​My Greatest Travel Achievement as Filipino Solo Backpacker

Traveling Alone on Budget DIY Itinerary as Philippine passport holder only (2010-2024)

How Challenging to have a Philippine Passport as Pinoy Solo Backpacker

Pinoy Backpacker's shared Experience with Immigration Officers

Visa on Arrival / E-Visa Countries for Philippine Passport Holders

"Live a life to inspire, live a life with a sense of accomplishment, live a life you will remember" - Mang Andoy

​Despite the weakness of the Philippine passport (having only less than 70 countries that provide free visa/visa on arrival privilege) and challenging visa application, immigration, profiling and interrogation all throughout the journey (especially in NAIA Terminals), I managed to accomplish the following successfully and beyond what I anticipated. #livealifeyouwillremember

01. 2013 - First Europe get-away (23 Days Solo Autumn Experience in Central Europe, 9 countries visited) then to the Promised Land of Israel (including Bethlehem of Palestine) coming from the Arab country in the Middle East.

02. 2014 - Hopping to three continents (Asia, Europe and Africa) with hiking to Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa's highest mountain and one of the 7 Summits) and Self-guided Hike to Mt. Fuji (Japan's highest mountain). 

03. 2015 - Winter Trans-Mongolia Train Ride from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing, experienced the coldest capital city of the World at around -25'C.

04. 2015 - Second Europe get-away (23 Days Solo Summer Adventures in Central, Southern and Northern Europe, 14 countries visited) where I completely visited all the 8 countries of Central Europe.

05. 2015 - Entered and exited Winter Iran via Persian Gulf Ferry cruise as my last trip from working in Kuwait

​My Greatest Travel Achievement as Filipino Solo Backpacker

Continent: Grandeur of South America (all 12 Countries visited)

exploring the world's best tourist spots on a Filipino-style budget backpacking

To achieve greatness, one must first dream of it. - Simon Bolivar, "George Washington" of Latin America.

"Be Brave, Take Risks. Nothing can substitute Experience." - Paulo Coelho

My First Continent with Countries All Visited as a Budget DIY Pinoy Solo Backpacker - Philippine Passport Holder only.

The Quest to visit all 12 Countries of South America is now completed (2018-2024).

My journey to this Beautiful Continent is now signing off. Timog Amerika, pinapalaya na kita.

Muchos Gracias Sur America. #livealifeyouwillremember #southamerica

#brazil #argentina #uruguay #chile #colombia #bolivia #paraguay #peru #ecuador #guyana #suriname #venezuela #philippines #pinoy #travel #backpacker #pilipinas #spanish #latinamerica

Philippine passport holders are VISA FEE WAIVED - VISA ON ARRIVAL:

Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Guyana, Suriname

Philippine passport holders need to APPLY BEFORE ARRIVAL:

Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Ecuador, Venezuela

My Remarks based on my experience traveling to these awesome 12 countries;

I wanna go back - Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela. Chile

Enough of one-time visit - Guyana, Suriname, Paraguay, Uruguay

Hardest visa to apply - Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile

Easy public transport - mostly I think (Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Argentina)

Hardest public transport - Suriname, Guyana

Best food - All Spanish-speaking countries (I think they offer the same sets of menus, cheaper also)

Did I study their language before traveling - NO, just offline Google translate and I learned Spanish Numbers through Bingo game when I was young. 

Scariest Experience - Venezuela Police checkpoint during 17-hour overnight bus trip due to language barrier, lost around $130 for robbery/bribery plus whole body frisking.

Memorable Adventure - traveled to most of these countries during the pandemic for 7 months (PCR tests, travel requirements, cross-border restriction, Philippine passport weakness, flight availability, lockdown, tourist landmark closure, limited public transport, etc).

Any Surprising Observation - Venezuela has better public transportation (Caracas has 7 lines of metro subway and 2 carousel bus lines) than the Philippines and other South American countries. The huge inflation reported by Mainstream Media is not even felt as most of the expenses I made (transportation, food, hotel, basic goods) are the same comparable to other South American countries. Yes, it's safe as a Solo Backpacker like traveling to other South American countries. 

Other remarks - If flying from MNL, flights are very expensive and usually transit to US airports which requires a US visitor visa.

Interesting Facts about the Continent of South America;

1. There are 12 countries in South America. These are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

2. The Andes Mountains is the longest mountain range in the world. It stretches for 4,400 miles along the west coast of South America, from Chile to Venezuela. It passes through Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

3. The Amazon Forest is the largest natural rainforest forest in the world. At 2.7 million square miles, it covers 40% of South America. Its square area can fit about 40 USAs.

