Manila For A Day
Manila For A Day
5
City Tours • Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Walking Tours • Private Tours
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8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Monday
8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Tuesday
8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Wednesday
8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Thursday
8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Friday
8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Saturday
8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Sunday
8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
Full view
About
Manila For A Day connects the world to the Filipino soul. From guided tours to workshops and consulting services, we deliver cultural intelligence solutions by creating learning programs that take you on modern day voyages of discovery. Take a unique Manila For A Day experience today and find out why everyone is raving about us!
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(29 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
204 reviews
Excellent
199
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
BackPacker316365
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
I had the absolute privilege of having Luisito (Chito) Tayag as my family's cultural navigator. I haven't been back home in over 3 decades and finally had the opportunity to bring my adult daughters to see the motherland. We toured Intramuros and surrounding area and finished with halo-halo. To say this doesn't even capture the breadth of history that Chito educated us on. His knowledge of Filipino history coupled with some levity and appreciation for the preservation of the art and culture is unmatched. And he does so with much passion! He was interactive in his delivery and what more, very kind to all the employees we encountered at each location. He delivers the BEST tour I've ever taken. My family and I have traveled the world and will always take in the city's history through museums, historical sites, and tours when available. And Chito is by far #1 !!!
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow, your review has truly touched our hearts! Thank you so much for entrusting us with the privilege of being your family's cultural navigator during your visit after three decades!
We're deeply honored that you chose our tour guiding service for such a special occasion, and we're absolutely thrilled to hear that you had an exceptional experience with Chito by your side.
It warms our hearts to know that Luisito's extensive knowledge of Filipino history left a profound impact on you and your family. Our country's history is a rich tapestry, and we're delighted that Chito was able to bring it to life during your tour of Intramuros and the surrounding area. His passion for the preservation of art and culture, coupled with his ability to infuse levity into his delivery, makes him a truly exceptional guide.
Your kind words, calling this the BEST tour you've ever taken, mean the world to us. As a family that has traveled the world and experienced various cities' histories through museums, historical sites, and tours, we are truly humbled to receive such high praise for Luisito's exceptional guidance. He's honored to be ranked as your #1 guide!
Thank you once again for sharing your heartfelt review. We cherish the opportunity to have been a part of your journey back to the motherland and would be absolutely delighted to welcome you and your family back for more incredible adventures whenever you choose to explore our beautiful country again.
Written 3 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ted20232023
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
When I first met Dustin, I knew this would be a fantastic tour. He provided my group and me with an incredibly interactive and engaging tour of Intramuros, and was able to convey the history of the location in a way that had me interested in every detail. If you're looking for a unique and informativre experience of old Manila, Dustin's your guy.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Ted! Thanks a bunch for sharing your awesome experience with me! I totally get that first impressions matter, and it's fantastic that you felt the tour was going to be a hit right from the start.
We're all about making history come alive and it's our mission to make every tour as engaging and interactive as possible. Thank you so much for recognizing that we were able to accomplish this!
Your review is incredibly flattering and your recommendation means so much to me personally and to the team as a whole. I can't thank you enough!
We hope to see you in the motherland again soon!
Written 8 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
monique a
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Business
It was a great experience! Our tour guide, Dustin, did a great job keeping us engaged through his clever humor while also giving us a deeper sense of Filipino historical understanding. I recommend this museum to anyone in Manila!
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You and your group were one of the best tours I've had the privilege of conducting in a long while, M!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm happy that I was able to not just make you laugh during the tour but also give you a deeper sense of Filipino history and culture.
Looking forward to seeing you back in the homeland in the future!
Written 8 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lucas Z
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Friends
I found it very amazing to go on the tour around the Intramuros in Manila because it gave me more insight on the history of my Filipino culture and the outcomes of colonial/imperial influences with various conflicts/wars in the Philippines.
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello L! Your feedback is very much appreciated! We love how you found it to be engaging, insightful, and immersive!
We get a lot of descriptions of how wonderful our tours can be but immersive is probably a first so thank you! I'm personally so happy that we were able to bring Intramuros and the places we visited to life with the tour.
We hope to see you again soon!
Written 8 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karmel D
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Business
My favorite part of the experience was learning about the history and culture in Intramuros. Seeing the architecture and artifacts expanded my knowledge on Filipino history.
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the wonderful review, K! We're incredibly happy to hear that our tour of Intramuros was one of your favorites during your visit!
We try to keep our tours engaging and informative and I'm happy that we achieved this with your group!
We hope that this isn't the last time we'll see you and that you take another unique Manila For A Day experience!
