Manila is a city in which country. Arrival in the Philippines and uninviting beckoning. What region is the city of Manila in?

With Ninoy Aquino Airport serving as the country's main air hub, Manila can be reached from all over the world. The airport was built just seven kilometers from the capital itself and has four terminals. Travelers should be aware that Terminal 1 does not have good facilities. At the same time, domestic flights are served by the second and fourth terminals, flights are operated by Philippine Airlines. But terminal No. 3 is intended for international flights.

There are no direct flights from Moscow to Manila, so you need to use connecting flights. At the same time, carefully choose the place and time of transplantation. The best option is to fly with Qatar Airways. There are various ways to get from the airport to the city itself.

It is noteworthy that all taxi drivers are required to study English language skills, so there are no problems communicating with them. Experienced travelers advise booking a taxi at a special counter near the airport; it will cost less than the prices of taxi drivers standing at the terminal. Although there are also buses leaving the airport every 15 minutes.

City `s history

The history of Manila begins in 1571, its founder is Lopez de Legazpi. Although Manila was previously perceived only as a Muslim center. According to tradition, Legazpi took the city from the Rajah, thus placing it under the control of the Spanish king. After this, the Intramuros district was built, which is separated from the city by a special fortress wall. It was in this area that the Spanish conquerors lived with their families; the wall protected them. Already in the 17th century, Christian missionaries transformed Manila.

Over time, Manila developed into the economic, political and spiritual center of the Spaniards in Asia. Note that during the reign of the Spanish dynasty, various temples, monasteries and palaces were built in this city. A theological seminary was opened in the 17th century, followed by the establishment of the first Asian university in Asia.

It turned out that the Spaniards turned Manila into a major cultural center. However, this became the reason for hatred of the Spanish crown. After all, university graduates were distinguished by their anti-Spanish sentiment. The Filipinos have always tried to gain independence from Spain, and this was also the case after the territory was seized by the Americans, Japanese and others. That's why Manila has such a rich history.

Where to go and what to see

The Intramuros Historic District is a special place in a number of Manila's attractions, as this is where the modern history of the city began. This area is rich in beautiful palaces, old churches, monasteries and magnificent residential buildings. Fort Santiago, which dates back to the 16th century, today houses restaurants, art galleries, an aquarium and shops.

A unique architectural structure is the Manila Cathedral. And in the oldest district of Manila stands the Cathedral of St. Augustine. Many adult entertainment options are located along Roxas Boulevard. Not far from this street are the churches of Malate, Quiapo and San Binondo, as well as the National Museum of the Philippines. The museum dedicated to the national hero Dr. Rizal is decorated in a very interesting way. It also includes a national park.

The Coconut Palace was built in Manila, which was intended for the visit of the Pope. However, the Pope refused to live in this palace, so it remained a city landmark. The official presidential palace is the Malacañan Palace, which is over two hundred years old. Previously, this palace was the residence of the Spaniards.

Holiday prices for tourists in Manila

There are many hotels in Manila. By the way, there is no need to stay in an expensive hotel. Because for just 40-50 euros per day you can rent a decent room for two. As a rule, in many stores it is necessary to leave a deposit, preferably in cash, because the process of returning electronic money to the card is quite lengthy and complicated. Even three-star hotels offer their own restaurants, outdoor pools and spas.

Manila is one of the most inexpensive cities in Asia, so the opportunity for budget and expensive shopping is quite extensive. Inexpensive items at reasonable prices can be purchased in so-called malls, while boutiques offer branded, expensive goods. In addition, the malls sell souvenirs, which include ordinary postcards, plates and magnets. Local cosmetics and Filipino handicrafts can also be found.

Greenhills Shopping Center is a place where souvenir pearls are sold. Almost all retail outlets accept bank cards. Therefore, tourists consider shopping in Manila one of the interesting and inexpensive entertainments.

Entertainment in Manila

In Manila, the main component is entertainment, everyone chooses depending on their interests. Fortunately, the city has many different entertainment places where you can go for walks with children and friends. Any traveler will find something useful to do. Therefore, it is necessary to plan some entertainment in advance, and then the allocated time will not be wasted just like that. For example, if you want to take a break from the bustle of the city, you can satisfy it with a trip to the aquarium, as well as diving. There is an opportunity to go diving in an aquarium. A vacation like a fish spa will allow your body to relax well.

Try everything

Foreign traders have been drawn to Manila for a long time, even before the Spanish conquistadors. An enclave for Chinese traders, Binondo is also home to the oldest Chinatown in the world, with many excellent restaurants. There are a variety of dishes worth trying in Manila, all at reasonable prices. This area must be explored on foot.

