Makati



Makati lies in the heart of the Metro Manila. The city is known for its upscale shopping malls with high fashion brands, restaurants and hotels, and is home to many affluent Filipinos. Makati is considered to be a financial, commercial and economic center; it is home to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Cost of living
Makati City's cost of living is significantly higher than its neighboring Filipino cities, owing primarily to its skyrocketing real estate value and relatively upscale commercial and residential selections. However, compared to other major cities of the world, Makati is not that expensive compared to other upscale cities in the world. Furthermore, bargains comparable to other Philippine cities may be found in certain areas, such as in the Makati Cinema Square, The Landmark, Cash & Carry, and Guadalupe Mall, that will make a stay in Makati possible even with a backpackers' budget.

History
The area of Makati City was first dismissed as worthless swampland by the Spanish conquistador Juan Miguel de Legazpi in 1571. Yet over the centuries, this small community would leave large imprints in the social, economic, and cultural history of the country. In 1670 it was established as a visita of Sta. Ana de Sapa under the of the Franciscans. The friars established one of their earliest churches in the Philippines, the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, in Makati, drawing pilgrims from all over the country. At the opening of the 20th century, the Americans established Fort McKinley in Makati, and in 1901, San Pedro de Makati, with a population of 2,500, was incorporated into the province of Rizal. On February 28, 1914, the Philippine Legislature passed Act 2390, shortening the name San Pedro Makati to Makati in the 1930s, the first airport, Nielson Airport, opened in what is now the Ayala Triangle. The first centrally planned community was established in the 1950s, and since the 1970s, Makati has been the undisputed financial and commercial capital. Makati has also figured prominently in the political history of the Filipinos. The community was one of the cradles of the revolt against Spanish colonial rule, and following the assassination of Ninoy Aquino in 1983, the epicenter of the protest movement against the dictatorial rule of Ferdinand Marcos. On January 2, 1995, Makati became an independent city by Republic Act 7854.

Talk
The main language choice for communication in this affluent city is English, making the stays here of international travelers and businessmen a relatively enjoyable experience. A knowledge of Tagalog, the local language, will benefit any traveler.

By train
The MRT Line 3 (MRT-3) elevated train has four stations along EDSA. These are the Guadalupe, Buendia, Ayala and Magallanes stations. Getting off at the Ayala Station will set you in the middle of the Ayala Centre, a complex of shopping malls and restaurants.

MRT-3 is a quick and inexpensive way to get into the city. The cost of a ticket ranges from.

The PNR Metro Commuter Line has three stations at Dela Rosa, Pasay Road, and EDSA.

By car
Two of Metro Manila's main arteries pass through Makati. The Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA) passes along the southeast part of Makati and connects the city with Mandaluyong City and Pasay City. The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) runs through the western part of Makati and connects the city with Manila to the north and with southern Metro Manila. The Skyway, an elevated highway built on top of SLEX, provides residents coming from southern Metro Manila a fast way to reach Makati. SLEX and EDSA intersect at the Magallanes Interchange, which is the most complex system of elevated roadways in Metro Manila.

Other major roads in Makati include Buendia Avenue (Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue), which connects EDSA and SLEX in the north; Ayala Avenue, an important street that runs through the Central Business District; and Makati Avenue, which connects Ayala Avenue with Buendia Avenue and also extends north to cross the Pasig River to Mandaluyong City.

By bus
Buses plying the Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA) route from Baclaran in Paranaque to Quezon City and Caloocan City pass through the Central Business District daily. As mentioned above, you can't load or unload just anywhere, you have to wait or go to the designated stops. There are separate loading and unloading zones which you must observe.



Most of Metro Manila's expanding Premium Point-to-Point (P2P) bus network terminates at Makati; common termini are Greenbelt, Glorietta, The Circuit, and Trasierra.


 * RRCG Transport runs Alabang Town Center–Greenbelt 1, Ayala Malls South Park–Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Cainta–Trasierra, SM Cherry Antipolo–Greenbelt 5, SM City Masinag–Greenbelt 5
 * DNS Transport (Delta Neosolutions) runs from Eastwood City–Makati CBD, Sucat Exit—Greenbelt 5, and UP Town Center–Glorietta 3.
 * San Agustin runs Noveleta—Trasierra and SM Southmall—Circuit Lane.
 * HM Transport runs Robinsons Galleria—Glorietta 3.
 * MetroExpress Connect runs Camella Homes Dasmariñas—San Lorenzo Place, Robinsons Place Dasmariñas—Trasierra, Vista Mall Daang Hari—Trasierra, and Vista Mall Daang Hari—San Lorenzo Place.

