Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Manila Travel Guide
To get the most out of your time in the Philippine capital, you need to know which places are the best ones to visit. This Manila travel guide can be your roadmap to the finest tourist spots in the city.
Manila travel guide: historical landmarks
One of the up and coming tourist hotspots in the country is the Plaza San Luis. The structure consists of several houses that represent the different types of residences that were prevalent during Spanish times.
A historical marker that is not to be missed when in the city is Fort Santiago. This ancient fortress took over 150 years to build, and the focal point of the Spanish defense base. After serving as a sanctuary for wounded soldiers in World War II it has now been transformed into a park. Other historical buildings are the Palacio del Gobernador, the Bonifacio Shrine and Intramuros, where Fort Santiago is located.
Manila travel guide: buildings and edifices
The city is the home of several important and historically significant churches. This includes the Manila Cathedral, which is the residence of the Archdiocese of Manila. Another one is the famed San Agustin Church, which is renowned for its Baroque style, pipe organs and the pulpit.
Besides churches, other important buildings and structures are Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine President; the Malacanang Museum, a repository of priceless works and other historical memorabilia from various time periods. The Museo Pambata (Children’s Museum) was designed especially for educating schoolchildren, while the Bahay Tsinoy showcases a varied collection of antiques, pictures and relics of the Chinese and how their presence has influenced Philippine society.
Manila travel guide: parks
A Manila travel guide would not be a comprehensive one without making mention of the various parks and gardens in the area.
Among the most renowned of the many parks here is Rizal Park. Encompassing over 50 hectares, it is the location of the Rizal Monument, where the remains of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, were interred. Another haven for tourists is Paco Park.
It is the place where various cultural performances are staged, and it is also a popular destination for weddings and other festivities. The Japanese Garden on the other hand, is not just a venue where one can appreciate a genuine garden done in the traditional Japanese style, but it is also symbolic of the partnership between the two nations.
There are a lot of areas you can visit in the Philippines, but as this Manila travel guide has shown, the capital city will remain, despite all the numerous upstart tourist spots coming out, a premiere destination for travelers and tourists.
Manila Sightseeing Guide
Sightseeing in Manila, Philippines often involves that portion of the city where the vast Luneta Park sits. Here is a Manila sightseeing guide for tips on how to make the most of a tour to the various spots in Luneta.
It is more convenient to visit Luneta Park, among the best places to see in the Philippines, by commuting and walking. This adds to the adventure and excitement of a Manila tour as this Manila sightseeing guide strongly recommends. However, if a private car is really necessary, the Quirino Grandstand has available parking spaces.
After parking at the grandstand, the first logical stop would be the Ocean Park. This is right behind the grandstand and is very popular among local families who cannot afford the trip to the Ocean Adventure in Subic in Pampanga. Being a new tour craze in Manila (and in the Philippines), a good Manila sightseeing guide would place this as number one among its suggestions.
Luneta Park has a wide variety of other good places to offer tourists and visitors. Most materials (brochures and magazines) featuring a Manila sightseeing guide recommend visiting the giant Philippine Map near Taft Avenue; the Datu Lane where busts of Filipino chieftains or datus are displayed; the giant statue of Lapu-Lapu, the chieftain in the island of Mactan, Cebu who killed Ferdinand Magellan, the Rizal Monument, and the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. These are foremost tourist spots in the Philippines.
Also highly suggested Luneta spots when consulting a good Manila sightseeing guide are the Manila Planetarium, the Rizal Amphitheater, the Tamaraw Monuments, the vast Quirino Grandstand area, and the Bay Area behind it. The Bay Area also extends form here to a portion of the Coastal Road to Cavite, passing through areas of the Children’s Museum, the US Embassy, the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Star City (for fun rides, games, and entertainment for the family), and World Trade Center of the Philippines.
There is also the National Library along Luneta’s T.M. Kalaw side and the Tourism Building. This is where groups of Filipino Martial Artists, among them renowned local masters, perform exhibitions and teach in front of the building. Foreign tourists who pass by always stop to watch the performances and even arrange tutorial lessons with the instructors. This Manila sightseeing guide recommends this tour feature in Luneta which is gaining popularity in the Philippines.
After roaming around Luneta Park as this Manila sightseeing guide suggests, tourists would have an idea of what it’s like to tour the Philippines.
Manila Restaurant Guide
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is a vibrant city with many malls and establishments to visit like restaurants. There are many restaurants in Manila where you can dine and eat with your family and friends.