Manila's cuisine is famous for its unusual and delicious street cooking. Many delicacies are offered at Mang Larry's. This allows you to be extremely careful about what you eat. Indeed, when you visit Manila, you should try the famous balut and dim sum.

This most populous city in the world is a city of opposites. It miraculously coexists with poverty and devastation at the same time with magnificent ultra-modern architecture: skyscrapers in one part of the city and huge slums and preserved historical monuments in the other. The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is such a contrast.

But it is also famous and famous for its wonderful coastline, which is loved by many tourists.

The article provides overview information about some beaches in Manila: photos, brief description.

General information about the city

The age of Manila, located at just over 500 years. However, in such a relatively short period of time, it managed to become a Muslim center, and with the arrival of the Spaniards on the islands, Christianity arose here. In the 19th century, the city was captured by the Americans, and it was occupied by the Japanese after World War II.

Thus, the current capital of the Philippines contains many historical buildings and monuments belonging to the cultures of different peoples and beliefs.

In fact, Manila is the new capital of the Philippines, previously it was Cebu. Both cities are the "gateway" to the islands with amazing paradise beaches of the Philippines. Manila welcomes at its airport everyone who wants to get to these fabulous corners.

Tourism is one of the important sectors of the state's rapidly developing economy. This is facilitated not only by the magnificent sights, but also by the climate, which is subequatorial, and the average annual temperature here is +26.5 °C.

Choosing a vacation spot

Manila's beaches are varied. There are none near the city. Basically, the most popular beach areas are located on the islands of the Philippine archipelago. Boracay is mainly visited by sunbathers on the snow-white beaches, as well as windsurfers. There is an opportunity to combine a beach holiday with entertainment and shopping. Plavan and Bohol are more suitable for fans of secluded recreation and eco-tourism.

When choosing a vacation spot, the ebb and flow of the tides are important. They are especially noticeable on the islands of Bohol and Cebu. They are also observed in Boracay, but do not cause much noticeable discomfort. Problems with waves on the islands of Bohol and Cebu are fully compensated by the most developed infrastructure and the presence of a variety of entertainment: restaurants, bars, promenades, excursions. These islands are also suitable for those who do not like complicated travel and flights (there are minimal transfers from Russia to them). Flight route: Moscow-Hong Kong-Cebu.

The city is the country's largest seaport, stretching along the coast of Manila Bay. In this regard, swimming near the famous embankment is risky. The beaches near Manila are 40 minutes away by transport in a north and south direction. These are wonderful places with snow-white sand and calm, warm sea.

A story about Manila would be incomplete without paying attention to some of its famous beaches.

Many consider Subic Bay (or Subic Bay), located in the small town of Puerto Galera, to be the best beach. This is a bay off the coast of Luzon, 100 kilometers northeast of Manila. It should be noted that from 1898 to 1992, the US naval base Subic Bay was located here. This place was chosen by the Spaniards more than a hundred years ago, and subsequently the Americans built the first recreation centers. The beach held the palm for a long time before the development of infrastructure in Boracay.

Today, there are numerous hotels along the embankment, quite affordable and with good service. The cafe here offers inexpensive, delicious rice and seafood dishes. For a budget holiday, Subic Bay is a perfectly acceptable option.

This Manila beach is also good because you can go diving and surfing, as well as take a boat trip, from which you can admire colorful fish, frolicking dolphins and wonderful coral reefs, as well as scuba diving.

It is from these places that the history of the Philippines begins, and the island competes in popularity with the island of Luzon presented above. There are many historical and architectural monuments and buildings preserved from the times of Spanish colonization. The island attracts both entertainment and shopping.

The beautiful Kawasan waterfalls are located in the vicinity, where visitors are offered unusual hydromassage treatments: a person lying on a bamboo raft is led directly under the jets of the waterfall under a rock. Here in the parks you can go on rides at Sky Adventure and ice skating at Fuente Osmena.

This place is called the “land of wonders”. Natural attractions: tarsier monkey or tarshir (endemic), a special observation deck for viewing the fabulous landscapes of the island. The beaches of Manila, located on the coast of this island, are covered with sand, which is exported from here to many countries (for example, Sentosa Island in Singapore consists of Bohol sand).

On the island, nightlife is practically undeveloped and there are not as many shops as on the island of Cebu.

