Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Tue, 01 Sep 2026
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Is Manila safe? 🇵🇭
Philippines · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Manila scores 58/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes. Manila is moderate-risk for visitors, with petty crime common but violent crime against tourists rare if precautions are taken. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Manila 🇵🇭
Philippines · Assessed 20 October 2026
58
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime52/100CautionCrime index 64.6 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment58/100FairModerately positive
Advisories75Good
Stability55Fair
Health78Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.”
Updated 2026-10-07T11:19:22Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Philippines: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:02:47.0296457-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
1.6M residents
63
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
4.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Philippines4.3World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
70
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon in tourist districts but can occur in poorly lit streets of Tondo and parts of Quezon City after dark
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequent in Manila’s busy markets, LRT/MRT stations, and tourist hubs such as Intramuros
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03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
58/100
Reported feel54Moderately positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Visitors report feeling safe walking alone in daylight but express concern at night, with daylight safety scores at 54/100 and nighttime perception dropping to 30/100 in city surveys.
Yes. Manila is moderate-risk for visitors, with petty crime common but violent crime against tourists rare if precautions are taken.
Manila's safety index of 58/100 reflects moderate overall risk, driven by frequent petty crime in tourist zones and markets, while violent incidents against visitors remain uncommon in well-policed districts like Makati and BGC. Travelers should exercise increased caution due to prevalent scams and pickpocketing, particularly in crowded areas and after dark.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Inquirer.net reports tighter safeguards being eyed to woo Chinese tourists amid ongoing safety perceptions— Inquirer.net
- Sep 2026Senate passes bill seeking stronger child safety in tourism following concerns over visitor protection— The Manila Times
- Aug 2026Manila City DRRM Department notes flooded areas including Pearl Manila and UN Ave. cor. Taft during public safety patrols— Facebook
Common scams
- Fraudulent hotel booking scams via fake websites and social media impersonating legitimate properties
- Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers demanding fines or bribes near Ermita and Malate
Full briefing
Manila presents a mixed safety picture for tourists in October 2026. While violent crime against visitors remains relatively rare in well-policed districts like Makati and Bonifacio Global City, petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching is frequent in crowded areas including markets, public transit stations, and tourist hubs like Intramuros. Travelers should exercise increased caution, particularly after dark in less-lit areas of Tondo and parts of Quezon City where mugging and armed robbery can occur.
Scams targeting visitors are notably prevalent, with fraudulent hotel booking schemes operating through fake websites and social media impersonating legitimate properties in areas like Roxas Boulevard, Makati CBD, and BGC, often demanding payment via bank transfer or e-wallet. Additionally, individuals posing as plainclothes police officers approach tourists near Ermita and Malate, attempting to extort fines or bribes. To stay safe, book accommodations only through official hotel websites or trusted platforms like Booking.com or Agoda, keep valuables concealed in crowded places, and use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps while confirming meter use before trips. Recent developments include Senate-passed legislation for stronger child safety in tourism and ongoing efforts to improve perceptions to attract Chinese visitors, though flood-related safety patrols were active in August 2026 in areas like Pearl Manila and UN Avenue.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Manila districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Manila safety map.
TondoavoidHigh poverty density; mugging and armed robbery more common in poorly lit streets; not recommended for tourists, especially after dark.
DivisoriaavoidOvercrowded market area; extreme pickpocketing and bag-snatching risk; avoid carrying valuables and visiting after dark.
IntramuroscautionHistoric walled city; pickpocketing and scams common in crowded areas by day; avoid poorly lit alleys after dark.
ErmitacautionTourist belt near Rizal Park; frequent pickpocketing and taxi scams; heightened vigilance needed, especially at night.
MalatecautionNightlife district with bars and restaurants; petty crime increases after dark; avoid walking alone late at night.
Quezon City (central areas near Araneta Center)cautionBusy commercial zone; pickpocketing and bag-snatching reported in MRT/LRT stations and markets; avoid isolated streets after dark.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC)saferModern planned district with visible security, good lighting, and low petty crime; safest area for tourists.
Makati CBDsaferWell-policed business hub with upscale hotels and malls; exercise caution in side streets after dark.
07 · After Dark
Is Manila safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon in tourist districts but can occur in poorly lit streets of Tondo and parts of Quezon City after dark
After dark, be most careful around Tondo, Divisoria, Intramuros, Ermita. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Manila safety FAQ (2026)
Is Manila safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Manila is moderate-risk for visitors, with petty crime common but violent crime against tourists rare if precautions are taken. Manila's safety index of 58/100 reflects moderate overall risk, driven by frequent petty crime in tourist zones and markets, while violent incidents against visitors remain uncommon in well-policed districts like Makati and BGC. Travelers should exercise increased caution due to prevalent scams and pickpocketing, particularly in crowded areas and after dark. (Assessed 20 October 2026.)
Is Manila safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Manila report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Manila should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Tondo, Divisoria as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Manila (2026)?
- Fraudulent hotel booking scams via fake websites and social media impersonating legitimate properties
- Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers demanding fines or bribes near Ermita and Malate
How does Manila compare with other places in Philippines (2026)?
Manila ranks #9 of 9 Philippines destinations we've assessed, scoring 58/100. See the Philippines safety overview for the full list.
How is this manila safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: manila.json (CC BY 4.0).