Written 8 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Denise F
Manila, Philippines1 contribution
Jul 2023
We asked Dustin and his team to guide our group of high school students from overseas through Intramuros, and he did not disappoint. We talked about heritage, history, and the narratives that prevailed during the Spanish colonial period. They were able to engage with our students incredibly well, taking the time to answer all their questions carefully and thoughtfully. I would highly recommend for educational groups!
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is one of the best and most flattering reviews we've had in a long time, D! Thank you for sharing it!
I'm elated that we met your high standards! We may be a small team but we're filled with passionate individuals who love our country's heritage, history, and culture. I'm so proud that you were able to see this during our tour!
We're very proud that we were able to create engaging conversations with your group and answer their questions thoughtfully. You have some of the most intelligent high school students we've had the privilege of having on tour and hearing your positive feedback is simply amazing!
Thank you for the recommendation and we truly hope to see you again soon!
Written 8 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dan
Luanda, Angola39 contributions
May 2023
Excellent private small group tour with Luisito (Chito). He was very knowledgeable on Philippines culture and history and very engaging throughout the four hour tour. I would recommend this tour for anyone looking to learn the stories behind Intramuros any day.
Written 25 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience of our unique private tours! Engaging our guests is at the heart of what we do and we're thrilled that Luisito's passion for sharing our history and culture shone brightly during your tour.
Thank you as well for recommending us to others here on Tripadvisor. Your recommendation means a lot to us and serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work our team puts into crafting memorable experiences for our guests.
Once again, we truly appreciate your kind words and for choosing our tour guiding service. If you ever find yourself back in Manila or wish to explore more of our city's wonders, we would be absolutely thrilled to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure.
Written 20 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Victoria H
San Francisco, CA2 contributions
Dec 2022
We had an incredible half day private tour with our guide, Luisito. We explored Intramuros, the historic walled city in Manila. The tour includes tickets to the San Agustin Church and Casa Manila, where we learned about the Spanish colonial history of the Philippines and the ways of the wealthy! Luisito is a photographer and took excellent pictures throughout. He uses his large body of knowledge, mastery of the English language, and outgoing personality to customize every tour.
The tour ended with halo halo (included in the tour package) and a delicious and affordable lunch at Ristorante delle Mitre.
Yes, one could explore these locations on their own. However, having the lived, historic, and generational knowledge from a local guide is a premium experience you would not want to miss.
The tour ended with halo halo (included in the tour package) and a delicious and affordable lunch at Ristorante delle Mitre.
Yes, one could explore these locations on their own. However, having the lived, historic, and generational knowledge from a local guide is a premium experience you would not want to miss.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much, Victoria! It's always heartwarming when clients share their incredible and unique experiences taking our tours! We are thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time exploring the rich history of the Philippines with Luisito.
Luisito is indeed a treasure to our team, and we're proud of the way he goes above and beyond to make each tour a memorable and personalized experience. His passion for photography allows him to capture the beauty of the moments you shared together, making your time even more special.
It warms our hearts to know that you found the insights into Spanish colonial history and the lifestyles of the wealthy both enlightening and captivating. The San Agustin Church and Casa Manila are true gems, and having Luisito as your guide undoubtedly enhances the experience, adding that lived, historic, and generational knowledge that only a local can provide.
Your kind words truly mean the world to us. We are passionate about delivering a premium experience, and knowing that you found value in the insights and knowledge shared makes all our efforts worthwhile.
Once again, thank you for choosing us and for taking the time to share your feedback. Should your travels bring you back to Manila, we would be absolutely thrilled to welcome you for another enriching and unforgettable adventure.
Written 20 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
conlan
San Francisco, CA5 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We booked the private tour of 3G (God, Gold, & Glory) in mid December 2022. Our guide, Luisito Tayag, did an amazing job of making the tour both educational and entertaining, feeling more like a condensed college course on early history of the Philippines and the various powers that have occupied it 🇵🇭
Upon booking the tour we received clear instructions on where and how to find our guide. The first half of the tour began at San Agustin Church and we progressed through the museum, chapel, and crypt ⛪️
Luisito made various connections to my own Filipino American experience and also peppered us with fun pop quiz questions throughout 🎓
The second half of the tour took place across the street at Casa Manila where we learned about High Colonial Life and how many practices managed to evolve into modern society today 👗
The tour concluded at Ristorante delle Mitre where we enjoyed some delicious Halo-halo, calamansi cheesecake, and a brief lesson on Baybayin, the Philippine calligraphy 🖋️
If you spend any time in Manila then be sure to book this wonderful tour! ❤️
Upon booking the tour we received clear instructions on where and how to find our guide. The first half of the tour began at San Agustin Church and we progressed through the museum, chapel, and crypt ⛪️
Luisito made various connections to my own Filipino American experience and also peppered us with fun pop quiz questions throughout 🎓
The second half of the tour took place across the street at Casa Manila where we learned about High Colonial Life and how many practices managed to evolve into modern society today 👗
The tour concluded at Ristorante delle Mitre where we enjoyed some delicious Halo-halo, calamansi cheesecake, and a brief lesson on Baybayin, the Philippine calligraphy 🖋️
If you spend any time in Manila then be sure to book this wonderful tour! ❤️
Written 18 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Conlan! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to share such a heartfelt and glowing review of our 3G: God, Gold, & Glory tour! We are overjoyed to hear that you had an amazing time with us.
