your travel concierge to Philippine holidays...
your travel concierge to Philippine holidays...
Makati is the most modern and energetic city in Metro Manila. Everywhere you go, your senses can savour the classy-cosmopolitan attitude of Makati: skyscrapers, high-end shopping, exquisite restaurants, totally alive night life, plus some dose of fine culture and art. With its stylish environment and comfortable security, no wonder Makati is the top city of choice of urbanites and international visitors in terms of work and leisure.
Exploration time | How to get there | How to go around | Reviews
Makati is superior above all cities in terms of economic activity. It is Metro Manila’s chief commercial and business capital. The racial mix in town is pretty-much a norm because expats and international companies have settled in. The central business district is found within the vicinity of Ayala Avenue, Sen.Gil Puyat Avenue, and Makati Avenue. The Philippine Stock Exchange located in Ayala Avenue is a popular landmark of the city’s financial capacity. It is within the grounds of the Ayala Triangle Gardens where office workers and visitors alike take refuge in the greenery of a well-landscaped park set to relax one’s busy day.
Any city will not be complete without a tour to the museum. Whether you are a local or a visiting citizen of the world, one cannot help but be impressed with the Ayala Museum. At the corner of Dela Rosa St. and Ayala Avenue, The Ayala Museum is a welcome treat to anyone seeking that sense of culture and heritage in the modern times. The museum was envisioned by the late artist Fernando Zobel de Ayala and the present building was designed by the National Artist for Architecture, Leandro V. Locsin. On September 2004, the Ayala Museum became Ayala’s gift to the people.
Today, the place displays prime historical collections dioramas depicting the ancient and revolutionary eras of the Philippines. It also features a unique gallery of miniature watercrafts and boats that started the country’s maritime development. Among the most noteworthy exhibits are the collection of ancestors’ gold treasures, 18th to 19th century Philippine embroidered costumes, and prized oriental trade ceramics of Southeast Asia.
The Museum also houses the works of three important national art pioneers: Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zobel. The first great Filipino painter, Damian Domingo also has his oil painting displayed here.
The Ayala Malls of Glorietta and Greenbelt offer the best shopping choices – mostly of known international brands. The newly-opened Greenbelt 4 on the other hand, features a line of high-end stores such as Louie Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, and Bvlgari, among others. Within the same vicinity is Greenbelt 5. The posh shopping place offers much of its space to the best of Filipino designers alongside fashion household names like Zara, Yves Saint Laurent, and Liz Clairborne.
The top line of restaurants and bars for someone loving a vibrant night life cannot miss Greenbelt 3 in Makati. Join the nightly entertainment bands in the bars like the Met cafe, a resto/bar in this area where people enjoy Latin dance music.
Exploring Makati can take a day. The landmarks are just a pleasant walking distance from each other. However you might want to reserve a full night to enjoy the evening entertainment specials.
Makati is just a 20 to 30-minute ride from the International Airport in Pasay City. There are cab terminals in the airport to get you to your destination. Makati also has organized taxi lines within the vicinity of the malls along Ayala, Avenue. Tourist hot spots like in Rockwell Mall and Makati Avenue also provide easy cab access to take you around the metro.
Manila is around 20 to 30 minutes ride from the International Airport in Pasay City.
Brief info about public transportation
Exploring around Makati could be done on foot as interesting places are mostly at walking distance. Just a 30 minute ride from the glam and glitter of Makati is Bonifacio Global City, also known as he Fort, is a alternative destination for dining and nightlife. The Fort has Art Walk which is a free and open tour of modern art, Serendra for good dining choices and Bonifacio High Street for shopping.
Accomodation
Being the financial center of the Philippines, international hotel chains like Makati Shangri-La Hotel, The Peninsula Manila, and Intercontinental hotel caters to businessmen all over the world that are seeking the familiar comforts and service after a day of work. The Raffles hotel will soon be operating as well within 2012. There are also several boutique hotels, that offer personalized service and world-class comfort to guests visiting the city.
Dining options
Sophisticated dining options abound in Makati, particularly in Greenbelt 3 and 5. They serve a wide range of culinary choices like American, Italian, Mediterranean, and authentic Filipino cuisines to your liking. Great food matched with a modern and classy ambiance await you to these line of restaurants in Makati. Maogma could arrange for the booking of your dinner and/or lunch as part of your itinerary.
Recommended activities
Activities run endless in a city as alive as Makati. You can spend half of the day learning about the Philippine culture, history and arts in the Ayala Museum. By lunch time, you have plenty of local and international dining opportunities in Greenbelt. At night, you can go unstoppable with the beat of the Makati nightlife in its modern resto-bars and live band performances. The choices here are as varied as your imagination.
What to buy?
You do not have to worry about not being able to bring everything in your luggage. For those of Asian ethnicity, this could also be the chance to shop for the best asian brands of skin care and cosmetics. Global designer brands have several shops opened in this cosmopolitan city. Visit Greenbelt 4 and 5 for a match up of internationally-known names in the fashion industry as well as the creations of top Filipino designers. The Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati is also a favorite shopping destination for designer shops and brands.
Since Makati is the Philippine’s business district, credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs and banks including foreign banks are available and accessible. Tipping for appreciated good service is usually given at 10% of the bill. Nevertheless, many establishments usually add a 10% service fee to your bill where a tip may not be necessary. There are also certain establishments where you will be advised that tipping is discouraged.
Electricity in Makati and the rest of the Philippines uses 220 volts at 60 Hz with U.S. style flat blade. Power adaptors could usually be provided by hotels for guests’ use during their stay.
Dress comfortably as weather in Manila can reach up to 30 degrees in the summer months of March to mid-May.
From November until the summer months prove to be the best weather to walk around Makati. Also, the Ayala Triangle Gardens is resplendent during the months of November to December as it features different shows yearly. In 2011, it showcased the ?Symphony of Lights and Sounds? where sparkling Christmas lights were synchronized to the music of popular Philippines carols.
