Tucked snugly in the heart of the Philippines you’ll find the city of Manila. A city rich with culture, history, and diversity, Manila spent hundreds of years as part of the Spanish Empire. In the late 1800’s a Filipino revolution took place and Manila regained its independence. That is, of course, until the United States took it over only a few years later.

Not long after World War II the city of Manila earned its independence. Located on the main Philippine Island of Luzone, the city has had a rough and tumble history leaving it, at first glance, with a rather gruff exterior. This incredible history is as full of traffic and pollution as it is of amazing people. With a little bit of planning your trip to Manila will be fun, exciting, and headache free.

Preparing for a Trip to Manila

Before you leave for Manila you’ll need to ensure your paperwork and health vaccines are in order. You will, of course, need a passport to enter the country and a visa is only required if you are visiting from a country other than Britain, Australia, Canada, or the United States. You must, however, have proof that a return flight has already been scheduled.

Checking to be sure your vaccinations are up to date is essential as well. While proving you have had a vaccination is not necessary to enter the country, cholera is very common in the Philippines. The World Health Organization strongly encourages visitors to have a typhoid vaccination and urges visitors to take precautions against Malaria as well. It is best to seek the advice of your physician regarding vaccines before traveling to Manila.

Where to Stay When Visiting Manila

There are a number of incredible hotels in the Philippines, each with a number of amenities to serve the needs of each and every guest. Hotels in Manila range from the moderate 3-star hotel (averaging $50 – $70 per night) up to the luxurious 5-star hotel (costing up to $300 or more per night).

One very popular hotel is the Dusit Thani Hotel Manila. With prices ranging from $150 to $300, the hotel is perfect for both individual and business travelers. Your stay includes a buffet breakfast, comfortably furnished rooms, and (if you choose) delectable cuisine at the hotel restaurant!

Exploring the Gastronomic Side of Manila

Everyone needs to eat, and those living in and visiting Manila are no different. Contrary to the Asian style of cooking you’ll find in another of other areas, the use of spices in Filipino cooking isn’t as widespread. If you’d like to try traditional Filipino foods we suggest finding a local restaurant in the city. If you’re afraid to try new foods, you’ll also find a ton of traditional European and American style restaurants as well.

If you are adventurous enough to try the native cuisine, be sure to look for some of these amazing dishes:

• Sinigang is a dish consisting of either meat or fish that has been prepared in a broth with a sour, yet appetizing, broth.
• Kare-kare is a dish prepared with oxtail that has been stewed in a delicious peanut sauce. It’s often served with a shrimp paste commonly referred to as bagoong.
• San Miguel is the local beer and if you enjoy liquor you should try Philippine rum as well!

There is, of course, plenty of rice and fresh fruit for those with delicate palates. You’ll enjoy seasonal mangoes, bananas, guavas, and a number of other fresh options no matter what time of year you visit.

Things to do in Manila

Whether you are visiting on business or for personal reasons you’re bound to have at least a little bit of time to explore Manila. With dozens of incredible sites to see, it’ll be difficult to pick just one or two. Just a few of our favorites include:

• Manila Cathedral – This building is actually the fifth version, taking the place of several predecessors that had been destroyed by fires, earthquakes, and war.
• National Museum of the Philippines – Artifacts and historic documents exploring the history and culture of the Philippines are on display at this incredible museum. Be sure to add this museum to your itinerary, even it’s the only historic attraction you see!
• Bahay Tsinoy – This amazing museum tells the heart-warming story of the relationship between China and the Philippines, exploring the significant impact one culture had over the other throughout history.

We’re sure you’ll have an amazing trip, no matter where in Manila you end up. Be sure to make a game plan before you arrive and your stay, whether for business or pleasure, is sure to be hassle free. Enjoy!

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