Philippines : Safety by City
Philippines - safety as a country Makati is in the center of big Metro Manila, in the Philippines.
The city is an upscale destination known for luxurious shopping malls filled with high fashion brands, restaurants, hotels, and famous Philipinos.
Makati is also where the Philippine Stock Exchange is located, and the financial, commercial and economic center of the country.
The fusion of cultures and arts is palpable in this gorgeous city, although you can see the contrast between its first-class layer of society and the poverty-ridden slums of the city.
Due to the high cost of living, this destination is recommended to those with a higher budget.
Warnings & Dangers in Makati
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
The criminal activity in Makati has increased greatly during the past couple of years, and though it's still a popular tourist destination, it has many dangers and is ridden with crime. You should be aware that tourist hotspots are places where most thefts and pickpocketing occur, and that violent crime exists, too.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Transport is not the safest and the most reliable in Makati. Count on taxi drivers trying to rip you off, extremely annoying traffic jams that Makati is notorious for, intolerant and reckless drivers, roads being inaccessible due to flooding and taxi drivers working without meters.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Because this is a city filled with rich people and tourists, many pickpockets are operating around the popular tourist hotspots and the level of petty crime is relatively high.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Makati City is exposed to many natural hazards typical for the areas of the Philippines such as earthquakes, typhoons, and floods.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
While petty crime is lacking, violent crime exists in Makati. Assaults, robberies, and kidnappings are extremely common all over the islands but most don't affect the foreigners.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
There have, recently, been terrorist acts in Makati, so there is a heightened risk of one happening again. It is best to remain vigilant at all times.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Always carry small bills with you. Vendors will try and make you buy more things by saying they have no change for large bills. Apart from that, be wary of people lurking around ATMs or anyone trying to distract you. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
It is advised that women avoid walking alone after dark. Apply all precaution measures at all times and avoid dark and empty streets and locations. If you avoid these situations, it's mostly safe in Makati for women.
So... How Safe Is Makati Really?
Although the residents of Makati are known as friendly and welcoming, you should keep in mind that this is a poverty-ridden city, and this can be noticed in all neighborhoods of Makati.
What comes with this situation is, unfortunately, crime.
As an experienced traveler, you know that you should keep your belongings in a safe place, not to flash your valuables, especially parts of expensive technology, in public places, and not to carry all your money with you.
The city is actually a financial center of the Philippines and a place where many rich people love to go shopping and fine dining, it’s actually filled with poor people, so the amount of petty crime shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The streets of San Lorenzo Village are areas where you won’t find beggars and touts, but even so – if you’re an obvious tourist, you may get in trouble even here.
The areas of Makati that are completely safe day or night are Greenbelt, Ayala, Rockwell, as well as North Makati Avenue.
Everywhere else in the city you should practice extreme vigilance.
If you do find yourself in a dangerous situation, unfortunately, you cannot rely of police. In many cases, you should be wary of them as they can be easily bribed and might even try to scam you.
How Does Makati Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Makati | 60 |
| Davao City | 71 |
| Manila | 40 |
| Cebu City | 53 |
| Quezon City | 55 |
| Iloilo | 70 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
| Montreal (Canada) | 81 |
| Sydney (Australia) | 80 |
| Santiago de Chile (Chile) | 71 |
Useful Information
Visas
U.S. residents do not need a visa for any stays in Makati shorter than 90 days. All other nationals will need to acquire a visa to enter the Philippines. If you are not sure about your visa status, you should visit your local Philippine embassy.
Currency
The Philippine peso is the official currency of Makati. Tourists are advised to exchange their money at the official establishments such as the Bank of the Philippine Islands or Banco De Oro.
Weather
The climate in Makati is tropical, with the hottest season lasting from March to May. The rainy season lasts from June to October and during this season you can expect strong typhoons. The coolest months are from November to February,
Airports
Makati doesn't have its airport, and the closest one to this city is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, formerly known and still referred to as Manila International Airport. It is located along the border between Pasay and Parañaque, about 7 km south of Manila.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Makati, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Makati Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
| Low °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
| High °F | 86 | 86 | 88 | 91 | 93 | 93 | 91 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 |
| Low °F | 70 | 70 | 70 | 72 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 72 |
Philippines - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Cebu City | 53 |
| Davao City | 71 |
| Iloilo | 70 |
| Makati | 60 |
| Manila | 40 |
| Quezon City | 55 |
Never go to the Philippines
While looking out on the street, I was approached by someone who said he will show me around so we went to a karaoke bar and I bought his drinks. He the claims he can get me anything I want. How about some grass? 30 minutes later he comes back and tells me to smoke it in this short term accommodation, and he had some too. While coming down from there he says, ‘Look who’s here.’ A policeman tries to get me in an arm lock. I pull out of it. There is also a policeman behind me and one either side. The wrestle me to the ground and hand cuff me. The whole thing was a police setup so they could extort money out of me. I was thrown in the police station cage filled with others. The police provided lawyers maxed out my credit cards until they could no more. 5000 dollars and 5 days later when I finally get out of there, I return to my accommodation and a guy is sharing a story how his girlfriend drugged him. He woke up two days later to find that his girlfriend took all the money out of his atm card. The Phillipines is so corrupt and is a place I will never visit again.
Don’t trust anybody in the Philippines.
True. It also depends on what you trust them with. Philippines is a friendly country but there are lots of people scamming tourists and foreigners. There are also some foreigners who have integrated into the local culture well but in general… Don’t JUST trust anybody
Pretend that you know the place.
Don't talk to strangers
Don’t trust anyone in the Philippines. They’re all liars and scammers.
Don't talk to strangers... that is elementary
You can talk to strangers but the where, why, what matters… Don’t talk to strangers or “new” friends…
In general,
don’t accept offers from strangers or “new” friends
don’t ask for help from strangers or “new” friends
Where you stay and what you are looking for also matters…
Never Go To Bars in Red Light Districts
Drugs? Women? Bars. Says a lot about your lifestyles and the places you go to. Makati is not as safe as other developed countries but it seems you and the guy who is sharing his story with you goes to bars looking for drugs and sex. I hope you are not staying in a red light district. Many people there are looking for foreigners to rob and scam.
title of my review
you are an extremely naive person to allow something like that to happen to you. you should blame yourself for being so trusting.
I have lived here in the Philippines for over 5 years and never have I ever been in any situation where it was attempted that I would be extorted or in harm’s way.
the Philippines is a beautiful country. just be well aware of your surroundings if alone at night and traveling and don’t trust anyone you don’t know.
Barrio on the level
The poorer the neighborhood, it’s less likely that crime against foreigners will occur because you bling less and dress down to keep a low profile. Having family in the barangay helps a lot.
Meals at mom and pop establishments are seasoned with love.
Don’t be stupid.
Philippines or others countries in Asia have so much wonderful people; but there are those who do wrong; just be careful and take time to know the people who you meet. There is no sense trusting people you only met a few minutes ago.