Entertainment:

• River rafting;
• visit to an aboriginal village with observation of the crafts of local residents (hunting for snakes and monitor lizards, fishing) and lunch (the main dish with Lapu-Lapu fish, named after the leader who defeated Magellan);
• scuba diving;
• trips to water areas (dolphin watching);
• snorkeling

The best beaches in Manila are located here. Boracay Island is the leader in beach holidays around the world. The coast, covered with sand the color of baked milk, occupies the first line of ratings year after year thanks to rave reviews from tourists who have visited the exotic island. It is very small in size (7 km long and 1 km wide) and is not particularly rich in entertainment compared to other resorts.

During the day, you can sunbathe and swim on the White beach in the Tablas Strait, or, by renting a tricycle (the local vehicle is a three-wheeled motorcycle with a large sidecar), go to Bulabog (a beach on the Cebuyan Sea) for windsurfing or surfing. In the evening you can spend time on the D`mall promenade, where there are cafes and shopping shops. You can also go to a local natural attraction - Mount Lyukha, where the observation deck is located. From its height you can see a magnificent panorama of the islands of Panay and Boracay.

This is a mini-archipelago with several dozen tiny islands, among which there is one large one. The beaches of Manila, located on this island, are a real paradise for lovers of a comfortable, expensive holiday in “eco-style” and for divers.

The island is located 600 kilometers from the city of Manila in the southwestern part of the archipelago. The main attraction of the area is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is an extensive network of many caves connected by an underground river (about 8 kilometers long) called St. Paul.

The best time to holiday in Palawan is from January to May. From June to the end of October it often rains here, and the air temperature rarely drops below 30 degrees.

Finally

One remarkable fact should be noted. There is one place to relax with children in Kazakhstan. It is located in the city of Aktau - Manila Beach, located in the center. City residents and guests enjoy relaxing here.

As for the many-sided Manila, which uniquely combines a riot of colors of rich tropical nature, modern skyscrapers and monuments of ancient culture, we can say about it that it is a city of unimaginable contrasts and warm, hospitable people. To feel the real flavor of Asia, you need to plunge into this atmosphere when you come to these parts on vacation.

Beach holidays in Manila (Philippines) seem attractive to many Russians, besides, the prices for tours are not particularly high, and reviews are usually positive. However, those who decide to fly to the Philippines on their own, finding themselves in Manila for the first time, often become perplexed and cannot understand where are all those wonderful quiet beaches with clear water, the images of which attracted them.

Google Maps / google.ru

The fact is that the city of Manila is not suitable for a beach holiday; it is the largest port of the Philippines, an industrial and commercial center. The beaches, for which numerous tourists find themselves at the local airport every day, are located away from the city, to the south and north. But this does not mean that beach relaxation is completely impossible in the city itself. There is a multi-kilometer embankment here, and many hotels are located right on it. But silence, crystal clear water and other tropical delights, that is, the beaches of Manila that attract tourists, are located nearby.

Where are the beaches?

The most unusual, little-known and probably picturesque place for a beach holiday is Subic Bay, located 3 hours north of the metropolis. White Beach is considered to be the most affordable and least pretentious. This place is located near the town of Puerto Galera on the neighboring island of Mindoro.

From Manila it can be reached at any time by taxi or bus and boat in 3-5 hours. The famous Boracay is also located not far from the metropolis. And those travelers who are interested in diving or other leisure options alternative to beach relaxation, as well as a break from civilization and extreme sports, need to go to Sabang Beach.

Sabang itself is a small village on the western side of Palawan, standing between a mountain range and the ocean. Here and only here you can find a corner of the Philippines without civilization. There is not even a connection to electricity, and local generators only work four hours a day, starting at 18:00. There are no hotels in the village; housing here is rented from locals.

Amanda / flickr.com

Sabang is interesting primarily for the presence of underground caves with a river, although beach relaxation here is not bad, but only for those who like extreme sports and the lack of civilized recreation conditions. Of course, there are no set prices for the services of local residents. We need to negotiate and bargain. However, you can relax here by spending very little money.

As a rule, tourists do not go to Sabang itself. To the north of the village there begins an endless series of hotels and beaches, equipped with all the necessary equipment for various types of recreation and, of course, having all the usual comfortable conditions.

About Boracay

The most famous resort in the Philippines. As a rule, when looking at brochures and planning a vacation in Manila on the ocean with an exotic cocktail in hand, future tourists admire the picturesque photographs of Boracay.

PENG HSIEN-YING / flickr.com

There are no tricks or tricks here, just most tours to the Philippine Islands, of which there are more than 7 thousand, begin with the landing of the plane at Manila airport. Accordingly, it is more convenient to use the name of the metropolis than the numerous resort towns located nearby.

