Local Information

Travelling to Manila

Foreign Travel to the Philippines Philippines Travel Advisory

Time Zone

The Philippines follows the GMT +8 time zone

Weather / Climate

The Philippines has a tropical monsoon climate. The month of December falls within the dry season, with occasional rain showers. The average temperature in December falls between 22℃ and 32℃.

Language

The Philippines, especially Metro Manila, is generally bilingual (English and Filipino). Provinces and regions across the country also speak a variety of dialects.

Currency

The Philippine Peso (PHP) is the national currency of the Philippines. Foreign Currency Exchange centers and banks are easily accessible in most parts of the country.

Electrical Voltage

Electrical voltage in the Philipines is 220 volts. Gadgets and appliances that require 110 volts should use a voltage converter.

Telecommunications

When calling Manila from abroad, phone numbers follow the format: Landline Numbers: +63 2 #### #### Mobile Numbers: +63 9## ### ####
Prepaid mobile SIM cards are widely accessible in airports, malls, and convenience stores. ICPC Manila recommends the services of Smart Communications.

Smoking

Most places in Metro Manila adhere to the Clean Air Act, prohibiting smoking in all open and public spaces. Similarly, enclosed public spaces are smoke-free. The ICPC 2019 venues and Partner Hotels are generally non-smoking. Certain establishments may have a designated smoking area.

Getting Around

Grab

Download the mobile application and register for an account. This service requires an internet conenction.
Specify your pick-up point and your destination.
If coming from the airport, specify the airport terminal as the pick-up point, e.g. NAIA Terminal 3.
The application will display an estimated fare to be paid. Payment may be made in cash (Philippine Pesos) or charged to your credit card or debit card.
The application displays a notification with the vehicle and driver information.
Most vehicles accommodate four passsengers and two medium-sized luggage.
Metered Taxi

Taxis are clearly marked and appear in a variety of colors. The flag-down rate is Php 40.00. Fare is based on distance and time of travel at Php 13.50 per kilometer and Php 2.00 per minute, respectively.
If coming from the airport, look for the queue for the yellow metered taxi.
Metered taxis usually accommodate four passengers and two medium-sized luggage.
Car Service

At the apirport, there are counters for different car services. These car services provide a vehicle and a driver. These usally cost mor than Grab or Metered Taxi services. It may be work considering when travelling with a large group.
ICPC 2019 recommends the airport transfer services of Nissan Rent A Car.
Most hotels also offer the paid option to arrange for transportation from and to the airport.

For more airport information, visit manila-airport.net