Manila, the flourishing cosmopolitan capital city of the Philippines, envelops Spanish colonial buildings blended with ultra-modern skyscrapers, making Manila seem chaotic and mega at the same time. Manila is a combination of approximately twelve cities, together forming the metropolitan city indicating that there is no dearth of sightseeing and things to do here. Manila Travel Guide ensures that travelers do not miss out on anything important and extremely exciting on their tour to the Filipino capital.
This city showcases a clear juxtaposition of expansion and stagnation. Travelers get to witness glitzing contemporary skyscrapers standing proudly next to the ghettos. Manila is a city with creative souls. From edgy art galleries to vibrant indie music, Manila is a city of dreams and artists. Places ranging from museums and forts to malls and street markets, the city has hidden experiences for every kind of traveler. One of the most underrated Asian cities, Manila is an epitome of the colorful, vibrant, and cheerful city! Not only this, the superb authentic Filipino cuisine will make you crave for so much more. Go through this Manila travel guide map and get ready to pack your bags for a fun-filled vacation to this city of charms.
Best Time To Visit Manila
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The most popular and best time to visit Manila is from the month of November till February. One can feel the touristy vibes in the atmosphere because of the peak season along with cooler winds blowing their hair. It is during these months that the whole of this city is easily accessible without any hints of humidity and sweat.
If you are a summer or monsoon person, you can definitely pay a visit from April to October with the sun beaming on top of your head. You can roam around the city, soaking in the sunny rays, enjoying the lush greens and less crowded city. If you are on a budget, traveling during offseason can be pocket-friendly as the flights and accommodations are less expensive.
Language And Currency In Manila
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Official language being English along with Tagalog makes communication in the city much easier and convenient for the travelers. The inhabitants in urban areas can speak a decent level of English that helps the foreign citizens to settle and have a hassle-free vacation with fewer language barriers.
Currency used in Manila is Philippine Peso and one will have to get the currency exchanged when traveling to the city. The best place to exchange your currency is at a licensed money changer in order to get better rates. Avoid getting the money exchanged at airports as the rate is extremely poor and not worth the value.
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5 Things To Do In Manila
Manila- the name used for either the capital city itself or the twelve other cities that are covered under the metropolitan area of the country. This ensures that the number of things that one can indulge in on their vacation to Manila is limitless. This Manila travel guide comprises of a few of the things that should be on top of your checklist.
1. Intramuros: Discover The Old-World Charm Of The City
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Once home to a few of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of Manila, Intramuros, a city within the walls, is one of the most beautiful places in the city. This is the oldest part of the city and the only remnant with an extremely rich history of Manila before the 20th century. The exquisite colonial architecture gives this city a touch and vibes of a European city away from Europe. Hop on one of the bamboo bikes and explore the city in one of the most fun ways possible.
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2. Chinatown: Take A Food Walk
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With affordable and old-fashioned eateries standing on every nook and corner of Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown, walking around and hopping from one eatery to another is a must. Either go on this gastronomical adventure on your own or be a part of a food crawl by Ivan Man Dy and not only learn about the Filipino and Chinese cuisine but also about the historical locations of the town.
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3. Yexel’s Toy House: Explore The Life Size Toys
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If you are a movie or comic buff, Yexel’s Toy House will be nothing but a paradise for you. With thousands of lifesize cartoon and comic book character action figures, this place is capable of fulfilling a few childhood dreams of the comic book fanatics out there. From life-sized Iron Man suits and a room dedicated to Star wars to characters from famous anime series to the jaw-dropping Optimus Prime- the 18-foot behemoth from Transformers can bring out the child in every visitor. This Manila travel guide will certainly help you pocket as many cherishable memories as possible, accomplishing childhood dreams being one of them.
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4. Dessert Museum: Satiate Your Sweet Tooth
The movie Charlie And The Chocolate Factory induced dreams about visiting a factory full of sweets in almost everyone. This Dessert Museum is everything and more! Housing 8 sugarlicious rooms including Candy Cane Groves, Cotton Candy Picking, Donut Hole, and many more, this dessert museum will satisfy your sweet tooth but you still won’t have enough of it.
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5. Greenhills Shopping Centre: Practice Your Bargaining Skills
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Those who love to shop better yet at the rates that don’t touch the sky, Greenhills Shopping Centre gives an opportunity for a good bargain. Home to good quality copies of original brands, this shopping center blankets every kind of product including gadgets, accessories, fashion clothing, footwear, souvenirs, and many more things.
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Accommodation In Manila
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There are a countless number of places to crash in this charming Filipino capital city. With the best travel guide to Manila, it is ensured that comfort and leisure are achieved by all kinds of travelers irrespective of their budgets. With a variety ranging from budget-friendly hostels for backpackers and old-fashioned homestays to fancy boutiques and grand luxury hotels, there are numerous options for accommodations for every kind of traveler in the city.
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Food In Manila
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The Filipino cuisine will leave you licking your fingers with your eyes closed and your palates craving for more. Filipino cuisine is packed with flavors and textures that just gives one a kick and takes them on an exciting culinary journey. Restaurants, small cafes, hawker stalls in every nook and corner, and the fine dining options available in the city makes it easier for the travelers to get a taste of the Filipino culture. Fresh Lumpia, Chicken Sotanghon,Lechon, and Sinigang are a few recommended dishes that one must try on their visit to the Philippines.
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How To Reach Manila
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The best and the quickest way to reach the charming city of Manila is by air. Many international flights connect to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport located 7km south of Manila. There are one stop flights available from Delhi and Mumbai in India including Jet Airways, Singapore Airways, AirIndia, and Thai Airways. International flights like Korean Air, Omar Air, Qatar, and many more connect other countries to the main international airport of the city.
Tips When Traveling To Manila
Manila travel guide makes sure that while you have the time of your life, you get to have hassle-free and butter smooth vacation. And to achieve that, here is a list of few things that you might want to keep in mind when traveling to the megacity Manila.
- For communicating internationally and to use the free wifi at various spots in the city, it is recommended to buy a local sim card once you land in Manila.
- Research about the currency exchange rate before traveling to the city in order to get the best rates possible.
- Along with being a metropolitan city, Manila also faces huge income inequality. And since precaution is better than cure, it is advised to leave flashy jewelry and loads of cash back at the hotel. Also, make sure about where you want to go and do not look lost.
- Do not forget to get a good bargain when shopping around in the city.
- Pack sunscreens, mosquito repellents, and sunglasses along with you.
Further Read: 8 Museums In Philippines: Digging Deeper Into History Culture & Arts!
This Manila travel guide is crafted to answer all sorts of questions that might pop up in the head of travelers when planning a holiday to the Philippines. With numerous things to do such as touring the oldest part of the city, getting closer to Filipino history, devouring scrumptious delicacies, shopping without getting it heavy on your pockets and many more, vacation to Manila will be nothing less than exciting and joyous.
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A pastry-chef turned writer, Srishti has a knack for traveling to various corners of the country and penning them down in the most justifiable manner possible. When she’s not writing you can find her petting mountain dogs and not eating cottage cheese!
