Holiday to Manila

When is the best time to visit Manila?

November to April is the dry season: pleasant 25 to 30 degrees, low humidity and little rain. December and January are ideal: good weather combined with the longest Christmas celebration in the world (the Philippines starts celebrating in September). March to May is the hottest part of the dry season, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees.

Avoid July to September: typhoon season brings heavy rainfall and an elevated risk of typhoons. October and November are transitional months: quieter, slightly cheaper and the chance of rain decreases rapidly.

The best neighbourhoods to visit in Manila

• Intramuros The 16th-century walled city, the historic heart of the Philippines. Walking is free; Fort Santiago and San Agustin Museum are the highlights. Arrive before 09:00 for the best atmosphere and cooler temperatures.
• Binondo (Chinatown) The world's oldest Chinatown, founded in 1594. Endless food stalls, Chinese bakeries and the iconic Binondo Church. Ideal for a cheap dinner: dim sum and pancit for less than 2 euros.
• Ermita and Malate Two neighbouring districts along Manila Bay with bars, restaurants and a lively nightlife. Close to Rizal Park and the National Museum.
• Makati and Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Modern Manila: international hotels, shopping malls and the city's best restaurants. Safer and cleaner, ideal as a base.
• Quiapo Bustling market neighbourhood with the famous Black Nazarene church and Quiapo Market. Authentic but requires vigilance against pickpockets.

Top 5 attractions in Manila

• Intramuros: Fort Santiago The 1571 defensive fort preserves the story of Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero. His prison cell is preserved and there is a museum. Admission: PHP 75 for adults (approx. 1.20 euros). Open daily until 22:00 at weekends.
• San Agustin Church and Museum (UNESCO) The oldest stone church in the Philippines, built in 1607 and a World Heritage Site. The church is free to visit outside Mass times. The adjacent museum shows colonial art: PHP 200 (approx. 3.20 euros).
• National Museum of the Philippines The National Museum Complex near Rizal Park comprises three buildings: Fine Arts, Natural History and Anthropology. All free to enter. Open Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 to 18:00.
• Rizal Park (Luneta) Manila's largest urban park, in the city centre, completely free. The Japanese and Chinese gardens, Rizal monument and outdoor concerts at weekends create a great atmosphere. Go early morning for the most pleasant temperatures.
• Manila Ocean Park The Philippines' largest oceanarium, directly adjacent to Rizal Park. Tickets from PHP 595 (approx. 9.60 euros). Open daily 10:00 to 20:00, weekends 09:00 to 20:00. Great for families and rainy days.

Flights from the Netherlands to Manila

There are no direct flights from Amsterdam or Eindhoven to Manila (MNL, Ninoy Aquino International Airport). From Eindhoven you first fly to Amsterdam (or another European hub) and connect from there. The most common routes:

• Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong (HKG) The fastest connection: total travel time approx. 15 hours 15 minutes. Multiple daily flights.
• Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH) A comfortable route with total travel time approx. 16 to 17 hours. Good flight frequency from Amsterdam.
• Emirates via Dubai (DXB) Total travel time approx. 16 to 18 hours, depending on the connection time in Dubai.
• Etihad via Abu Dhabi (AUH) Similar to Emirates: approx. 17 to 18 hours total.

Early-booked return tickets cost approx. 550 to 800 euros. In high season (December to March) prices rise to 800 to 1,000 euros. Book at least 8 to 12 weeks in advance for the best price.

Getting around Manila

Manila has diverse transport options, but traffic and navigation can be challenging for newcomers.

• Grab The Philippine ride-hailing app (similar to Uber) is by far the best option for tourists. Fixed price, payment via app, no fare disputes. Base: PHP 65 plus PHP 15 per kilometre for a regular car. Download the app before you travel and load a payment method.
• MRT-3 metro Runs along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), Metro Manila's main artery. Tickets: PHP 13 to 28 (approx. 0.20 to 0.45 euros) depending on distance. Useful for Makati, Quezon City and Taft Avenue.
• E-Jeepney The modern version of the classic jeepney: fixed routes, air-conditioned and fares from PHP 17 for the first few kilometres. Cheaper than Grab but requires more route knowledge.
• Taxi from the airport Use the official Yellow Cab or metered taxi at the arrivals hall; starting fare PHP 115. Avoid offers from individuals outside the arrivals hall.

What does a holiday to Manila cost?

Once there, Manila is one of the most affordable major cities in Southeast Asia. Street food at a carinderia (turo-turo) costs PHP 80 to 150 (approx. 1.30 to 2.40 euros) per meal. Dinner at a regular restaurant: PHP 250 to 600 (approx. 4 to 10 euros). A beer at a bar: PHP 60 to 80 (approx. 1 euro). Fast food at Jollibee: PHP 80 to 150.

Visa and entry requirements for Dutch citizens

Dutch citizens can visit the Philippines visa-free for 30 days, extendable to 59 days at the Bureau of Immigration in Manila for a fee. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date and you must be able to show a return or onward ticket.

eTravel registration is mandatory and free: go to etravel.gov.ph and register your travel information within 72 hours before departure. This replaces the former paper arrival card and is checked at the gate.

Insider tips for Manila

• Arrive early at Intramuros Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church open at 08:00. Before 09:30 the lanes are virtually deserted, the temperature is manageable and the light for photos is at its best. After 10:00 school groups and tourists arrive in numbers.
• Always use Grab Regular taxis in Manila sometimes charge arbitrary fares to foreign tourists. The Grab app has a transparent pre-set fare. It is more convenient, safer and often cheaper than flagging a cab.
• Eat at the Liwasang Bonifacio evening market Every day hundreds of city hall office workers eat here. The carinderias around this square serve authentic Filipino meals (adobo, sinigang, kare-kare) for PHP 100 to 150 (approx. 1.60 to 2.40 euros), including rice.