Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.

We will be down for scheduled maintenance Wednesday 11 November @ 6AM UTC for approximately 4 hours. We thank you for your patience.

From Wikitravel

Rizal Park and the Ermita skyline

Ermita is a district in downtown Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.

[edit] Understand

Ermita takes its name from a hermitage (ermita in Spanish) containing a 16th-century image of Nuestra Señora de Guia that once stood on the site of today's Ermita Church.

Under American rule, this district became Manila's equivalent of Capitol Hill, with many important government structures rising around the large greensward of Luneta (now Rizal Park). Some of these government units have since moved out and the buildings subsequently turned into exhibition space for the National Museum and its sister institution, the Museum of the Filipino People (which occupy the old legislative building and the old Finance Department building, respectively).

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

Ermita is served by three railway stations, all on the LRT-1 (Yellow) Line. From the southernmost station, moving north towards the river:

• Pedro Gil (on Taft Avenue). Near the Philippine General Hospital.
• United Nations (on Taft Avenue). Near Rizal Park, the Supreme Court, and the National Bureau of Investigation compound.
• Central Terminal (on Arroceros Street). Near Mehan Garden, the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, the Manila City Hall, and the eastern walls of Intramuros.

[edit] By water bus

The Pasig River Ferry [1] stops at Quezon Bridge (Lawton) station, near - you guessed it - Quezon Bridge, which is itself not far from Liwasang Bonifacio and the old Metropolitan Theatre.

[edit] By taxi

Taxis from Manila International Airport will cost you a poverty-inducing 550PHP if you insist on taking an 'official' airport taxi. Non-'official', metered taxis are also legitimate and can be had just by walking away from the airport a bit. As with the ride from the domestic airport, barring severe traffic, a trip to Ermita should not cost more than 200PHP

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Museums and other points of interest

• Manila Ocean Park, near Roxas Boulevard (behind the Quirino Grandstand on the western end of Rizal Park), ☎ +632-5677777 (fax: +632-5672309), [2]. 10AM to 8PM on weekdays (last entry 7:15PM), 9AM to 9PM on weekends and public holidays (last entry 8:15PM). Opened in 2008, this is Manila's first major oceanarium. Although not quite as large and well-equipped as some of Asia's more famous oceanaria (including those in Hong Kong and Singapore), it's still a popular attraction among locals and could be a very interesting diversion for families with children. The centrepiece is the Living Ocean exhibit with large aquariums and an underwater acrylic walkway. Bear in mind that the complex may still be in its "soft opening" phase during your visit; completion works are under way and some parts are not scheduled to open until 2009. Admission 400 pesos adults, 350 pesos children (4.5 feet and below). Note: New opening hours will take effect on 16 June 2009 - 10AM to 7PM on weekdays (last entry 6:15PM), 9AM to 8PM on weekends and public holidays (last entry 7:15PM)  edit

• Museo Pambata, Roxas Boulevard cor. South Drive (right next to the U.S. Embassy compound), ☎ +632-5231797 to 98 / +632-5360595 (info@museopambata.org, fax: +632-5221246), [3]. Tue-Sat 8 AM to 5 PM (Aug-Mar), 9 AM to 5 PM (Apr-Jul) / Sun 1-5 PM / closed Mon and holidays. This museum is geared towards keeping children entertained (and informed) through educational hands-on exhibits and special activities. Themed galleries cover a variety of subjects ranging from history to science to art. Don't put a short leash on the kids here: they're expected to touch and play with most of the stuff on show. Admission 100 pesos adults/children. Streetchildren, infants (under 2 years), museum workers and teachers (with valid IDs) get in free.  edit

• National Museum of the Filipino People

• National Museum of the Philippines

[edit] Parks, gardens, and monuments

The Rizal Monument in Rizal Park (Luneta)

• Rizal Park (Luneta), Roxas Boulevard, [4]. Nearest railway station: United Nations (LRT-1 / Yellow Line). Manila's green lung, this large urban park stretches from the Quirino Grandstand in the west to Taft Avenue in the east, with the historic walled district of Intramuros bordering it to the north. The park's most famous landmark is the Rizal Monument, a stone obelisk with bronze statuary erected near the site of Philippine national hero José Rizal's execution in 1896. All distances in the Philippines are measured from the large flagpole near the monument, which serves as the country's Kilometre Zero. Other prominent features include a statue of Lapu-Lapu (the native chieftain who repulsed Magellan's expedition in 1521) and a giant relief map of the Philippines (set within a reflecting pool near the Taft Avenue end). Well-known landmarks situated within the park's boundaries include the Museum of the Filipino People (inside the old Finance Department building), the Department of Tourism building, the Manila Planetarium, and the National Library. When asking for directions or giving instructions to a taxi driver, it's worth keeping in mind that many locals still refer to the park by its old name: Luneta.  edit

• Liwasang Bonifacio

[edit] Other landmarks

The Department of Tourism building (Rizal Park, Manila)

