Ever wondered what you can buy with just 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 pesos in the Philippines? Well, prepare to be pleasantly surprised! The Philippines, with its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, has a lot to offer even on a budget. Whether you’re a traveler looking for a taste of local life, a savvy shopper, or just plain curious, you’ll find that a 100-peso bill can go a long way.

From indulging in mouthwatering street food to stocking up on daily essentials and even treating yourself to a bit of fun, let’s take a casual stroll through the Philippines and see just how what can you buy with 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 pesos in Philippines?

What Can You Buy With 100 Pesos in Philippines?

With 100 pesos, you can purchase various items or enjoy simple experiences in the Philippines. It can cover these basic expenses but honestly, it may not go very far for more substantial purchases or experiences in urban areas with higher living costs

  1. Street Food: You can enjoy a variety of affordable street foods like fish balls, squid balls, or kwek-kwek (quail eggs).
  2. Snacks: You can buy a few bags of chips, candies, or small snacks from a convenience store.
  3. Bakery Items: You can buy bread, pastries, or local snacks from a bakery.
  4. Street Drinks: You can enjoy local drinks like buko (coconut) juice or sago’t gulaman (a sweet drink made from tapioca pearls and gelatin).
  5. Public Transportation: You can cover short-distance travel on local transportation, such as the pedicab, jeepneys or tricycles.
  6. Basic Toiletries: You can purchase essential toiletries like soap, toothpaste, or shampoo.
  7. Local Market: You can buy a small quantity of fresh produce, vegetables, or fruits from a local market.
  8. Bottled Water: You can purchase several bottles of drinking water.
  9. Mobile Phone Load: You can top up your prepaid mobile phone plan to make calls or send text messages.

What Can You Buy With 200 Pesos in Philippines?

200 Philippine Pesos (PHP 200) is a relatively small amount of money, and the purchasing power of this amount can be limited. However, I am happy to share that you can still buy some basic items or enjoy certain inexpensive experiences in the Philippines with this amount. Here are a few things you might be able to buy or do with 200 pesos:

  1. Street Food: You can enjoy a variety of street food items like fish balls, kwek-kwek (quail eggs), or banana cue, which are often available at affordable prices.
  2. Snacks: You can purchase snacks like chips, biscuits, or a small bag of candy from a local store.
  3. Public Transportation: Depending on your location and the distance you need to travel, 200 pesos can cover several short rides on public transportation like MRT/LRT1/LRT 2, jeepneys or tricycles.
  4. Local Market: You can buy a small amount of fresh produce or vegetables from a local market.
  5. Mobile Phone Load: You can top up your prepaid mobile phone plan with 200 pesos worth of load, which can provide you with calling and texting capabilities.
  6. Basic Toiletries: You can purchase essential toiletries like soap, toothpaste, or shampoo that are most likely in sachets.
  7. Internet Cafe: Or perhaps get your wifi connection from a piso wifi box. You can spend some time at an internet cafe to browse the web or play online games. The cost of internet usage can vary depending on the location.
  8. Cheap Souvenirs: You may be able to find small, inexpensive souvenirs or trinkets in tourist areas.

What Can You Buy With 500 Pesos in Philippines?

Although the purchasing power of 500 pesos may not seem like too much from 200 pesos, your selection of what to buy has somehow widened. Here are some general examples of what you might be able to buy with 500 pesos:

  1. Street Food: You can enjoy a meal of various street foods like barbeque and other inihaw viandes, fish balls, squid balls, or kwek-kwek (quail eggs) in some areas.
  2. Fast Food: A meal at a fast-food restaurant like Jollibee or McDonald’s can cost around 100 to 200 pesos and, leaving you with some change. This is also enough to get you some decent food from Foodpanda
  3. Public Transportation: You can cover several rides on public transportation like taxis, grab car, buses or jeepneys, depending on your location and the distance you need to travel.
  4. Kids indoor playground: For 500 pesos or below, places like Kidzoona and Jollyland allow 1 kid and 1 adult some playtime in a place that’s airconditioned, sheltered with lots of toys and activities to do.
  5. Cinema: Just like kids, adults need some form of entertainment. Most tickets in moviehouses are below 500 (with complimentary popcorn)
  6. Groceries: You can purchase basic groceries like rice, vegetables, and canned goods to sustain yourself for a day.
  7. Snacks: You can buy snacks and beverages, such as chips, bottled water, or soft drinks.
  8. Market Shopping: At local markets, you can buy fresh produce, fruits, or meat for your meals.
  9. Mobile Phone Load: You can top up your prepaid mobile phone plan with 500 PHP worth of load.
  10. Small Clothing Items: You might be able to buy a few pieces of clothing, like a T-shirt or a pair of shorts, at budget clothing stores or markets.
  11. Toiletries: You can purchase essential branded toiletries like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and toilet paper (bottled ones, per se)

What Can You Buy With 1000 Pesos in Philippines?

