Every single person I told my plans to visit the Philippines asked whether it was safe, so I want to answer the question is Manila safe for solo female travellers as a woman who visited Manila alone.
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It doesn’t have the beaches or waterfalls that the Philippines is known for, and a lot of people skip it. Or just use it as a jumping off point to visit the rest of the country.
I think that’s a mistake. Manila is my favourite city in the Philippines, and I wish it was more popular with travellers.
That being said, when you tell people you’re visiting Manila, they often ask is Manila safe? Especially when you’re travelling there alone as a woman.
It’s a common question because not as many people visit Manila as they do other capital cities in Southeast Asia like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
People (especially from Canada and the United States) tend to have an idea in their head that the Philippines and Manila are dangerous.
Just like anywhere in the world, there can be dangers associated with a city. There are always less safe neighbourhoods and things you shouldn’t do when you visit a city.
Manila is no exception; however, in general, Manila is safe for solo female travellers. Especially if you’re staying firmly on the tourist trail.
A lot of the time safety when travelling boils down to being aware of your surroundings, knowing local scams to watch out for, and being able to read a situation or location and assess whether it’s somewhere you should be or not.
I can honestly say that I never once felt unsafe while in Manila. Everybody I met was super kind, and I never had that gut feeling that you sometimes get when something just isn’t right.
There are definitely some Manila safety tips you should know about before arriving in Manila, and we’ll talk about those in this post.
But if you’ve always dreamt of visiting the Philippines and Manila but the one thing holding you back was the fear of it being unsafe, I’m happy to say you can book that trip and not be any more worried about your safety than you are anywhere else in the region or around the world.
I’m a bit biased because I love the city so much, but it always makes me sad when people tell me they visited Southeast Asia or the Philippines and skip Manila.
Is Manila Safe?
Just in case you skimmed the first part of this post (I don’t blame you), I want to reiterate that the answer to the question is Manila safe for solo female travellers is yes.
Manila is a safe city for tourists to visit.
There are safety things you should be aware of before visiting Manila that will make it easier to be safe in Manila, and we’ll talk about those. But as a general rule of thumb, Manila is safe.
You don’t have to worry about visiting Manila as a solo female traveller. You’ll be just as safe in the Philippines as you are in other countries in the region like Thailand and Singapore.
Is Manila Safe for Members of the LBGTQIA+ Community?
The Philippines is a very religious country. 92.5% of people in the Philippines identify as religious, which is a huge percentage.
Currently there aren’t a ton of legal protections for gay people in the Philippines. There is discrimination against gay people in some places, but there is a large movement and push towards giving members of the LBGTQIA+ community more legal rights.
Manila is the capital city and largest city in the Philippines. It’s also quite a diverse city. There are gay pride events, support from many political officials, and the Philippines is often considered one of the most LBGTQIA+ friendly countries in Southeast Asia.
There are tons of gay clubs and gay communities in Manila.
Overwhelmingly, people in Manila are accepting of the LBGTQIA+ community even if their governmental policies are lagging behind the social acceptance.
While it’s more or less socially acceptable to be gay in Manila, it’s still probably best if you refrain from any PDA if you happen to meet someone while on your solo trip to Manila.
You probably won’t face any backlash if you’re holding your partner’s hand in public, but it may not be worth the risk. Plus it’s so hot that you may not want to being holding their sweaty hand in any event.
So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that even though the laws in Manila aren’t on the side of the LBGTQIA+ community, the community overwhelmingly is, and you shouldn’t face any outward discrimination if you visit Manila as a member of the community.
Manila Safety Tips
Manila is a safe city for solo female travellers, but there are a few safety tips you should keep in mind.
None of these safety tips are too serious. As in they won’t make you not want to visit Manila. Or scare you away from visiting Manila.
They will, however, ensure that you’re safe while you’re in Manila.
Be Cautious of Taking Taxis
Taxis are very affordable in the Philippines. They’re one of the best ways to get around. Public transportation isn’t always the most reliable or convenient. And walking can get very hot very quickly.
I used taxis all the time throughout my trips to the Philippines, but I didn’t use them in Manila.
I was planning on using them in Manila, but I changed my mind when I got there. I walked to the taxi stand at the airport in Manila, and there was a huge sign saying that I was assuming the risk of taking a taxi and that the police wouldn’t help if something happened.
That scared me off a little bit. Especially as a solo female traveller.
I hadn’t seen a sign like that anywhere else in the Philippines, and I took it seriously.
I walked back to the airport and ordered a Grab. Grab is a bit more expensive than taxis in the Philippines, but I felt like it was the best choice for me at the time.
I asked the woman who checked me in at my hotel whether it was safe for me to use taxis in Manila, and she said that she didn’t recommend it. I stayed at a hotel near the airport on my last night in Manila, and the woman who checked me in there said it was safe to use taxis.
So, the jury is still out on whether or not taxis are safe for solo female travellers in Manila, but I like to be extra cautious and use Grab instead of taxis.
That way you know you’re not going to be scammed and that you’ll get to your destination as planned without any detours or stops along the way.
An Alternative Way to Get from the Airport to Metro Manila
I know not everybody has the financial means to take a Grab or taxi from the airport. There is an alternative I wanted to share with you.
It’s called the NAIA Premium Bus.
The bus is super affordable. You pre-book your ticket online in advance. You actually save a little bit of money when you buy in advance, so that’s a big plus!
You select what part of Manila you want to be dropped off at when booking your ticket. Then when you arrive in Manila, you go to the bus stop number listed on the confirmation email and get on the bus.
It’s very reliable and very safe. You know exactly where you’re going to be dropped off, and there is no way you can get on the wrong bus.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, the metro doesn’t go all the way out to the airport. There are plans to bring to the train to the airport, but it isn’t available yet. I’m not sure when it will be available.
Once it is available, the metro is probably the best way to travel from the airport to metro Manila safely and affordably. As long as you’re staying at a hotel near the metro line. If you’re not staying near a metro station, the NAIA Premium Bus will still be your most convenient affordable way to travel to metro Manila.
Be Careful When Walking
Be careful when taking taxis. Be careful when walking. I bet you’re wondering how exactly you’re supposed to get around Manila.
I love walking and think Manila is a very walkable city. Excluding how hot it is.
But you do need to be careful when walking. Especially when you’re crossing the road. Scooters don’t always stop at red lights so make sure to look both ways before crossing the street even if you have a walk light.
Sometimes you’ll need to walk on the street to get where you want to go. Most of the time these are less busy side streets, but they’re still pretty busy. Have your head on a swivel. Make sure you know what’s coming up behind you and walk as close to the side of the street as possible. Don’t be that person who is walking in the middle of the street!
Finally, you’ll be walking on the sidewalks. Lots of the sidewalks are very busy. Watch out for people and carts selling food. Also be aware of what’s going on under your feet.
The sidewalks aren’t always level, and you don’t want to step on an uneven part of the sidewalk and twist an ankle.
My last day in Manila, I was walking down a busy street. People carry umbrellas everywhere in Manila to keep the sun off their skin. One of the umbrellas got caught in my hair and pulled out a chunk of it.
So, be aware of your surroundings when walking. You never know what safety concerns will pop up.
Avoid Illegal Activities
I know this may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people knowingly partake in illegal activities.
Like taking drugs. Don’t do that.
If you’re caught taking illegal substances, you’re most likely going to jail. And jails in the Philippines are not somewhere you want to be.
Use common sense and don’t do anything you think may be illegal. If you’re not sure whether or not it’s illegal, either don’t do it or Google whether it is legal before doing it.
Again, I know this seems obvious, but for a lot of people it isn’t.
Carry Your Passport or a Copy of It
The police in Manila have the right to stop tourists and ask to see their passport. They don’t have to have a reason to ask. They can just ask you.
You’ll get in trouble if you don’t have your passport to show them.
You can either show them your original passport or a copy of your passport. It doesn’t really matter.
The important thing is that you have some version of your passport on you at all times when you’re travelling in Manila.
It’s unlikely that the police will stop you and ask for your passport, but it isn’t unheard of. There are police officers stationed basically everywhere in Manila, and you’ll pass them multiple times every day.
Any one of them can ask to see your passport for any reason.
I personally like to carry my passport on my person instead of leaving it in the hotel, but you may prefer to carry a copy of it. Whatever works best for you.
Ignore Tuk Tuk Drivers if You Don’t Want a Ride
Just like anywhere else in the world where there are Tuk Tuk drivers, they’ll likely call out to you constantly to get you into their Tuk Tuk.
They’ll often follow you around for a block or two asking you to get in. I had one driver follow me all the way from the Old Town to the Museum of Contemporary Art. It was quite a way for him to follow me and a waste of his time.
Just keep saying no thank you or ignoring a Tuk Tuk driver if you don’t want a ride.
If you do want a ride, be sure to agree on the price before you get in. Otherwise you’ll likely be scammed at the end of the ride. The driver will demand a very high price, and you can’t really say no since you already completed your ride.
All Things Money, Money, Money
Okay. There are a few things you need to know about money in Manila. I’m going to cover them all in this section so be ready for a lot of information.
One of the ways the answer to the question is Manila safe can go from a yes to a no is how safe you are with money.
Don’t Use Independent Money Changers
If you go on a shopping spree at one of Manila’s many markets and run out of cash, the shop owner will probably suggest you go to a money changer. This happens a lot if you’re shopping in Green Hills.
Most shops at markets don’t accept cards and only accept cash. If you run out of cash and still want to shop, you need to find a way to get more cash.
Don’t go to one of the independent money changers that are around the shopping centre.
One of three things will happen (or maybe all three if you’re unlucky):
- You’ll get a terrible rate
- You won’t be given the proper amount of cash you were promised
- You’ll be given counterfeit money
None of those things are good.
If you need extra cash while you’re out and about, either go to an ATM or to a legitimate bank to exchange your money.
Don’t trust the independent money changers. It isn’t worth the risk.
Be Careful When Using the ATM
I think ATMs are the best way to take cash out in Manila. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some risks associated with them.
Sometimes people will hang out near ATMs and linger a bit too close. They’re either trying to get your PIN or steal your money when it comes out of the machine.
The best way to stay safe when taking money out of the ATM is by using an ATM inside a bank.
I like to take my money out at HSBC if there is one nearby. They don’t charge any fee to take money out of their ATM even if you’re not using an HSBC card.
But any bank with an inside ATM will work.
Every bank I’ve been to in the Philippines has at least one guard near the ATM, so they’re very safe to use.
Cards are Safe to Use
A lot of people tell you not to use credit cards in Southeast Asia because of credit card skimmers.
I’ve spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia and have never had a problem with skimmers. That doesn’t mean there aren’t skimmers out there, but they’re not as common as they used to be.
Most of the time you just tap to pay for your purchases, and you can even pay with Apple Pay in a lot of instances to make it even more safe.
I think I’ve only had one scenario where I had to put my card inside a machine to pay for something in Southeast Asia. The rest of the time I just tapped it.
Carry Your Passport if Using Credit Card
One thing that surprised me (and a lot of other tourists) is the need to show my passport when I used my credit card in the Philippines.
Anytime I used my credit card in the Philippines, I had to show my passport. No matter how big or small the purchase was.
A lot of tourists who used their credit card in front of me weren’t aware of this and didn’t have their passport on them.
Sometimes the cashier would let them off with a warning and other times the person wasn’t allowed to pay for their items and was told to come back later with their passport.
I’ve never seen this anywhere else in the world, and I was just lucky that I always carry my passport with me and never leave it in the hotel.
If there is any chance that you’ll be using your credit card to purchase something, be sure to have your passport with you. You’ll be asked to show it. I’m not sure if a copy of your passport will be sufficient, but I’m guessing it would be since it is sufficient if the police stop and ask you for your passport.
Be Wary of Friendly Strangers
It’s very common for people to approach you in the Philippines and start chatting with you. Especially if you’re a solo female traveller.
It’s always best to be wary of these people. Most of them have good intentions, but some of them don’t.
Always be polite to the people who approach you but never give them any personal details or information.
It’s also best not to tell them you’re travelling alone. That immediately puts you at high risk if you are talking to someone with bad intentions.
Keep the conversation light and fluffy. If (when) they ask if you’re alone, tell them your friend is waiting for you at a nearby cafe or taking a nap in the hotel and meeting with your shortly.
