The capital
city of the Philippines, Manila is a busy metropolis with colonial architecture
complemented with high-rise skyscrapers, blending the old and new.
While many
people use Manila only as a stopover for further travel, explorers of the city
will discover its friendliness and charm.
Visas
Visas are required for all
international travellers entering the Philippines except the following:
- Travellers
carrying passports from Brazil and Israel can enjoy visa-free access to the
Philippines for up to 59 days.
- Travellers
carrying passports from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Macao SAR can enjoy
visa-free access to the Philippines for up to 7 days.
The official website of Bureau of Immigration, Philippines
Currency
The
Philippine currency is known as Philippine Peso (PHP). The basic unit of money
itself is called the peso (for bills)
or centavos (for coins).
Credit cards
are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls.
Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.
PHP 1.00
equals:
|
Exchange Rates
|
Currency
|
|
0.02
|
Australian Dollar
(AUD)
|
|
0.01
|
British Pound
(GBP)
|
|
0.17
|
Hong Kong Dollar
(HKD)
|
|
1.37
|
Indian Rupee
(INR)
|
|
2.32
|
Japanese Yen
(JPY)
|
|
0.03
|
New Zealand Dollar
(NZD)
|
|
0.03
|
Singapore Dollar
(SGD)
|
|
0.02
|
US Dollar
(USD)
|
Taxes
12.75%
surcharge including government tax is applicable in most hotels, restaurants,
salons and spas.
Tipping
Many
mid-range and top-end hotels, restaurants, salons and spas include a 10%
service charge.
If there is
no service charge reflected on the bill, a tip of 10-20% is accepted.
Business Hours
Bank Hours
9am - 6pm, Monday through Friday
(Banks inside shopping malls are open 9am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday)
Office Hours
9am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday
Shop Hours
10am - 9pm or later throughout the week
Public Health
Visitors entering the Philippines
are required to complete a health declaration form. Check with your local
doctor or health care professional about vaccination requirements before you
plan your trip.
Dress
Dress is generally informal in the
Philippines except on social, diplomatic or government occasions when a suit
and tie / long gown or Barong Tagalog
/ Filipiniana is appropriate. Light
clothing is appropriate for the tropical humid weather.
Weather
Manila has a
temperate climate ranging from very warm during April to June (28 C to
39 C) to cool during December to February (20 C to 25 C).
Today
Partly Sunny with Showers
Intervals of clouds and sunshine
|
High:
|
29°C /
84°F
|
|
Low:
|
25°C /
77°F
|
Tomorrow
Mostly Sunny
Pleasant with sunshine and patchy clouds
|
High:
|
32°C /
89°F
|
|
Low:
|
24°C /
75°F
|
|
Thursday:
|
|
Partly Sunny
|
High:
33°C /
91°F
|
Low:
24°C /
75°F
|
|
Friday:
|
|
Mostly Cloudy
|
High:
32°C /
89°F
|
Low:
25°C /
77°F
|
|
Saturday:
|
|
Intermittent Clouds
|
High:
32°C /
89°F
|
Low:
24°C /
75°F
|