Manila Travel Guide | Essential Travel Tips

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a melting pot of different cultures. Composed of 16 individual cities, the capital is among the world’s most densely populated cities. The bustling city life stretches through the Manila bay. With all the sights and sounds that you can experience in Manila, this Manila travel guide should be a handy resource for your next visit to the capital.

Discover the beauty of Manila with our hassle-free Manila travel guide.

When traveling to an unfamiliar place, it is important that you have some sort of travel guide or travel itinerary. With this, you can effectively budget your time and expenses, and be able to anticipate anything that could go wrong. When you travel to Manila, for example, it is good to know beforehand what Manila is like: the culture, the people, the places to visit, and the weather. It is always a good thing to be prepared.

With our travel guide, you can enjoy your stay in Manila without having to worry about the hassle of travel. Here are some of our tips when it comes to traveling to Manila:

• Budget your expenses

Budgeting your expenses before you travel is very important when traveling to Manila. Make limits on how much you should spend on certain places. With hundreds of tourist attractions in the capital, it is easy to squander your money and end up with a little less for the next destination.

• Bring enough resources

If you are on a strict budget, make sure you bring just enough resources. Food can be a bit expensive for tourists, so if at all possible, bring snacks that will fill your tummy. Necessities such as toiletries or hygiene products should also be stocked before going on a city-wide trip. These simple necessities are more expensive in popular destinations than they are in local stores in the corner of the city.

• Hire a tour guide

If you do not know what you are getting yourself into, it is much better for you to hire a tour guide. Instead of wasting your time trying to figure out what route to take, asking the tour guide for directions is much easier and less time consuming. Do note to hire only known guides as you could get scammed if you are not careful.

• If in doubt, ask the locals

If you find yourself stuck and lost, don’t be afraid to ask the locals. The locals know the area like the palm of their hands and should be able to help out. Most Filipinos are able to understand English and you should be able to communicate with them without the need of a translator. You’ll be surprised at how fluent the locals are when it comes to English!

No matter where you are in the world, a travel guide is one of the most important things that you need to read beforehand. This will definitely save you much of your time, effort, and money.

Places to Visit in Manila

While in Manila, there is no limit to the places that you can visit. Whether you are into historical attractions, pristine parks, or just want to shop till you drop, Manila has it all. The entire family will surely enjoy the different attractions that Manila has to offer.

If you are with your special someone, you can enjoy a date in these destinations:

• Rizal Park

Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Manila. The monument of Rizal sits right in the center of the park in honor of the country’s national hero. The family can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the park or a wholesome picnic with the whole family.

• Fort Santiago

Built in 1593, Fort Santiago, or Fuerte de Santiago in Spanish, is a defense fortress that is part of the structures of the Walled City of Intramuros. The fort was infamously known to have housed hundreds of prisoners, many of whom met their fate in the same location. The Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, was also imprisoned in Fort Santiago before his execution in 1896.

• San Agustin Church

The San Agustin Church is one of the four Baroque Churches of the Philippines. The Church is designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The church was patterned after some of the temples in Mexico. After surviving multiples invasions, burning, and pillaging, the majestic church stands tall amidst the chaos. Experience the beauty of Spanish influenced architecture when you visit the Baroque churches of the Philippines.

• Manila Ocean Park

In contrast to the historical attractions of Metro Manila, you can visit the modern theme parks such as the Manila Ocean Park. The park features hundreds of different aquatic species from all over the country. It is a modern urban resort where you can enjoy looking at different fish exhibitions, or get up close and personal with our aquatic friends.

• The Mall of Asia

The Philippines is known for its many malls, from normal sized stores, to Asia’s biggest superstore, the SM Mall of Asia. Here, you can take the family shopping and enjoy fancy restaurants featuring different cuisines all over the world. If you are looking to meet beautiful Manila women, the mall is the place to go.

• Binondo

Founded in 1594 by the Spanish Governor Luis Perez Dasmariñas, Binondo is known to be the world’s oldest Chinatown. During the Spanish era, Governor Luis opened Binondo to Chinese immigrants who converted to Catholicism. To this day, Binondo has become the hub for Chinese businessmen. If you want to try exotic Chinese foods, you can’t go wrong with Binondo.

These are some of the more famous travel destinations for your Manila travel. In a city like Manila, the good times doesn’t even have to end when the day ends, because that’s when Manila’s nightlife comes to life.

Enjoy the scenic sights that makes Manila one of the most visited cities in Asia. Follow our travel guide and make your visit memorable and enjoyable.

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