Manila International Airport (MNL) Go Downtown Manila

Manila International Airport (MNL) Go Downtown Manila

You go downtown Manila? Basically you have five possibilities: Hotel Bus or Hotel Taxi, Airport Taxi, Regular Taxi, Jeepney or your rented car.

1. Hotel Bus or Hotel Taxi:
This is the most comfortable solution. Most international hotels do have their own transports to Metro Manila. You should ask for transportation when you book your room.
The Hotel Bus Information is just across the first lane on your right hand. The fare should be included in your hotel booking otherwise it is a very expensive experience. (PHP 700 and more).

2. Airport Taxi:
In order to curb the abuses heaped on helpless tourists and other arriving passengers by unscrupulous taxi drivers over the years, airport authorities have since implemented a scheme of accrediting taxicabs who can pick up fares at the NAIA Terminal 1.
Payment is made in advance by the passenger, who is handed a ticket to be presented to the cabbie in the queue. The fare is usually several times more expensive than what a regular metered cab would charge for the same distance. Prices(*) are PHP 400 to 500.

3. Regular Taxi:
A regular taxi costs(*) from PHP 120 to 160 to Makati or Ermita. But this is only true when you take a metered cab and the meter is tested and sealed. Check the seals before you start AND urge the driver to put it ON. If he does not put on the meter, you must tell him that you call the police, if he does not put it on immediately. This should work. If not, make stop the taxi, get your luggage out and look for another one.
There are also honest taxi drivers in Metro Manila.

4. Jeepney:
Is it your first time in Manila? If yes, then forget to take a jeepney. You do not know where they go and where to change the jeepney to your final destination. Basically, jeepney drive always the same route and the route's start- and endpoint are indicated outside. But what do you understand when there is written: Baclaran - Legaspi - Baclaran?
And you should also know that jeepneys rather often do have accidents.

5. Rent-a-Car:
Avis, Hertz and National have their offices at Manila NAIA. If you are new to the Philippines, we do not recommend to rent a car. Downtown Manila is a 20 hours traffic jam. Only from 01:00 am to 05:00 am traffic is fluid.


(*) All prices: June 2008

AIRPORT TAXIS at Manila & Cebu's International & Domestic Airports

AIRPORT TAXIS at Manila & Cebu's International & Domestic Airports: The good news is that travelers no longer have to wander far from the arrivals areas to get a decent Metered Taxi (especially on International arrivals) as both MNL & CBU now implement the Airport Taxi Services directly outside the arrivals areas, using brand new vehicles for just a few pesos more then a regular Meter Taxis - just ask the guards or Airport Police for 'Airport Taxi Please' and they'll direct you to them.

Don't confuse these Airport Taxis with the 'car services' booths at both airports (you'll see these first as you step outside) where they approach you directly to solicit you hard, and where you'll pay a signifigantly higher fare for the same basic ride (ie. a P200 Airport Taxi fare can easily cost P750/P800+ with the 'car services')

Whatever type of Meter Taxi you use in Philippines, always pay attention to what the fare shows well before your car stops at your destination, in case the driver turns it off during the trip or just before your arrival to run a scam on you (it happens on occasion)

Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Service Scams

Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Service Scams

Manila airport taxi scams include non-metered transactions (driver will try to negotiate price fare, he will exaggerate distance and traffic, and misquote costs. He will claim that passenger would get to save more compared to the metered travel.) These are attempted scams. Always insist on the meter being turned on. If he does not put on the meter, you must tell him that you call going to call the police if he does not put it on immediately. This should work. If not, insist on stopping the taxi, get your luggage out and look for another taxi.

Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Rates & Fares to the City Centre

Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Rates & Fares to the City Centre

Welcome to the Ninoy Aquino Airport taxi service page. To help with your Ninoy Aquino Airport ground transportation planning, we list the official Ninoy Aquino Airport taxi service options, the current Ninoy Aquino Airport taxi rates and fares, plus any other notes regarding transfers from Ninoy Aquino Airport by taxi, such as unofficial or pirate taxis or other taxi scams.