By taxi
Taxis come form across the metro, including the airport. A single costs from Ninoy Aquino International Airport or  from Ermita.

By ferry
The Pasig River Ferry stops at one station in Makati: Guadalupe (near Guadalupe Bridge) is in a convenient spot for tourists, which makes this option far less convenient than hailing a taxi. It may be worth keeping the ferry service in mind as another means of getting into Makati from other riverside districts such as Manila/Intramuros in Manila.

Get around
You can easily walk around the Central Business District by way of the sidewalks or the pedestrian underpasses. Some areas in the Central Business District are connected with overpasses where pedestrians can walk above the streets.

Taxis are also abundant, especially around the malls. The flat rate is and a ride across town is.

It is inadvisable to drive in Makati. Makati has some of the strictest traffic rules in Metro Manila. Traffic marshals actively enforce rules. The metro-wide road space rationing ("number coding" or "color coding") scheme is active all day unlike in neighboring cities where they are only enforced during rush hour. Traffic jams are a headache, one-ways streets are common, and left turns are less common than rights. Parking fees are steep, especially in the CBD, and enforcement is draconian, with clamping or towing for violations.

Work
The Makati Central Business District is the home of some of the biggest companies in the Philippines. It is also where the top BPO's and contact centers are headquartered.

Buy
Ayala Center is the Philippines' answer to Singapore's Orchard Road or Thailand's Siam Square, and has a number of upscale malls. High-end brands and restaurants usually have branches here. The cost of buying in Makati is far more expensive than its neighboring cities or in any other city in the Philippines because of the upscale brands they have in Makati.



Eat
Makati is packed with dining choices:

Budget

 * Earl of Sandwich, 3rd Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center. Excellent submarine sandwiches.
 * Mang Inasal Filipino-style chicken.

Pizza
The pizza debate will rage in eternity but thankfully, you're never far from a slice in Manila. No matter your personal definition of pizza, Makati has you covered with a mind-boggling array of choices. Of course, they have Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Domino's, which if that's your thing, you won't have to look far.


 * Greenwich A favourite of locals. Very affordable yet tasty pizza, often located in mall food courts.
 * Yellow Cab Pizza Multiple locations, one of the Philippines' most successful pizza franchises that has gained its market share with good value for money, lots of toppings and imported cheese.
 * Sbarro Multiple locations throughout Metro Manila. Yes, it's a chain store but where else are you going to find Chicago-style deep dish? Nowhere.  Sbarro's it is. Their pastas are also filling and tasty.
 * California Pizza Kitchen Multiple locations including the third floor of Greenbelt 5. It is what it is. If thin crust is your taste, head here. Dine in, take away or delivery.
 * Shakey's Great traditional thin crust pizzas and a family restaurant.

Mid-range

 * Circles Event Café, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave., +63 2 8814 2580. Offers an array of continental, oriental, à la carte and buffet selections in a relaxing ambiance.
 * Cibo, Italian restaurant with several branches, most notable at Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong and Glorietta 4. Their pasta dishes and panini sandwiches are great. Don't miss the very refreshing fresh red grape shake.
 * Sentro 1771, Greenbelt 3 2nd Level, Ayala Center, +63 2-7757-3940 to 41. Casual dining restaurant serving Filipino cuisine. Popular dishes include the tomato and kesong puti (native white cheese) salad, sizzling tofu and corned beef sinigang (corned beef in tamarind broth). They are known for their coffee pie.
 * Circles Event Café, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave., +63 2 8814 2580. Offers an array of continental, oriental, à la carte and buffet selections in a relaxing ambiance.
 * Cibo, Italian restaurant with several branches, most notable at Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong and Glorietta 4. Their pasta dishes and panini sandwiches are great. Don't miss the very refreshing fresh red grape shake.
 * Sentro 1771, Greenbelt 3 2nd Level, Ayala Center, +63 2-7757-3940 to 41. Casual dining restaurant serving Filipino cuisine. Popular dishes include the tomato and kesong puti (native white cheese) salad, sizzling tofu and corned beef sinigang (corned beef in tamarind broth). They are known for their coffee pie.
 * Cibo, Italian restaurant with several branches, most notable at Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong and Glorietta 4. Their pasta dishes and panini sandwiches are great. Don't miss the very refreshing fresh red grape shake.
 * Sentro 1771, Greenbelt 3 2nd Level, Ayala Center, +63 2-7757-3940 to 41. Casual dining restaurant serving Filipino cuisine. Popular dishes include the tomato and kesong puti (native white cheese) salad, sizzling tofu and corned beef sinigang (corned beef in tamarind broth). They are known for their coffee pie.
 * Sentro 1771, Greenbelt 3 2nd Level, Ayala Center, +63 2-7757-3940 to 41. Casual dining restaurant serving Filipino cuisine. Popular dishes include the tomato and kesong puti (native white cheese) salad, sizzling tofu and corned beef sinigang (corned beef in tamarind broth). They are known for their coffee pie.

