Manila, Philippines 🇵🇭
#585
,
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a vibrant metropolis known for its rich history, culture, and bustling economy. |
| 👥 Population | Around 1.78 million in the city proper, approximately 13 million in the larger metropolitan area. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is about 25 Mbps, with fiber connections available in many areas. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 PHP ≈ 0.018 USD, major banks include Banco de Oro (BDO), Metrobank, and UnionBank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally considered not drinkable; bottled water is widely available. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 60Hz, Type A, B, and C sockets are common. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Smart and Globe; prepaid SIM cards are widely available with affordable data plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards accepted at most establishments; services like PayMaya and GCash for cashless transactions. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hotels to serviced apartments and Airbnb; prices start from PHP 1,500 per night. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted via cards and mobile wallets. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb is popular with prices ranging from PHP 2,000 to PHP 5,000 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Z Hostel and The Urban Hostel offer beds starting from PHP 500 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Intramuros and Makati for their historical sites and amenities. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | BGC (Bonifacio Global City) and Makati are preferred for their coworking spaces and social scene. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork, KMC Solutions, and The Working Capitol are top-rated coworking spaces in BGC. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Lola Cafe and The Coffee Academics are known for their work-friendly environments. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular Meetup events and digital nomad gatherings can be found on platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Manila Expats Facebook group frequently shares local events and meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most popular ride-hailing service in Manila. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Some areas offer bike rentals via services like Angkas (motorcycle taxis) and bike-sharing programs. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is Batangas Bay, about 2 hours away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Philippine Airlines is the main regional carrier, servicing most domestic routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific operate major international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include SLEX and NLEX connecting Manila to nearby provinces. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | LRT and MRT systems serve as the primary public transportation networks. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Stored-value cards are available for MRT and LRT, perfect for unlimited rides. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and ferries operate to other cities and islands, with Victory Liner being a popular bus service. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | St. Luke's Medical Center is regarded as one of the best hospitals in Manila. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga for Life and Beyond Yoga offer a variety of classes for different skill levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Gold's Gym offer comprehensive facilities for workouts. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats are widely available, with services like Mr. Quickie providing pick-up and delivery. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda and GrabFood are the leading food delivery apps prevalent in Manila. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Adobo and Sinigang are must-try traditional Filipino dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like The Vegan Dinosaur and Greens offer variety in plant-based options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Visit The Dessert Museum and Bizu Patisserie for exquisite treats. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Food stalls at Mercato Centrale provide a range of affordable local food. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee are popular for online shopping in the Philippines. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Groceries can be delivered through services like MetroMart and Honestbee. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Poblacion in Makati is known for its vibrant nightlife with numerous bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | The Manila Brewery and Pedro Brewcrafters are popular choices for locally crafted beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Bar at The Peninsula and D’Vine Wine Bar are excellent spots for wine enthusiasts. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Visit streets like Cartimar for delicious street food like isaw and fish balls. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like TGI Fridays and Shakey's serve a variety of international cuisines. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Rizal Park and Intramuros are essential landmarks showcasing Manila's history. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The National Museum and Ayala Museum are top choices for cultural enthusiasts. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | San Agustin Church and Fort Santiago are noteworthy historical sites in the city. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Quiapo Church and Manila Cathedral are significant religious locations. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Feast of the Black Nazarene is one of the largest annual festivals celebrated in Manila. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Intramuros is the cultural heart of Manila with its preserved Spanish colonial architecture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and PETA Theater Center host various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Greenhills Shopping Center offers a mix of local crafts and traditional wares. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Manila has a vibrant music scene, with venues like 19 East and Saguijo Cafe hosting local acts. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Art districts like the Bonifacio Global City showcase impressive street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Sinigang sa Miso Cooking Class teaches locals how to prepare traditional dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Silverlens and Artinformal are renowned art galleries featuring contemporary works. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Manila Central Post Office is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Barong Tagalog is a traditional shirt representing Filipino cultural heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Laguna de Bay and the mountains of Rizal offer a quick escape from the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Mount Iglit-Baco National Park is a notable national park close to Metro Manila. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Bonifacio Global City has dedicated cycling lanes and parks for recreation. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at Antipolo offers stunning views of the Manila skyline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | La Mesa Ecopark is a popular spot for birdwatching with diverse flora and fauna. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some beaches, like those in Batangas, allow bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | LBC and JRS Express provide reliable parcel delivery services across the islands. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Repair labs like iFix and Home Tech offer electronic device repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Check out the table tennis clubs around Quezon City for recreational play. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto Cervantes offers Spanish courses, while Manila English Academy provides English lessons. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library of the Philippines offers extensive reading resources for students. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The YMCA Manila provides various community and fitness programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming venues like LvlUp and Playhaus are popular among gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Resorts World Manila and City of Dreams host major casinos and gaming halls. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. PHP 150,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = PHP 3,750,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. PHP 100,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = PHP 2,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. PHP 140,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = PHP 7,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. PHP 90,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = PHP 4,500,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. PHP 130,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = PHP 10,400,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. PHP 80,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = PHP 6,400,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Currently 25%. Adjustments may be forthcoming based on government policies. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Dividends are subject to a 10% withholding tax. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The top personal income tax rate is 35%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Value Added Tax (VAT) is standard at 12%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply for foreign-sourced income. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Usually around 1% to 2% of the sale price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Foreigners staying less than 183 days in the Philippines are typically exempt from taxes on foreign-sourced income. |