←Philippines travel guide
Metro Manila, Philippines
Manila
Spanish forts, Chinatown, and Manila Bay sunsets on Luzon
CultureFood & DrinkHistory & HeritageShopping
Manila is the capital of the Philippines, a densely layered city on the western coast of Luzon where the walled colonial district of Intramuros stands alongside bustling Chinatown, Rizal Park, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Centuries of Spanish, American, and Filipino history are etched into its streets, markets, and waterfront, giving visitors an intense and rewarding introduction to the archipelago.
Check Philippines visa requirements →
Best time to visit
December to April (dry season)
Region
Metro Manila
Main airport
Manila MNL (MNL)
Discover
Top Things to Do in Manila
History
Intramuros
Intramuros, the walled city at the heart of Manila, was founded by Spanish colonisers in 1571 and remains one of the oldest intact colonial fortifications in South-East Asia, enclosed by stone ramparts and the moat of the Pasig River. Within its walls stand Fort Santiago, the San Agustin Church (the oldest stone church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right), and a network of cobbled lanes that trace the origins of the Philippine capital.
UNESCO World HeritageCulture
Baroque Churches of the Philippines
Four stone churches built across the islands during Spanish colonial rule, blending European Baroque design with local craftsmanship and materials. Their massive buttressed walls were shaped to withstand the region's frequent earthquakes, giving rise to a distinctive earthquake Baroque style.
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Manila
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
Compare fares from hundreds of airlines to find the best route in — search options are on the way.
Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Philippines
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Philippines page at Yoogo.
The Philippine peso (PHP) is the national currency, and most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops in cities accept major credit and debit cards. Smaller establishments, rural markets, and transport such as jeepneys and tricycles typically require cash, so it is advisable to carry pesos for day-to-day spending.
Many millions of tourists visit the Philippines each year and have trouble-free trips, particularly in popular destinations such as Palawan, Boracay, and Cebu. It is worth checking current government travel advisories for your nationality before departure, as some areas of Mindanao carry elevated advisories.
Within cities, jeepneys, tricycles, and ride-hailing apps such as Grab are the main options for local travel. Because the Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, inter-island journeys are made by domestic flights or by passenger ferry, with major routes served by carriers such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and ferry operators including 2GO Travel.
The dry season from November to April is generally considered the best time to visit, with December to February offering the most comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and calm seas. The wet season from June to October brings heavier rainfall and an increased risk of typhoons, though some destinations remain accessible throughout the year.
Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English are both official languages, and English is widely spoken in cities, tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, making communication straightforward for most travellers. The country also has over 170 regional languages, with Cebuano, Ilocano, and Hiligaynon among the most widely spoken outside the capital.
No vaccinations are mandatory for entry, but travellers are commonly advised to be up to date on routine jabs and to consider Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and in some cases Hepatitis B. Dengue fever is present throughout the archipelago and rises during the rainy season, so using insect repellent with DEET or picaridin is recommended throughout your stay.
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; in restaurants, a tip of around 10 per cent is customary unless a service charge is already included in the bill. Guides, hotel porters, and drivers also welcome small tips as a gesture of thanks for good service.