4. The Amazon River has the largest water volume of any river in the world. In fact, it has more water than the next seven largest rivers combined.

5. South America was named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

Continent: Grandeur of South America  (all 12 Countries visited)

COUNTRIES OF SOUTH AMERICAN CONTINENT(all visited)
1	Argentina	4	Chile	7	Guyana	9	Peru	11	Uruguay
2	Bolivia	5	Colombia	8	Paraguay	10	Suriname	12	Venezuela
3	Brazil	6	Ecuador

How to Apply for Venezuela Tourist Visa as Philippine Passport Holder

Quest to visit all Countries of South America in 2024 as Pinoy Solo Backpacker

Highlight: I applied as Filipino Solo Traveller with a Philippine passport only, with WORK FROM HOME JOB (ex-OFW, retired Engineer) and NO BUSINESS. I provided proof of enough savings, investments and insurance.

TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS:  will be given to those who wish to join the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for recreation, health, or activities that do not involve compensation or profit, such as cultural, artistic, scientific, sports, contact with companies public or private sector, or journalism for special events. 

1. Valid Passport (more than 6 months validity) - I provided a copy of the bio-page and the original passport (1 page)

2. Properly filled out application form (typewritten) - I printed out then signed (2 pages)

3. Two (2) 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm latest pictures, colored, white background, no computerized alterations (do not staple or scan picture) - I provided latest copy with a white background

4. Airline tickets with entry and exit dates - I provided unpaid booking via 3rd party booking website

5. Documents providing adequate funds to support the travel: Bank Certification, Employment Certificate, Real Estate, Commercial - I provided copies of my house title, condominium unit titles, and insurance investments, BDO online statement of account, and copy of Debit/Credit Card (6 pages) 

6. Bank Certificate reflecting three (3) months average maintaining balance must be addressed to the Consular Section of this Embassy - I provided a copy given by BDO where my savings account is deposited

7. If employed, Employment Certificate and other pertinent documents - I provided a copy of Certficate of Employment

8. If not employed or a student, an Affidavit of Support is required - N/A

9. Original and photocopy of Filipino Identification Cards, Residency, or Certificate issued by the authorities - I provided scanned copies of all government-issued IDs

10. Original Certificate of Domicile issued by the Police Station nearest to the place of residency or authority - I provided copy of the National Police Clearance

11. International Certificate against Yellow Fever, original and photocopy. Required only when traveling to another country before entering Venezuela or once within the national territory, you travel to another country that requests such vaccine and has plans of re-entry to Venezuela - I provided a copy of the yellow fever vaccine certificate

12. Personal Interview - to follow after approval of online submission

13. Visa Fee is US$50.00 (Payment is deposited in our bank account on the same day all complete documents are submitted to the Embassy)

Total No. of Document Page print submitted: 30 print-outs mostly in color pages

Note: 

• Processing of visa will take 3 to 4 working days UPON PAYMENT

• All documents must be original with photocopy

• In certain cases, additional documents may be requested

Venezuela Tourist Visa as Philippine Passport Holder (1 year multiple entry 2024-2025)

7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Summer Venezuela

My 2024's Second Trip on my quest to go beyond #lakbay100... Sep. 07 to 13, 2024

"Stay humble, and work hard every day no matter what happens." - Ronald Acuna Jr.

Venezuela is the 144th country on my journey beyond #lakbay100 Countries and my 12th country to complete all 12 countries of South America. 

2024 America Continent Trip last part ends...

Thank you VENEZUELA  (my 144th country and the last of 12 South America countries)

#livealifeyouwillremember #solobackpacker #pinoytraveller #pinoy #solotravel #travel #america #takbo #southamerica #venezuela #caracas #merida

Venezuela is home to the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls and the second-longest river in South America, the Orinoco. It also has the longest coastline on the Caribbean sea. Venezuela is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter and also has vast untapped reserves of natural gas. Ecologically, Venezuela is considered among the 20 Megadiverse countries; more than 40% of its national territory is covered by protected areas.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Venezuela

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VENEZUELA

timezone - UTC -0400H   capital - Caracas    language - Spanish    currency - Dollar (SRD)

visa - Philippine passport holders need to apply before arrival.

