Avis Car Rental Manila
Manila
Manila, capital and chief city of the Philippines. The city is the centre of the country’s economic, political, social, and cultural activity. It is located on the island of Luzon and spreads along the eastern shore of Manila Bay at the mouth of the Pasig River. The city’s name, originally Maynilad, is derived from that of the nilad plant, a flowering shrub adapted to marshy conditions, which once grew profusely along the banks of the river; the name was shortened first to Maynila and then to its present form. In 1975, by presidential decree, Manila and its contiguous cities and municipalities were integrated to function as a single administrative region, known as Metropolitan Manila (also called the National Capital Region); the Manila city proper encompasses only a small proportion of that area.
Metropolitan Manila encompasses six cities and 12 towns. Located on Manila Bay in the South China Sea, and bisected by the Pasig River, the capital of the Philippines is historic and modern, rich and poor. A popular sight is the walled area called Intramuros. The capital during Spanish colonization, Intramuros has retained old dungeons and gunpowder rooms but added art galleries and theaters. The city is filled with museums, shops, parks and churches, plus enough nightlife to last until dawn.
TOP DESTINATION IN MANILA
Villa Escudero Plantations
Explore the Philippines’ distinct culture and heritage at Villa Escudero Plantations. During your tour of the vast 2,000 acres (800 ha) of the plantations, ride aboard a carabao (native water buffalo) before you visit the plantation’s museum and have lunch at the waterfalls.
Relax as you roam through the countryside to the Villa Escudero Plantation, a quaint, popular villa showcasing the agricultural history and culture of the Philippines. After you climb aboard a traditional carabao cart, your guide shares the history of this exquisite coconut plantation and a local band plays.
National Museum
The National Museum is also an extraordinary place to visit in Manila. Juan Luna’s famous and stunning masterpiece, The Spoliarium will greet you at the entrance. The painting is superb, huge and enigmatic. Of course, that’s only a warm up. Walking through the museum, you’ll see more of Philippines’ archives and treasures.
Enhancing universal access by all Filipinos to what we proudly exhibit as our national patrimony and heritage has always been a primary concern, and with this new policy we hope to reach more people than ever before, both by encouraging visits to our museums, and by bringing the National Museum’s programs and resources to communities throughout the national capital and all the regions of our archipelago.
The National Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park is the country’s first world-class marine theme park and a premiere educational facility. An integrated urban resort with marine life attractions and aqua-themed hotel, the park is geared towards an all-year, all-weather destination for locals and tourists. Everyday is a holiday and an ultimate fun place for all ages.
From a spectacular marine themed park, Manila Ocean Park has finally evolved into Metro’s Holiday Destination where everything is all about Life and Living.An array of exciting attractions, enticing view of the bay, enriching marine life exhibits, entertaining dining and lifestyle shapes to mold into an integrated resort destination. Manila Ocean Park is proud to have a marine-themed park in the country that houses Life of the best of both under and over the sea!
Intramuros
The 64-hectare stone citadel, founded by the Spanish in 1571, has withstood wars, natural disasters and successive waves of colonial invaders, and as such stands as a metaphor for Manila itself. Intramuros, “The Walled City,” is the oldest district in Manila. This is what remains of the fortified city, which was the seat of power during Spanish Colonial times (1521-1898).
Although, previously the site served as a large Indianized-Malayan-Islamic settlement, during the 16th century, it was the centre of religious, political and military power, when Philippines were under the control of Spain, and were a Spanish colony. Only the elite Spaniards and Mestizos were allowed accommodation in Intramuros. In fact, during this era, Intramuros was itself regarded as Manila.
Art in Island
Art in island is a 3D art museum and the largest of its kind in Asia. Our goal is to make known works of art more accessible and appealing to a wider audience through the use of optical illusion and 3D paintings of famous works and scenes that tickle the imagination of the viewer. Unlike traditional museums where visitors are mere spectators and photography strictly prohibited, Art in Island lives by the maxim “Be Part of Art.”
The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays between 9:30am-9:30pm.
Address: 175 15th Ave., Brgy. Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City
If you want to spend as long as you want – doing all sorts of crazy poses until you have that perfect photo – we suggest you go early on a weekday.