Can you help to plan my trip to Manila?

Question

Hi, my first time to Philippines end of Jan, but like to get more advise from getting ard to sightseeing! I have done my research on places of interests on net, but info looked out dated. None of my friends have been there too..
1. I have booked my tickets to Manila Clark Airport (feel like giving this up, as I understand that it's not easy to go to Manila City on some website, but that would cost way too much to change). Any advise?
2. I would like to go see Taal Volcano. Is there any recommended packages and how much would it cost?
3. I would also like to go for river rafting (maybe Chico river or somewhere nearer). Is it still possible as Jan is the beginning of dry season? Where can i find a tour and how much does it cost?
4. Apreciate if you can point out other must go places in Manila (I only 4 days @ manila, time would be needed to travel from clark and a domestic flight to Boracay).
Really appreciate your help.

Answer 1

Airlines flying to Clark are budget airlines, be aware that they strictly implement their baggage limit of 15kilos. Travel time from Clark to Megamall is 2hours at light to moderate traffic condition. The next stop in Pasay is approximately 40minutes away. If you are arriving at 1515/1620 expect rush hour traffic upon exiting the expressway up to Pasay.

It's cheaper to rent a car than to get a package tour for your Taal Volcano trip. Whole day car rental will cost 3,000pesos inclusive of driver, fuel and toll fees.

There is no river rafting near Manila, similar activity is shooting the rapids of Pagsanjan. Car rental is 4,000pesos plus boatride of 800pesos/head.

Mt. Pinatubo is also worth visiting. Visit www.wowluzoncentral.

You can stay at "Malayan Plaza", 5 minutes walk to Megamall and 3 other big shopping malls.

If you have more questions email me at [e-mail]

Answer 2

The first time I came to Philippines was on a Taiwanese tour at this time of year in '98. Asides from Manila, we got to visit Pagsanjan falls, Tagaytay, and the Taal volcano.

I assume you will be coming from the States, though I can't figure out what big carrier would be going to Clark (Tiger Air?). Most of the airlines use the Manila airport on the South side of town. Be that as it may, you could hitch a bus from Clark, but the "bad guys" are looking out for guys like you.
To continue with my story, when my job in Taiwan was over, I moved to Philippines and got married. After 2 attempts at nice life in Pampanga and Laguna, we settled in Tagetyay City overlooking the Taal volcano. you have a choice of going to the island and a pony ride to the top, or a 3 hour boatride around the island. We've done both. It also happens that my wife runs a commercial transport service with a Mitsubishi Adventure SUV usually over central and southern Luzon. There would be no problem picking you up at Clark. If you're interested, email me and leave your email addy.

You have two choices. Either order a tour before you get here, or after at one of the hotels - which is probably wiser because you'll be near the source. If you wish, you could stay here in Tageytay City on top of a mountain with cooler and cleaner air than Manila. Since this is a tourist area, there are a number of hotels to chose from. The more famous ones are Taal Vista, Residence Inn (with a small zoo) and a number of others. My wife also knows some of the people living on the island, so could get you a reasonable price for going up, or around the volcano.

http://www.tagaytay.gov.ph/

Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy.

Answer 3

First off, how were you able to get transport to Clark Airbase? Someone you know must be associated with American Military!

.Secondly Clark is not in Manila but Angeles City in a different province. Travel time approx. 2 hours to or from Manila by vehicle.Not very far but you will understand once you are there. Travelling 75km is approximately a 3 hour adventure!

Know little about rafting but Taytay is another 3 hours south of Manila. Neat there and the best place to view the volcano! The Taal is worth seeing!

Dont know that you can fly from Clark to Boracay in fact nothing flies directly to Boracay. One generally flies from Manila on Luzon to Kalibo located on the island of Panay. From Kalibo it is another 3 hour bustrip to Caticlan and then a 20 to 30 minute ride by outrigger to Boracay island. Under no circumstances do you want to miss Boracay if you have the opportunity. Paradise on earth!! There used to be something called Aerolift that flew directly from Manila to Caticlan!

Much to see in Manila including the Chinese Cemetery. Pretty exclusive real estate in the Phil and perhaps the most expensive.

You have not really mentioned the length of your stay but anything short of 3 weeks is a waste of time and money! Try to remember this. The farther from Manila..the cheaper things become. The farther one travels south in the country, the nicer the beaches become. Althought I have never been here, and judging by what I have seen and read, Palawan has probably the finest of all scenery.

Anyway I hope I have been of some assistance and really know you are going to enjoy! Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Try and rent a nissan driver and car.. very cheap..tour the city and get them to give you the highlights we have done this and had alot of fun..Stay in Makati.nicest part of Manila and go to the malls greenbelt one through 4 they are great.. Go to china town and take a carriage ride.. try to get the driver to take you to all the sub towns of greater manila ..also taal is very nice was there last year. There are many many thing to do there but its best to have a car and driver there to take you and show you the sites and safer than your average taxi driver..not that they arent but you will be more comfortable with a rental car and driver.They are in the phone book..There is so many things to do ,just plan on staying in Makati at one of the hotels there and then find the nissan car rental and ask for driver and they can assure you a better trip than anyone can describe here..Great travel packages can be found the same way .. through them..we found so many packages through them we traveled all over the philippines and had a blast.. from the most northern parts of luzon to almost mindano.. and everywhere inbetween ..

Answer 5

I am from Aklan. I hope you like the cool white beach (not made of sand. Ask the people out there what it is made of).
If you are adventurous, you can visit Pagsanjan Falls. You will ride a boat "shooting the rapids" to go there. It will be a thrill in your life time. This is only a one-day tour. Please be generous to those who operates the boat. You will see what efforts they will do for you. The hotels can give you the necessary information.
Also, contact the Department of Tourism.
If you have a problem, email me and I will give you a telephone number to call for an information. My cousin is a Regional Officer in DOT (Philippines).

Answer 6

Sir I recommend you should have even one security escorts who are familiar of the tourist spots. He can served as tour and at the same time can provide you security. He will be the one incharge to provide you affordable van vehicle including which good places to hang outs in Manila and Makati City as well . the Business City of Metropolitan. For more advise please call: [phone]

Answer 7

I can give you some good advice. Do not eat the food ! Do not drink the water. Do not breath the air. If you are real lucky you will not get too sick while you are in Manila. Why are you going to Borocay ? It is just a strip of cheap bars and bad restaurants.

Answer 8

Filipina here :) May is hot in Manila >< Well it's hot year round ... but I guess you're used to it