Flying In & Things To Do

Where to fly in

If you’re flying in, we want to express how incredibly grateful we are for your presence on our special day. It really means the world to us. With that being said, please use this page as your guide on traveling to the Philippines and feel free to reach out to us for any questions!

The most convenient airport to fly into is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

Once you arrive, you can get around Manila using the Grab app.

Where to stay in Manila

Prior to the wedding, we recommend that you stay in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) area of Taguig. It’s a walkable city with plenty of places to eat and shop. Here are some hotel recommendations:

  • Seda BGC

  • F1 Hotel Manila

  • Ascott Bonifacio Global City

  • Grand Hyatt Manila

  • Shangri-La The Fort, Manila

Getting to the wedding

While we recommend you stay in Manila, our wedding will take place in Tagaytay, which is about a 1-2 hour drive from Manila and not accessible via Grab.

To make your travel easier, we’ve arranged for van pickups from BGC on January 5 to take you to Tagaytay. A return van will also be available on the morning of January 7 to bring you back to the BGC area. Van services will also be available on January 6 to take you to and from the wedding.

If you'd like to use the van service, kindly let us know as soon as possible so we can confirm your spot.

Where to stay in Tagaytay

These hotels are near Arocarría, where the reception will take place:

  • Twin Lakes Hotel

  • Hotel Casiana

  • Taal Vista Hotel

  • There are also several Air BNB options

We’d also like to recommend our favorite resort, Anya Tagaytay! We go there every year to celebrate our anniversary because of the relaxing rooms and ambiance of the whole resort. However, please note that this is about 40 to 45 minutes away from Arocarría.

Things to do in the Philippines

Here for the wedding? Make it a trip to remember! From historic sites to weekend markets and hidden gems, the Philippines has plenty to explore before or after the big day.

  • Explore BGC

    BGC is packed with great food spots, trendy cafes, fitness studio options, and shopping. Some of our favorite cafes in the area are: Pocofino, Caravan Black, and Elephant Grounds! If you’re looking to try local food, look no further than Manam and Locavore.

  • Visit Makati's Salcedo Weekend Market

    Salcedo and Legaspi in Makati are some of our favorite neighborhoods! Walk around the area to find endless cafe and food options. The Curator Coffee & Cocktails (part of Asia’s Top 50 Bars) is in this area. If you go on a Saturday, make sure to visit the Salcedo Weekend Market and try some of the food stalls.

  • A Piece of Philippine History: Intramuros

    Intramuros, located in the city of Manila, is known as the Walled City. Take a tour here and learn about the Philippines’ history. You can even do Segway tours, visit the San Agustin Church Museum, and cap off your day in the cafe within Fort Santiago called Papakape. They have such fun drinks that incorporate local ingredients/desserts like ube, taho, kalamansi, etc.

  • Shop Local at Rockwell

    This is one of our favorite malls to shop at. Visit The Grid food court and try some of our go-tos: La Chinesca, Bored & Hungry, and Bun Appetit. Some of Mika’s favorite local stores and designers also reside here so it’s the perfect place to shop local goods: Aranaz, Tropa, Frankie & Friends, Fino, and Harlan + Holden. And of course, some honorable mentions: Signet, Commonwealth, and Univers.

  • Night Life in Makati

    As a cocktail girlie, here are some of Mika’s must-visit bars within Poblacion, Makati: Agimat at Ugat, and Cheshire. And here’s Gerome’s: he agrees with Agimat, and also recos Spirits Library and Ugly Duck.

    Ben, Gerome’s brother and best man, recommends: Kondwi in Poblacion, Bar Good Times in Rockwell, and Bando in Makati Cinema Square.

  • Travel Outside of Manila by Plane

    The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands so why not visit a couple while you’re there! Some popular tourist destinations that we love are Palawan (pictured) and Bohol. Here are others we think you’d love: Siargao, Boracay, and Siquijor.

Don’t Leave The Philippines Without Trying

Some of these places have been part of our childhood, and little moments spent together. They’re familiar, comforting, and deeply special to us. If you have time, give them a try!

Local Gems

Yes, we mean fast food like Jollibee. Try their fried chicken, Yumburger, Peach Mango Pie, palabok, and their Filipino-style sweet Spaghetti! If you’re looking for local restaurants with great value that serve modern Filipino food, try Locavore or Manam (order their ube sago shake or mango pomelo shake).

Potato Corner!!!

This got extra exclamation points because we feel strongly about this. This is available in virtually all malls. Try their 3 main flavors and make sure to eat it straight away: BBQ, Cheese, and Sour Cream.

A Tasting Menu

Treat yourself to some of our favorite restaurants that offer tasting menus and make sure to book at least 2 weeks to a month in advance! Toyo Eatery (this is part of Asia’s Top 50 Restaurants), our fave Hapag, and Gallery By Chele.

Tropical Fruits

We like to have these in drink form at restaurants: coconut juice and mango shakes! We promise, it tastes different in the Philippines. Here are some of our favorite fruits that you should try: mango, lanzones, guava, dragonfruit, pomelo, and mangosteen.