This itinerary will cover Manila over 3 days, and is the fourth and final part of my Philippines backpacking trip. To see my previous itineraries, please check out my 6 day itinerary for El Nido, Palawan, 4 day itinerary for Coron, Palawan and 4 day itinerary for Banaue & Sagada. To see another related itinerary, please check out this alternative 1 day itinerary for Manila
Trip Summary
- Trip length and when did I go? 3 days in November 2016
- How much did it cost me? MYR 615
At A Glance
- Day 1 - Manila to Tagaytay & back. Arrival in Manila. Check-in to Tambayan Capsule Hostel in Malate. Did a day trip to Tagaytay to view the Taal volcano and Taal lake. Overnight in Malate, Manila.
- Day 2 - Manila. Half day trip to Rizal Park and Intramuros. Check-out from the hostel and transferred to Z Hostel in Makati. Overnight in Makati, Manila.
- Day 3 - Manila. Check-out from the hostel and transferred to NAIA Terminal 3 for my flight home
Itinerary Map (click to view POIs and routes)
Travel Montage
Arrival in Manila
- 11.30 pm (day before) - Arrive in Manila from Baguio (dropped off at the Victory Liner bus terminal in Pasay)
- Since no LRT or public buses run this late, I took a taxi to get to my accommodation in Malate (under 20 minutes) - 107 peso
- 12.00 am - Arrive in Malate. Check-in to Tambayan Capsule Hostel - 531 peso per night for a dorm room with breakfast. Stayed for 2 nights (total cost - 1,062 peso). Great location, about 10 minutes walk to Pedro Gil LRT station, and close to everything in Malate. The breakfast was a bit disappointing given the price, but the capsule beds were reasonably clean and comfy
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| Arriving at the Victory Liner bus terminal in Pasay |
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| In Malate the next morning |
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| Tambayan Capsule Hostel in Malate |
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| Chilling in the breakfast room inside the hostel |
Day trip to Tagaytay
- 8.00 am - Wake up
- Breakfast at the hostel - Toast & coffee (included in the room rate)
- 9.15 am - Walked from the hostel to Pedro Gil station (under 10 minutes)
- 9.30 am - Rode a local bus (with letters 'Tagaytay') from the bus stop directly under Pedro Gil station to Tagaytay - 90 peso. There are plenty of buses to Tagaytay in the mornings, getting less and less frequent as the day goes by. Aboard the bus, request to be dropped off at Starbucks in Tagaytay
- 12.00 pm - Arrive in Tagaytay (hopped off at Starbucks). Some locals I met earlier on this trip recommended me to come here and true enough, you can already get a pretty good view of the Taal volcano from here. The caldera lake within the volcano is surrounded by much larger Taal Lake, giving it the impression of a lake within a lake
- Coffee at Starbucks - Cafe latte (130 peso) & cheese cake (135 peso).
- 2.35 pm - Rode a passing jeepney (with letters 'NBI') to Mahogany market - 7 peso
- 2.45 pm - Hopped off near Mahogany market. Walked to Bulalohan, located directly above the Mahogany Beef Market to try out bulalo, a local specialty in Tagaytay
- Late lunch at Glendon Bulalo House in Bulalohan - Special bulalo (150 peso)
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| Waiting for Tagaytay bound buses at Pedro Gil station |
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| Almost three hours later from Manila, and finally I was dropped off here in Tagaytay |
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| Starbucks in Tagaytay |
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| The viewing area behind Starbucks in Tagaytay |
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| Taal volcano in the middle of Taal Lake |
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| Mahogany Beef Market in Tagaytay |
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| Bulalohan above the Mahogany Beef Market |
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| There are many shops in Bulalohan to try out bulalo, a local specialty in Tagaytay |
Back to Manila
Sightseeing around Malate
- 3.45 pm - Walked to the main road in front of Mahogany market (under 5 minutes)
- Rode a passing bus (with letters 'EDSA/Pasay') from Tagaytay to Manila - 86 peso. Didn't have to wait too long, there's a bus to Manila every 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, you can also ride a jeepney to Olivarez terminal to find buses that depart for Manila
- 6.35 pm - Arrive in Manila (hopped off at the bus station near EDSA/Taft Avenue Station)
- 6.55 pm - Rode LRT (Line 1) from EDSA station to Pedro Gil station - 15 peso
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| Waiting for my bus back to Manila from the main road in front of Mahogany Market |
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| Back in Pasay, Manila |
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| Taking the LRT back to Pedro Gil |
Sightseeing around Malate
- 7.10 pm - Hopped off at Pedro Gil station. Dinner nearby Pedro Gil station - Jollibee (99 peso)
- 8.00 pm - Walked from Pedro Gil station back to the hostel to rest for a bit (under 10 minutes)
- 9.00 pm - 11.00 pm - Sightseeing around Malate, one of Manila's more popular red light districts. There isn't much to see if you aren't the partying type
- 11.30 pm - Back to hostel
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| Back in Pedro Gil |
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| Just a bit of night life along Pedro Gil street |
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| Robinsons Place Manila in Malate |
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| Spending an evening in Malate |
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| Some of the bars and restaurants seen in Malate, curiously there are a lot of Japanese and Korean establishments here |
Rizal Park
- 8.00 am - Wake up
- Breakfast at the hostel - Toast & coffee (included in the room rate)
- Pack up and check-out from the hostel. Left my backpack at the reception counter
- 9.05 am - Walked from the hostel to Pedro Gil station (under 10 minutes)
- 9.25 am - Rode LRT (Line 1) from Pedro Gil station to United Nations station - 15 peso
- 9.30 am - Hopped off at United Nations station. Walked from the station to Rizal Park (under 5 minutes)
- 9.40 am - 11.00 am - Sightseeing around Rizal Park, visited the Sentinel of Freedom and Rizal Monument inside the park. Entrance to the park is free.
