General Safety, Manila

We personally did not experience any dangers but our driver warned us of the many dangers that could happen if we were not on our guard. In broad daylight, never use your cell phone to make a call. Unruly persons would come out of nowhere, grab your cell and use it's minutes or possibly sell the phone. The selling of cell phones is big business here in the Philippines especially if it is a model that just came off the production line.
Never wear expensive jewelry or watches out in public. You may be targeted.
Try to always travel with a "buddy" and always trust your intuition. If it doesn't feel right, it's probably not.
Crime does exist in the Philippine, just be on your guard and look over shoulder every so often and keeps your wits about you.

Having just returned from a visit to Manila I can honestly say that at no time did I feel frightened, intimidated or unwelcome. Nor did I feel unsafe or in any danger. Having read lots of reports on how Manila is not safe etc I ventured forth into Manila full of trepidation, fully expecting to get robbed or at least have my pocket picked at some point during my visit. Of course, these things never happened, mainly because I do not let them happen, by making sure the opportunity did not arise. Thieves do need to be encouraged to commit their deeds. Of course, there is street crime in Manila, just as there is any major capital city of the world (perhaps with the exception of Tokyo) but I felt totally safe all the time I was there. Granted, I am a big guy, but size has nothing to do with it in my book, it is opportunity that is key to someone becoming a victim. Give a desperate thief the opportunity to steal from you and he/she will. I feel it is wrong to advise people not to go to Manila, or anywhere else for that matter, just because the place has a relatively high crime rate.
Manila is as safe as anywhere else, but it is up to the individual to make it so!!

Its much cheaper to get a flight to Manila than Cebu... But I would recomend that you only use Manila airport to connect to anywhere else.

Manila is nasty at night and not that great in the daytime either. There is nothing there that is worth the risk or stress that even a short stay that will include.

I would like to point out that i am very much in love with the Philippines, spent, in total almost 8 weeks there and would love to go back.. But Manilia is not to be taken lightly, look at all the warnings on this site..

It has been years since this happened to me, and for many years after it was VERY difficult to use foreign credit cards in Manila (Except at well established hotels). In 1998, I went out for some dinner, drinks, and entertainment on Roxas Blvd. I had finished dinner was paying when a friend happened to see me in the club. We started a new order of drinks as my credit card came back - which was well over 10 minutes. After finishing a couple of rounds I paid again. .. but used a new credit card. Again it took 10 minutes Plus to get the credit card.

About a week later I was in the US and tried to use my card for a small purchase and it came back rejected as the account was over the credit limit. Knowing this was I had only used the card once, I called the credit card company to find out what was happening. Turns out there was several purchases of thousands of dollars run up on my card - charged to a Jewelry Store in Manila. Because this was the second time I used my card, I was able to explain to the credit card company that those were not my charges and that the restaurant I used the card must have copied the card. I gave the address of the restaurant (Since closed) so they could prosecute with local authorities. I then called my other credit card company and found out that the same people were running up bills at the same jewelry store. I gave them a way to contact them and had the charges removed from this account as well.

I would believe that there are still scams like this happening in Manila (And elsewhere in the world). So my advise is:
1. Try to keep your credit card in sight when paying for anything
2. If your card takes more than a couple of minutes to come back. . . This should start raising "RED FLAGS"
3. Bring enough cash to pay for things in places that you may not want to use your cards.
4. When traveling, check your statement frequently. . . if you see any charges that don't make sense call your credit card company.

As a general rule specially if you're a foreigner blonde , brunette caucasian or spanish mestiza never ever wander the streets of Manila by your LONESOME , there were many abuses that were committed to hapless tourists before, they were drugged , raped, robbed and beaten . So forget the solo act this is Manila one of the unsafest cities in the world !

Dont wear those mini skirts or skimpy shorts by the end of the day you'll find your legs badly bruised by all those hands coming from anywhere touching and grabbing it !

I would rather suggest skipping manila and take a direct flight to CEBU , if paradise do exist you can find it in cebu !

a concerned world class traveller

If you cross the first pedestrian bridge which crosses over Roxas Boulevard located at Baclaran, be careful of purse snatchers, pick pockets, and other thieves. If you are a female, do NOT wear jewelry, especially necklaces. A thief will rip the necklace from your neck. If you cross this bridge, do not go alone, go in pairs or have your husband or boyfriend with you. Law enforcement may be present but it is unlikely they will help.

DO NOT travel in Manila with a backback that has a zipper that can be opened!! I was a fool and had my camera snagged right behind me with no idea of it happening!! All my video of Angeles City will probably end up on some porn site now!!! DAMN!!

Manila has a high number of homeless families begging and some can be a little persistent/aggressive, a lot of them appear at night time. The streets are not well lit so take care and watch out for busy traffic.