1. Venezuela is home to the world’s tallest waterfall (979m).

2. Venezuela has some of the most dangerous roads in the world.

3. Venezuela has some of the largest oil reserves, yet the people are very poor.

4. There’s a place in Venezuela where there’s a storm most of the year.

5. Venezuelan culture, flag and history are linked to Gran Colombia.

7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Rainy Venezuela

Suriname Side Trip; DIY Day Tour to French Guiana's St. Laurent

My 2024's Second Trip on my quest to go beyond #lakbay100... Sep. 03 to 06, 2024

4 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Summer Suriname

French Guiana is a department of France in the Amazonia region of South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname. It is governed as an overseas province of France with same rights and privileges granted to all other French departments and benefits financially from this arrangement.

https://wikitravel.org/en/French_Guiana

Suriname Day 2: Side trip to an exciting and scary borderless adventure to French Guiana, thanks to Master @Jon for this. All Guianas visited in South America. British - Guyana (2021), Dutch - Suriname (2024), French Guiana (2024).

#livealifeyouwillremember #solobackpacker #pinoytraveller #pinoy #solotravel #travel #america #southamerica #suriname #paramaribo #guyana

Day 12: September 04 Wednesday SURINAME 2

0800H ETD Hotel; walk to bus station; breakfast 76

0930H ETD Paramaribo; bus 200

1230H ETA Albina; boat to Laurent 200

St. Laurent DIY walk tour (hot and humid) / sunken boats along Esplanade Laurent Boudin

- Transportation Camp/Museum, Main commercial street, Marche, Le Mairie, Church

1400H back to Albina; boat 200; snacks 100

1500H ETD Albina; carpool 400

1700H Paramaribo; walk to hotel; snacks 249 / Hofste appartementen 3N

TOTAL: 1,425 SRD / ₱3,420

Suriname Side Trip; DIY Day Tour to French Guiana's St. Laurent

4 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Summer Suriname

My 2024's Second Trip on my quest to go beyond #lakbay100... Sep. 03 to 06, 2024

Justitia – Pietas – Fides (“Justice – Piety – Fidelity”)

Suriname is the 143rd country on my journey beyond #lakbay100 Countries and my 11th country to visit all 12 countries of South America. 

2024 America Continent Trip 2nd part ends...

Thank you SURINAME  (my 143rd country and the 11th of 12 South America countries)

#livealifeyouwillremember #solobackpacker #pinoytraveller #pinoy #solotravel #travel #america #takbo #southamerica #suriname #paramaribo

Suriname, formerly the colony of Netherlands Guiana or Dutch Guiana, is a country in Northern South America. It has a North Atlantic Ocean coastline in the north and is surrounded by French Guiana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the west. It is the smallest independent country on the South American continent. The relatively small population lives mostly along the coast.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Suriname

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SURINAME

timezone - UTC -0300H   capital - Paramaribo    language - Dutch    currency - Dollar (SRD)

visa - Philippine passport holders can enter without a visa. Starting from July 01, 2022 travelers wishing to visit Suriname for Tourism purposes, will be required to pay the Entry Fee voucher of USD 50 to be admitted to the territory of the Republic of Suriname be paid online via VFS Global ( plus $8 service charge) and PRINTED prior to arrival.

1. Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America.

2. Suriname’s capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

3. Rainforest covers approximately 94% of the country.

4. Suriname Has Only One Cinema.

5. Nearly 50% Of Suriname’s Population Lives In Paramaribo.

4 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Summer Suriname

3 Weeks Solo Trip to American Continent (2nd Circumnavigation)

My first trip abroad as a Filipino Solo Backpacker with No Work... August 24 to September 13, 2024

Circumnavigated the World from UAE to America back to Asia (Jan. 2020)

My 113th solo backpacking trip and budget do-it-yourself (DIY) itineraries from arrival to departure. This trip served also as my nth visit back to American Continent following the 7-month America Pandemic Adventures Filipino Solo Trip (Dec. 2020 to Jun. 2021). Moreover, this trip also served as the completion of my visit to 12 countries of the Continent of South America.

3 Countries. 3 Weeks. 2nd Circumnavigation. 2024 America Continent Solo Trip successful.

Thank you CANADA , SURINAME and VENEZUELA.

