Manila Travel Forum

Can someone tell me where are the best places to go for shopping in Manila. I am staying in Caloocan City next month.
What are the prices like for dvd's bags watches etc?
Is it ok for a white female to shop alone? Where are the unsafe places to go?
Thanks for your help

there are many malls in Manila... the nearest in Caloocan is SM CITY NORTH EDSA and Trinoma-EDSA. . one ride via bus from Caloocan. .
There is a mall in Caloocan named EVER Gotesco. . Wholesale items (low prices) can be bought in Divisoria Manila.(one ride also from caloocan via jeepney) but it's too risky if you are alone. . .

From Trinoma mall EDSA - you can take MRT to Ayala Station in Makati. . ,
Malls in Makati are excellent. . .

You can find DVDs (pirated) in every corners (sidewalk vendors) of MAnila and caloocan

I suggestm you should go to MAkati for shopping . . .its safe for you..

I have been in the Robinson Mall in Ermita several times. I prefer it to the new gigantic "Mall of Asia! I have seen white females alone in that mall happily shopping away!

As far as unsafe places, you have to take the normal precaution that you would back home. Keep away from dark streets late at night, be careful of strangers who seem over friendly! Some of stories you read about where foreign women have been assaulted or even killed have been the result of those women taking chances with the local men.

Don't walk around with everything valuable in your purse. Make sure you have copies of your passport info page in case it comes up missing. Have a back up credit card of debit card in case your purse is stolen. I only stay in hotels that have individual security boxes for money and valuables. This has cost me a little more than I want because I use cheap places and a lot of cheap places only have "community" safes, so I don't stay in those places!

You should be okay but you do have to be alert and keep your wits about you!

The cheapest would be the Divisoria area malls like Tutubon and 168. However, a lone white female may be quite conspicuous so i suggest a better alternative would be SM malls. The SM department store has reasonable prices and quite a good selection. From Caloocan, the nearest mall is North Edsa. You could also try Landmark in Trinoma (mall in front of SM North Edsa). Only original DVDs for sale here.

For tiangge (flea market) style shopping, try Greenhills mall. There are a lot of imitation brand shops, shoes, and garments here. There are also a lot of pearl jewelries to choose from.

168 Shopping Mall is like an airconditioned hong kong street market :)