1. Abe
Abe is a restaurant that offers Kapampangan dishes or meals that originated from Pampanga a province in the north of Manila. Many kapampangans are known for their culinary skills and their dishes are very tasty. Their desserts are also delicious as well. Some of their best sellers are kare-kare, fish, vegetables, peanut soup. This is a restaurant where you can try some of the Philippines’ best cuisine. The restaurant is usually packed so it is advisable to get a reservation ahead of time. Another restaurant which is just across the Abe caters to the same type of cuisine. It is called Larry’s Café and it is Abe’s partner company. This restaurant is situated on Serendra Piazza at Bonifacio High Street in Global city. You can contact them at 02-8560526. The cost of each meal is between ten dollars up to twenty dollars.
2. Cafe Juanita
This restaurant can be found in a corner in Pasig City. This is twenty minute ride from Makati without the heavy traffic. Finding the place can be adventurous because it is like discovering a hidden place. The restaurant’s design transports you back to the old time with unique and old artifacts which customers can buy for reasonable prices. They serve Filipino meals in fusion with European dishes. You can have the Filipino Bagnet which is fried pork with fermented sauce from fish and the Ratatuy which is their vesion of the popular French dish. It is situated at West Capitol Drive in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. You may get a reservation by calling their telephone at 02-632 0357. The prices range from ten dollars up to twenty dollars.
3. Cafe Ysabel
This is a restaurant designed with the theme about the long history of the Philippines. It is managed and owned by one of the Philippines’ best chef, Mr. Gene Cruz. Café Ysabel serves international dishes as well as Kapampangan dishes. They also offer several concoctions for coffee. You can taste different kinds of how to make coffee here. This restaurant is found on Guevarra Street in the corner of Claro M. Recto in San Juan City. The price of a dish starts at twenty dollars. You may visit their website on www.cafeysabel.com for more information and call them at 02- 726 9326 for reservations.
4. Heaven ‘n’ Eggs
This is a restaurant in the Eastwood in Libis, Quezon City. The offer continental food as well as Filipino dishes. They are popular for the pancakes, pasta and sandwiches they offer. You can also order the longanniza they buy from Vigan which is the Filipino version of sausage made of garlic and pork. You may call them at 02- 912 1172 for more information. The food there is priced at five dollars up to twenty dollars.
5. Razon’s of Guagua
This can be a smaller restaurant in comparison to others in this list because they only serve desserts with ice like the Filipino halo-halo. Halo-halo is the Philippine’s best dessert especially during summer. It is made with different fruits and topped with a sweet flan or ice cream. The price of the desserts starts at two dollars to five dollars each.
6. The Red Crab -
This is the best restaurant for those who love seafood. They specialize in crabs and they offer different types of dishes with the crab. They also offer a table for buffet customers who are interested to try everything on their menu. They have many branches all over the city. One of the popular branches is in Greenbelt in Makati City. The price of a dish starts at ten dollars. You may call them at 02-757 4129 for your reservation.
Food is always apart of a country’s culture. We can really experience and appreciate another country when we try the food they offer. In the Philippines there is surely one dish that you would keep asking for more.
Manila Hotel Guide
When scouting for good hotels in Manila, Philippines, there are several things tourists ought to remember always. This Manila hotel guide ought to help them with very important tips.
Prior to reaching Manila, Philippines an arrangement can be done to have oneself picked up by a shuttle vehicle (in some cases a limousine or similar posh cars) of the hotel one has made reservations in. An important Manila hotel guide reminder is make sure to have a ready safe vehicle for pick up at the airport big enough to accommodate all one’s luggage. Unless a tourist is to be picked up by family or friends, a hotel shuttle is the next best thing.
This Manila hotel guide recommends hotels and lodgings located in the Mabini, Ermita, and Malate areas. These locations are very strategic because they are near the airport and the sea port located just at the back of the Manila Hotel, the most historic in the Philippines. A lot of public transport vehicles ply the Taft Avenue route near these vicinities going north to Caloocan and south to Makati. These areas are also dotted with money changers.
Hotels in Mabini, Ermita, and Malate are mostly near restaurants and small departments stores and shops many of which are open 24 hours a day. The Ermita district, among several in the Philippines, is especially known as a lively area affording quality night life for tourists. And it’s easy going around this locality by merely walking or taking cabs from one’s hotel. And a Manila hotel guide reminder to seriously consider while going around here is keep all cash in one’s front pant pockets and take no valuables.
