As I read about Manila online I am so upset to see unjust negative reviews from people who only spent one night in the city.
Manila is my home away from home and its been great to me. Follow this guide and you'll see it as more than a 'stop over' but a place worth loving.
Getting to know Manila the MegaCity
The Capital city of the Philippines is Manila. Manila is a bayside metropolis on the island of Luzon, that is thriving as a chaotic Asian megacity. 'Manila' is an umbrella term for a collection of cities, its a city made of 16 cities. Its absolutely huge! The term Manila is commonly used to refer to the whole metropolitan area, however the official metropolitan area is called Metro Manila and includes the very large Quezon City and Makati CBD.
Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay, The Pasig River flows through the middle of the city, dividing it into the north and south sections. No stranger to hardship, this resilient city has battled through every disaster the universes could put it up against, from both humans and nature. Nevertheless it always re builds which maybe explains its architectural diversity.
It is said to be the most densely populated city in the world. If you’ve ever driven through Manila’s rush hour traffic, then you won’t argue with that. The Philippines is a developing country with few well-paying jobs in the provinces, so many Filipinos move to Manila looking for work which is part of the reason why the city has become so busy. Manila is listed as an ‘Alpha’ global city.
Many describe Manila’s grey and busy exterior as unappealing but I know otherwise, all you need to do is look further into the city, meet its locals and experience its culture, there’s no doubt you will find the jewel inside. Keep reading to find out how:
Getting from the airport into Manila
Most international flights will be landing at terminal 1 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The best ways to get to your hotel from the airport are by UBE Express Bus, Grab taxi’s, or private transfer. Personally, I would use Grab. There are metered taxis outside the airport but the queue is usually very long and it’s more expensive.
Alternatively, you can order a private transfer at the airport kiosks inside but expect to pay more.
If your hotel can arrange a private pick up then this is by far the quickest and easiest option after a long flight and worth the extra cost.
UBE Express bus:
UBE Express services passengers to and from the airport. Buses are air conditioned and have onboard wifi.
Expect to pay 150 Pesos each way. You can purchase tickets at the airport kiosks when you arrive or you can buy them in advance through the UBE Express booking website. It services all airport terminals and takes passengers to and from designated stops along several routes.
Take a look at their website for more detailed information and bus routes.
Grab:
Grab is a taxi ordering service from your smartphone, you may have heard of Uber which is the same concept. For more reasons than one, I would recommend buying a SIM card for your phone when you arrive at NAIA, having 4G data will save you lots of hassle whilst travelling. Use GLOBE or SMART for the best reception.
You can download the Grab App onto your phone and go from there to book your taxi home at a fair price. If not, then you can walk outside of the terminal and find a Grab booth to book your taxi for you, no smartphone needed.
Expect to pay between P130 and P150 if your destination is in Makati, if there is surge, it should be around P250.
A brief summary of Manila airport
NAIA stands for Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
NAIA consists of 4 terminals that are up to 4.8 km apart.
They all have free WiFi, ATMs and money changers in arrivals and departures.
NAIA has four commercial passenger terminals:
NAIA Terminal 1 accommodates most international flights. It has no domestic flights section, so if you have a connecting domestic flight, you will need to transfer to another terminal.
NAIA Terminal 2 is used exclusively by Philippine Airlines and PAL Express, for both international and domestic flights.
NAIA Terminal 3 is the biggest terminal. It accommodates both international and domestic flights from various airlines.
NAIA Terminal 4 is the smallest. It is used exclusively for domestic flights, with mostly small propellor airplanes.
Weather in Manila
Simply put, Manila has two seasons, wet and dry. Dry season typically runs from December to May while the rainy season typically runs from June to November.
March to May; are the hottest and most humid months with temperatures exceeding 40c’s (104F) and much less rainfall, these are popular months for tourists to travel to the Philippines.
July to September; are the wettest months.
December-February; are cooler and less humid, potentially making these months the best time to travel.
For more information on When to Travel to the Philippines check out my post.
Helpful information to know
Language: Tagalog is the language in Manila however, English is very widely spoken.
Religion: Predominantly Catholic
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP, ₱).
Money Exchange: Countless places to change money and ATMs to simply withdraw cash.
Electricity: 220V, 60Hz. Socket Type A. Plugs have two flat pins.
Is Manila Safe for all Tourists?
