Travel to Manila with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Manila with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Travel to Manila

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is known for its friendly people, excellent nightlife, historic sites and proximity to scenic countryside, making it a cheap and appealing holiday destination.

Getting there

Manila International Airport has direct links to most Asian cities, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Shuttle services into the city are frequent and reliable. The countrys one remaining train line links Manila to the Bicol region in the south; however, the train is slow and sometimes dangerous. There are also buses to Manila from other cities in the Philippines, although they are somewhat disorganised.

Key Attractions

The walled city of Intramuros was built in 1571 as the first Spanish settlement on the Philippines Luzon Island. Its the only European-style medieval fortification in Asia, and is home to plazas, the Governors Palace, churches and monasteries. Within the walls are museums like Fort Santiago, old churches like San Agustin and the Manila Cathedral, and antique and craft shops.

Another interesting part of the old city is Binondo, or Chinatown, with its 17th century Binondo Church, Quiapo Church and Quiapo district. Other main attractions in the city include the ornate Malacañang Palace, now permanently associated with the self-indulgence of the Marcos family. Rizal Park is home to the Planetarium, Rizal Memorial, a Chinese and Japanese garden, fountains, a floral clock, and an area for roller-skaters. Nearby is the expanse of Manila Bay, which affords panoramic views of the South China Sea.

Out and about

Rizal Park is comprised of some 60 hectares of open lawns, ornamental gardens, paved walks and wooded areas dotted with monuments to almost every Filipino hero imaginable. Every day, hundreds of Filipinos come here to stroll, jog, picnic, sing, play music or just relax away from the swarming traffic. For an interesting excursion farther afield, take a trip to the spectacular volcanic crater of Lake Taal, to the south of Manila.

Leisure options

Manila has a host of luxurious accommodation, fine cuisine, excellent cafés and exciting nightlife. In particular, the streets around the suburbs of Malate and Makati form the main entertainment districts. The Ayala Centre in Makati City boasts two of the largest upscale shopping malls in the country, Glorietta and Greenbelt, with a multitude of shops, supermarkets, and dining and entertainment facilities connected by elevated bridge-ways.

Safety

Be alert when travelling in unfamiliar territory. Tourists are more susceptible to pickpocketing and theft, or loss of personal effects. Taking part in outdoor activities and travel places you at greater risk. Disrupted travel plans through natural disasters, accidents and other unforeseen events can result in financial loss. We therefore strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance for you and your family.

Weather

Manila is a country that has two quite distinct seasons. Either tremendously hot or humid in the dry season (December-May), or torrential rain and even typhoons in the rainy season (June-November). The most pleasant time to visit is from February to April, where temperatures are cooler and less humid.

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