The way to Boracay is a flight to Caticlan and a boat trip from there to the island of beaches. When entering Boracay, 2 environmental fees are paid - 75 and 100 local pesos. There are no other differences in prices in Boracay from the average prices for the Philippines.

About White Beach

The closest corner of a “tropical fairy tale” to the metropolis. Beach holidays here are in no way inferior to the much-advertised Boracay, but you don’t need to pay to enter the island. The easiest way to get to White Beach is by bus; if you depart from Pit Gili station, the trip will be 20-30 minutes shorter than when departing from other bus stations.

Ray in Manila / flickr.com

There is no bridge between the islands, but the bus stops right at the port's passenger terminal. A ticket to Puerto Galera costs between 150 and 180 pesos. There is no need to specify the schedule, since a large number of small private boats ply in this direction, that is, you can always sail.

The White Beach itself is a hundred kilometers long strip along the sea. The largest hotel complex is Blue Crystal, which occupies almost a hundred meters of coastline and consists of three main three-story buildings and numerous bungalows. The cost of holidays here is one of the lowest in the Philippines, but the conditions are quite simple. Although electricity and internet are available, as are small restaurants.

This is an interesting place where not only beach relaxation is relevant. Perhaps, here you can combine the advantages of urban recreation and relaxation by the water. Apart from Manila itself, the Philippines associates holidays and prices, that is, the contents of tours for travelers, exclusively with relaxation on the beach. This leads to the fact that many unusual places escape the attention of tourists.

Patrick Wesley / flickr.com

Subic Bay is a former naval base. There are a lot of interesting things here, for example, a safari or diving to the Japanese ship "Oreku Maru", better known as the "Hell Ship", which continues to lie at the bottom.

This is a merchant barge, rebuilt in 1944 to transport prisoners of war and sank literally a few tens of meters from the modern beach line of Subic Bay. Moreover, no one needs to pay to visit the remains of the ship; it is available to everyone. Of course, you should have diving skills before visiting flooded holds.

Subic Bay is a self-name, but it is designated at almost every transport hub in the Philippines. The original and still official name of this place is Olongapo. Subic Bay is the name of the military base itself.

You can get there by taxi or take a bus in the Pasay area. The bus ride takes 3 hours, passengers are dropped off in the very center of Subic Bay, from where you can walk to the desired hotel or take a local taxi.

In general, the town resembles a “branch” of the United States. This concerns not only the impression of its streets and, of course, beaches, but also the range of services in hotels, the quality of roads, bars on the beaches, clubs and other things.

About prices

As for the cost, in terms of rubles, the average payment for daily accommodation in places with the Internet, electricity, bar and other amenities is as follows (in rubles per day for using a double room):

1. Guest house – 820.
2. Eco-hotel (hut) – 580.
3. 5* with breakfast included, sea view, on-site swimming pool and other amenities - from 8,500 and above, for a suite you will have to pay almost 20,000.
4. 3* with breakfast included – from 1500.
5. Bungalows in “Sheridan Organic Farm and Eco Village” (farm houses) – from 3000.
6. 2* without food, in buildings of the colonial style and time, that is, buildings built no later than the beginning of the last century - from 700.

The average bill for a full meal for a family of 3 people in open-air cafes in beach areas is 300 rubles. As a rule, travelers use www.booking.com to choose a hotel or other “civilized” accommodation option. Although other housing selection services are in no way inferior to it.

respiritu / flickr.com

As for the prices for accommodation in the metropolis itself, they pleasantly surprise most travelers (in American dollars, per day for using a double room):

• 2* – from 48, a good option is “BANAUE HOTEL & YOUTH HOSTEL” overlooking rice fields and located in the highlands, at an altitude of 1219 meters above sea level.
• 3* – from 39, for example, the modern hotel “AVITEL MAKATI”, located in the central part of the city, at the epicenter of its vibrant life and close to large shopping centers.
• 3* – high-rise buildings on the Manila Bay embankment with ocean views – from 69, an interesting option is the BAYVIEW PARK HOTEL, a red high-rise building in a laconic version of the Empire style, reminiscent of Moscow Stalinist houses.
• 4* – from 149, for example, the hotel complex “BAGUIO COUNTRY CLUB” with its own garden, swimming pool and other conditions for a fabulous holiday.
• 5* - modern skyscrapers on the Baywalk embankment, from 145, the most popular is the DIAMOND HOTEL, in front of which there is a small artificial waterfall, but the hotel has a minus - you will have to pay separately for using the Internet, it is not included in the room rates, as well as a number of other services, which is probably why the hotel positions the lowest prices in its class.
• 5* with its own tropical park area, swimming pools and without requiring a separate payment for the services a tourist needs, for example, “EDSA SHANGRI-LA MANILA” - from 169.

