Area
Metro Manila comprises an area of 246 square miles (636 square kilometres)
Geographic Info
Metro Manila is 589 miles (950 kilometres) from the northern most point, and 856 miles (1,380 kilometres) from the southern most point. At the heart of Metro Manila is the Ortigas Centre, a 4.3-mile (7 kilometres) drive from the Makati business area and a mere 8 miles (13 kilometres) from the international airport.
Visa
Visitors with passports valid at least 6 months beyond the period you intend to stay and either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination outside of the Philippines, are allowed entry without a visa for up to 21 days. For visits longer than 21 days, a temporary visitor's visa must be secured from the Philippine embassy or consulate in your country.
Currency
The unit of currency is the peso. One (1) peso is equal to 100 centavos. Currency notes are available in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000.
Use the
Currency Converter to check the exchange rate that corresponds to your local currency.
Shopping
A visit to Manila isn´t complete without a trip to at least one of its sprawling shopping malls. Shops deal only in Philippine Pesos, but most malls have foreign currency exchange counters that accept major currencies. Most shopping centres are open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., extending to 10:00 p.m. or beyond during payday sales. Major credit cards are accepted; be prepared to show your passport to the cashier as proof of identity.
The malls carry import-quality local and high quality designer brands of clothes and shoes for all ages, sporting goods, furniture, appliances, groceries, toiletries, and food and beverage. They house state-of-the-art cinemas and auxiliary products and services such as amusement centres, spas, medical and dental facilities, bars, coffee shops, photography and videography studios, salons, banks and hobby shops, among others.
Taxes
A 12% Value Added Tax is usually included, but municipal taxes ranging from 0.5 to 0.7% may be levied on services and purchases.
Tipping
10% service charge is usually added to the bill. If not, 10% of the bill is adequate for tipping.
Business Hours
| Bank Hours: |
Banks are usually open 10 am to 3 pm on weekdays, except weekends and public holidays. |
| Office Hours |
Government and private offices are open from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays; though some are open on Saturdays, the weekend is generally considered day off. |
| Shop Hours |
Most shops open at 10 am and close at around 8 pm. Lunch hour is usually from 12 noon to 2 pm. |
Dress
Light summer clothing is sufficient. Jackets may be expected for slightly more formal occasions. A light suit would be appropriate for business. Clothes for women are much like the West. However, if visiting a mosque or a church, anything too short or scanty may cause offence.
Health
Visitors are advised only to drink bottled or boiled water outside of Manila.
Weather
| Month |
Average Temp
oF (oC) |
Humidity |
Remarks |
| Mar-Mid May |
96.8°F / 36°C |
71% to 85% |
Hot and dry |
| Mid May-Mid Sep |
89.6oF / 32oC |
71% to 85% |
Rainy |
| Late Sep-Early Dec |
73.4oF to 89.6oF
(23oC to 32oC) |
71% to 85% |
Dry and cool |
| Dec-Feb |
73.4oF / 23oC |
71% to 85% |
Dry and cool |