- Lunch in Cafe at the Park - Mixed rice & tea (115 peso)
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| Taking the LRT to United Nations station in the morning |
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| LRT seen zipping away from the United Nations station |
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| You can get around Rizal Park in a horse cart, however there is no need as it's small enough to go around on foot |
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| The Sentinel of Freedom statue |
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| Crossing the road to get to the other half of Rizal Park |
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| The Manila city skyline as seen from Rizal Park |
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| A beautiful pond at Rizal Park |
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| The Chinese Garden is one of many side attractions in Rizal Park, however you will need to pay a small entrance fee to enter |
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| The green, ample lawn that surrounds Rizal Monument |
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| A procession of locals paying their respects at the Rizal Monument |
Intramuros
- 11.10 am - Walked from Rizal Park to Intramuros (under 10 minutes). Not required to pay any entrance fees to enter Intramuros (except Fort Santiago)
- Intramuros is small enough to go around on foot, however you can rent bicycles or take horse carts around to cover the area more quickly
- 11.20 am - 3.00 pm - Sightseeing around Intramuros. Visited the following points of interest inside Intramuros:
- San Agustin Church. One of few UNESCO world heritage sites in Manila. Very popular with weddings, therefore keep in mind that no photography is allowed inside when mass is in session, so be sure to time your visit properly
- Manila Cathedral. One of the oldest churches and the most popular in Manila
- Fort Santiago. One of the most important historical sites in Manila, a former Spanish fort and where Jose Rizal was incarcerated before his execution. There's an entrance fee of 75 peso to enter
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| Entrance into Intramuros |
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| Department of Labor building inside Intramuros |
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| University of the City of Manila campus, directly opposite the Department of Labor building |
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| Sightings of more colonial buildings further inside Intramuros |
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| Facade of San Agustin church, one of few UNESCO world heritage sites in Manila |
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| Admiring the beautifully crafted interiors of San Agustin church |
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| Casa Manila, opposite the road from San Agustin church |
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| Manila Cathedral, a bit further inside Intramuros |
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| Inside Manila Cathedral |
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| Horse carts waiting to ferry passengers just outside Manila Cathedral |
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| Ticket booth just outside of Fort Santiago |
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| Bombed quarters inside Fort Santiago |
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| The moat area just before Fort Santiago gate |
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| Fort Santiago gate |
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| Jose Rizal's statue standing in front of the Rizal Shrine museum |
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| Looking at relics dedicated to Jose Rizal's past inside the Rizal Shrine museum |
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| Views of the Pasig river from the ramparts near Rizal Shrine |
Malate to Makati
- 3.05 pm - Exited Intramuros (via the east gate) and walked to Central station (under 20 minutes)
- 3.30 pm - Rode LRT (Line 1) back to Pedro Gil station - 15 peso
- 3.40 pm - Hopped off at Pedro Gil station. Walked from Pedro Gil station to the hostel to retrieve my backpack (under 10 minutes)
- Walked from the hostel back to Pedro Gil station (under 10 minutes)
- 4.20 pm - Rode LRT (Line 1) from Pedro Gil station to EDSA station - 15 peso
- 4.35 pm - Hopped off at EDSA station. Walked to Taft Avenue station opposite EDSA (under 5 minutes)
- 5.10 pm - Rode MRT (Line 3) from Taft Avenue station to Ayala station - 13 peso
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| Taking the LRT back to Pedro Gil from Central station |
In & Around Makati
- 5.20 pm - Hopped off at Ayala station. Walked to Glorietta/SM Mall Makati nearby (under 5 minutes)
- 5.35 pm - Walked from Glorietta/SM Mall Makati to the crossroads in front of The Peninsula Manila hotel (under 5 minutes)
- 5.50 pm - Rode a passing jeepney (any one that is heading up Makati Ave) to P. Burgos street - 7 peso
- 6.00 pm - Hopped off at P. Burgos street. Walked from the drop-off point to my accommodation in Makati (under 15 minutes)
- Check-in to Z Hostel Makati - 535 peso per night for a dorm room with breakfast (staying for 1 night). Easily the best hostel I've stayed in Manila. Some of the best views of the Makati skyline can be seen from the hostel's rooftop bar
- Drinks at Z Hostel Makati's rooftop bar - San Miguel beer (85 peso) & chicken inasal (95 peso)
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| Ayala MRT station in Makati |
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| Glorietta/SM Mall Makati |
