5 Practical Tips for Your Manila Stay
Booked at a hotel in Manila, Philippines for a lengthy stay? Here are 5 very practical tips to make your stay as affordable or as convenient as possible.
1. Look online for promos.
Whether it's for a stay at a hotel in Manila, reservation at a good restaurant, or just cheap finds, you can get the best bargains if you search online. From local group-buying sites to promos found on restaurant or hotel websites themselves, travelers who spend a little more time searching on the Internet could be rewarded with huge discounts.
2. Pack the right kind of clothing.
Remember that Manila is in a tropical country, and while it can be unbearably hot for a good part of the year, it can be also quite rainy. So while you can always just bring shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops, you should also bring a light jacket just in case the weather turns nasty. You can also travel light and just buy additional clothes upon arrival, or when you need them.
3. Always have an umbrella.
Whether you're staying at a cheap hotel in Manila or at a 5-star one, you wouldn't want to arrive there soaking wet since you got rained on while going around the city. That's why it's good to always have an umbrella with you when going out for the whole day. Umbrellas of different colors and sizes – especially compact, folding ones – are readily available in the many malls around the metro.
4. Plan your sightseeing carefully to minimize time spent in traffic.
Like all big cities in the world, Manila's traffic can drive anyone crazy, especially during rush hour. That's why it pays to plan your sightseeing trip carefully, and go through the city area by area, so you won't have to spend too much time on the road. For example, if you want to see the Intramuros area first, then you should also check out the nearby museums, and not leave them for another day. Seek advice from the locals, or check out a map to help you plot your course.
5. Leave a tip.
According to a survey by MasterCard, Filipinos are the 2nd most generous tippers in Asia, only coming after the Thais. It is common practice to leave a tip of around PHP10 to 20 at most sit-down restaurants, with the exception of those that charge a 15% service charge. And it doesn't end there. When riding a cab, passengers usually round up to the nearest multiple of ten when paying the fare, as a tip for good service by the driver. Bellhops who carry your bags up to your room at your hotel in Manila, Philippines will also be happy if you give a tip.
1. Look online for promos.
Whether it's for a stay at a hotel in Manila, reservation at a good restaurant, or just cheap finds, you can get the best bargains if you search online. From local group-buying sites to promos found on restaurant or hotel websites themselves, travelers who spend a little more time searching on the Internet could be rewarded with huge discounts.
2. Pack the right kind of clothing.
Remember that Manila is in a tropical country, and while it can be unbearably hot for a good part of the year, it can be also quite rainy. So while you can always just bring shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops, you should also bring a light jacket just in case the weather turns nasty. You can also travel light and just buy additional clothes upon arrival, or when you need them.
3. Always have an umbrella.
Whether you're staying at a cheap hotel in Manila or at a 5-star one, you wouldn't want to arrive there soaking wet since you got rained on while going around the city. That's why it's good to always have an umbrella with you when going out for the whole day. Umbrellas of different colors and sizes – especially compact, folding ones – are readily available in the many malls around the metro.
4. Plan your sightseeing carefully to minimize time spent in traffic.
Like all big cities in the world, Manila's traffic can drive anyone crazy, especially during rush hour. That's why it pays to plan your sightseeing trip carefully, and go through the city area by area, so you won't have to spend too much time on the road. For example, if you want to see the Intramuros area first, then you should also check out the nearby museums, and not leave them for another day. Seek advice from the locals, or check out a map to help you plot your course.
5. Leave a tip.
According to a survey by MasterCard, Filipinos are the 2nd most generous tippers in Asia, only coming after the Thais. It is common practice to leave a tip of around PHP10 to 20 at most sit-down restaurants, with the exception of those that charge a 15% service charge. And it doesn't end there. When riding a cab, passengers usually round up to the nearest multiple of ten when paying the fare, as a tip for good service by the driver. Bellhops who carry your bags up to your room at your hotel in Manila, Philippines will also be happy if you give a tip.
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