Official Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Service

MNL Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Service Options

Official Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Service

To curb the abuses heaped on helpless tourists and other MNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport arriving passengers by unscrupulous Manila Airport taxi drivers over the years, airport authorities have since implemented a scheme of accrediting taxicabs who can pick up fares at the NAIA Terminal 1. A taxi from Manila Airport payment is made in advance by the passenger, who is handed a ticket to be presented to the cabbie in the queue. Unfortunately, the fare is usually several times more expensive than what a regular metered cab would charge for the same distance. Note that regular yellow taxis may also pick up passengers from the Ninoy Aquino Airport and the price will be cheaper, but you will need to find them and then negotiate a price should there be resistance to use the meter (see the scams section, below).

The journey time will take approximately 20 minutes to get from the MNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport to downtown.

Luneta park manila philippines, Luneta in manila, philippines

Luneta park manila philippines

Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park or colloquially Luneta, is a historical urban park located in the heart of the city of Manila, Philippines, adjacent to the old walled city of Manila, now Intramuros. Since the Spanish Colonial Era, the park has been a favorite spot for unwinding, socializing, an urban oasis for family picnics on Sundays and holidays. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Manila.

Located along Manila Bay, Luneta has been the site of some of the most significant moments in Philippine history. The execution of pacifist Dr. José Rizal on December 30, 1896, sparked the fire of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers, elevating the martyr as the national hero of the country. The park was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor and his monument serves as the symbolic focal point of the park. The Declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule was held here on July 4, 1946 as well as the political rallies of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that led to the EDSA Revolution that deposed Marcos ending his dictatorial government.

Rizal Park's history began in 1820 when the Paseo de Luneta was completed just south of the walls of Manila on a marshy patch of land next to the beach during the Spanish rule. Prior to the park, the marshy land was the location of a small town called Nuevo Barrio (New Town or Bagumbayan in Tagalog language) that dates back to 1601; it was cleared during the short British rule in 1762 to prevent sneak attacks from the patriotic natives. The area later became known as Bagumbayan Field where the Cuartel la Luneta (Luneta Barracks), a Spanish Military Hospital (which was destroyed by one of the earthquakes of Manila), and a moat-surrounded outwork of the walled city of Manila, known as the Luneta (lunette) because of its crescent shape.[1][2]

West of Bagumbayan Field is the Paseo de la Luneta (Plaza of the Lunette) named after the fortification, not because of the shape of the plaza which is a long 100-by-300-metre (330 ft × 980 ft) rectangle ended by two semicircles. It was also named Paseo de Alfonso XII (Plaza of Alfonso XII), after Alfonso XII, King of Spain during his reign from 1874 to 1885.[3] Paseo de la Luneta was the center of social activity for the people of Manila in the early evening hours. This plaza is arranged with paths and lawns and surrounded by a wide driveway called "La Calzada" (The Road) where carriages circulate

- stroll in the luneta park/rizal park: Formerly called Bagumbayan (New Town) during the Spanish times, Luneta Park got its present name since it was in the shape of a half-moon or a lunette ...also known as rizal park in honor of jose rizal ...a national hero ...its like the central park version of manila

- Manila - The Luneta Park: Right into the heart of the capital Manila lies Luneta Park or Rizal Park, which marks the Kilometer Zero of the Philippines and the northern tip of Roxas Boulevard, overlooking Manila Bay. Built in the early 1700s, the park was the site of some of the turning points in Philippine history such as the execution of the national hero Jose Rizal and the declaration of the Philippine independence from USA.

The Rizal Monument ca be found right in front of the park, which has become its famous symbol. The bronze statue, made in Switzerland and remodeled by national artist Juan Nakpil, is famously protected by the Kabalyeros de Rizal (Knights of Rizal) who do not move all-day or all-night long. It is also considered as the most-pictured site of the park.

Nowadays, the park is a favorite place for dating and for family picnics because of its spacious grassy lawns and open-air concert hall that features live entertainment and music. The park also has a chess plaza, a skating rink, fountains, and playgrounds. Every Sunday morning, Filipino martial artists use the park to practice eskrima, a traditional martial arts form.

The last time we were there was December of 2009, we were amazed by the big improvements of the park. Based on what we saw that time, I can say that the park is really well-maintained. Before, there was only Horse-drawn vehicles or calesas available for rent to tour the park, but now there's already a big and colorful Bus.

We plan of visiting Manila again this December together with our nieces and nephews, and the Luneta park is the number one spot on our list.

- Luneta Park - Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Gardens!: I have pictures of myself as a three-year-old enjoying the slides at Luneta Park (considered the Philippines' National Park)--- and I actually have very early memories of waking up early so that my parents could bring myself and my sister (VTer Jumpingwithnorman) to Luneta, now also known as Rizal Park.