#livealifeyouwillremember #solobackpacker #pinoytraveller #pinoy #solotravel #travel #america #takbo #southamerica #venezuela #caracas #merida #suriname #paramaribo #canada #vancouver #montreal #toronto 

Circumnavigation refers to the complete navigation around an entire island, continent or astronomical body (planet). My first adventure on flight Circumnavigation was last 2020 at the beginning of Pandemic (from UAE to America to Asia). On my 2nd adventure this year 2024, I started my trip from my Homeland Philippines then flight out to the easternmost part via the Pacific Ocean. From the Philippines to Japan (transit) to the United States (transit) to Canada. Then from North America down to Central and South America. From Canada to United States (transit) to Panama (transit) to Suriname to Trinidad & Tobago to Venezuela. Going back home, 

THREE WEEKS SOLO TRIP 2ND CIRCUMNAVIGATION ITINERARY 2024

Note: Philippine passport holders need to have United States, Canada, Suriname Entry fee voucher and Venezuela Tourist visa before travel

Aug. 24 Sat Flight from Manila, Philippines (UTC +0800H) to Tokyo, Japan (UTC +0900H)

Aug. 24 Sat Flight from Tokyo, Japan to San Francisco, US (UTC -0700H)

Aug. 24 Sat Flight from San Francisco, US to Vancouver, Canada (UTC -0700H)

Aug. 26 Mon Flight from Vancouver, Canada to Montreal, Canada (UTC -0400H)

Sep. 02 Mon Flight from Toronto, Canada to Panama City, Panama (UTC -0500H)

Sep. 03 Tue Flight from Panama City, Panama to Paramaribo, Suriname (UTC -0300H)

Sep. 07 Sat Flight from Paramaribo, Suriname to Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago (UTC -0400H)

Sep. 07 Sat Flight from Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago to Caracas, Venezuela (UTC -0400H)

Sep. 11 Wed Flight from Caracas, Venezuela to Istanbul, Turkey (UTC +0300H)

Sep. 12 Thu Flight from Istanbul, Turkey to Bangkok, Thailand (UTC +0700H)

Sep. 13 Fri Flight from Bangkok, Thailand to Manila, Philippines (UTC +0800H)

3 Weeks Solo Budget Trip back to the American Continent 2024 (2nd Circumnavigation)

Completed the Seven Continents of the World

Pinoy Solo Backpacker journey to complete sightseeing the Earth's Seven Continents
2010 to 2019 #lakbaySevenContinents

Completed My Personal Choice of Seven Natural Wonders of the Philippines

Sightseeing the Seven Natural Wonders of the World

Completed the Seven New Wonders (Man-Made) of the World
#lakbay100 Quest Completed (2010-June to 2019-July)

Geologically, the continents largely correspond to areas of continental crust that are found on the continental plates. A continent is defined as a large unbroken land mass completely surrounded by water. The seven continents are North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. The island groups in the Pacific are often called Oceania, scientists consider them the remains of a continent.

Lakbay Seven Continents of the World beyond #lakbay100

Lakbay Seven Continents of the World beyond #lakbay100

My Solo Major Mountain Hikes around the World

List of All Major Mountain Hikes I have done outside the Philippines, my homeland

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.” – Edward Abbey

My Mountain Hikes in the Philippines

My Great Concern as a Filipino Fun-hiker trekking around the World;

Almost all mountains I hiked around the World (be it a major / minor hike or low / high elevation, TRAIL GUIDE IS NOT REQUIRED. In addition, HIKNG THE MOUNTAINS IS FREE OF CHARGE, NO registration fee, NO guide fee, NO environmental fee, NO local fee, NO indiginous fee, etc, to be paid. 

In general, hiking abroad as a Filipino fun-hiker is very safe (to think that most of these hikes are self-guided). List below EXCLUDES more than 15 minor self-guided solo hikes.

