Dress Code

Visitors are expected to dress and behave conservatively especially when visiting Muslim and Catholic shrines so as not to offend. Dress for the weather which is often humid. It is generally accepted to go everywhere in casual wear – light blouses and skirts or slacks for women and collared shirts and slacks for men.

Swimsuits, shorts, sleeveless shirts, sandals or flip flops are acceptable for the beach or nature trekking but if you are going around town, to the post office or some government offices, it is safer to go in casual attire or you may be refused entry or service.

Most bars or restaurants don’t really have a dress code but don’t go dressed sloppily either. Zamboangueños tend to dress up a bit when going out at night at some of the more upscale rendezvous.

If you are expected to attend any formal occasion, you can never really overdress. For evening wear, women can come in just all black. Men can find a wonderful substitute for coat and tie with a barong tagalog, the Filipino embroidered formal shirt.