Makati City Metro Manila, Philippines Travel Guide
Ride-sharing, food delivery, transparent pricing, driver tracking.
Directions, real-time traffic, travel time estimates.
Offline Tagalog pack, aids with language barriers.
Tour, activity bookings, hotel deals, discounts.
Check transactions, monitor spending.
General information, travel advisories, cultural insights.
Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, Skyscanner for research and bookings.
Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor, Reddit (r/Philippines) for reviews and tips.
Rappler or Inquirer.net for current events, weather updates, advisories.
Follow local tourism, influencers, hotels for updates and promotions.
Lonely Planet Philippines, A Popular series of travel guidebooks Philippines offer detailed info. Paper maps from hotels or airports. These are good for orienting yourself without phone battery reliance.
"Noli Me Tángere" by Jose Rizal for Philippine society insight. "CultureShock! Philippines" for cultural norms. History books provide past understanding.
Philippine Daily Inquirer or The Philippine Star for current events. Lifestyle magazines like Philippine Tatler or Esquire Philippines for trends.
Six months beyond intended stay in Philippines.
Research, apply with ample processing time.
Book early for better prices, preferred dates.
Book for Makati and day trips.
Plan attractions, activities, day trips.
Book anything requiring booking in advance.
Reconfirm all flight, hotel, and tour bookings. Pack prescription medications with documentation and a basic first aid kit. Notify bank and credit card companies of travel plans. Download essential apps like Grab and Google Maps. Print and save have digital copies of your important papers. Exchange some domestic currency or identify ATMs.
Read up on Filipino culture, history, and basic Tagalog phrases. Understand local customs and etiquette. Check local news sites for current events or advisories. Learn Tagalog with Babbel.
Ensure your home is secure. Arrange for pet care, mail collection, or house-sitting. Inform trusted family or friends of your travel plans plus schedule.
Ensuring access to your journey must-haves.
Make a digital copy of your itinerary and share it with a trusted contact at home. This provides an additional layer of safety.
Smooth transitions at the start and end of your journey.
Present passport and required documents.
Retrieve checked bags.
Exchange some currency or use ATM; purchase a local SIM card.
Locate nearest convenience store, pharmacy, and ATM near accommodation.
Stroll around your immediate surroundings.
Grab is highly recommended. UBE Express is a direct bus option to Makati.
Plan souvenir purchases throughout your trip.
For larger items, inquire about international shipping services well in advance.
The Philippines does not currently have a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund scheme for tourists.
No procedures exist for tourist VAT refunds.
International Flights: Arrive at NAIA 3-4 hours before departure.
Domestic Flights: Arrive 2-3 hours before departure. Always factor in potential heavy Metro Manila traffic.
Reconfirm your flight details and airport transfer arrangements. Repack luggage, ensuring no prohibited items are present. Keep passport and boarding pass readily accessible.