	YEAR	MOUNTAIN	COUNTRY	CONTINENT	ELEVATION	ALT. GAIN	DISTANCE	DURATION	TYPE
1	2013	Kinabalu	Malaysia	Asia	4,095 masl	2,229 m	17 km	20 hrs	2-days
2	2013	Kilimanjaro	Tanzania	Africa	5,895 masl	950m (aver)	62 km	48 hrs	6-days
3	2013	Fuji	Japan	Asia	3,776 masl	1,776 m	13 km	12 hrs	2-days
4	2015	Kalapathar (EBC)	Nepal	Asia	5,550 masl	800 m	300 km	148 hrs	18-days
5	2016	Annapurna Circuit (ABC)	Nepal	Asia	5,416 masl	600 m	280 km	132 hrs	16-days
6	2016	Kyanjin Ri (Lantang)	Nepal	Asia	4,773 masl	500 m	70 km	52 hrs	6-days
7	2017	Jebel Shams	Oman	Asia	2,997 masl	1000 m	9 km	11 hrs	Day-Hike
8	2017	Bisoke	Rwanda	Africa	3,711 masl	1000 m	8 km	7 hrs	Day-Hike
9	2017	Ramelau	Timor Leste	Asia	2,963 masl	600 m	8 km	7 hrs	2-days
10	2018	Devil's Peak	South Africa	Africa	1,001 masl	650 m	6 km	3.5 hrs	Day-Hike
11	2018	Table Mountain	South Africa	Africa	1,085 masl	600 m	6 km	3 hrs	Day-Hike
12	2018	Ala Archa Waterfalls	Kyrgyzstan	Asia	2,665 masl	450 m	7 km	5 hrs	Day-Hike
13	2018	Corcovado (Cristo Redentor)	Brazil	South America	710 masl	400 m	7 km	4 hrs	Day-Hike
14	2018	Le Mourne	Mauritius	Africa	556 masl	500 m	5 km	4 hrs	Day-Hike
15	2019	Margalla Hills Trail 6	Pakistan	Asia	995 masl	400 m	4 km	2.5 hrs	Day-Hike
16	2019	Margalla Hills Trail 3	Pakistan	Asia	995 masl	500 m	2 km	3 hrs	Day-Hike
17	2019	Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)	Bhutan	Asia	3,050 masl	750 m	7 km	6 hrs	Day-Hike
18	2019	Laguna Torre	Argentina	South America	2,800 masl	300 m	19 km	7 hrs	Day-Hike
19	2019	Laguna delos Tres	Argentina	South America	3,150 masl	1,100 m	22 km	9 hrs	Day-Hike
20	2020	Cerro del Ajusco	Mexico	North America	3,951 masl	675 m	6 km	6 hrs	Day-Hike
21	2020	Monte Tlaloc	Mexico	North America	4,053 masl	1,186 m	24 km	9.5 hrs	Day-Hike
22	2020	Paricutin Volcano	Mexico	North America	2,774 masl	817 m	37 km	15 hrs	Day-Hike
23	2021	Tajumulco Volcano	Guatemala	North America	4,230 masl	1,250 m	15 km	9 hrs	Day-Hike
24	2021	Acatenango Volcano	Guatemala	North America	3,976 masl	1,576 m	14 km	9 hrs	Day-Hike
25	2021	Izalco Volcano	El Salvador	North America	1,950 masl	662 m	7 km	4 hrs	Day-Hike
26	2021	Colca Canyon	Peru	South America	3,287 masl	1,300 m	22 km	11 hrs	Day-Hike
27	2021	Sacred Valley	Peru	South America	3,476 masl	500 m	21 km	6 hrs	Day-Hike
28	2021	Rainbow Mountain	Peru	South America	5,036 masl	400 m	8 km	5 hrs	Day-Hike
29	2021	Machu Picchu	Peru	South America	2,430 masl	600 m	27 km	9 hrs	2-days
30	2021	Laguna Churup	Peru	South America	4,465 masl	800 m	7 km	6.5 hrs	Day-Hike
31	2021	Chimborazo Refuge	Ecuador	South America	5,200 masl	900 m	18 km	7 hrs	Day-Hike
32	2021	Tungurahua Refuge	Ecuador	South America	3,800 masl	2,010 m	23 km	11 hrs	Day-Hike
33	2021	La Casa del Arbol	Ecuador	South America	2,600 masl	750 m	9 km	6.5 hrs	Day-Hike
34	2021	Laguna Quilotoa	Ecuador	South America	3,890 masl	600 m	42 km	16 hrs	3-days
35	2021	Laguna Cuicocha	Ecuador	South America	3,512 masl	400 m	13 km	5 hrs	Day-Hike
36	2021	Rucu Pichincha	Ecuador	South America	4,696 masl	1,850 m	30 km	13 hrs	Day-Hike
37	2021	Sincholagua Volcano	Ecuador	South America	3,356 masl	1,148 m	11.5 km	5.5 hrs	Day-Hike
38	2021	Cotopaxi Refuge	Ecuador	South America	4,864 masl	664 m	5 km	3 hrs	Day-Hike
39	2021	Cerro San Luis	Ecuador	South America	4,264 masl	414 m	6 km	6 hrs	Day-Hike