Major city · Philippines
Makati
Base in Makati for 2–3 nights: stay in Legazpi or Salcedo Village, walk the Ayala Center malls and museums, and use MRT-3 at Ayala for the rest of Metro Manila.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season)
- avoid Jun–Nov (rain and typhoon season), Holy Week crowds
- Airport
- MNL
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
Makati is Metro Manila's financial core and its most walkable district: Ayala Center's malls, the Ayala Museum, Greenbelt Park and two weekend markets sit inside a compact grid of overpasses and underpasses. It is a base, not a sightseeing city — most travellers sleep here and day-trip into Manila, Taguig and Pasay. Two nights covers the district; three if you want a full Manila day without moving hotels.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Makati, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.Philippines-wide
- SIM or eSIMGlobe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.Philippines-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.Philippines-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if no service charge.Philippines-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Philippines-wide
- SafetyMakati's CBD is one of the safer parts of Metro Manila by day and evening; the real risks are traffic, heat and bag-snatching in crowds.
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers911 National emergency · (02) 8870-1000 (≈ US$160–18) Makati rescue and emergency (City Hall)
- Sundays & holidaysHoly Week shuts much; malls open daily; banks closed weekends.Philippines-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMNL Ninoy Aquino International (Taxi to Makati CBD ₱200–300 (≈ US$4–6), 20–60 min depending on traffic; no rail link.).
- Getting aroundWalk the CBD: sidewalks, pedestrian underpasses and overpasses link Ayala Center, Ayala Triangle and Legazpi Village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a mall café₱120–200 (≈ US$3–4)
- Beerdraught in a Poblacion bar / can at a convenience store₱120–250 (≈ US$3–5)₱60–100 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across the CBD₱40 flag-down.₱100–150 (≈ US$2–3)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Ayala Museum / Yuchengco Museum)₱425 (≈ US$8)₱200 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person₱600 (≈ US$11)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₱3,500 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₱7,000 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱1,800 (≈ US$35) · Mid ₱3,500 (≈ US$65) · High ₱8,000 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MNL Ninoy Aquino International (Taxi to Makati CBD ₱200–300, 20–60 min depending on traffic; no rail link.)
Weather and climate
Makati: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
4 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
3 rd
Mar
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
3 rd
Apr
34°C93°F
25°C77°F
4 rd
May
34°C93°F
26°C79°F
9 rd
Jun
33°C91°F
26°C79°F
15 rd
Jul
32°C90°F
25°C77°F
18 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
25°C77°F
19 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
25°C77°F
18 rd
Oct
31°C88°F
25°C77°F
15 rd
Nov
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
11 rd
Dec
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
7 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the CBD: sidewalks, pedestrian underpasses and overpasses link Ayala Center, Ayala Triangle and Legazpi Village. MRT-3 runs along EDSA with Guadalupe, Buendia, Ayala and Magallanes stations (₱13–16 per ride). One Ayala at EDSA corner Ayala Ave is the city-bus hub, with the EDSA Carousel and BGC Bus. Taxis are plentiful around the malls: ₱40 flag-down, ₱100–150 across town. Jeepneys cover Chino Roces, Kalayaan and J.P. Rizal for short hops. Driving is not advised: strict enforcement, one-ways and all-day number coding.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–60 min
Taxi or ride-hailing via Gil Puyat Ave and Roxas Blvd; LRT-1 from EDSA station as an alternative
Go early: the walled city is hot and exposed by midday.
Taguig (BGC)
goDoor to door: 20–40 min
BGC Bus from Ayala MRT station, or taxi via EDSA and McKinley Rd
Half-day for the High Street area and Mind Museum.
Pasay (MOA and the bay)
goDoor to door: 30–50 min
Taxi via EDSA, or MRT-3 to Taft Ave then a short ride
Mall of Asia and the baywalk; best at sunset.
Quezon City
cautionDoor to door: 45–75 min
MRT-3 north to Quezon Ave or North Ave, then jeepney or taxi
Long for a return trip; pick one museum or market, not both.
San Juan
cautionDoor to door: 30–50 min
Taxi via EDSA and Ortigas Ave
Mainly for food streets; combine with a Quezon City stop.
