The Philippines has only 1 time zone, Philippine Time (PHT), which is 8 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The Philippines observes Philippine Time all year. There are no Daylight Saving Time clock changes.

The Philippine peso is the official currency of the country. Credit cards are accepted in major establishments around the country.

The Philippines is one of the most hospitable countries in the world. Ranked as the fourth largest English-speaking country in the world, getting to and around the Philippines is a tourist-friendly experience. The best way to get to the Philippines is through air. From your home country, book for a flight to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila which caters to all international flights. Domestic flights are also available for the locals. Alternatively, locals can also take the land or sea routes to Manila depending on your place of origin in the country.

There are several options you can take in getting around Manila / Makati City:

1. Grab

Considered to be the most convenient and reliable app for everyone wishing to get around Makati and Metro Manila. You can book a car or taxi whichever is preferred and is available 24/7. Regular rates can range from PHP 100 – PHP 300 depending on your destination, however, surge rates apply during peak hours which can cost you more. You can download the Grab app on your Android and IOS devices through the app stores.

2. Taxis
Find the nearest taxi stand/stop, and on the the streets where vehicles can stop anytime can be your next option to hail a taxi ride around Metro Manila.  Flag fall is a mere P40 for the first kilometer, plus PHP 3.5 for every 300 m (or two minutes of waiting time) after that. A 15- to 20-minute trip usually costs between PHP P100 – PHP 200. However, sometimes taxi-drivers will negotiate a fixed price on your given destination especially during rush hours and heavy traffic situations which can potentially cost more.

3. LRT/MRT Trains

The LRT and MRT trains are an excellent way to soar over and past traffic. The MRT (Metro Rail Transit) travels a south–north route along EDSA. It is handy for getting to and from the Ayala Centre in Makati and to Quezon City. From Makati Shangri-La, the nearest station is the MRT Ayala station. Depending on your destination, you can connect from the MRT to the LRT (Light Rail Transit) line which has two elevated lines. The LRT-1 runs from Monumento in the north to Baclaran in the south, interchanging with the MRT at the corner of EDSA and Taft Ave near Pasay Rotunda. The LRT-2 runs from Recto in the west to Santolan in the east, interchanging with the MRT in Cubao. Fares are P12 to P15, depending on distance. Transferring between train lines means leaving the station and lining up anew for another ticket. ‘Stored-value' cards are a good idea if you're going to be using the trains a lot.

4. Public Utility Vehicles (PUV)

If you want to experience getting around like a local commuter using PUVs, below are your options: a, Buses; b, Jeepneys; c, Tricycles; d, UV Express - The Utility Vehicle (UV) Express Service is a non-metered taxi that has fixed rates in Manila that can accommodate 10 or more passengers, depending on the type of vehicle, such as vans, and the type of cars called Tamaraw FX.

5. Car Rentals

You may opt to drive around using a car rental service. You may check directly at Makati Shangri-La hotel for booking and reservations.

Nationals from countries listed below who are traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay.

Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of stay of thirty (30) days or less: