I am going to Philippines to visit my girlfriend, I'm going to Manila I have a tight budget and I'm gonna stay for 8 days, I need advice about trasportation to get around there, where to buy grocery and where to shop and eat, how much will I spend daily, thanks for your help
2006-07-22 18:02:50 · 12 answers · asked by arthur_ot 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Philippines
If at all possible stay in Makati and dont leave without going to the beach. Puerto Galera is close and cheap but a little dirty and mostly caters to divers.
Boracay is much more memorable. Flights there are about $100 and hotels are reasonable.
With regard to transportation: Dont take buses or other forms of public mass transport. Taxis are okay and cheap but drivers dont really know where they are going many times so it is important to give them a landmark (like a hotel or mall). Also they dont like to use the meter (for foreigners) so make sure you decide on a fare before you get in the car.
The people there are very friendly and most speak English. But, crime can be a problem so use good common sense, especially when out at night.
Buy groceries at Rustans supermarket, which carries many foreign products. Better places to eat and shop are mostly in downtown Makati.
2006-07-22 18:26:36 · answer #1 · answered by MW 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The earlier answers area pretty much on the dot, your girlfriend should know where to take you. On a budget you should stay in a hostel in places like Malate or Quezon City. If you prefer to stay in a hotel you can try Great Eastern Hotel, they have a cheap weekly rate. Cheapest way to get around will be to take a jeepney. There are some places where jeepneys are not allowed like Edsa so you can take the bus or MRT. Grocery is cheap in any of the SM Supermarkets which is inside the SM Malls which has a lot of great shopping deals. If you want dirt cheap goods though you should go to 168 Shopping Mall or Divisoria Mall. Food is very cheap as long as you don't go to the fine dining restaurants. Depends on what you want to do and what you want to buy you can live on a generous daily budget of $50-$100.
2006-07-23 17:42:53 · answer #2 · answered by AvantG 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I grew up in Manila and one of the best places to find an affordable, but clean place to stay in is Malate. Your dollars will go a long way there since the exchange rate is quite high right now, for every $1.00 that you have you get around 52 philippine pesos for that. Transportation shouldn't be a problem, because we have lots of jeepneys, cabs, and buses. The Malate area is filled with places to eat, shopping malls with groceries inside and the night life there is pretty good. This area used to be Manila's red light district, but right now it has greatly improved and the mayor of Manila have so far done a good job in eliminating it's reputation as a red light district.
2006-07-23 05:31:36 · answer #3 · answered by Tumble 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am quite skeptical about this but I really feel that if your girlfriend is not going to take care of this for you then don't bother visiting her... at any rate, for 8 days - hotel -$40 (minimum), food ($60 - because you are going to feed her entire family), transportation ($60 - if you rent a van that will take you around the whole day), shopping ($50 since you are buying gifts for everyone) and others (beers, etc - $60 because you are buying everyone a drink)....
For 8 days then you need to bring around $2,000 but that may be too safe... around $1K would be fine but just be careful with how you spend... just remember that people would be expecting that you brought lots of money because you are a foreigner so they would think that you will pay for everything... ok?
2006-07-25 21:00:02 · answer #4 · answered by boo0726 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just moved to Manila and live here (in Tondo) and use public transportation (jeepney) and shop (Divisoria). So far I am groovy.
Food is the cheapest thing here...where does your girlfriend live? Have you met her in person before? What constitutes a tight budget? When we used to vacation here, the most expensive part of the trip was the flight so if you have that covered, you are okay.
2006-07-24 16:21:00 · answer #5 · answered by fakebobjones 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drink only bottled water. Take plenty on the plane. Watch for pick pockets if you are in the big city. Take cash or several credit cards or debit cards. No one will cash travlers checks. Some cards are blocked from overseas. Sunglasses, melotonan to sleep. Never drink with people you don't know. Better yet don't drink at all.
2006-07-23 04:52:13 · answer #6 · answered by SEOplanNOW.com 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This help is best given by your girlfriend. Sorry if you think this is a cheap answer, but really, who is more qualified to answer than someone like her, who is living exactly where you will be going? And I mean exactly. I've been to the Phillippines a group, but man, it'll be significantly different from the location your headed to...I guarantee it.
2006-07-22 18:09:10 · answer #7 · answered by gene_frequency 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait until you arrive in the Philippines then you can ask your girlfriend those questions.
2006-07-22 18:09:01 · answer #8 · answered by Linkman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your on a tight budget, I suggest you stay in the Tondo area. accomodations and food there are cheap. good luck and dont talk to strangers.
2006-07-23 03:05:22 · answer #9 · answered by randyvous75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i guess ur girl friend is filipina as well so she'll know where to take u.
Never take taxi, it will move you around and around-better rent a week van or car that will drive.
Go for fast food. And one word of advice...don't give away pesos to your gf's fmily :-)
2006-07-22 18:09:14 · answer #10 · answered by shirley b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