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Located in the east coast of the island of Luzon, the historic and bustling city of Manila is the cosmopolitan capital of the Philippines. Being the capital of a country with multifaceted culture, Manila boasts to tourists and travelers a wide array of exciting and enjoyable sights and activities. It is known as the premier Christian city of Asia, and the people are remarkably warm and friendly. Get ready for great student travels and enjoy the mix of cultures and flavors that Manila offers.

Manila Pictures

Things to do in Manila

There’s always the beach to take a trip to. Being on an island in the Philippines, Manila has amazing weather nearly year round while also being in a great location. The water temperature is always moderate as this city is situated close enough to the equator. But Manila is not just a relaxing bum get away. This cosmopolitan beauty has over one million people and is always full of energy and activity. Rizal Park is truly majestic. It is located just outside the walls of the inner city. Here are museums, restaurants, and a great outdoor theater. Intramuros is inside the city walls and holds the bulk of the famous museums and monuments. This is where the ruins are from the war. And of course the famous church, Manila Cathedral. Take a walk around inside and see the beautiful paintings and read up on history of the city and cathedral. Oddly enough Manila has one of the largest Chinatown’s in the world, which is funny because it is so close to China. It’s just a nice and easy way to experience the Chinese culture without being bothered to venture across the ocean.

Nightlife in Manila

The city of Manila remains to have the best and the liveliest nightlife among the major cities in the whole Philippines. It is advised that you go to Ermita, which used to be Manila’s Red District and still has a lot of good night clubs and disco bars, or to Malate which is the city’s present center of bohemian nightlife and is also known as Manila’s gay capital. Even if you are on a tight student budget, most clubs and bars are not really that expensive. During football season (the English version) bars will be packed with avid fans. This is a good way to mingle with the locals and experience first hand. Heckle & Jeckle is the best bar for this. It is a great bar with a cool, casual atmosphere. Jupiter Street in general is a good place to start if you are looking to explore for your night out. Conways, Giraffe, Brewery, Hard Rock Cafe’s, and JJ’s are the top picks for a fun night out at the bar.

Dining in Manila

Head to the large and diverse Chinatown for some amazing cuisine. Thanks to the close proximity to China, there are many immigrants and locals here who actually originated from China. You can enjoy the delicious foods with their flavorful spices without taking the trip all the way to Beijing. You will of course want to try some Filipino food while you’re here. It is a little different than most other foods and can take some getting used to the different flavors. But it is definitely delicious. Mannang , Mann Hann, and Kamayan have affordable and delicious Filipino food. Come with a group of friends and enjoy a night of dining in a new culture. There are also plenty of Japanese, Taiwanese, Malaysian, and pizza shops in the city. So if you’re not a fan of Kwek Kwek, tokneneng, Isaw, Helmet, Adidas and Betamax don’t worry. There is something for everyone here. Plus they are used to tourists coming into the city and love to cater to personal tastes.

Shopping in Manila

Check out a tiangge while in Manila. This is the best way to enjoy a day or afternoon of shopping and experiencing the culture firsthand. This is where many locals will go out to purchase goods and local merchants bring their goods to sell and barter practically daily. They are used to negotiating prices, so don’t hesitate to barter a little. From fresh produce to clothing and even crafts. Manila has a great variety of items that make the perfect souvenir.

Manila Travel Tips

• The locals are naturally friendly and helpful, but of course don’t trust anyone that easily.
• English is widely spoken, so communicating to locals won’t be a problem.
• Traffic in Manila can really be a major headache, so you need to manage your time well.