The long stretch of Roxas Boulevard in Manila, Philippines, running across the western tips of Malate, Ermita, and Mabini, is lined with big and world-class hotels that offer panoramic views of Manila Bay. They are also adjacent the famous Bay Walk area, the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex or CCP Complex where the Mall of Asia is, and quite accessible to Luneta Park and the US Embassy. This Manila hotel guide thinks it very pleasant for foreign tourists to have a hotel room booked here.
Finally, hotels in Manila, Philippines belong to a locality with a culture that tolerates both very formal and very casual attires; something that would help tourists relax more while on vacation and at the same time do serious business. Tourists here are either seen in shorts and rubber slippers or suits and shoes roaming around streets and hotel premises.
Makati Travel Guide
One of the most popular and advanced cities in the Philippines, Makati City plays home to numerous sightseeing spots and exciting special events. Tourists in the city are always ensured of relaxing and wonderful visit to the place for it features world-class and first-rate hospitality service providers. Additionally, people can also have an enjoyable and remarkable time with their friends and families because the city also features attractive restaurants and bars. Hence, to have a safe and worry-free travel to Makati City, Philippines, it is necessary that tourists refer to Makati travel guides to have a closer look on business establishments and activities that they can do in the area.
Tourist Attractions in Makati City, Philippines
A special section in Makati travel guides that is truly helpful for travelers is the tourist attractions section. In this part of the guides, people can have knowledge on things to do and places to visit in the city. Contrary to the knowledge of many individuals that the place is only popular for tall buildings, Makati City also features historical attractions like Guadalupe Ruins, American Cemetery and Monuments, as well as Libingan ng mga Bayani. Meanwhile, for those who are in the mood for shopping, Makati travel guides also offer knowledge on best shopping places in the city, which commonly include Glorietta, Power Plant Mall, and Greenbelt.
Hotels in Makati City, Philippines
For tourists who are new to the City of Makati, Philippines, other attractions in the place are the topnotch hotels. Most Makati travel guides feature five star and four star hotels in the area such as Makati Shangri-La Hotel, The Peninsula Manila, and Mandarin Oriental Manila. Hence, to help tourists look for best valued hotels, they can always make advance reservations at the famous Dusit Hotel Nikko, Oxford Suites Makati, and Ascott Makati. For people who are on tight budget, they can always check out the features of Makati travel guides on Makati lodges and inns like Manila Elks Lodge, Kagitingan Lodge, and Vinta Lodge.
Restaurants in Makati City, Philippines
Another attractive feature in Makati travel guides is the section wherein all the popular restaurants and bars in the place are described. The locations, menus and specialties of famous dining places such as Aveneto Pizzeria Ristorante, Bread Talk, and Almon Marina, are available in Makati travel guides, so travelers have nothing to worry about finding these restaurants. Meanwhile, for the convenience of tourists, the travel guides also feature fast food places in the city including Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Jollibee.
Makati Sightseeing Guide
Makati City is not just the heart of business and finance in the Philippines; it is also the home of some of the finest hotspots and entertainment centers in the country.
Makati sightseeing guide: religious centers
Some of the finest sights in the city are the churches and cathedrals. Among them are the Guadalupe Ruins, which was constructed in the early 1600s by the Spaniards. A contemporary of this church is the Saint Peter Church, whose main attraction is the papal tiara, symbolizing the Pope and Saint Peter himself.
Another popular religious shrine is the Sri Sri Radha Madhava which advocates the practice of yoga and meditation to attain peace of mind and wellness. It is situated in San Antonio Village and like the aforementioned churches, is very popular among local and foreign tourists.
Makati sightseeing guide: cultural sites
For those that want to experience a bit of culture, there are several places you can visit. The Ayala Museum is the repository of a vast collection of historical relics and collections from various epochs in Philippine history. The Museo ng Makati, meanwhile, is the home of artifacts and antiques that are a testament to the glorious past history of the city.
The Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center on the other hand, is the site to go to be updated on events concerning the relationship of the Philippines and the US. Since its establishment in 1945 it has also functioned as a stage for artists, local and foreign, to showcase their wares.
Makati sightseeing guide: art galleries
There are numerous art centers and exhibits that the artistically inclined can turn to. There is the Alliance Francaise Art Gallery off Gil Puyat Avenue, where the finest Filipino artists of today unveil their works of art; the Galeria Jupiter, on the other hand, features select Oriental artworks and also a varied mixture of Chinese antiques.
The Osmundo Gallery focuses mainly on the many artworks and handicraft of Filipino tribes, while the Luz Gallery concentrates its efforts on the antique works of various local artists.