• Department of Tourism, T. M. Kalaw (on the opposite side of Rizal Park from the old Finance building), [5]. Almost a twin of the former Finance Department headquarters nearby, this Neoclassical building is a prominent feature of the eastern end of Rizal Park. The colossal statue of Lapu-Lapu - a fairly recent addition to the park - stands between the two buildings, and the giant relief map of the Philippines is just a short walk away.  edit

• Embassy of the United States of America

• Luneta Hotel

Manila Central Post Office Building

• Manila Central Post Office Building, Liwasang Bonifacio (near the Manila Metropolitan Theatre building). Never mind the ill-conceived pink and yellow paint job - this grand Neoclassical structure from the 1920s is a fine exemplar of the massive government buildings that were erected in this part of Manila during the American colonial period. It currently serves as the headquarters of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost).  edit

• Manila City Hall [6]

• Manila Metropolitan Theatre

• Quirino Grandstand

• Supreme Court [7]

[edit][add listing] Do

Take a walk up and down Adriatico street. Bars, restaurants and some pretty nice sidewalk cafes.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Robinsons Place Manila, Pedro Gil cor. Adriatico (behind the Philippine General Hospital compound), ☎ +632-3020109 / +632-3020119 / +632-5264914 / +632-5258452, [8]. Open daily 10 AM to 9 PM. An urban shopping complex with the usual amenities: food court, cinemas, department store, supermarket, etc. 7 levels, 330 stores. Located near Pedro Gil Station (LRT-1 / Yellow Line).  edit

• SM City Manila, Natividad Almeda-Lopez (Concepcion) cor. Arroceros (across the street from the Manila City Hall building). Part of the nationwide SM "Supermall" chain, this shopping centre has all of the standard features of an urban mall (including a food court, cinemas, a department store and a supermarket) as well as scores of shops spread out over 6 floors. Located near Central Terminal (LRT-1 / Yellow Line).  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Kamayan, 523 Merchant Bldg., Padre Faura St., +632-528-1723 to 24. Kamayan literally means to eat with your hands in Filipino. Their native buffet has a wide range of Filipino food to offer for just under 10 US$/person. Specialties include the lechon (suckling pig) and grilled seafood. Kamayan also has branches in Makati and Quezon City and is usually located alongside its sister restaurants Dad's (Western food buffet) and Saisaki (Japanese food buffet).

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are bars and nightclubs literally left and right. Go bar hopping. If you're into strip clubs, they got those too.

L.A. Cafe - The district's biggest 'meat market'. Stays open until 4am-5am. Two Floors, Live Bands/Music, TV Screens

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Mabini Pension, 1337 A. Mabini St., Ermita, Manila, ☎ +632-523-3930 (fax: +632-524-5404), [9]. Rates start around 680PHP for single with fan and shared bath. Friendly, helpful staff compensate for the fairly run-down location.  edit

• Casa Bocobo Hotel, 1000 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita, City of Manila, 1000 Philippines, ☎ (632) 4845284, [10]. Casa Bocobo Hotel is a traveler's hotel located in the neighborhood of the world-renowned Rizal Park in Ermita. The two-storey, 50-room hotel provides air-conditioned rooms, orthopedic beds, hot & cold shower, cable service via an LCD TV and direct distance dial phones. Their coffee shop, Cafe Bocobo, specializes in Filipino and Asian cuisine. Simple dishes yet superbly crafted and reasonably priced. Best rates on official website start at PHP2,100++.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• City Garden Suites Manila, 1158 A. Mabini St., Ermita, Manila, ☎ +632-536-1451 (fax: +632-524-4844), [11]. City Garden Suites is a three-star hotel in the heart of Manila, close to the major sights and attractions. Best rates on official website start at US$33.  edit

• The Manila Pavilion, United Nations, Ermita, Manila, ☎ +632-526-1212. Situated in the heart of Manila, the Manila Pavilion Hotel is minutes away from the centers of business, government and commerce, parks, churches and cathedrals.  edit

• Midland Plaza Manila Hotel, M. Adriatico St., Ermita, Manila, ☎ +632-302-1858 (fax: +632-521-8522), [12]. The Midland Plaza is literally in the middle of the land, minutes away from the best business, shopping and tourist attractions. Best rates on official website start at US$40.  edit

• Pearl Manila, General Luna St. cor. Taft Ave. & United Nations Ave., Ermita, Manila, Philippines 1000, ☎ +632-400-0088 (fax: +632-400-0077), [13]. Best rates on official website start at US$42.  edit

• Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila, 1166 M H Del Plar corner Arquiza St. Ermita, Philippines, ☎ (632) 524-2631 to 35, [14]. Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila is a boutique hotel conveniently located in the tourist belt of Ermita in Manila. All of their 54 air-conditioned rooms promise to offer you with the space and functionality that you need. Their amenities are complete to satisfy your needs and the entire hotel staff treats you with the warm service that made the hotel a choice among local and international travelers. Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila is 2006 Best Guest Services Awardee of Best Western International. Best rates on official website start at Php 2,600.  edit

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Contact

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

[edit] Get out

Within sight of Rizal Park is Ermita's famous next-door neighbour, the historic walled city of Intramuros.