Makati

Makati is the financial capital of the Philippines — the Wall Street of Manila — and the country's most important business district. Home to multinational corporations, major banks, embassies, and luxury shopping malls, Makati has a polished, high-rise skyline that contrasts sharply with its neighbours. The city proper covers 21.6 km² and holds about 600,000 residents by day, swelling to over 4 million with the commuter influx. Ayala Avenue, the central spine, is lined with skyscrapers. Makati's climate is the same as the rest of Metro Manila: warm year-round with a wet season June–November.

Makati is well-connected by MRT-3 (Ayala, Buendia stations) and PNR (Buendia, Pasay Road stations). Buses and jeepneys from Manila (Lawton, Taft via EDSA) reach Makati's Ayala area in 30–60 minutes. By car, EDSA and the Skyway are the main arteries.

The Ayala MRT station connects to the elevated walkway system linking the central business district. Buses and jeepneys ply Ayala Avenue and EDSA. Grab and taxis are plentiful but expensive during peak hours (₱150–300 for trips within Makati). The Makati-Pasay-Pasig river ferry is also available from Guadalupe station.

• Ayala Museum (Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street) — A private museum showcasing indigenous Filipino art, the Gold of Ancestors exhibit, and a diorama of Philippine history. Entry ₱425. Open Tue–Sun 9AM–6PM.

• Greenbelt Chapel — A stunning modernist Catholic church within the Greenbelt mall complex, surrounded by landscaped gardens and a koi pond.

• Legazpi Sunday Market — A weekly open-air market on Legazpi Street, Sundays 6AM–1PM, offering organic produce, artisanal food, and crafts.

• Nielson Tower — A 1930s Art Deco building that served as Manila's first airport terminal (Nielson Field). Now houses a restaurant and events space.

• Walk the Ayala Triangle Gardens — A 2-hectare park in the business district, perfect for jogging, lunch breaks, and holiday light shows in December.

• Take a food tour in Salcedo Village — The Saturday Market (Salcedo Park, Saturdays 7AM–2PM) is one of Metro Manila's best food markets.

• Catch a show at the Power Plant Mall — Rockwell's cinema complex screens independent and blockbuster films.

• People's Palace (Greenbelt 2) — Thai cuisine. Try the pad thai and green curry. Main courses ₱400–700.
• Mendokoro Ramenba (Makati Avenue, Salcedo Village) — One of Manila's best tonkotsu ramen shops. A bowl ₱350–500.
• The Grille (Yakal Street corner, San Antonio) — Filipino buffet with unlimited crispy pata, lechon, and kare-kare. ₱499 per head.
• Lena's Bagnet (Legazpi Village) — Ilocano crispy fried pork with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste). Main course ₱250–400.

• The Curator (Legazpi Street) — A speakeasy cocktail bar famous for its curated whisky list and cocktails (₱400–600).
• Z Hostel Rooftop (Makati Avenue) — Budget-friendly rooftop bar with pool, beer from ₱100, and views of the Makati skyline.

• Budget: Z Hostel (Makati Avenue, dorm beds ₱500–700, single rooms ₱1,200–1,500).
• Mid-range: Holiday Inn & Suites Makati (Dela Rosa Street, rooms ₱3,000–5,000).
• Upscale: Raffles Makati (One Raffles Drive, luxury rooms from ₱10,000); The Peninsula Manila (Ayala Avenue, from ₱9,000).

• Greenbelt — A five-building luxury mall complex with designer boutiques (Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton), restaurants, and cinemas.
• Power Plant Mall (Rockwell Center) — Upscale mall with high-end dining, a bookstore, and a supermarket.
• Salcedo Saturday Market — Best for organic produce, gourmet cheese, fresh bread, and Filipino delicacies.

• BGC (15 min by Grab) — Bonifacio Global City, a modern mixed-use district with high-end stores, museums, and dining.
• Pasay (20 min via MRT) — SM Mall of Asia, the world's third-largest mall.
• Manila (20 min via LRT/MRT) — Historic Intramuros and Binondo.