Capital city in Metro Manila, Philippines
Manila for solo travelers
Is Manila good for solo travel?
The Philippines' gateway: big, loud and humid, with strong hospitals, malls, nightlife and the best English in the country. Traffic, flooding and heat wear people down; most stay in Makati or BGC.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Manageable for solo women in the business districts. Catcalling is common; use Grab at night, the women-only train car (MRT and LRT) and watch drinks. |
How to meet people in Manila
Coworking events and nomad meetups in Makati and BGC, hostels in Malate and Poblacion, run clubs and Meetup groups, and bar nights in Poblacion.
Good things to do alone
- Walk Intramuros and Fort Santiago in the morning
- Eat and bar-hop in Poblacion, Makati
- Visit the Ayala Museum and Greenbelt park
- Browse the Salcedo Saturday Market
- Take a day trip to Taal Volcano and Tagaytay
Where to stay in Manila
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Makati (Poblacion, Salcedo, Legazpi) | Nomads and first-timers: coworking, restaurants, nightlife |
| Bonifacio Global City (BGC) | Clean, walkable, modern; condos, cafés, offices |
| Ortigas | Mid-priced condos, malls, hospitals, less nightlife |
| Malate–Ermita | Backpackers: cheap hostels, Rizal Park, Intramuros nearby |
| Quezon City (Maginhawa, Tomas Morato) | Local food, students, cheaper long stays |
Solo travel across Philippines
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Siargao | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Moalboal | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Manila | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Boracay | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Palawan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| El Nido | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cebu | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Coron | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Bohol | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Panglao | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Makati | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Baguio | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| La Union | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Dumaguete | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Siquijor | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Puerto Galera | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Malapascua | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Port Barton | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sagada | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Banaue | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Vigan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Iloilo | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| BGC | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Bantayan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Davao | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Tagaytay | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Angeles City | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Manila good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). The Philippines' gateway: big, loud and humid, with strong hospitals, malls, nightlife and the best English in the country.
How do you meet people in Manila?
Coworking events and nomad meetups in Makati and BGC, hostels in Malate and Poblacion, run clubs and Meetup groups, and bar nights in Poblacion. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Manila?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Manila safe for solo female travelers?
Manageable for solo women in the business districts. Catcalling is common; use Grab at night, the women-only train car (MRT and LRT) and watch drinks.
More about Manila
Going to Manila solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Manila meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Manila International Airport Authority (NAIA)
- LRT-1 (Light Rail Manila Corporation)
- Grab Philippines
- Department of Tourism
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.