Absolutely yes! Generally speaking Filipinos are the most wonderful and kind humans in the world. I mean that. They will love to welcome you to their country. Like most cities, there is corruption, poverty and places to avoid but you are very unlikely to find yourself in these areas. Occasionally, there are non-violent crimes like pickpocketing but where in the world isn't there this risk? Just keep an eye on your things.
Don't be surprised if you are approached by beggars while walking the streets, they might be persistent but they are not dangerous. You could even buy them a bottle of water, maybe they are very thirsty in the heat?
Where to stay in Manila
So we’ve already talked about how big Manila is. So where is the best place to stay?
If I was you, I would choose Makati but more specifically the Poblacion area. Makati is very clean, well maintained and safe, also its central to the best restaurants, bars, shopping, nightlife and convenience stores with heaps of hotel options.
For a more detailed look on Where to Stay in Manila check out my blog post
How to get around Manila
Travelling on public transportation within Metro Manila is unpredictable. With the exception of outbound buses, Manila’s transportation system is highly disorganised and nothing works around a fixed, reliable schedule. If it’s your first time in Manila and you’re spending only a few days I don't recommend taking public transportation because it might eat up too much of your time and complicate your plans. In my experience, the most comfortable and convenient option is to use Grab. Lets take a look at the options you have:
Grab
I’ve already said it but i’ll say it again. Use grab. It’s an app that you download onto your smartphone, you can use your hotel wifi to book a grab but I recommend buying a SIM card with 4G or using a pocket Wifi device so that you can get back. The fare price obviously varies depending on the time of day and distance you want to travel but it's extremely cheap. I have no idea how the drivers are making money but that’s another issue. Locals rely on this app too.
Local Taxi
Purely based on price, I wouldn’t recommend using regular taxi’s. I have and do use them and they are fine, but if you can use Grab I would. Even amongst locals they don’t have the best reputation.
Yellow Taxi's are apparently safer in comparison to white, because the drivers are held more accountable. Again, I do use white taxi's and never had a problem, most Filipinos are wonderful humans.
Jeepney
The Filipino equivalent of a public bus is a jeepney (thats not actually accurate because they do have normal buses, its just a unique form of local transport). They aren’t the most comfortable because of how many people cram into them but they are a very iconic part of the culture. Jeepneys are the cheapest way to get around and it will be a memorable experience for you (and very hot).
MRT is a NO
Manila has a subway system called the MRT but I can absolutely not recommend it as a means of transport. It’s extremely cramped and the queues are horrifically long. The MRT has potential and the city definitely needs it to work but for now, you’ll have to use to roads.
Walking
Walking! I love walking around new cities, it’s a great way to understand where you are and to see more. Plus, its great for the body and mind. Only thing is, if you’re travelling between March-May temperatures can commonly reach high thirties so walking may be an exhausting & uncomfortable activity. I know this from experience.
Lets take a look at the best things to do in Manila
Tour Intramuros on a bamboo bike
Historic Intramuros is without a doubt the premier tourist attraction in Manila. Come here for a real sense of history. Established in the 1570s, Intramuros remains a colonic relic. Known as the Walled City, this 0.67 sq km walled area is separated from the rest of Manila by towering stone walls, it was once the City of Manila during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its not a museum, the streets still function today with plenty of government offices still running from here.
You can explore Intramuros on your own or by arranging a walking tour, however one of the most fun ways to experience it is on sustainable bamboo bikes made in partnership with one of the Philippines’ most respected NGOs, Gawad Kalinga. Find Intramuros on General Luna Street (also known as Calle Real del Palacio).
Drink at a rooftop bar
Whilst you're in Manila, take yourself off busy the streets and hit a watering hole in the sky. There are heaps of roofdeck bars with awesome vibes scattered around the city where you can catch the sunset behind the skyscrappers and enjoy top class cocktails.
To find out The Best Rooftop Bars in Manila, check out my post.
Eat fresh seasfood at Pasay Seafood Market
Pasay Market is a heaving market near the Mall of Asia, set along tight aisles where stalls are overstocked with shrimp, lobster, langoustine, crab, mussels and all sorts of fish from tuna to blue marlin. All fresh and caught hours before. Seafood galore!...Don't go here if you don't like seafood, yeah?
To properly experience the market, join in with locals by choosing your seafood from the stalls, then take it to the restaurants outside the market who will prepare it to your taste. It's slightly more expensive, but relatively speaking its still cheap and the spread is awesome.
