Makati travel guide

Modern Makati

Makati City is home to most of Metro Manila’s upscale residences and establishments and is considered the Philippine’s financial capital.  One of the seventeen municipalities that comprise Metro Manila, this city is an important economic and business hub of the country.  If you want a taste of cosmopolitan culture in the Philippines, this is the city to be in.  Makati City is considered the modern face of the country.

The Skylines of Makati

This city lies almost to the southeast of the metro and is bounded by Pasig River in the north, Pasig City in northeast, Pateros and Taguig City in the southeast, Pasay City in the southwest and the city of Manila in the northwest.  Due to its strategic location, you can get to Makati City through some of the major roads in the metro like the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue or EDSA and the South Luzon Expressway or SLEX.  

The city’s trademark is its skyline, which is one of the most imposing views of Metro Manila.  These skylines form the heart of the city which is called the Central Business District or CBD where you can find offices and headquarters of companies in the Philippines.     

At The Hub

In the center of the city there are views of modern skyscrapers that make up its spectacular skylines.  The Central Business District is Makati’s financial resource and is home to the tallest building in the country which is the Philippine Bank of Communications Tower, also known as the PBCom Tower along Ayala Avenue.  Another significant building in Makati City is one of the trading floors of the Philippine Stock Exchange which is also located in Ayala Avenue.  The oldest bank of the country, the Bank of the Philippine Islands or BPI, also has its headquarters here, which you can find at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.  The Korean and Swiss embassies can also be found in this city.

This district is where you will find worldwide offices of some of the leading global brands in information technology, finance, business process outsourcing and manufacturing.

Shoppers Haven

For some upscale shopping this city satisfies the urban shopper who wants nothing but the best that fashion has to offer.  Two of the major shopping havens of Makati are the Ayala Center and the Rockwell Center.

The Ayala Center is accessible through EDSA and Ayala Avenue.  This shopping center is comprised of two popular shopping malls, Glorietta and Greenbelt.   Aside from great places to shop and stroll around, this area is home to five-star residences conveniently located next to the shopping area.

The Rockwell Center is a first rate shopping center and features the popular Powerplant Mall.  This area is surrounded by high-class residential condominiums and residences that are prominent among expatriates.

Makati has other shopping destinations for the skilled bargain hunters.  Some of these destinations are the Cash and Carry Supermarket along the SLEX and if you’re near the Pasong Tamo Road area, you can check out the Waltermart Mall and next to it is the Makati Cinema Square.