Grab
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) has designated ride-hailing pickup areas; at Terminal 3 you board at the ride-hailing and taxi hub inside the parking building. Fixed app fares make it an easy choice.
Manila Travel Guide
The Philippine capital pairs the Spanish-era walled city of Intramuros with the gleaming towers of Makati and BGC. Come for giant malls, Filipino food and Manila Bay sunsets, or as a stopover before heading to islands like Boracay, Palawan or Cebu.
Korean MOFA travel advisory: Your destination: Level 2 (avoid non-essential travel)
Elsewhere in the country: Level 4 (travel ban) — some regions: L4 (travel ban): Zamboanga (Mindanao), Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi / L3: southern Palawan (south of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon), parts of Mindanao / L2: everywhere not in L1, L3 or L4 (incl. Siargao, Davao, Cagayan de Oro) / L1: Subic, Boracay, Bohol, Mactan Island in Cebu (Lapu-Lapu)
Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
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At a glance
- Currency
- PHP (₱)
- Power & plugs
- 220V · Type A/B/C
- Driving side
- Right
- Tipping
- Optional (small, for good service)
- Local language
- Filipino
- How long to stay
- 3 to 4 days
Emergency numbers
When to go
December to April is the dry season and the best time, though March to May is very hot. June to October brings typhoons and flooding, so build in buffer days. Holy Week and the Christmas season bring heavy traffic.
Monthly climate normals
Warmest: Apr (avg high 33.8°C) · Coolest: Jan (avg low 23.9°C) · Wettest: Aug (476.1 mm)
| High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29.9° | 23.9° | 19.4 |
| Feb | 30.7° | 24.3° | 21.9 |
| Mar | 32.1° | 25.3° | 21.8 |
| Apr | 33.8° | 26.7° | 23.4 |
| May | 33.6° | 27.0° | 159.1 |
| Jun | 32.8° | 26.5° | 253.3 |
| Jul | 31.5° | 25.9° | 432.3 |
| Aug | 31.0° | 25.9° | 476.1 |
| Sep | 31.2° | 25.7° | 396.4 |
| Oct | 31.4° | 25.7° | 220.6 |
| Nov | 31.3° | 25.3° | 119.9 |
| Dec | 30.3° | 24.6° | 98.5 |
Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.
Source: Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Climatological Normals · Port Area, Manila station · 1991–2020 normals —View source
Airport to the city
Yellow Airport Metered Taxi
Airport-accredited metered taxis from the official arrivals rank, with a slightly higher flag-down than regular cabs. Make sure the meter is on.
Coupon Taxi
Prepay a fixed fare by destination at the counter. No haggling, but on the pricier side.
Getting around
Grab
The safest and easiest way around Manila. Cars are scarce and pricier at rush hour and in the rain.
LRT / MRT
LRT-1 serves Intramuros and the Manila Bay side; MRT-3 runs along EDSA through Makati and Ortigas. Avoid rush hours, when trains are packed.
Jeepney
The iconic shared ride, very cheap. Routes are hard to decode, so try it for a short hop.
Regular Taxis
Easy to hail, but some drivers refuse the meter and try to haggle. Use Grab when possible.
Where to stay
Makati (incl. Poblacion)
Good for: First visit, dining and nightlife
The business district with hotels, malls and restaurants, and relatively safe. Poblacion is the bar and nightlife hub.
BGC (Bonifacio Global City)
Good for: Clean modern city, families
A walkable planned district full of shops and restaurants. No rail station, so you rely on Grab.
Pasay / Bay Area
Good for: Airport access, resort hotels
Close to the airport, with a huge bayside mall and casino resorts. Good for stopovers or early flights.
Malate / Ermita
Good for: Budget, historic sights
Near Intramuros and Rizal Park with cheaper stays. Take more care at night than in other areas.
Map of stays in Manila
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Manila in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Intramuros
The Spanish-era walled city with cobbled streets and old buildings. A kalesa (horse carriage) or bike tour makes it easy.
Intramuros · Photo: Andrew Martin / CC BY 3.0 Fort Santiago
Citadel inside Intramuros where national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned. Paid entry; go in the morning to avoid heat.
Fort Santiago · Photo: patrickroque01 / CC BY-SA 4.0 San Agustin Church
UNESCO-listed baroque church, among the oldest stone churches in the country. Be quiet during Mass.
San Agustin Church · Photo: patrickroque01 / CC BY-SA 4.0 Rizal Park & National Museum
A big central park beside the free National Museum complex (fine arts, anthropology, natural history). Officially open Monday to Sunday, but check hours and booking on the official site before you go.
Binondo (Chinatown)
One of the world's oldest Chinatowns, great for a dumpling and hopia food crawl. Watch for pickpockets.
Manila Bay Sunset
Famous red sunsets from the Baywalk or the Pasay bayside promenade. Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset.
BGC High Street
Pedestrian strip with shops, murals and restaurants, nice for an evening walk.
Tagaytay Day Trip
Cool highland town about 2 hours south, with views of Taal Volcano and lake. Known for bulalo beef-bone soup.
What to eat
Adobo
Chicken or pork braised in soy sauce and vinegar, the Filipino classic. About 150-300 PHP at local eateries.
Sinigang
Sour tamarind soup with pork or shrimp, eaten with rice.
Lechon and Sisig
Whole roast pig and sizzling chopped pork, perfect with beer. Sisig runs about 200-400 PHP.
Halo-halo
Shaved ice with beans, fruit and ube ice cream, about 100-250 PHP.
Pancit
Filipino stir-fried noodles, a must at birthdays and feasts, made with rice or wheat noodles. Easy to find at local eateries.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout 2,000 PHP - guesthouse, local eateries, rail
Mid-rangeabout 6,000 PHP - 4-star hotel, mall restaurants, Grab
Comfortabout 15,000 PHP+ (~260 USD+) - 5-star hotel, fine dining, private car tours
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Suggested itinerary
- Day 1
Intramuros and Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, the National Museum in the afternoon, then sunset and a stroll in the Manila Bay area.
- Day 2
Binondo food crawl in the morning, Makati malls in the afternoon, then the Poblacion bar scene.
- Day 3
Day trip to Tagaytay for Taal Volcano views and bulalo lunch, then BGC High Street in the evening.
- Day 4
Brunch and shopping near your hotel, then leave early for the airport to allow for traffic.
Local tips
- Arrivals and departures require registration on the official eTravel site (etravel.gov.ph). It is free and can be done within 72 hours before travel; check the official site for current details. Many fake sites charge fees, so use only the official one.
- Manila traffic is severe. Leave for the airport at least 3-4 hours before your flight and group sights by area each day.
- Bag checks and security screening at malls, hotels and rail stations are routine.
- Jeepneys, street stalls and small eateries are cash only. Carry 20, 50 and 100 PHP notes and use ATMs inside bank branches.
- Keep phones and wallets in front, avoid quiet streets at night and use Grab to get around.
- Tipping is not required, but about 5-10% is common where no service charge is added.
- Do not drink tap water. Local SIMs or eSIMs are sold at the airport.
Related articles
Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.