Is it okay to use ATMs late in the evening in Philippines or should I stick to daytime withdrawals only? I am a single woman travelling so want to be safe.
Just spent a month around Luzon and did a few evening ATM runs when needed. I always used BDO or Metrobank machines in areas with good lighting and crowds. Avoided any rural roadside ATMs after dark. Also noticed some ATMs go offline late at night so even if you find one, it might not work. My tip is to withdraw earlier in the day and keep some spare cash in case of emergencies.
I used ATMs a couple of times after dark in Dumaguete and Puerto Princesa. I made sure to use ones at Mercury Drug or in gas stations that were open 24 hours. Locals were friendly but a few warned me not to flash my wallet around. Nothing bad happened but I wouldn’t risk a late withdrawal in a quiet area. Daytime is definitely less stressful.
I did late-night withdrawals in Cebu and Makati with no issues, but only used ATMs that were attached to banks or inside big places like Ayala Mall. Used my Revolut card at BPI and UnionBank machines. Felt safe when there were security guards around. If you’re solo or unfamiliar with the area, best to do it in daylight or at least where there’s foot traffic. Some ATMs even run out of cash at night, especially before holidays or weekends.
I was in Manila and Quezon City in April and used ATMs a few times after 10 pm. I stuck to machines inside malls or 7-Eleven stores since they’re well lit and usually have guards nearby. Definitely wouldn’t recommend using standalone street ATMs at night. Even locals told me to avoid sketchy corners or machines with no cameras. For peace of mind, I started withdrawing during the day unless I was somewhere super public.
BPI ATM behind McDonalds - location is convenient and safe.
DBP ATM worked, but I wouldnt recommend using it late at night.
Withdrew 10,000 PHP at a PNB ATM-limit was just right for me.
Managed to withdraw money from a PNB ATM-no hassle. But standard fees everywhere