Luisito is truly a gem, and we're thrilled to know that he made the tour an educational and entertaining experience for you. It sounds like he brought the history of the Philippines to life, making it feel like a fascinating college course – with a sprinkle of fun and charm, of course!
It's also absolutely heartwarming to hear that Luisito's storytelling and connections to your Filipino American background added an extra layer of meaning to the tour. Our aim is to create memorable experiences that touch the hearts of our guests, and your words reaffirm that we're on the right track.
Thank you for recommending our tour to anyone spending time in Manila – your words mean the world to us! We can't wait to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures whenever your travels lead you to our beautiful city.
Written 20 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
heuetproust
1 contribution
Oct 2022
We spent an amazing visit of the Old town of Manilla. First was the long and passionnant moment we spent in the Saint Augustin church, learning the history of the colonisation, the way the monks wrote music and wrote botanic books. We laughed when our guide, Luisito Tayag, sang and made us singing too, and loved to visit the Casa Manila. Each moment was gréât. Thank you a lot.
Stéphane (from Paris)
Stéphane (from Paris)
Written 21 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Stéphane, thank you so much for taking the time to share your unique Manila For A Day tour with us! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing visit and that you enjoyed your tour!
The San Agustin Church is indeed a captivating place with its rich history of how our colonization was seeded by the Agustinian monks and how their stories are intertwined with the very fabric of our culture and history. We're also happy to hear that you learned a lot about the monks' music and botanical history. We're glad that Luisito was able to bring those stories to life and engage you in such a unique way. It's always a delight to see our guests laughing and singing along with our cultural navigators!
We're also pleased to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Casa Manila. It's a special place that offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the past, particularly the Filipino mestizos that would eventually lead the Philippine revolution against Spain. Each moment you spent exploring the Intramuros sounds like it was filled with great memories and we can't hear enough of it!
Thank you once again for choosing our unique services! We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Written 4 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Churchy-Agincourt
Toronto, Canada5 contributions
What are the contact information and also the cost of this tour?
JDM_Perth
Perth, Australia16 contributions
Also, just google 'Manila for a Day tours 3GX'
GieC
Metro Manila, Philippines3 contributions
Hello i would like to know if you started a public tour yet wherein less than 5 people may join other group maybe? What is your website for tours?
DustinA.
Taguig City, Philippines27 contributions
Hi Virginia! Thanks for your question and for keeping up with our tours!
We will have our first public tour on 22 September 2018. It will be a Colors of Manila Tour with Nonito Cabrera, one of our best guides.
That said, you can always book a private and exclusive tour if you'd like to have an amazing Manila For A Day experience without waiting for a public schedule.
By the way, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you're kept abreast of special events like public tours. We're more active there than here on TA.
(Tripadvisor restricts our ability to post website addresses here. so I can't put our website but if you google "Manila For A Day Tours" we should come up right on the top of the search results).
Hi Dustin. I checked your website and the tours are packaged for 5 people or more. I just want to book for 2 people and I'd like to ask if you can combine us with other people who are booking for the same schedule? Perhaps you can inform me of existing bookings that we can join on any of these dates: July 24, 26, 27 or 29?
Thank you very much!
Em :)
DustinA.
Taguig City, Philippines27 contributions
Hi Em! We'd love to have you on a unique Manila For A Day experience but we only run private and exclusive tours. We don't mix groups to preserve the quality of the tour party's experience so joining another tour group would be impossible for us to offer at this time.
We're looking at making a few of our tour programs public so single travelers and couples like you can join a tour without having to meet the 5-person minimum but that's not scheduled to launch until August.
I hope that I was able to answer your inquiry as we would be happy give you a unique Manila For A Day experience! Of course, don't forget that you can easily book a tour with us by filling in our online reservation form. After submitting your form, you will receive an official billing statement within 24 hours.
mehulmgupta
New Delhi, India2 contributions
Hi Dustin! I am a solo traveller. Would it be possible for you to accommodate me in any of the 3g extended tours on 7th, 8th, or 9th of June?