This park has been here since Spanish colonial times and this is where the people gathered and even watched executions, like the famous one which killed our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal on December 30, 1896. His hands were tied and his back was to the gunfire, but when the shots were fired, he turned around to face his executioners! There is now a group of brass statues that form the centerpiece of a Light and Sound Show (630 Pm – 730 PM). Also see the changing of the guards at the memorial to Rizal.

Best time to visit Luneta is at about 5AM (wake up, Sunshine!), just before sunrise, when you will see these people practicing the art of Tai Chi (that slow-moving style of Chinese exercise). It’s nice to jog in the park with the honking of the jeepneys on the road, and everybody is just starting their day. There is also less smog during the early morning and you still smell the wetness of the grass.

On Sunday afternoons, there can be Filipino martial arts exhibitions, and sometimes free concerts at the Park Auditorium. You can also enjoy the nice botanical gardens in the Park itself – the Chinee and Japanese gardens. There is even a Planetarium!

Evenings are for young couples dating in the park, and if you are hungry, there are several nearby restaurants.

Park Location: along Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila , Luneta park manila philippines, Luneta in manila, philippines

Chinatown in Manila, Chinatown Manila

Chinatown in Manila

Binondo is an enclave in Manila primarily populated by ethnic Chinese living in the Philippines. It is the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594.[2] Historically, this was where the Spanish permitted converted sangleys, their indigenous Filipino wives, and their mixed-race descendants, the mestizos de sangley or Chinese mestizos, to reside. Similarly, Parían, an area near Intramuros, was where the Spanish first restricted unconverted Chinese immigrants. They allowed sangley settlement at Parían because it was within the range of Intramuros' cannons, and they felt they could control any uprising from the labourers.

Located across the Pasig River from Intramuros, Binondo has typified a small Chinese town, and is referred to as the local "China Town". The district is the centre of commerce and trade for all types of businesses run by Filipino-Chinese merchants. Given the historic reach of Chinese trading in the Pacific, Binondo was already a hub of Chinese commerce before the first Spanish colonisers arrived in 1521.

Binondo is also considered a historic centre of the mestizo de sangley community; famous residents include St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the Filipino protomartyr, and Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, founder of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary.

- Visit the Temple of the God of War, Kuang Kong: Kuang Kong, AKA the God of War, AKA Patron of Martial Arts, AKA Patron of Scholars (when seated/reading). Kuang Kung who was a powerful and loyal general is also protector of Quan Yin, Goddess of Mercy. As C. Celdran puts it, in the spirit of assimilation, the Chinese believers calls Kuang Kong, Santiago. Go figure.

This Buddhist temple is open to the public. You can light incense sticks and put them in the urn at the entrance of the temple and utter your prayers. There is also these red wooden half moons you can use to have your fortunes told. Couch your questions in such a way that they're answerable by YES or NO! Swirl a pair of these wooden half disks over your incense sticks so they catch the smoke and then throw them to the floor. Identical faces means NO. Opposing figures means YES!

BTW, my friend S. L. tells me that, to quote him, "Guang Kong falls under Taoism though in Chinese religion, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism are often portrayed together in the same temple." Thanks for the info S. L.

They appreciate donations of any amount.

- 16th Century Binondo Church: Located in the Chinatown area of Manila, Binondo Church is one of the oldest church in the Philippines (built in 1596).

The original structure suffered a lot from typhoons and earthquakes over the past years since its erection. The only thing that remains as original is the octagonal bell tower.

Patron is Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (1st Filipino Saint) who served in the church as altar boy during his younger years.

By the way, the church is the Heritage Conservation Society.

- Come Visit Chinatown: There are lots of things to do at Chinatown: Buy appliances that cost lesser, find suppliers for your restaurant or whatever business, buy jewelry, customize jewelry, buy Chinese medicine, buy authentic Chinese food, etcetera, etcetera. It's within Manila, but it seems like you're in another country (just like any other China town, I guess).