Makati sightseeing guide: shopping centers
No Makati sightseeing guide will be complete without a rundown of the various malls and entertainment centers you can visit. At Ayala Center you will find an assortment of hotels, restaurants, movie houses, cultural centers and offices all around.
The main shopping malls there are Glorietta and Greenbelt. Both of these complexes host the best shopping centers in the country including SM, Landmark, Rustan’s and many more. Another popular shopping destination is Rockwell Center, which aside from the various malls and restaurants, is also known for its high rise condominium units and edifices.
What this Makati sighseeing guide has presented are just some of the places you can check out in the city. As you traverse its well maintained streets doubtless you will find more sights and sounds that will make your visit enjoyable.
Makati Restaurant Guide
Choosing a good restaurant in Makati is easy. To make it even much easier and more convenient, here is a Makati restaurant guide for diners with only a few hours to plan ahead for dining out.
For starters, dining cost can be estimated well if placed at Php 300 per person for expensive restaurants. If the budget can afford something higher, then well and good. But this Makati restaurant guide advices a budget not lower than Php 300 for a very quality dinner in a classy restaurant.
Many classy restaurants are found along Jupiter Street parallel to Gil Puyat Avenue, through the stretch of Jupiter Street also has some affordable restaurants that offer around Php 150 per person menus, and even something slightly less. These are often full-packed on weekends, so a Makati restaurant guide tip to remember is to reserve in advance, especially when eating out in groups.
The Ayala Center is another area in Makati where posh restaurants are located. Many of them are on several levels of Glorietta which provides an excellent setting for several more night-life activities before or after a good dinner. Aside from shopping, there are trade shows to see or movies to watch—this aside from being worry-free about ample car parking. So this Makati restaurant guide suggests that a thorough scouting around Glorietta for the right stylish restaurant to spend a date in be done pronto!
Of course, there is also the Greenbelt area—another Makati haven for fine dining and quality dinner menus and ambiance. The place looks super at daytime but nothing can probably compare to it when evening comes. Just one look at Greenbelt at night and people can expect what’s waiting on the dinner table in any restaurant in the area they’d choose. This Makati restaurant guide suggests trying out world-class restaurants in the vicinity.
Makati restaurants that serve buffet dinners are quite famous for their excellent cuisine options. And be ready with a budget around Php 300 to Php 400 per person. Most of them don’t charge for service, but just prepare for the value added tax. And buffet dinners in Makati restaurants are always proceeded with excellent loaded desserts so that this Makati restaurant guide advices on taking as low sugar intakes as possible during the day to make ample room for dessert after supper at these restaurants.
For really enjoyable dinners worth the expense, always opt for Makati restaurants. Seek them out in the places aforementioned in this Makati restaurant guide, now!
Makati Hotel Guide
Makati is center of commerce, trade and economy in Manila and probably the entire Philippines. Makati has the most stylish, most expensive and newest places in the entire Philippines and it is the only city where you can get all the designer labels that you need. Part of stylish living in the Philippines is also stylish sleeping and where else can you sleep in than a luxury hotel in Makati? We will introduce the best hotels with this Makati Hotel Guide to you so that you will never settle for less in Makati, Philippines.
The most popular hotel in the Philippines is also the most popular hotel in the Makati Hotel Guide, namely the Makati Shangri-La Manila. The Makati Shangri-La Manila is a five star hotel that has the best service, more than 600 rooms and many amenities such as clubs, malls and spas. This hotel is located right in the middle of Makati, Philippines and the average room price ranges at around $230.
The next hotel in our Makati Hotel Guide is the Renaissance Makati Hotel. This hotel once again reflects world class in the Philippines. This place is located along the Greenbelt shopping mall which is known for its designer labels in the Philippines. The Renaissance Makati Hotel has a total of 598 available rooms and the service is fast and good. The average room rate for this hotel is $150 and the hotel has several amenities including a pool and business area.
The Makati Hotel Guide continues with the City Garden Hotel Makati. This smaller hotel has a total of 160 rooms and the service is very good and friendly. This hotel is perfect for travelling young people who like to stay in places for a short while. You can make use of the fitness rooms or simply marvel at the sight from your bedroom window out towards the entire Makati City. Makati is the upscale district in the Philippines and the City Garden Hotel Makati reflects exactly that. The average room rate is $75 and this is a great price for its value.
The last location of the Makati Hotel Guide in the Philippines is the Oxford Suites Makati Hotel. They have a total of 232 rooms and this hotel has great views from the rooms. Although it is located in the red light district of the Philippines, it still is a good business hotel to stay in. With an average price of $65 per night you cannot complain much.