1,000 pesos in the Philippines can cover a wider range of expenses and purchases compared to 500 pesos. However, prices for goods and services may have changed since then due to inflation and other economic factors. Nonetheless, here are some general examples of what you might be able to buy with 1000 pesos.

  1. Restaurant Dining: You can enjoy a meal at a mid-range restaurant or treat yourself to a nice dinner for two at some casual dining places. Eat-all-you-can buffets too that are under 1000 pesos per person.
  2. Groceries: You can buy a week’s worth of groceries for one person, including staples like rice, vegetables, meat, and other essential items.
  3. Clothing: You can purchase a few pieces of clothing, such as a pair of jeans, a shirt, or a dress, depending on where you shop and the brands you choose.
  4. Electronics Accessories: You might be able to buy accessories for your gadgets, like a phone case, headphones, or a charger.
  5. Transportation: You can cover several trips on public transportation, such as grab car, buses or taxis, depending on your location and the distance you need to travel.
  6. Beauty and Personal Care Products: You can buy a variety of personal care items like skincare products, cosmetics, and grooming supplies.
  7. Home Essentials: You can purchase household items such as cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils, or small appliances.
  8. Entertainment: You can buy movie tickets for a group or enjoy a night out at a local entertainment venue.
  9. Healthcare: You can cover the cost of a doctor’s consultation or buy over-the-counter medications.
  10. Mobile Phone Load: You can load your prepaid mobile phone plan for several months, depending on your usage.

What Can You Buy With 5000 Pesos in Philippines?

With 5000 pesos in the Philippines, you now have enough to start investing or maybe even start a small business. Here are some general examples :

  1. Groceries: You can purchase groceries to sustain a small family for about a month, including items like rice, vegetables, meat, canned goods, and household supplies.
  2. Restaurant Dining: You can dine out at mid-range restaurants and enjoy multiple meals for two people. You can also treat your family of four or five to eat-all-you-can buffets.
  3. Clothing: You can buy a new wardrobe of clothing, including several pairs of jeans, shirts, dresses, and shoes, depending on where you shop and the brands you choose.
  4. Electronics: You can purchase budget-friendly electronics, such as a smartphone, or a tablet depending on the specifications and brand.
  5. Home Appliances: You can buy small home appliances like a microwave, electric fan, or rice cooker.
  6. Furniture: You can purchase some basic furniture items like a sofa, dining table, or bed frame, depending on the quality and type of furniture.
  7. Travel: You can cover the expenses for a weekend getaway or a short vacation, including transportation, accommodation, and food.
  8. Education: You can pay for educational materials, courses, or workshops to enhance your skills or knowledge.
  9. Medical Expenses: You can cover the cost of a doctor’s consultation, laboratory tests, and prescription medications for minor medical concerns.
  10. Electrical and Plumbing Repairs: You can afford minor repairs or improvements in your home, such as fixing electrical or plumbing issues.
  11. Gadgets and Accessories: You can buy higher-end gadgets like a mid-range smartphone, tablet, or a gaming console.
  12. Savings or Investments: You can use a portion of the money to start a small savings account or invest in a financial product. Here’s a list of helpful guides:
  13. Business with little to no capital needed: Gone are the days when you need a large sum to start a business. Although it may seem doubtful at first, but it is possible to establish a business with just a small startup cost needed or no capital at all. Here’s a list of what we recommend:

Keep in mind that the exact items and experiences you can purchase with will depend on your personal preferences, priorities, and the cost of living in your specific location within the Philippines. Prices can vary significantly between regions, so it’s always a good idea to check local prices and shop around for the best deals when planning your expenses. Additionally, economic conditions can affect the value of your money over time.

What Can You Buy With 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 Pesos in Philippines?

By Ameena Rey-Franc

Ameena Rey-Franc is a best-selling author, sought-after keynote speaker, a graduate of the Registered Financial Planners program with a BS Accountancy degree under her belt. Her blog, The Thrifty Pinay, has been recognized as one of the top 10 best finance blogs to follow in the Philippines. With hundreds of speaking engagements nationwide, Ameena has trained Financial Literacy to employees of reputable companies such as GrabFoodPH, Insular Life, Pru Life UK, VISA, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Paypal, Fundline, Moneymax, and many more. She is known to move her audience with her well-thought-out, engaging, and easy-to-understand talks that include actionable plans. Her passion to educate has empowered thousands of Filipinos to build financial confidence, resilience, and achieve the life that they desire.

2 thoughts on “What Can You Buy With 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 Pesos in Philippines?”
  1. It is not clear for each category is it and/or. For 100 pesos, can someone do all 9, or how many from the list if not all 9? Besides that clarification, this article is just what I was looking for. Thanks.

Comments are closed.