← Back to Fantasize Manila, Philippines
Destination

Manila, Philippines

Premium Economy roundtrip fares from 20 US hubs · Updated daily
$1,947
Lowest fare
$3,262
Average
20
US hubs
0
Below normal
All fares to Manila, Philippines
SEA $1,947 Typical Book Search →
JFK $1,970 Typical Book Search →
BOS $1,970 Typical Book Search →
DFW $1,988 Typical Book Search →
SFO $2,002 Typical Book Search →
ORD $2,091 Typical Book Search →
LAX $2,114 Typical Book Search →
SNA $2,187 Typical Book Search →
ATL $2,329 Typical Book Search →
MIA $2,343 Typical Book Search →
SEA 14h $3,593 Typical Book Search →
BOS 17h $4,309 Typical Book Search →
ORD 16h $4,330 Typical Book Search →
SFO 13h $4,429 Typical Book Search →
ATL 15h 30m $4,520 Typical Book Search →
LAX 10h 30m $4,550 Typical Book Search →
MIA 17h $4,564 Typical Book Search →
JFK 16h $4,598 Typical Book Search →
SNA 8h $4,701 Typical Book Search →
DFW 15h $4,706 Typical Book Search →
About Manila, Philippines

Manila is the most misunderstood capital in Southeast Asia — a sprawling, electric megalopolis where Spanish colonial grandeur collides with cutting-edge Filipino creativity, and where the dining scene now rivals Bangkok and Singapore for sheer ambition. Most luxury travelers skip it for the islands, which is precisely why those who stay are rewarded with a city that tries harder, surprises deeper, and feeds you better than almost anywhere in the region.

6 Experiences Worth the Trip
1. A Private Sunset Dinner Inside the Walled City of Intramuros

Forget the daytime tourist circuit — arrange a private evening experience through the Ilustrado restaurant or the newly restored Casa Manila, where you can di...

ne among 16th-century stone walls as the golden hour light filters through centuries-old churches. The juxtaposition of Filipino-Spanish cuisine served in a fortified city built in 1571, while modern Manila hums just beyond the gates, is genuinely transporting. This is the Philippines' soul distilled into a single evening, and most visitors never see it after dark.

2
The Gallery Vask and Toyo Eatery Double Header
Manila's fine dining scene has quietly become one of Asia's most exciting, and the way to experience it is a two-night commitment: Gallery Vask in Bonifacio Global City for chef Chele González's avant-garde Filipino-Spanish tasting menu, then Toyo Eatery in Makati for Jordy Navarra's revelatory exploration of indigenous Filipino ingredients. Both have appeared on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, and both will fundamentally change what you think Filipino food can be. Book weeks in advance and request the chef's counter at Toyo.
3
The Poblacion Crawl You Won't Find in Any Guidebook
Poblacion in Makati has transformed from a gritty residential neighborhood into Manila's most thrilling nightlife and cocktail district — think early-days Shoreditch or pre-gentrification Colonia Roma. Start with cocktails at Oto, move to the rooftop at Savage, then find your way to the unmarked speakeasy behind a barbershop called Curtain Call. This is where Manila's creative class actually goes, and the energy on a Friday night is genuinely world-class.
4
A Suite at The Peninsula Manila and the Makati Heritage Walk
The Peninsula Manila remains the grand dame of Philippine hospitality — its lobby is still the city's most important social stage, and the suites overlooking Ayala Avenue deliver old-world elegance that newer hotels can't replicate. Pair your stay with a morning walk through the Ayala Triangle Gardens and the Ayala Museum's gold collection, which houses pre-colonial gold artifacts so exquisite they'll reframe your entire understanding of Philippine civilization before the Spanish arrived.
5
Helicopter Transfer to Balesin Island Club
The ultra-wealthy Filipino families don't go to Boracay — they go to Balesin, a private members-only island resort accessible by chartered flight or helicopter from Manila. With themed villages replicating Bali, St. Tropez, and Costa Smeralda, it's gloriously over-the-top, but the white sand beaches and crystalline water are absolutely real. Securing a guest invitation requires connections, but your concierge at The Peninsula or Raffles Makati can sometimes work miracles.
6
The San Miguel Market and Quiapo Church at Dawn
Set your alarm brutally early and have your driver take you to Quiapo before 6 AM, when the Black Nazarene devotees are already gathering and the surrounding streets are an overwhelming sensory carnival of herbal medicine vendors, fortune tellers, and some of the best street food in the city. This is raw, unfiltered Manila — the version that makes the city genuinely unlike anywhere else on earth. Pair it with a stop at the nearby San Miguel market for fresh fruit and bibingka straight off the coal, then retreat to your hotel spa to process what you just witnessed.
When to Go Show ↓
☀
Peak Season
December to February
This is Manila's cool, dry season — and 'cool' here means temperatures dipping to a genuinely pleasant 24-30°C with low humidity, which for a tropical megacity feels like a revelation. December is especially magical as Filipinos celebrate the longest Christmas season on earth, with lantern festivals, Simbang Gabi dawn masses, and a citywide euphoria that's infectious. Hotels book up and rates climb, but the energy is absolutely worth the premium — just book your Noche Buena dinner reservations by October.
🌴
Shoulder Season
March to May
March is still lovely, but by April and May Manila becomes genuinely sweltering — 35°C with punishing humidity that makes outdoor exploration uncomfortable past 10 AM. The upside is that hotel rates drop significantly, the city's best restaurants are easier to book, and Holy Week in March or April brings extraordinary cultural processions that most international visitors never witness. Plan your days around air-conditioned experiences and early mornings, and you'll have a brilliant time at half the peak-season price.
Things to do in Manila, Philippines
Bamboo Bike Tour → Intramuros Walking Tour → Fort Santiago Ticket → Ocean Park Ticket → Food Tour → Binondo Food Tour → Cooking Class → Taal Volcano Day Trip → Tagaytay Ridge Tour → Bay Sunset Cruise → Cultural Heritage Tour → Street Food Tour → Night Market Tour → Art Gallery Tour → River Cruise → Taal Volcano Tour → Tagaytay Day Trip → Pagsanjan Falls Tour → Bike Tour → Museum Pass → Aquarium Ticket →
Plan your trip to Manila, Philippines