GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MANILA

Metro Manila in the island of Luzon, is the capital and largest city of the Philippines, and the 4th most populous city in the World; about 24 million people. It is the country’s center of administration, business, education, diplomacy and entertainment, a huge metropolis with massive social contrasts which may even exceed those in LatinAmerica, and are reflected in the contrasts of urban landscapes.

With massive traffic jams and a reputation for insecurity relative to other Southeast Asian cities, Metro Manila is often considered to be a challenging city to explore, but in reality, the contrasts are precisely what makes the city a great destination to both most spoiled and the most adventurous travellers. As in the rest of the Philippines, expect local customs and behaviours to be different from you own, and prepare to cope with common jarring behaviors Filipinos do.

Climate

Manila has a tropical savannah climate and along with the rest of the Phillipines lies entirely within the tropics. This means that the city experiences very small seasonal variations, while humidity persists year-round (74% on average). In fact, there is only 4°C (7°F) difference between the average temperatures in January and May, the coolest and hottest month prespectively. Temperatures have never fallen below 14°C (57°F), or risen

above 38°C (100°F). The city also features a distinct wet (May-November) and dry season (December-April). Typhoons are also common from June to September.

Getting there

Metro Manila is served by two airports: the nearby Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), 8 km south of Manila in Pasay and Parañaque, is the main airport serving Metro Manila.

Things to do and see

• When it comes to parks, Luneta Parkand Intramuros are the most popular destinations. Luneta Park is home to the Rizal monument; a statue of the Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal. It is one of the most significant and most important places in Philippine history from the Spanish colonial era to the EDSA revolution.
• SeeManila Cathedralin simple words in Intramuros, it is a historic church which served 2 funerals for 2 Filipino presidents and for bishops’ funerals.
• Manila might not generally be a place to take a leisurely stroll, but it has interesting neighbourhoods that definitely deserve to be explored on foot:
  • Intramuros, the Spanish-built walled city that is the historical center of Manila; Largely destroyed during the World War II,
  • Binondois Manila’s bustling Chinatown with an unmatched festival of colours, tastes, and smells;
  • Makati’s Poblacionis the historical core of Makati, containing both Metro Manila’s Koreatown and hipster areas popular among backpackers;
  • Makati’s Ayala Centeris a large cluster of shopping malls in Metro Manila’s most important business district,
  • Bonifacio Global Cityis an ultramodern business, commercial and affluent residential district in the likes of Singapore, and likely the most pedestrian-friendly area of Metro Manila.

Metro Manila is one of Asia’s largest gambling hubs, containing no less then twenty casinos. Some of them have true Las Vegas or Macaustandard, being not only casinos but also integrated resorts, entertainment venues and luxury shopping malls. These are mostly located in the Entertainment City district of Parañaque, including the Solaire, the City of Dreams, the Okada and the future Westside City.