Metro Manila (Filipino: Kalakhang Maynila) is the National Capital Region and the prime tourist destination in the Philippines. The metropolis is the Philippines' center of commerce, education, and entertainment. It is located on the island of Luzon, bordered by the province of Bulacan on the North, Rizal on the east, Laguna in the south and Manila Bay in the west. Though it is the smallest region in the country, Metro Manila has the highest population with almost 15 million inhabitants.
Cities
Other destinations
Understand
Locals refer to Metro Manila simply as Manila. However, the City of Manila forms only the city proper of Metro Manila. Consist of 17 cities and 3 municipalities in 630 square kilometers, the metro is an ideal destination to consider. As the national capital region, Metro Manila is the center of Philippine culture, arts, commerce, industry, and tourism.
Talk
Communication with the locals is easy. English is the primary language of trade, government, media and education not only in Metro Manila but in the whole Philippines as well. Spanish-speakers will also find it easy to understand the local dialect, Tagalog, since 40% of its vocabulary is Spanish-derived.
Get in
Metro Manila is the primary gateway to the Philippines. The region's airport, Ninoy Aquino International, caters to regular flights from China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, United States, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Get around
A popular way of getting around is by jeepney.
You can get around by taxi which colour white. Flagdown rate is Php 30 for the first two kilometres and another Php 2 for every succeeding kilometre.
You can also go around by bus but take note most of the buses are concentrated around EDSA. Unlike other countries, they used to be hailed from anywhere and you can get down anywhere but the Metro Manila Development Authority is implementing bus stops to put some order into getting into and exiting the bus. You need to pay the conductor and he will issue you a ticket as a valid form of payment - keep this during your journey.
Metro Manila has an extensive mass transit rail system which consists of three lines. Unfortunately, you will have to exit one line and purchase a separate ticket to transfer and enter another line's system.
See
One should see Metro Manila's numerous attractions.
Plazas, Parks and Nature Reserves
Churches
Museums
Monuments
Shop
Eat
