, there are local brands like Lamiran and Sandugo that offer reasonably priced, heavy-duty sandals that come in different designs.
Buy a unisex pair of Sandugo hiking sandals.
17. Action camera
Action cameras are a necessary item for those who want to capture their adventure outdoors. It’s particularly useful for watersports such as snorkeling, diving, and surfing; cycling in the city or mountains; hiking, and more. It’s also a good gift for a frequent solo traveler since it takes easy selfies.
There are budget-friendly action cameras such as SJCam, and there are more expensive brands such as GoPro for those who do not want to compromise the quality of their photos and videos.
18. 2-in-1 Travel pillow and hammock
Why bring a separate travel pillow and hammock when you can buy a 2-in-1 product? This innovative travel item is created by Hammock Republic. They offer various designs, some with an added mosquito net for overnight use.
Not only is this practical and useful, it’s also affordable.
19. Magwai towels
A Filipino-made microfiber towel from reef-safe brand Magwai, featuring ocean-inspired prints like sea turtles (pawikan) and whale sharks (butanding), created in collaboration with Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. Sand-resistant, fast-drying, and doubles as a feel-good pick since proceeds support marine conservation.
Buy this Magwai towel.
20. Travel headlamp
Anyone who’s a serious backpacker knows how important a travel headlamp is. It can be used for navigation at night in isolated islands and communities and even in times of emergencies.
Look for a headlamp that is also waterproof. Another thing you might consider is whether to buy one with batteries or rechargeable USB slot — both have pros and cons depending on how you want to use them.
Buy a rechargeable travel headlamp.
Gifts for International Jetsetters
21. Packing cubes
A lot of people swear by the usefulness of packing cubes. They make it easy to pack more stuff in your luggage for international trips and also helps in organizing your clothes. You can pack your tops, bottoms, and underwear separately and it’ll be easy to get them without making a mess.
22. Portable luggage scale
This nifty item is a useful gifts for frequent fliers. A luggage scale can be used to weigh luggages up to 50 kg. Just the thing you need so you don’t have to pay unexpected excess baggage at the airport!
23. Compression socks
Compression socks are a must-have for long international flights. They are meant to make your sitting more comfortable, by promoting circulation in your legs through application of pressure in the ankles. This is also used to help swelling post-flight.
Other Fun Gifts for Filipino travelers
24. Philippines scratch map
Scratch maps are a fun way to keep track of the places you’ve visited! You can keep a scratch map for records or hang it proudly in the wall. It will certainly be appreciated by Filipino travelers who are taking the 81 Provinces Challenge in the country.
A scratch map also makes a great gift for couples who love to travel!
Buy this OTG Philippines scratch map.
25. Gift certificates
Sometimes, the best gift is the gift of experience. As such, you might want to consider buying a gift certificate for a day-tour pass to a museum or other city attractions or a coupon that can be used in booking websites such as Airbnb.
Do you have other gift ideas for travelers you’d like to add? Let me know in the comments section!
Katherine Cortes is a work-from-home freelancer. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs). When not on the road, she stays at home with five cats.
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