Manila Tours

When in Manila, Intramuros should be the first on your list of must-visit places. Inside the walled city, drop by the San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral. Another must-see church, Quiapo Church, is only a few kilometers away from Intramuros and is known for the Feast of the Black Nazarene that attracts millions of devotees yearly. Visit Binondo’s Chinatown, the oldest in the world, for a gastronomic adventure and, at the end of the day watch, one of the best sunsets along the Manila Bay at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex. Don’t miss a visit to the National Museum Complex in Manila and drop by the monument of the National Hero Jose Rizal at Rizal Park.

You can visit many churches and marvel at their architecture, and go on a food trip at Binondo’s Chinatown. Choose from its countless hole-in-the-walls, bakeries, street-side eateries, and family-style buffets, and try to find one (or more) that will happily fill your stomach. If you want to learn more about the history and culture not only of the city, but also of the Philippines as a whole, visit the National Museum that houses collections representing the art, culture, and history of the country. It has different sections to see, Fine Arts, Anthropology, Natural History, and Planetarium. Tired from exploring and want to rest for a while? Find a comfortable spot at Rizal Park or Paco Park.

The general climate in Manila is wet and dry. Wet and rainy season starts from July to October, while the dry season is between November to May. While the dry season is the preferred time to travel to Manila, keep in mind that from March to May, the summer heat can get a little too sweltering. Since summer temperatures can get as high as 38°C, this is understandably the peak season for beaches and resorts, despite the cranked-up rates. It's best to check weather forecasts for your destinations when planning the trip. If you prefer a colder season with only scattered rain showers, months December to March is ideal. The caveat is that December is a busy time for Filipinos who love Christmas; the same can be said about Holy Week, which may fall on either March or April.

If you’re planning to explore just Manila, which is different from the Metro Manila region, a day or two is enough. For the rest of the cities in Metro Manila, you’ll probably need more than a week, considering the time you’ll be stuck in traffic.

The City of Manila is bordered by other Metro Manila cities Pasay, Makati, Quezon City, Caloocan, Mandaluyong, and San Juan. The Metro Manila region itself is close to the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan. 

For those who want a one-of-a-kind experience, jeepneys and tricycles are a must-try. Locals prefer riding the faster Manila Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) that also has stations in other cities. If you want to be more comfortable, Grab is also available, or take a cab. More adventurous travelers can try Angkas, which is quite like Grab but with a motorcycle and a lot faster and cheaper.

Like other urban jungles, Manila is riddled with petty theft, so avoid wearing flashy jewelry and keep your valuables close to you at all times. Unfortunately, taxi scams at the airport are prevalent, with drivers unjustifiably racking up the prices or not using a taxi meter. To be on the safe side, use only the airport’s official taxis, or book a Grab. In general, be alert and avoid strangers who look shady to you.

You can drop by Intramuros, the National Museum, Binondo, and CCP complex for the Manila Bay sunset if you’re only planning a day tour.

As of 2019, there are 13,698,889 people in Manila.

Aside from the official cabs that can be found on taxi stands and booking a Grab car, there are also buses that you can take outside the airport. There’s the Airport Loop that can take you to Baclaran, Pasay Rotonda, and EDSA/Taft Avenue, as well as the Point-to-Point bus UBE Express that has only one stop.UBE has different routes including Araneta Center Cubao, Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, Ayala South Park Muntinlupa, Alabang Town Center, Starmall Alabang, Solenad 2 Nuvali, and Robinsons Tagapo. Make sure to ride one that is closest to your destination and its schedule.Car rental services are also available.

The terminal number of your flight must be specified with the ticket and other travel documents, but it understandably gets quite confusing to figure out their differences. There are four terminals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).