DustinA.
Taguig City, Philippines27 contributions
Hello Mehul! I apologize for this delayed reply to your question. Tripadvisor's system is a bit harder for us to monitor and I only saw this now. I believe that we answered your queries via email, however, and that this may be a moot point.
Anyway, I know it's too late but for future reference, the fastest way to get a reservation is to go to our website and fill in the online reservation form. We normally reply within 12-24 hours.
serenerussian
London, UK128 contributions
Hi I can't see your website listed here. Can you please tell me what it is? Thanks
DustinA.
Taguig City, Philippines27 contributions
Thanks for answering this question, Elton! We miss a lot of questions here on TA.
For those looking for our site: we're not allowed to post website addresses on Tripadvisor but a quick google search of "Manila For A Day Tours" or "manilaforaday" will get you to our website quickly.
lbell48
Palm Desert, CA
How do I book a trip? I will be in Manila for 3 days. do you have other excursions? How much is the day tour?
DustinA.
Taguig City, Philippines27 contributions
Hi there! Thank you for your interest in a very memorable Manila For A Day experience! You can book a tour by visiting our website and filling in our online reservation form.
We can't post website addresses and hyperlinks when we answer questions here but there should be a button right here on our Trip Advisor listing that will take you to our site.
Hope that helps and we look forward to navigating across cultures with you very soon!
Amor T
Honolulu, HI2 contributions
Hi Dustin,
Can you pls. give your website. My Friends and I would like to join your "Manila For a Day" Tour and curious how much. We'll be in Manila Jan. 24 ( available in the afternoon) or Jan 25 (anytime).
DustinA.
Taguig City, Philippines27 contributions
Hi Amor! Thanks for your interest in a Manila For A Day experience!
Trip Advisor actually makes it hard for us to post website links. Basically, it's our company name with a com at the end.
You can also try googling Manila For A Day 3GX Tour.
Let me know if that helps. Otherwise, I'll have to find another way of getting your more information about our tours.
P.S. lovely name, by the way!
Mich Watt
Hong Kong, China61 contributions
Hi Dustin, 2 of us will be in Manila this Wed, will you be able to show us around in the morning? Cheers
DustinA.
Taguig City, Philippines27 contributions
Hi, Coach W! I haven't been assigned any tours for this Wednesday 4 October 2017 so it would be a pleasure to navigate across cultures with you!
I don't process reservations, though, so please visit our website and use our online reservation form to book a tour. You can choose either a morning or afternoon schedule for our 3G or 3GX tour program.
I can't post HTML or website links here on Trip Advisor but we're very easy to find online so look us up and you'll be able to book easily.
See you soon!
Bikey_74
Annecy, France11 contributions
hello we are in manila tomorrow afternoon (8 hour stopover between flights) arrival at 13.30 t3 and out at 21.45 at t1. is there any tours leaving tomorrow that we could join or could you organise a private tour for us (2 pax - couple) leaving from and going back to the airport?
hopefully you receive this message in time :-)
thanks
DustinA.
Taguig City, Philippines27 contributions
Hi, Bikey_74! My deepest apologies for not answering your question in time! Unfortunately, we were on break for the Lenten holidays and had limited internet access.
Sorry again for not being able to respond right away and I hope that you had a wonderful short visit to our beautiful islands!
Cheers!
Dustin
ChiMo67
Chicago, IL3 contributions
Hello, we (3 persons) are visiting from the US and have 2 days in Manila (staying in Makati), January 11 & 12. We are interested in a city/cultural/heritage tour. What do you recommend and what is the fee? Thank you!
Best Regards,
Mory Matias
DustinA.
Taguig City, Philippines27 contributions
Hello, Mory! Thank you for your interest in a Manila For A Day experience! My name is Dustin and I'm the Lead Guide and Cultural Navigator for the company.
We offer different tours of Manila in the form of unique, experiential walking tour programs. You can learn more about our tour programs on our website. We can't post URLs here at Trip Advisor but you can always easily find us online or get in touch directly via email.
Our best-selling program is the 3GX: God, Gold, & Glory EXTENDED tour. I highly recommend it, especially if you're visiting the Philippines for the first time.
January 11, 2017 is fully booked but we still have guides available for the 12th of January. If you're interested in booking a tour, please head on over to our website and fill in the online reservation form. Once you've accomplished the form, you will receive an official billing statement via email within 12-24 hours which you can settle online via credit card.
I hope that I was able to answer your inquiries but if you need further assistance, please feel free to reply here at Trip Advisor. You can also contact us directly via email.
Thanks, and hope to navigate across cultures with you soon!