Parañaque
skipDoor to door: 30–60 min
Taxi via SLEX or EDSA; EDSA Carousel southbound from One Ayala
Mostly casinos and airport hotels; no reason to go unless you fly out.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Legazpi Village
Quiet streets, Legazpi Active Park and Washington Sycip Park, walk to Greenbelt and Ayala Ave; best for first-timers.
Salcedo Village
Between Ayala Ave and Gil Puyat Ave; Salcedo Park and Saturday market on the doorstep, 10 min walk to Ayala Center.
Ayala Center / Glorietta
Malls, MRT-3 Ayala station and One Ayala bus hub directly above; noisiest but the most connected.
Poblacion
West of the CBD: bars, hostels and cheaper rooms, 15–20 min walk or short taxi to Ayala Center.
Rockwell Center
Power Plant Mall and riverside apartments; quieter and pricier, 15 min by taxi to the CBD.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₱1,500–2,500 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱2,500–5,000 (≈ US$45–90) excl. bed
- High
- ₱5,000 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × ₱3,500 | ₱7,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₱3,500 | ₱14,000 |
| Airport taxi to Makati CBD, one way1 × ₱300 · check | ₱300 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₱500 | ₱1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱2,230 |
| Trip total≈ ₱6,130 per person per day, bed included | ₱24,530≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in pesos; international flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a mall café | ₱120–200 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Fast-food meal (Jollibee, Mang Inasal) | ₱120–250 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Mid-range restaurant main | ₱350–700 (≈ US$7–13) |
| Beer: draught in a Poblacion bar / can at a convenience store | ₱120–250 (≈ US$3–5) / ₱60–100 (≈ US$2) |
| Taxi across the CBD₱40 flag-down. | ₱100–150 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Museum entry (Ayala Museum / Yuchengco Museum) | ₱425 (≈ US$8) / ₱200 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Do not drive: Makati enforces traffic rules hard, with clamping and towing, and the metro-wide number-coding scheme runs all day here.
- Rush hour on EDSA and Gil Puyat Ave can double any taxi or bus time; build in slack for airport runs.
- Use metered taxis or ride-hailing apps and agree the fare before you get in; unmetered cabs near malls ask for more.
- Keep bags zipped in crowded malls, markets and MRT stations; phone-snatching is the common street crime.
- Jun–Nov is typhoon season: check forecasts before booking domestic flights out of Manila.
Emergency numbers
- National emergency
- 911
- Makati rescue and emergency (City Hall)
- (02) 8870-1000
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MakatiMakati
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
Dito po, sa address na itoTo this address, please
Emergency
- National emergency911
- Makati rescue and emergency(02) 8870-1000
Embassy
Most embassies are in Manila (Ermita and Makati); the US embassy is on Roxas Blvd, Manila — check your own country's listing before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- NAIA → Makati CBD, taxi: ₱200–300 (≈ US$4–6), 20–60 min
- BGC Bus Ayala → BGC: about ₱15–30 (≈ under US$1), 20–40 min
Say or show
- Salamat — Thank you (sa-LA-mat)
- Magandang umaga — Good morning (ma-gan-DANG u-MA-ga)
- Magkano? — How much is it? (mag-KA-no)
- Paki-meter po — Please use the meter (pa-ki MI-ter po)
- Nasaan ang CR? — Where is the toilet? (na-SA-an ang si-ar)
- Hindi ko maintindihan — I don't understand (hin-DI ko ma-in-tin-di-HAN)
Metered taxis and ride-hailing both work; agree the fare or insist on the meter before setting off.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Makati. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May (dry season) · avoid Jun–Nov (rain and typhoon season), Holy Week crowds · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MNL: taxi band, ride-hailing fallback, late-arrival check-in rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Ayala Center, Ayala Triangle and Legazpi Village, Salcedo Village, Poblacion.
- Place pages with verified hours and ticket prices (Ayala Museum, Yuchengco Museum, Greenbelt Chapel, Nielson Tower) and eat pages with last orders.
- Weekend-market fixtures (Salcedo Saturday, Legazpi Sunday) so morning plans can go green.
Sources
- officialMakati City government
- officialAyala Museum
- officialYuchengco Museum
- officialPhilippine Stock Exchange
- secondaryWikivoyage: Makati, revision 5323277 (CC BY-SA 4.0)