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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Parañaque
Stay 1–2 nights only if you want the airport, the casinos or Baclaran's markets: no old-town core, and traffic eats the day.
Parañaque is a southern Metro Manila city of gated subdivisions, the Entertainment City casino strip on reclaimed Manila Bay, and the crowded Baclaran market district. It is not a sightseeing city: most travellers use it as an airport-adjacent bed, a casino stop or a flea-market run, then move on to Manila or the islands.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry, less rain)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (wet season, typhoon risk)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid ₱3,000–5,500 excl. bed · High ₱8,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- National emergency 911 · Philippine Red Cross 143 · Tourist assistance (DOT hotline) 1388
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ₱80–180 |
| Rice meal at a local eatery | ₱80–150 |
| Restaurant meal, mid-range | ₱300–600 |
| Bottled water (500 ml) | ₱20–40 |
| Jeepney ride | ₱13–25 (check) |
| Taxi, 5 kmTaxi, 3.1 mi | ₱150–250 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₱300–800 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MNL · Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
- Terminals straddle the Parañaque–Pasay line; NAIA Expressway links to the city.
Typical fares
- NAIA → Entertainment City, taxi
- ₱200–350, 15–30 min (check)
- LRT-1 Baclaran → Dr. Santos
- ₱15–30, about 20 min (check)
- PITX → Makati, P2P bus
- ₱100–200, 30–60 min (check)
Get around
LRT-1 runs to Dr. Santos (Sucat) and serves PITX. Jeepneys and buses cover the main roads; Baclaran and Kabihasnan are walkable, the rest is not. Shuttle buses link the Entertainment City casinos with PITX. Expect long rides at rush hour.
See and do
Known for
- Entertainment City casinos (Solaire, City of Dreams, Okada)
- Baclaran Church and tiangge flea markets
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
- Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Manila (Intramuros) | LRT-1 from Baclaran to Central Terminal, then walk or a short ride | About 1–1.5 h |
| Makati | Jeepney or bus to EDSA, then MRT or a taxi | About 1–1.5 h |
| Taguig (BGC) | Bus or jeepney via C-5, or taxi | About 1–1.5 h |
| Pasay | LRT-1 or jeepney along Taft Avenue | About 30–45 min |
| Quezon City | MRT/LRT combination or taxi | 1.5–2 h |
| San Juan | Taxi or ride-hailing via EDSA | 1–1.5 h |
Sleep
- Entertainment City / Aseana (Tambo)
- Casino resorts, mid-range chains and malls; walkable blocks, best for a comfortable airport-adjacent night.
- Baclaran
- Cheap inns and hostels near the church and LRT-1; loud, congested, good for budget and early flights.
- Sucat (Dr. A. Santos Ave)
- Suburban malls and local food; needs jeepneys or buses for everything.
- BF Homes
- Affluent residential subdivision with cafés and restaurants; quiet, car-dependent, limited transit.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Paumanhin popa-oo-man-heen po |
| Thank you | Salamat posa-laa-mat po |
| How much is it? | Magkano po?mag-kaa-no po |
| Can I pay by card? | Puwede po bang mag-card?poo-weh-deh po bang mag-kard |
| Where is the toilet? | Nasaan po ang CR?na-sa-an po ang see-ar |
| Please use the meter | Paki-meter popa-kee mee-ter po |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- Traffic is chronic; allow double the map time for any cross-city trip.
- Baclaran is crowded and pickpocket-prone: keep bags in front, phone out of sight.
- Casino floors are 21+ with ID checks; set a loss limit before you sit down.
- Only use metered taxis or ride-hailing apps; agree the fare or check the meter first.
The main risks are traffic, heat and petty theft in Baclaran's crowds. Use metered taxis or apps, keep valuables out of sight, and avoid unlit side streets at night.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Parañaque yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Entertainment City casinos (Solaire, City of Dreams, Okada)
- Baclaran Church and tiangge flea markets
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
- Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Parañaque city government: paranaquecity.gov.ph/
- Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX): www.pitx.ph/
- Okada Manila — The Fountain: www.okadamanila.com/relax/attractions/fountain
- City of Dreams Manila — DreamPlay: www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/en/enjoy/dreamplay
- Wikivoyage: Parañaque, revision 5331010 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5331010
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Parañaque
Sa address na ito po
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Most embassies are in Manila or Makati; check your country's listing for the current address and hours.
Casino floors and some resorts require ID and a bag check.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/paranaque). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.