Drink
The epicenter of Makati's famous nightlife is Greenbelt where some of the city's best restaurants, cafes, bars and karaoke joints cluster around a park in the middle of the main business district. Meanwhile, there are a series of bars stretched out along Makati Avenue, northeast of Ayala Triangle, including the infamous P Burgos Street red district area.

The Poblacion area is next to (or arguably a part of) the Red Light District, and is possibly the best place for bar hopping in the Metro. The historically low rent (by Makati standards) of the area has led to several trendy bars and restaurants popping up, ranging from cheap beer gardens to some of the best bars in the country. Just start in the area around Don Pedro St. and walk around until you find a bar you like.
 * In Greenbelt: Museum Cafe Ground Floor, Ayala Museum, Makati Ave corner Dela Rosa Street (adjacent Greenbelt 3 and 5) Tel +63 2-757-3000. Kind of a swanky joint. Usually featuring live music. It's common to see well-heeled expats sipping mimosas at noon.

Northeast of Ayala Triangle


 * WG Diner Corner of Makati Ave. and Gen. Luna St., Makati, This unassuming outdoor establishment was the best kept secret in town. Located near the A. Venue Mall, across the street from the Wendy's and 7-Eleven. Friendly staff, decent Filipino food, and insanely cheap beer ( per bottle of San Miguel!), combined with a ringside seat on the parade of God-knows-what on Makati Ave., makes WG a solid choice for a laid-back night with friends.
 * Wide Eye Ground Grill (Kuwagos) Makati Ave. corner B. Valdez. This is where the locals go, and by locals, we mean contact center employees. Open 24 hours. A bucket of 6 San Miguel for . Serves Filipino dishes. The place gets unbearably loud on weekends.

Splurge
Thanks to its reputation as the country's premier financial district, Makati City is home to some of the country's pricier hotels. Many major international hotel chains have their local affiliates in Makati City.



Stay safe
Makati is generally peaceful. Perhaps the more peaceful place than Makati is the Bonifacio Global City (Fort Bonifacio) area of Taguig. Choosing between Manila and Makati? Makati is much better security-wise.

Be mindful of people coming from outside of Makati though. They tend to be tagged as 'less civilized' by Makati residents because most offenses in the city are made by them.

Be wary of strangers and take extra precaution when being approached. Avoid crowded places, as well as sketchy locations.

Metro Manila police are generally foreigner-friendly. As usual, the recommended approach is to be on high alert at all times, as incidents may take place anywhere.

Connect
The international telephone country code for the Philippines is +63. The area code for Metro Manila (including Makati) is 2.

Cope
English is spoken everywhere. All traffic signs and business establishments are in English. In formal business engagements, English is the language of choice.

Expect heavy daytime traffic in Makati. Avoid traveling during peak hours. While jeepneys are banned from certain areas (namely Ayala Center), they are in full force everywhere else. Just like any urban area, Makati is noisy. In addition to the general traffic noise, the city is in the midst of a construction boom, and construction is ongoing 24/7. So when choosing a hotel, it's a good idea to find out in advance what is happening in the nearby vicinity. If there's a 40-story tower going up across from the Mandarin Oriental, which there is, ask for a room facing the other direction. It's highly recommended to use tap water for washing your hands and nothing more.

Be wary of taxi drivers. Every other driver will tell you he doesn't know where Greenbelt 3 is, thereby forcing you to give directions or allow him to circle the area, unmercifully driving up your fare. On Friday and Saturday nights, never light a taxi if the driver refuses to use the meter and insist on an extortionate fare to your destination, for instance, a normal cab ride from P Burgos Street to Greenbelt should be no more than. On weekends, it's usually just to get in the cab. Some drivers will outright refuse to take you based upon what they perceive to be their odds of getting a return fare.

Also, if you're that reckless, beware of citizens stealing your information and making charges to your accounts.

Generally speaking, Makati is the most civilized and comfortable metropolis in the Philippines. Travelers of all nations will feel comfortable.