Again, most of the time, it’s just locals being friendly. They love chatting with tourists and seeing whether or not you’re enjoying your time in Manila. It’s a great way to get some local insight into what’s good to see in the area, but don’t give out any personal information during your conversation.
Don’t feel bad about ending the conversation if you start to get a bad vibe. And don’t go anywhere with them if they invite you somewhere. That’s a red flag for them having bad intentions.
Be Careful at Night
I know I’ve said multiple times in this article that Manila is safe for solo female travellers. I stand by that, but the one time of day when things start to get a bit less safe is at night.
I’m not telling you not to go out at night. I’m just telling you to be extra cautious and have a solid plan on how you’re getting back to your hotel in the evening.
And that plan should either be walking if it’s only a few blocks away or taking a Grab. Those are your safest options for being out and about at night and needing to get from place A to place B.
You should also never get too drunk. Especially as a solo female traveller.
You need to have your wits about you and still be able to make quick, smart decisions during the evening. If you do want to get drunk, either drink at the rooftop bar at your hotel if it has one or go on a guided pub crawl.
Also please, please, please always keep an eye on your drink. There is an issue in Manila where women are having their drinks spiked at a higher rate than most other parts of the world. As a solo female traveller, you’re at an even higher risk of having your drink spiked.
Always Lock Your Luggage
There is a popular scam in the Philippines where someone will plant a bullet in your luggage and then demand a super high fee to make the charges associated with having illegal bullets dropped.
Luckily, it’s easy to avoid this scam.
Make sure you have a secure and reliable lock on your luggage that only you know the combination to. The other important thing is to make sure you don’t let strangers handle your luggage.
The only people who should be handling your luggage are you, the person helping you lift your luggage in and out of the taxi or Grab, and the person helping you check in your luggage at the airport.
Some hotels have porters who bring your luggage up to your room. If you can, insist that you take your luggage yourself. Some higher end hotels won’t let you take your own luggage, but you should at least try to insist you take your own luggage to your room.
Be Internet Safe
One of the most overlooked travel safety tips is being internet safe. You rely on public wifi when you travel. Even if you have an esim on your phone, you’ll still use public wifi at the hotel at night.
This puts you at high risk of having your online personal information stolen. Even if the public wifi has a password associated with it, you’re still at risk. Anybody who knows that password (e.g. everybody in the hotel), can access the network. All it takes is one bad person, and your personal information is stolen. This could include your banking information.
And trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to go through the hassle of dealing with canceling bank cards while you’re on holiday. It’s not a fun time.
The only way you can be internet safe when you travel is by installing a VPN on your devices.
A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to see your personal online information and data. It makes using public wifi just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.
I know it isn’t the most obvious travel safety tip, but it’s one you want to take seriously.
I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect yourself with a VPN.
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of different VPNs during my years of travel and hated most of them. VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed, and you can really feel the slow down with most VPNs on the market.
I used to get so frustrated with how slow my internet was with my VPN that I’d turn off my VPN and put my information at risk of being stolen.
All that changed when I started using NordVPN. NordVPN is the fastest VPN on the market, and you can really feel the difference compared to other VPNs.
I’ve been using NordPVN since 2018 and have never once felt a lag in my internet speed. I love how fast it is and have no plans of ever switching to another VPN provider.
You can protect up to six devices with a single NordVPN subscription, so you can keep all your devices safe with one account and for one low price.
A two-year NordVPN subscription costs less per month than a single Starbuck’s latte. So you have no excuse not to protect your online information.
It’s a super small price to pay for the peace of mind you get knowing your personal online information and data is safe from prying eyes.
Conclusion
Whew. This article is way longer than I thought it would be. I was planning on answering the question is Manila safe for solo female travellers then got a little carried away sharing all the Manila safety tips I think you need to know before your trip.
Manila is a special city. I absolutely love it and can’t wait to go back.
If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, you can’t skip Manila. It’s so different from the rest of the Philippines and well worth taking the time to explore.
There are so many good (and free) museums, historical sites, and places to shop and eat. I truly believe that no trip to the Philippines is complete without exploring Manila.
And now that you know that Manila is safe, you have no excuse not to go!