Manila

[MissBurrill]

A better title might be would you let your daughter visit Manila.

Mr is off to Manila with work for six weeks later this year. Not a huge amount of time apart but I suggested I meet him in Singapore for a weekend. My Dad asked why not Manila? My stereotype of Manila is that it's unsafe. Smart Traveller says to exercise a high degree of caution. If I go to Manila we can do a more than a weekend together. I could even do Manila on a weekend, then Singapore then Manila the following weekend.

I have been to a few third world countries so I'm not naive. Just interested in general advice on Manila.

 

[JohnK]

I felt scared during my 1 night visit there mid 2012. I have second thoughts about going back there again.

I have never felt that way in any other Asian country.

 

[Ric]

As in all city, there are places to avoid and there are places that are quite safe and comfortable. If Mr is there for 6 weeks, I suppose that he would have a car provided for him at his disposal? If so, then it is fairly safe for you to be in Manila using his car. Personally, I do not take taxis there if I can help it. As you said, you have been to a few third world countries and therefore not naive, then I am sure you would be alright. PM me if you need more info.

JohnK came to Manila in the middle of the night and stayed at a place that I wouldn't go/stay. Don't blame him for been feeling totally unsecure during his 1 night visit.:-|

 

[Sprucegoose]

I felt scared during my 1 night visit there mid 2012. I have second thoughts about going back there again.



I have never felt that way in any other Asian country.

that could say more about you than the metropolis !

 

[Hvr]

I spent a few days in MNL with trusted friends in 2008. They met me at the airport and took me to my hotel where the car was searched and swept for bombs before getting past the second barrier. Went through metal detectors at the hotel and the shopping centre.

Told not to walk around the area after dark or I would be robbed. I was scared virtually the whole time I was there.

On my last day my friends took me out to a restaurant and we planned to take the cab from there to the hotel to the airport. At the hotel my friends told me to get out of the cab in no uncertain terms. I complied and we went inside. They told me that the driver was asking too many questions about me and they were concerned for my safety.

We caught another cab to the airport. I would be very reticent to return and certainly not without a trusted local escort.

 

[Alanslegal]

I agree with Ric. With all large cities there are always areas which are very safe/sterile and then there are places which are to be avoided. I would be guessing that if spending the weekend in Manila that you will end up mainly in Makati which is a business district/entertainment/shopping area and that is pretty safe. No issues walking around that area as its always full of activity.

 

[JohnK]

that could say more about you than the metropolis !

In what way? That I go out of my way to find trouble or that trouble is there just waiting to strike?

I felt scared in Manila airport trying to get a taxi and after avoiding taxi tout went to official taxi only to be ripped off there as well. "Tip for me sir?". Hotel was also in an extremely "dodgy" area near the airport.

But I lie. I actually felt scared in Jakarta in 2005 when I went to work there for a week and the company representative/driver that was supposed to take me through immigration and take me to hotel was not organised. Try to work out what to do next when you have no idea where you are staying, no contact numbers and people constantly stalking you trying to get a $US1 note off you for doing nothing.

 

[yohy?!]

this thread is such a coincidence as I'm off to Manila for the first time tomorrow (first time not a status run turnaround at the airport anyway )!

i had a few chats with some of the directors at work who have spent a lot of time there, they reassured me that as long as I was sensible things would be fine while I stayed in makati.

im approaching the trip similarly to the way i did backpacking in some of the poorer countries of eastern europe (ie locks on all baggage, backup copies of documents, splitting cash and credit cards between luggage and on my person, dressing down - no smartphones, watches etc). i think it's really a mindset to get into in terms of keeping to yourself, being well prepared and aware of your surroundings.

certainly though i wouldnt think to take children or teenagers there for a holiday - that's only manila though, cebu or somewhere like boracay may be more appropriate.

 

[Fantic125]

I spent a few days in MNL with trusted friends in 2008. They met me at the airport and took me to my hotel where the car was searched and swept for bombs before getting past the second barrier. Went through metal detectors at the hotel and the shopping centre.

That's not just Manila. In Bangkok and most western hotels in India the car check and bomb scan happens, and at the major shopping centres you go through scanners and bags x-rayed.

The two times I've been to Manila I haven't felt unsafe or threatened in any way, but I was also with locals pretty much most of the time. I'm also male and big and ugly enough to look after myself, so that may have had something to do with it as well.

