Exploring Manila with autistic children can be a challenge. Planning well for your trip can help to make it more manageable. We flew into Manila in 2017 from Hong Kong. It was a quick stopover before flying south to see Cebu and Boracay. Here’s a detailed guide based on our experiences, including transportation tips, family-friendly activities, and accommodations.
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Getting from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the City
This is by far the busiest airport for arrivals I have ever seen. When we walked out of the airport I genuinely thought that someone famous was there because of how big the crowds were.
Traveling from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to the city offers several transportation options:
- Taxi: Approximately PHP 300-500 (€5-9) for a one-way trip to the city centre and takes anywhere between 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxis are readily available outside the airport.
- Grab (Ride-Hailing App): Approximately PHP 300-500 (€5-9) for a one-way trip and takes approximately 30-60 minutes. Using the Grab app is a convenient and safe way to get to your destination. It’s similar to Uber and allows you to book a ride directly from your phone. We opted for a Grab for convenience and comfort, especially useful when traveling with strollers and luggage. They pick you up in a little bay just off the arrivals main area.
- Airport Shuttle: Approximately PHP 20-50 (€0.3-0.9) per person for a one-way trip. Approximately 30-60 minutes to get to Manila city centre. Airport shuttle buses are a budget-friendly option, connecting the airport terminals to various points in the city. They are less convenient for families with young children or lots of luggage.
- Private Car Service: Approximately PHP 1,000-1,500 (€17-26) for a one-way trip and also takes between 30-60 minutes. Private car services offer door-to-door convenience and are ideal for larger families or those with specific needs. You can book an airport transfer online via GetYourGuide here. This might be the best way to reach Manila with autistic children.
Our Stay in Manila With Autistic Children
We arrived to Manila with no idea what we would do there, and planned to just wanted and find whatever we could to do. We were surprised by how busy and chaotic the area we were in was. It was always full of kids asking for money and following you begging for things. This is especially tough to manage as I often walked by myself and didn’t have money on me because David would be carrying it.
Family-Friendly Activities in Manila
Manila offers numerous family-friendly activities that cater to different interests and sensory needs. Here are some highlights:
Manila Ocean Park:
An oceanarium featuring marine life exhibits, interactive shows, and an underwater tunnel. It’s both educational and visually stimulating.
Rizal Park (Luneta Park):
A historic urban park with gardens, playgrounds, and a lagoon. It’s a relaxing place for families to explore and have picnics.
Manila Zoo:
A popular zoo with various animal exhibits and a children’s playground. It’s an exciting outing for kids who love animals, but we did find it to be pretty bare and lacking a lot of animals from the exhibits. It honestly felt so dingy and dirty and maybe it was a sensory thing from me but I could not wait to get back to the hotel to shower after the Manila zoo visit. On the flip side, Travis seems to really enjoy it here and liked having open space to run around for a while.
The Mind Museum:
An interactive science museum with hands-on exhibits and educational displays. It’s perfect for curious minds.
KidZania Manila:
A unique indoor theme park where children can role-play various professions in a miniature city. It’s fun and educational.
Star City:
An amusement park with various rides, attractions, and entertainment shows. It offers fun for all ages.
SM Mall of Asia:
One of the largest malls in Asia, featuring shops, restaurants, an ice skating rink, and an IMAX theatre. It’s a great place for family entertainment.
National Museum of Natural History:
A museum showcasing the natural history of the Philippines with interactive exhibits and educational displays.
Ayala Triangle Gardens:
A serene urban park with landscaped gardens, walking paths, and outdoor dining options. It’s a peaceful escape from the city bustle.
Exploring Intramuros:
A historic walled city with museums, old churches, and cobblestone streets. It’s an educational and visually interesting experience. You can pre-book a tour of Intramuros, The Walled City with GetYourGuide.
Nayong Pilipino:
A cultural theme park featuring replicas of Philippine landmarks and cultural exhibits. It’s both fun and educational.
Enchanted Kingdom:
A theme park with rides, attractions, and entertainment shows. It’s a great day trip for families looking for fun and adventure.
Paco Park:
A historic cemetery turned into a park with landscaped gardens and a small chapel. It’s a peaceful and historic spot to explore.
Bonifacio High Street:
A pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining area with parks and open spaces. It’s great for a leisurely family stroll.
Our Favourite Sensory-Friendly Experience in Manila
Art In Island:
I’ll be honest – we found Manila pretty difficult with autism. We were also living on a really strict (low) budget while in Asia for five months so we skipped a lot that we would probably do now, so I am going to choose a place we did not see but I am pretty sure we would love – Art In Island! It’s a 3D interactive art museum where visitors can become part of the artwork. It’s a creative and engaging activity for kids. We loved Art In Paradise in Chiang Mai so I am quite sure we would love it here too.
Getting Around Manila With Autistic Children
We walked to all of the things we wanted to see within Manila, it wasn’t much! When going from the airport to our hotel, and from our hotel to the airport we took a Grab car. Manila is busy and traffic moves so slowly in some areas that walking is better. But walking can also be hard due to how much traffic there is when just trying to cross a road. It is hectic.
Is Manila Autism-Friendly?
Manila is somewhat autism-friendly, with a growing awareness and a developing infrastructure to support individuals with autism. While the city faces challenges such as noise, crowds, and inconsistent access to specialized services, there are also positive aspects, including supportive communities, specialized educational and healthcare facilities, and a growing number of autism-friendly events and initiatives.
Things That Make Manila Stand Out
- Public transportation in Manila, including jeepneys, buses, and the MRT/LRT train systems, can be chaotic, crowded, and noisy, which may be overwhelming for individuals with autism. However, ride-hailing services like Grab or private transportation can offer more control and comfort.
- Manila’s infrastructure can be challenging to navigate due to traffic congestion and the fast-paced urban environment. However, newer developments and malls often have better accessibility features.
- Manila has several parks, such as Rizal Park (Luneta) and the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, where individuals can enjoy outdoor activities in a relatively calm environment, especially during off-peak hours.
- Places like the National Museum of the Philippines and the Mind Museum can offer enriching experiences, though they may become crowded. Visiting during weekdays or less busy times can provide a more comfortable experience.
- Manila is known for its large shopping malls, such as SM Mall of Asia and Greenbelt Mall. These malls are modern and have facilities that might help families, like family rooms and quieter areas, though the general environment can be busy and noisy.
Practical Tips for Autism Families
- Early Check-In: If possible, arrange for an early check-in at your accommodation to rest after the journey.
- Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools and comfort items that help manage sensory needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, or weighted blankets.
- Clear Communication: Ensure that everyone involved in the trip understands the needs and preferences of the neurodiverse individual. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and enhance the travel experience. Consider using PECS or an AAC. We have a free pack of travel PECS available for download. Add to your trip to the Philippines with our Manila PECS cards and Philippines PECS cards.
- Safety: Consider getting an autism card for your child, or even better – use our emergency passport for medical information and important contacts. Our absolute must have safety item for travelling with an autistic child is a TinyTags wristband or tag that can be tapped or scanned by a mobile phone – giving the person who tapped it all of the information they need to get your child back to you. TinyTags also feature a location alert to help you find your child.
Our short trip to Manila with autistic children was quite disappointing if I am honest. We found it hard to find any safe foods for Travis and it was even hard to find vegetarian eats where we were. The people traffic was really chaotic and people would chase you for money. I found it really hard to navigate.
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