Of course, if you want to stay in a presidential suite with panoramic views of sunsets and sunrises over the ocean, you will have to pay more.

As for private housing and hostels, their prices often exceed the prices in 3* hotels. This is due to the peculiarities of the psychology of most tourists. Those who have an unlimited budget, as a rule, do not consider options below 4*, with the exception of extreme tours and other similar vacation options.

Travelers with limited funds initially look for hostels or private accommodation, with the amendment - “a hotel is possible, but no more than a couple of stars, simpler.” This leads to the fact that excellent 3* hotels in Manila have available rooms even during the peak tourism season. Accordingly, they are actively reducing prices, trying to attract more guests.

Video: Manila - the pros and cons of holidays in the Philippines.

Useful information for tourists about Manila in the Philippines - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Manila is the capital of the Philippines, the economic, political and cultural center of the country. The population of Manila itself is more than 1.6 million people, and together with the suburbs that form the Metro Manila agglomeration - more than 12 million! According to this indicator, the Philippine capital is included in the list of cities with the highest population density in the world.

Manila is located on the island of Luzon at the confluence of the Pasig River and Manila Bay. In July 1571, the Spaniards arrived here under the leadership of Lopez de Legazpi, who founded the city. Today, Manila's oldest district is Intramuros, which can be translated from Spanish as "walled". Spanish-speaking families traditionally settled in Intramuros, and this area became the heart of Manila. Unfortunately, during the Second World War, many historical buildings of Intramuros, as well as all of Manila, were destroyed. Only part of the architectural and cultural heritage was restored later.

In 1595, Manila became the capital of the Philippine archipelago, however, even before the arrival of the Spaniards, a Muslim state existed in these lands. Trade with the Chinese and other East Asian countries flourished there. When the Spaniards, driven from the island of Cebu by the Portuguese, arrived in Luzon in the 1570s, they began a military campaign against the then ruling Raja Suleiman. During the fighting, Raja died - the fate of the island was sealed. Soon, active Christianization of the local population began: monks of different orders began to arrive here - Augustinians, Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits and others. The Spaniards also took over commerce.

For a short period - from 1762 to 1764 - Manila was under the rule of the British, who were able to capture the island of Luzon during the Seven Years' War. But they were soon forced to return their possessions to the Spanish crown. In 1898, power in the Philippines changed again - the Americans, having won the Spanish-American War, occupied Manila. The Spanish fleet was defeated. It was not until 1946 that the independence of the Philippine Republic was declared.

Manila had a particularly hard time during World War II - the city was captured by the Japanese, against whom American and Philippine troops fought desperately. As a result of numerous military operations and bombings, the city was practically wiped off the face of the earth, losing its former colonial appearance. It is believed that in the entire history of the war, only Warsaw was destroyed more than Manila. After the war, the restoration of Manila proceeded at a rapid pace - the city was built according to the North American model. And today it is characterized by wide streets and highways with chaotic traffic, among which are hidden small “treasures” - historical and architectural monuments that tell about the glorious past of the Philippine capital.

Manila's climate is typically subequatorial with sharply defined boundaries between the dry and wet seasons. The dry season lasts from December to May. The peak wet season is in August, when the most rainfall occurs. The average temperature in January is +25ºС, in May - +29ºС.

Manila's most visited tourist attraction is, of course, Intramuros - and today you can see the fortress wall built at the end of the 16th century, the Spanish-built Fort Santiago and the luxurious Manila Cathedral. Ancient churches built in the Baroque style are scattered throughout the city - San Agustin, Santo Domingo and others. An ancient university, named after St. Thomas Aquinas (or Santo Tomas in English), is preserved in Manila - this, by the way, is the first Asian university, founded in the 18th century.

Of interest to tourists will be the government palaces of Malacañang and the Coconut Palace, where the history of the Philippines was made. The “green lungs” of the city – Rizal and Paco parks – will not leave you indifferent. Particularly noteworthy are the city's numerous museums and art galleries, where you can get acquainted with the history of Manila, its connections with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and its tragic military past.

In the evening, it is worth taking a walk along the Manila promenade, which stretches along the shores of the picturesque Manila Bay, where there are bars, cafes and restaurants serving local cuisine.

To get acquainted with the nature of the Philippine Islands, you don’t have to go far from the capital - just an hour’s drive from Manila is the smallest active volcano in the world - Taal. And by canoeing along the Pagsanhan River, you can fully enjoy the beauty of the local nature.