BTW, the First Filipino saint, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, was born in Binondo, Manila (the location of China Town)


Chinatown in Manila, Chinatown Manila, Chinatown in Manila, Chinatown Manila

Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila

Manila Bay in Manila

Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila (on Luzon), in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world. Strategically located around the capital city of the Philippines, Manila Bay facilitated commerce and trade between the Philippines and its neighbouring countries,[1] becoming the gateway for socio-economic development even prior to Spanish occupation. With an area of 1,994 km2 (769.9 sq mi), and a coastline of 190 km (118.1 mi), Manila Bay is situated in the western part of Luzon and is bounded by Cavite and Metro Manila on the east, Bulacan and Pampanga on the north, and Bataan on the west and northwest.[2] Manila Bay drains approximately 17,000 km2 (6,563.7 sq mi) of watershed area, with the Pampanga River contributing about 49% of the freshwater influx. With an average depth of 17 m (55.8 ft), it is estimated to have a total volume of 28.9 billion cubic meters (28.9 cubic km). Entrance to the bay is 19 km (11.8 mi) wide and expands to a width of 48 km (29.8 mi). However, width of the bay varies from 22 km (13.7 mi) at its mouth and expanding to 60 km (37.3 mi) at its widest point.[2]

The islands of Corregidor and Caballo divides the entrance into two channels,[2] about 2 miles (3.2 km) towards the North and 6.5 miles (10.5 km) wide on the South side. Mariveles, in the province of Bataan, is an anchorage just inside the northern entrance and Sangley Point is the former location of Cavite Naval Base. On either side of the bay are volcanic peaks topped with tropical foliage: 40 km to the north is the Bataan Peninsula and to the south is the province of Cavite.

Across the entrance to Manila Bay are several islands, the largest of which is Corregidor, located 3 kilometers from Bataan and, along with the island of Caballo, separates the mouth of the bay into the North and South Channels. In the south channel is El Fraile Island and outside the entrance, and to the south, is Carabao Island. El Fraile, a rocky island some 4 acres (1.6 ha) in area, supports the massive concrete and steel ruins of Fort Drum, an island fortress constructed by the United States Army to defend the southern entrance of the bay. To the immediate north and south are additional harbors, upon which both local and international ports are situated. Large number of ships at the North and South harbors facilitate maritime activities in the bay.[1] Being smaller of the two harbors, the North Harbor is used for inter-island shipping while the South Harbor is used for large ocean-going vessels

- Manila Ocean park: this is one of the newest destinations in the Manila Bay Area. It is owned by the Owners of Singapore's Ocean World in Sentosa Island and also has a mini shopping mall and a boutique Hotel inside the Ocean park.

Operating Hours: Manila Ocean Park is open from 10am – 9pm, Mondays through Sundays.

Entrance Fee: The Entrance Fee for adults is PHP400 (approximately US$10) and PHP350 (approximately US$9) for children.

- The Coconut Palace (by the bay): A place where you can have your wedding reception, a date with your loved one, or just to ooh and aah. ;p

FACTS...FACTS...FACTS...FACTS: It is well-known in our country that former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos "orchestrated" the construction of this "guesthouse", built of coconut wood & shells, to accommodate Pope John Paul II for his 1981 visit, although its EXTRAVAGANCE turned him off so much that he refused to stay there.

Intramuros in Manila

Intramuros in Manila: Intramuros is the old part of Manila and probaply the nicest place to walk around in this huge city. There are many well restored old buildings and you also have the Manila Cathedral there aswell as many other important buildings. In a city that in my opinion does not have many tourist sights, this is certainly one of the biggest must sees.

- The Carlos Celdran walk in Intramuros : About a year ago, I took the Carlos Celdran tour around Intramuros. It is a truly refreshing view of Manila and its history. Carlos himself is a real performer and shares his feelings on the wrongs and rights in the history of Manila. It is a 2 hour walk that is wroth every peso.

- INTRAMUROS (between the walls): Spend an afternoon exploring the old Spanish city of Intramuros which was built as a fortress in the 16th century and eventually destroyed at the end of the 2nd world war as the Americans ended the Japanese occupation. The city was exclusively for the rich, the state buildings, churches, courts, hospitals and the cobbled streets still remain today.Walk on parts of the restored walls, several metres high and a few metres thick. Immigration office is here and the General Post Office, both near the Jones Bridge. It is surrounded by a golf course and if you are approaching from Malate you will probably enter the gate and walk down General Luna Street. Inside the walls are many attractions such as Fort Santiago, Rizal's Shrine, San Agustin Church and museum, Manila Cathedral, many small plazas and modern restaurants, most of which blend in with the surrounding buildings. You can rent a Kalesa (horse and cart) to tour around the place, or you can take a leisurely stroll. The visitors centre is just outside Fort Santiago where you can obtain a map of the old city. If you are coming by the LRT/MRT get off the train at Central and it will be a few minutes walk to the old city