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| The Peninsula Manila hotel |
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| The crossroads near Ayala financial district in Makati |
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| The red light district of P. Burgos street in Makati, Manila |
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| Night life in P. Burgos street |
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| More night life options at P. Burgos street |
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| Z Hostel Makati's facade |
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| The lobby area in Z Hostel Makati |
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| Enjoying a round of drinks at Z Hostel's rooftop bar |
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| View of the Makati skyline from Z Hostel's rooftop bar |
Makati to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
- 8.00 am - Wake up
- Breakfast at the hostel - Buffet breakfast (included in the room rate)
- 12.00 pm - Pack up and check-out from the hostel. Walked from the hostel to P. Burgos street to look for a jeepney that will take me back to Glorietta/SM Mall Makati in Ayala
- 12.25 pm - Rode a passing jeepney from P. Burgos street to Ayala - 7 peso
- 12.35 pm - Hopped off in Ayala (at the crossroad in front of The Peninsula Manila hotel). Walked from the drop-off point to Glorietta/SM Mall Makati (under 5 minutes)
- 12.40 pm - 3.00 pm - Sightseeing around Glorietta Mall. Had lunch there - KFC (110 peso)
- 3.05 pm - Rode MRT (Line 3) from Ayala station nearby to Taft Avenue station - 13 peso
- 3.15 pm - Hopped off at Taft Avenue station. Walked to the bus station nearby EDSA/Taft Avenue station (under 5 minutes)
- 3.45 pm - Rode airport loop bus from EDSA/Taft Avenue station to NAIA Terminal 3 - 20 peso
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| Breakfast at Z Hostel before packing up and checking out from the hostel for my flight later |
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| Back in Ayala |
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| And back in Glorietta/SM Mall Makati to take a MRT back to EDSA/Taft Avenue station |
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| Decided to spend a few hours in Glorietta/SM Mall Makati before heading off to the airport |
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| Back in EDSA/Taft Avenue station in Pasay, to ride the airport loop bus back to NAIA Terminal 3 |
In & Around Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
- 4.00 pm - Arrived at NAIA Terminal 3. Since I had a few hours left before my flight, I rode a free shuttle from NAIA Terminal 3 to Resorts World Manila (under 5 minutes) to spend a few hours there
- 4.10 pm - 6.00 pm - Sightseeing around Resorts World Manila. There's free luggage storage here if you don't wish to lug your luggage around
- 6.05 pm - Rode free shuttle back to NAIA Terminal 3 (under 5 minutes)
- 6.10 pm - Back in NAIA Terminal 3 for my 8.45pm flight back home
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| With a few more hours to go before my flight, I decided to spend some time in Resorts World Manila as well. There's a free shuttle going there from NAIA Terminal 3 every 30 minutes or so |
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| Taking a free shuttle to Resorts World Manila |
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| Inside Resorts World Manila |
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| The casino area in Resorts World Manila |
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| The main atrium inside Resorts World Manila |
How much?
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What for?
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PHP
1,597
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Accommodation
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PHP 1,062
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Accommodation in Malate (2 nights)
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PHP 535
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Accommodation in Makati (1 night)
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PHP
485
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Ground
Cost
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PHP 227
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Transportation around Manila
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PHP 176
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Bus from Manila to Tagaytay & back
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PHP 7
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Transportation around Tagaytay
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PHP 75
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Admission - Fort Santiago (Intramuros)
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PHP
4,048
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Flight
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MYR 352
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Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Manila (return)
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PHP
919
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Misc
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PHP 919
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Food & drinks
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PHP 7,049
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Total
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How much did it cost me?
- In local currency: PHP 7,049
- Conversion rate (at the time): MYR 1 = PHP 11.50
- After conversion: MYR 613 (for 3 days)
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