Explosions occurred in the Quiapo area of Manila on 28 April and 6 May 2017, with many fatalities.
In 2017 there were two explosions in Also, there has been an increase in kidnappings.
Hiring a driver will always be more expensive than a car, but it’s so much less stressful. This will take the stress off. We’d recommend taxis. Especially with the heavy-handed President Rodrigo Duterte in power.Currently (June 2019) the Philippines is going through an election.
If you can get to grips with either system or want to use them, you can by all means. People here are friendly, especially to children, and whilst it’s not going to be the most easygoing place in the world, you’re bound to have a good time here.Often Manila works as a stop-off point for families that are heading off to different parts of the Philippines, which makes sense. Places like public transport, places of worship, malls and airports have been and may be targeted.
How much you end up loving it depends on how much of an open mind you approach it. There you have it.
From Chinese influenced fish balls (But there’s other stuff that gives Filipino food a different kind of reputation. Not in Manila, but because of that (and other reasons) there is currently Away from people, there’s nature. A decent-ish alternative to the ever-busy MRT.
It’s a big place, and wandering around like a lost tourist could get you into a spot of trouble. Manila is a great city to visit, but it still has crime. One of these is something you’ll notice as soon as see one: taxis in Manila are often run-down and a bit worse for wear (to say the least).Often the drivers will “forget” to put the meter on, and end up overcharging you – sometimes as much as twice the amount it’s supposed to be. Make sure you are aware of the situation in the Philippines, understand that Manila can be overwhelming, and know that you should do your best to not stand out as an unwitting target!If there was ever a more annoying thing for someone travelling around the world than losing money, we’d like to know! Though you should probably have a trouble-free time when you visit the Philippine capital, there is still a chance that a pickpocket may try to take something from you…
Manila is a safe destination—as long as you educate yourself on some safety issues. Of course, Manila, being the capital, is a target. In a city (especially one like Manila), you can feel even more isolated and overwhelmed.
Even if you’re only going for a few days, that’s more than enough time to get buggered by wicked men or smote by wrathful angels. You could even meet up with other solo female travellers through cool Facebook groups. For everything from safety tips to street food suggestions, work with a local to build your trip.
Being in the know and having some level of street smarts will get you a long way though.Here’s a fun fact: the Philippines is 8th in the world when it comes to being a medical tourism destination.
That said, there are still a fair few child-friendly activities you can get involved with too.There are a few considerations, however. If they tell you it’s “broken” or suggest the fare is “up to you”, just get out and find another taxi – it’s not worth pushing your point and getting into an argument about it.Note: if they quote you a price, it’s likely to be around double the regular fare.In rush hour, getting a taxi can be pretty tricky. That just shows you the amount that they happen – and they don’t stop!At the end of the day, don’t let all that put you off. If you’re dead-set ongoing, but you don’t want to navigate the sometimes overwhelming city by yourself, consider getting a guide or a car complete with driver. Obviously, it depends where you choose to live, and to some degree how much you pay, but still you’ll have all that the capital offers: nightclubs, big hotels, shiny business districts, malls, … There are Grab Booths, which may not be in the city itself but are at the airport, at Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4, and make it easy to get yourself a ride to your accommodation when you’ve just made it through customs.Taxis in Manila are a bit sketchy.