 

[Hvr]

That's not just Manila. In Bangkok and most western hotels in India the car check and bomb scan happens, and at the major shopping centres you go through scanners and bags x-rayed.

I've been to BKK several times and stayed in top level hotels (e.g. Conrad, Millennium, IC, Crowne Plaza etc) and have never seen bomb scans or metal detectors.

 

[petermac123]

I have been to Manila 14 times in the past 12 months and I am yet to experience any problems. Maybe you might get hassled for an extra $1 in the taxi or whatever... But stick to Makati and the area around Mall of Asia and you will have no problems whatsoever... I love the place. Bit dirty/bit grimy, but the people are a lot of fun! Try a night out at Blue Wave near Mall of Asia for a great night with middle class locals.

Cheers,

Pete

 

[Fantic125]

I've been to BKK several times and stayed in top level hotels (e.g. Conrad, Millennium, IC, Crowne Plaza etc) and have never seen bomb scans or metal detectors.

I've stayed at the Dusit Thani opposite Lumphini Park 5 or 6 times and they have car security check of boot and under car every time you enter. MBK (last time I was there) had metal detectors and security scan at each entrance.

 

[dot]

Manila - my thoughts...

I've been to Manila many times over the past five years. My first visit was a bit of a security shock - seeing the cops at the airport with a bandoleer of shotgun shells across one shoulder and a sawnoff nickel plated pump action shotgun over the other shoulder, along with bag checks and metal detectors at every hotel, shopping centre and office building. Since then, I've been back (IIRC) 24 more times. I feel quite comfortable walking around the Makati area during day or night, particularly at the greenbelt areas. I try not to use taxis (by corporate policy after a numbers of abductions by taxi drivers a few years ago), instead I use hotel cars (all of the hotels I stay at have their own cars for use as 'taxis').

On a personal security rating, I would rate Manila on a par with Jakarta and Delhi and lower than Bangkok, Hanoi, Hong Kong and Singapore. I am not saying I wouldn't go to Manila, just that you need to be aware of your surrounds from a security standpoint more than you do in some other asian cities. I do go to some other cities that make me feel even less secure than Manila though, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa come to mind....

 

[JohnK]

I've been to BKK several times and stayed in top level hotels (e.g. Conrad, Millennium, IC, Crowne Plaza etc) and have never seen bomb scans or metal detectors.

The reminds me that I have seen the bomb scans and metal detectors used in Thailand.

From memory it used to happen going in to the Bluescope site at Maptaphut and Rangsit.

Now which hotel have I also seen it? Hilton Hua Hin?

 

[yohy?!]

they also have metal detectors in the MRT in Bangkok - of course everyone beeps who walks through and the guys just wave a torch over their bags.....

 

[Simo]

Been to MNL a few times and no probs,

Green belt is safe as also known as Makati.

Stay away from down southern areas of Philippines and all is good. Dipolog City and Davao as they have had westerns taken hostage.

I am going back in May for a few days.

 

[Mak404matt]

Any advice on Airport hotels?

Happy to pay up to around $200

I have an overnight in MNL later in the year.

Also how would one recommend getting a taxi?

 

[MissBurrill]

Thank you everyone for the interesting replies. I'm thinking I wil wait till Mr has more information before making a decision. He said his bosses said Manila was fine when they went there.

The Philippine Consulate website says I can visit for up to 21 days without needing to apply for a visa. That makes it easy for me to book at short notice.

I'm sure I will have many more questions.

 

[Simsy85]

Just like any city in the world, it depends where you stay.

If you stay in Chinatown, beware, if you stay in Makati, your fine.

I went out late one night to get food for myself and Mrs Simsy - no worries, felt safe at all times.

Re Taxi's - i'd hardly call asking for a tip getting ripped off - they live on tips and you tip like 40 peso and they are happy (less than $1). You do however, have to be sure to lock your doors, but most cabbies will do that for you.

Greenbelt has some amazing food and shopping, Green fields has good markets.

Go. Enjoy - the only hassle you'll have is Jetstar cancelling your flight from MNL - DRW (you can almost bet on it!).



Re a good airport hotel, I'd suggest Traders (Shangri-la) - right down the road from Mall of Asia and VERY nice all you can drink wine buffet for $9.

 

[browski]

Manila.

If you can survive the airport, you can survive the city.

If you have a little bit of money, it's not too safe.
If you have a real lot of money, it's real safe.