The Makati Hotel Guide concludes here, but do not hesitate to venture out to find more hotels in Makati, Philippines that you can stay in.
Intramuros: A Nostalgic Tourist Destination
Intramuros evokes a feeling of nostalgia—like, it’s good to live in the times when it was still under Spanish rule. Though built in the 16th century by Filipino slaves and their Spanish supervisors, being in this tourist destination feels like everything happened only yesterday.
This tourist destination is hedged in by districts that also have prominent niches in the history of Manila. Intramuros is bounded in the north by Pasig River and San Nicolas, San Miguel in the east, Port Area and Manila Bay in the west, and Paco and Ermita in the south. From Loton area, where the Metropolitan Theater and the Post Office are located, a jeepney (take Pier-bound via Intramuros jeepneys) or cab drive to this tourist destination is a mere 10 minutes.
Old buildings welcome the visitor in this tourist destination, just as the threshold of Intramuros in front of the Manila Cathedral. Some date back to the Spanish rule of the city, some from the Japanese time, and several more in much later times but nonetheless historical. They have survived the years through restoration works initiated by the Intramuros Administration found at the Palacio Del Gobernador, the “Malacanang Palace” of Intramuros just in front of Plaza de Roma and the Manila Cathedral.
“Ayuntamiento” or sometimes called “Casas Consistoriales” is now a booming commercial area, northeast of the Manila Cathedral. This tourist destination also has Plaza de Roma, a small park in front of the Cathedral that constantly reminds of the Vatican in Rome. Plaza San Ignacio, west of the Cathedral along Arzobispo Street is an old building facade whose ruins refresh us of the way Intramuros was a century ago. Further west is Postigo del Palacio, or guard post of the Palace, an entry in the wall from the golf course outside that still retains its Spanish Baroque architecture.
Southwest end of Anda Street is the Baluarte Plano Luneta de Sta. Isabel. This Tourist destination in Intramuros is a main fort west of the wall fortification looking out on Bonifacio Drive. It used to be a main defense point that protected the city from attacks coming from the west, that is, from Manila Bay. East of the cathedral, along Magallanes Street, is the Colegio de Sta. Rosa. Nearby are the clamshell exhibits, The ECJ Building, Hidalgo Monument, San Agustin Church and Museum, Bahay Tsinoy, and the Plaza San Luis.
Intramuros is an enclave where history has been preserved for posterity to view and treasure. It is also a tourist destination to showcase a saga of courage and perseverance.
A Visit to UST, Manila
One of the oldest learning institutions in Manila, and in the Philippines, is the University of Santo Tomas, or UST. Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal studied Medicine in this centennial university. Other heroes and some Philippine presidents also graduated here. A short trip to this historic university captures the grandeur of the past in the present setting. It traces history back in 1611.
UST, or fondly called “uste” by generations of benefactors, was built in 1611 on approval of no less than King Philip II of Spain. Named after St. Thomas Aquinas the Dominican priest, UST was first situated inside the Intramuros Wall (Manila at the time was a walled city) as a convent and seminary. It mostly offered courses in theology, philosophy, grammar, logic, the arts, and other related courses.
In 1871 it began offering Medicine and Pharmacy. Later in 1927 UST was transferred in a 220,000 square meter lot in the Sulucan Hills in Sampaloc, Manila where it now sits right at the corner of Espana (or Quezon Boulevard Extension) and Lacson Avenue (former Forbes avenue). Well, the hills are gone today and UST campus in Manila is on a flat ground clustered with old and new buildings, a hospital, and abundant trees and parks. Other courses were eventually offered. Plans are made for an upcoming UST Laguna, General Santos City, and even Sri Lanka.
The main building was built also in 1927. This historical building in Manila allegedly boasts of being one of the first earthquake-proof buildings in the Philippines and Asia. This historical building in Manila is said to sway with earthquake motion. It is styled in classic Baroque architecture, of perfect symmetry, with an interesting look-out tower in the middle.
In World War II, the conquering Japanese Army converted UST campus into a prison camp. Lots of Filipino and American soldiers were imprisoned and reportedly tormented here. It was one of many buildings damaged when Americans attacked to liberate Manila from the Japanese. After restoring this historical building in Manila, other buildings were added, like the popular UST hospital.
Today, besides having its grand history preserved in the walls of its historical building, UST Manila boasts of some 35,000 students, state-of-the-art learning and medical facilities, a modern gym, managed parks and greeneries, and other modern amenities. Its remarkable historical, scientific, and medical museums are often field trip destinations of other schools. The air of past and present grandeur can still be had in a short visit there.
