Experiences of a Manila trip, Philippines
Reviews > Oceania & Australasia > Philippines > Manila > Experiences of a Manila trip
Place
Manila is the capital of Philippines. Such a very huge city. I never seen anything like it. It has a lot to offer to every person who comes and visit the place.
The roads are huge It can fit around 3-4 cars, if I remember it rightly. There are even huge buildings with beautiful facade and architecture more of a modern style though. Traffic is quite unbelievable, long lines of vehicles going to different destinations.
Never had the chance to explore Manila and all of it. All I can say is that no wonder it became the capital of the Philippines due to it's fast development and economy.
People
The people there are much okay, when talking to them I was talking in Tagalog so that they can't recognize that I am from the province to avoid discrimination because I have heard stories from my fellow Cebuanos that they do get some discrimination but I forgot where though.
The people in Manila were quite helpful the taxi driver who dropped us in an affordable hotela and who sent us to where the embassy is. The stories I have heard were not even true maybe because I acted normal and acted as a Filipino.
Money Wise
The fare roundtrip it costs about $120-150 for both of us. It was back in Aug. 2008.
We rode a taxi which is just outside the airport and oh it was expensive, the driver told us that he don't use meter. When in Cebu drivers used meters. I thought taxis in Manila also used meters. It costs us more just to drop off from the airport to a nearby affordable hotel. Later on we rode another taxi and he had a meter which the usual in all taxis. Taxifare for the whole trip was about $50 more or less which we could have used in buying more food.
For the hotel it cost about $80-$100 for an overnight stay in a middle class hotel. The food was quite expensive there I was pretty shocked with the prices, there is quite a difference from Cebu prices on food.
Clothing was quite cheap in Manila. We had quite a bargain there in SM Mall of Asia.
Just for the trip for one day $200-$300 is the budget including airfare, taxi fares, hotel accomodation, food and a little bit of shopping.
Overall
When going to Manila for a trip it should be planned and budget should be a little bit higher in order not to be short. The people there are quite helpful and friendly as well. Taxis near the airport can be a ripped off. Just walk a little bit and ride a taxi which has a meter and it can save you a fortune.
Food was quite tasty but pricey and clothing there was remarkably cheap.
Things about Manila you may be interested in
1. May 31, 2009 Short vacation in Manila (Manila)
2. May 31, 2009 My Airplane Trip to Manila (Manila)
3. May 31, 2009 Experiences of a Manila trip (Manila)
Start from beginning | 1 - 3 Journal overview
Read about Manila in our travel-guide
My Airplane Trip to Manila
Recommended Manila Guide
Manila History
Manila in Brief Retrospect The city of Manila which is today the capital and prime city of the Philippines actually began as a Muslim settlement in the mid 16th century. Although the city today is home to the Archdiocese of Manila and is largely known for its Christian Catholic churches, cathedrals and predominant Roman Catholic population, early Manila was ruled over by three rajahs and was recognized by sultanates from other regions such as those in Brunei and Sulu. The name Manila was derived from its earliest moniker Maynilad giving reference to a flowering mangrove common to the area the Nilad. The Spanish Take-over in 1570 The... Read more »
Recent reviews for Manila
Short vacation in Manila - May 31, 2009, by ultimatetravel
It was never on plan that my husband and I are going to Manila. It was out of necessity. Since we are planning to get married at that time and we think we can process some papers here in Cebu at the Consul but however due to some... Read more »
My Airplane Trip to Manila - May 31, 2009, by ultimatetravel
We booked our flight going to Manila for a 2am flight. My husband who is really very keen on following rules, policies etc said we should be there 2 hours before our flight. So we rode a taxi going to the airport and arrived around 12... Read more »
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