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Philippines

  • © Jonas Marcos B San L / age fotostock

    Manila and surrounds, Philippines

Philippines in pictures - Manila and surrounds

  • Manila and surrounds

    Once known as Maynilad (the name of a plant with white flowers which grows in the mangrove), Manila has been the capital of the Philippines since 1571. Located on the island of Luzon, the city is only 4 miles from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. However, you will need to be patient when it comes to other forms of transport here, as traffic jams are frequent! Manila is a blend of historical monuments, Asian architecture, and futuristic modernity, set in a landscape of volcanoes and tropical forests, with a huge lagoon and the Luzon (or South China) Sea. Although it does hold a few sites of interest, it would be a pity to stay in the city for the entire duration of your holiday in the Philippines. There are numerous ways of getting around the city. Taxis are available (approximately 100 pesos, or £2 per ride), as well as three over-head metro lines, the price of which varies depending on the distance you travel. Tricycles are also a popular means of transport, but they're called 'pagak' (approximately 30 pence). However, the most remarkable way of getting around is in the famous jeepneys, which are privately-owned buses that can be used by groups. There are over 150,000 of them and they are the cheapest way of getting around (12 pence for the first 3 miles) These aluminium "minibuses" are entirely handmade, except for the larger parts, which are machine-cut. All in all, they add a pleasant touch of colour to the streets of Manila!
    Discover Manila and surrounds
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In brief +

Weekly budget
£200
Flight budget
£550
Flight duration
15h 
Time difference
+6h / +7h
Visa
No
Vaccinations
No
Currency
Filipino peso
Language(s)
English,
tagalog

Philippines :

map Philippines

Destination overview

Are you looking for the eighth wonder of the world? Stop looking, it's in the Philippines. The villages of Banaue and Batad on the island of Luzon is where you'll find their famed rice terraces; a sight to behold and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is a group of 7,107 islands situated on the fringes of the 'Pacific Ring of Fire'. The country has it all; heavenly beaches, stunning underwater scenes, bustling cities, soaring mountain ranges and lush tropical jungle. Add to that a rich cultural heritage that mixes Malay, Spanish and American influences and some of the friendliest people in the world; the Philippines is a destination like no other.

pros

  •  The spontaneous kindness and hospitality of the Filipinos who are always ready to put you up if you are travelling alone.
  •  The sea depths are full of marine life and perfect for scuba-diving.

cons

  •  The noise and pollution of the larger cities can be overwhelming
  •  Domestic flights can sometimes be expensive and weigh down your budget.

Philippines Travel guide

Philippines Holidays in Philippines, All you need to know!

Our Editorial team's advice

You will need a minimum of three weeks if you really want to explore the archipelago, that is if you don't want to be rushed from island to island. Some interior connections are not always reliable (eg, bus and boat schedules can change) so it helps to be flexible; and to be flexible requires time!

The classic itinerary usually includes any of the following: north Luzon and the famous rice paddies in Banaue, the home of the (once headhunting) Ifuago tribe; the charming colonial town of Vigan, also in north Luzon; the divine beaches of Palawan, namely the archipelago of El Nido; the paradisiac party island of Boracay; the island of Bohol with its Tarsier-filled jungle and Chocolate Hills; and even Bicol's Mt Mayon (a perfectly shaped volcano) and whale shark excursions.

Then of course, there is Manila, the capital city which gets a bad rap but is actually full of interesting things to see and do if it's given a chance. While most people come to the Philippines to see the beauty of its islands and beaches, Manila is colourful, full of life and deserving of a few days on your itinerary.

And finally probably the most practical tips we can give you: Filipinos love their air conditioning, so when you take the local buses between cities always carry an extra warmth layer. A roll of toilet paper wouldn't go astray either as you won't see any in the public toilets outside of the larger hotels.

Philippines : Reasons to go

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Philippines : Places to visit

Philippines in pictures

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  • Manila and surrounds, Philippines
  • The north of Luzon, Philippines
  • Bohol, Philippines
  • Palawan, Philippines
  • Boracay, Philippines
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Philippines in pictures

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    • Peninsula Manila HotelPeninsula Manila Hotel
      Photo of Shell Bell

      Shell Bell 01/06/2010 :

      "Luxury at its finest with impeccable service in the heart of Makati"

      8/10 More...

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