- Fort Santiago-Seat of Old Spanish Power: Fort Santiago (Fuerza de Santiago) is a defense fortress built for Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. The fort is part of the structures of the walled city of Intramuros, in Manila, Philippines. The location of Fort Santiago was also once the site of the palace and kingdom of Rajah Suliman, chieftain of Manila of pre-Spanish era. It was destroyed by the conquistadors upon arriving in 1570, encountering several bloody battles with the Muslims and native Tagalogs. The Spaniards destroyed the native settlements and erected Fuerza de Santiago in 1571.

Marking its entrance at the northwestern tip to Intramuros, Fort Santiago is one of the oldest fortifications of Intramuros. Its construction started in 1571 and it was completed nearly 150 years later by Filipino forced labor. The pre-Spanish settlement of Rajah Sulayman, the last Filipino ruler before the coming of the Spaniards, was a wooden fort, on the ashes of which was built the Spanish fortress which was Spain's major defense position in the islands. It looked out on the sea, towards which its canons were trained to ward off pirates and invaders. It is also known as the "Shrine of Freedom," in memory of the heroic Filipinos imprisoned and killed here during the Spanish and Japanese eras. Partly rebuilt from the ruins of World War II, it is now a park and promenade housing a resident theater company, PETA, which used ramparts, an old garrison, and a small chapel as theaters for both traditional and modern plays.

Today the fort serves as a museum which houses well-preserved legacies of the Spanish Government, Jose Rizal (which is called the Plaza de Armas), Rizal Shrine, and the prison dungeons for criminals used by the Spanish Officials. José Rizal, the country's national hero, was imprisoned here before his execution in 1896. A visit to Manila is not complete until you make you last respects to this great man.

- reliving the past: intramuros is a spanish word meaning "within the walls". This city within the city is the old manila. sadly much of it was destroyed during the war but there are still other interesting sites to see, like museums, old church- the San Agustin Church (a UNESCO world heritage site).

- Sayaw sa Bangko - Philippine local dance: See and experience the Philippines national dance at the Barbaras Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila. Barbaras restaurants' full buffet dinner is at 550.00 (including tax) per person and witness artist performing local dances.

Facts: Sayaw sa Bangko ("dance on bench") is a folk dance from the Pangasinan province of the Philippines. Performers dance on top of a narrow bench. Its fun to watch male dancers lifting the female dancers on the other edge of the bench. They wear colorful filipino designs costumes and they were smiling throughout the performance. Indeed a filipino culture.

- Tinikling - Philippines National Dance: See and experience the Philippines national dance at the Barbaras Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila. Barbaras restaurants' full buffet dinner is at 550.00 (including tax) per person and witness artist performing local dances.

After which, they are inviting all guest to try and experience the Tinikling (teeh-NEEHK-ling). This Philippines dance will test ones cleverness. See photos above.

Facts: The English equivalent of “tinikling” is “bamboo dance.” More than one oral history of the tinikling dance has been handed down through the generations.
Smooth three-inch bamboo poles that are approximately seven to eight feet long and dancers gracefully steps and jumps between two bamboo poles.

- Walk around the historical site: This walled city is surrounded by a golf course and is one of the quiter places in Manila.Built around 1600 by the spanish but heavily bombed in WW2 ,this is a nice area to walk around one of the most historical areas in Manila.

Cabbie runs off with tourists' luggage at NAIA

Cabbie runs off with tourists' luggage at NAIA

By Perseus Echeminada The Philippine Star Updated June 06, 2012 12:00 AM 0 comment to this post

MANILA, Philippines - Two tourists lost their luggage, as well as their passports and plane tickets, when the driver of a taxi that had brought them to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) ran off with their possessions Monday night, police said yesterday.

Robin Hugh Kimpton, 67, of New Zealand and Ester Jana, 35, of Papua New Guinea boarded a Modern Chariot taxi (UVD-772) from Malate, Manila to NAIA.

Upon arriving at the airport, the taxi driver – who remains unidentified – waited for the tourists to get out of the cab, then sped off with the luggage still in the vehicle’s trunk.

The tourists lost P100,000, their laptop computers, cameras and cell phones.

Pasay police officers are tracking down the taxi driver.

http://www.philstar.com