Walk around Rizal Park
Rizal Park, also widely known as Luneta Park, is a historic urban park located in the heart of the capital.
Spread out over 58 hectares of lawns, ornamental gardens, ponds, paved paths and wooded areas. The main attraction is the monuments dotted around the park that hold tribute to Filipino heroes. It's an atmospheric place to take a stroll and dodge the traffic. The Park also holds great historical significance, as the place where José Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonial authorities.
National Museum of Fine Arts
The National Museum of Fine Arts is an art museum located on Padre Burgos Avenue that houses a collection of paintings and sculptures by classical Filipino artists such as Juan Luna, Félix Resurrección Hidalgo and Guillermo Tolentino. Be sure not to miss Juan Luna's "Spoliarium". Entrance to the museum is Free,
Stroll through Paco Park
Behind two layers of stone walls in the middle of bustling Manila is a quiet cemetery built in 1807 by the Dominicans during the Spanish colonial period. Paco Park was originally designed to be a final resting place for the colonial elite; the inner walls of the circular garden still houses the marble crypt markers that bear their family names. Today its a beautiful recreational garden, popular for weddings and lazy days. Find the park on General Luna Street and at the east end of Padre Faura Street in Paco.
Spend your morning at a weekend market
My favourite thing to do in Manila is spend my Saturday and Sunday mornings at the market. They host a collection of all things wonderful including both local and international produce, handmade, organic, cooked, homemade and all sorts. From food to plants to drinks to sugar free peanut butter. There's so many goodies. They also have a seating area in the centre so you choose your cuisine and devour it on the spot. Starting early in the morning, around 7am and finishing around 2pm. Another great thing about these markets is their 0 tolerance to single use plastic and although its a working progress with some vendors, mostly all of the stalls are using biodegradable bags and reusable glass.
- Legazpi Sunday Market
Located at Legazpi Car Park inside Legazi village. This is the biggest weekend food market in Metro Manila, earning its reputation as one of the best markets in Manila for its abundance of choice. The markets tagline is “Eat, Shop and Mingle”, love it!
Choose from a diversity of foods from regional dishes, Filipino favourites, asian cuisine, middle eastern, american, spanish, french, literally everything. Noodles and churros and vegan ice cream and kombucha and of course fresh vegetables.
It sounds like it’s just food? Wrong. You’ll also browse through clothes, handicrafts, plants and accessories and more. The markets exudes neighborly ambiance, people bond over food and children play in the park.
- Salcedo Saturday Market
Located in Salcedo village, this market is slightly smaller than legazpi market with less handicrafts but still the exact same homey vibe. Great for the foodies out there (me), expect to find authentic Thai, turkish pastries, vegan cheese and more. I love trying all the free tasters as I walk around, don’t judge me because I know you’ll do the same.
Who doesn't love Shopping?
If Filipino's know one thing its air-conditioned shopping malls.
If you want everything in one place then in Makati, amongst the skyscrapers there is network of shopping centres all interconnected by raised walkways, as a first-timer you're likely to loose your sense of direction and time.
Head to Glorietta in Makati which has a confusing layout made up of a central section and side halls numbered 1–5.
Across the other side of Makati Avenue is Greenbelt park, a pretty landscaped space with a dome shaped Chapel in the centre called Santo Niño de Paz Chapel. Keep walking through the park and you'll reach Greenbelt shopping centre, another mall that is divided into numbered halls, just go get lost in the shops. On the North side is Ayala Museum too.
The biggest shopping centre in Manila is the SM Mall of Asia at Manila Bay. There are also other SM malls around Manila including one next to Glorietta in Makati. For more high end shopping look for Fort Bonafacio and Greenbelt. Lastly, Greenhills is where you'll find all the fakes and bargins.
Sunset walk at Manila bay
Manila bay is host to stunning sunsets and panoramic views of the South China Sea. Honestly, I feel as if Manila bay is just past its peak and its beauty has been disturbed by concrete and civilisation. However, to catch the sunset, head on up to the second floor in the Mall of Asia, around 5 PM and follow directions to Seaside Boulevard. Here you can choose from the row of al fresco restaurants facing Manila Bay. It's a nice place to watch the sun go down over the water with a light breeze, plus it is usually quieter than bars in the city.
Take a look at my other posts on MANILA:
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