San Juan City Guide

Philippines

San Juan City Guide

Metro Manila

San Juan, located within Metro Manila, Philippines, is a bustling, urbanized city known for its history and commercial life. It is compact but offers everything you need. It's easy to get around and connect to other parts of the capital.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Local flavors include lechon and adobo. International food is huge here, especially in Greenhills. Late-night food runs are easy.

Local Dishes:
Adobo, Sinigang, Lechon
International Cuisine:
Japanese, Italian, American, Middle-Eastern
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Nightlife is more chill here with local bars. Nearby cities have more options for clubs.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Developing scene with a mix of local and international cafés. Specialty coffee is a growing interest.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tips aren't a must but nice to give. Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge.

Top Attractions
Pinaglabanan Shrine
Historical
Key historical spot related to Philippine Revolution.
Museo ng Katipunan
Museum
Museum showcasing the Katipunan era and Filippino history.
Greenhills Shopping Center
Shopping
Great for shopping and dining with a wide range of options.
SIM Cards

Easy to buy SIM cards from Globe and Smart at malls or the airport. Registration needed.

Available at:
Globe
Smart
Recommended Apps
Grab(Transportation & Food)
Foodpanda(Food)
GCash(Finance)
PayMaya(Finance)
Waze(Navigation)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Agoda/Booking.com(Accommodation)
Klook(Activities)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
6

Main areas are clean, but smaller streets may have litter. Regular waste collection.

24/7 Services
Good
7

Convenience stores and some fast-food spots are open 24/7 in key areas.

Groceries
Puregold
Robinsons Supermarket
SM Hypermarket

You can get international items in big supermarkets like Puregold, Robinsons, and SM Hypermarket. Fresh markets offer a peek into local life.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Major places take cards, but small shops, eateries, and jeepneys want cash.

ATMs

ATMs are everywhere you look, like malls and convenience stores. Expect a PHP 250 fee if you're using a foreign card.

Schools
International

English is common in international schools like International School Manila. Xavier School and Immaculate Conception Academy are top local options.

Available Schools:
Xavier School
Immaculate Conception Academy
International School Manila
British School Manila

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
7
Available Spaces:
Workplace Cafe San Juan
Flexible workspace options, including meeting rooms.
Acceler8 by UnionSPACE
Located in Makati with 24/7 access available.
24/7 Access
Regus
Professional setup with meeting rooms.
VentureSpace
Flex desks and private office choices in Mandaluyong.
Common Ground
Modern and community-focused space in Ortigas.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
Starbucks
Multiple branches with reliable Wi-Fi.
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Another staple offering a conducive work environment.
Figaro Coffee
Popular choice for locals and travelers alike.
Bo's Coffee
Known for its local brews and cozy sitting areas.
Alternatives:
Libraries
San Juan City Library offers quiet work areas.
Hotel Lobbies
Comfortable seating with Wi-Fi access, perfect for working quietly.
Community Centers
May provide quiet zones with public Wi-Fi.
Digital Nomad Community
Good
6

Metro Manila's digital nomad scene is building up, with events and co-working in nearby places like Makati.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Limited
5

Not many major parks directly in San Juan. Check out Quezon Memorial Circle for more greenery.

Running
Good
6

Runs possible at the perimeter of Pinaglabanan Shrine and local parks. Watch air quality.

Gyms
Available

Plenty of gyms are available, from large chains to local ones.

Available Gyms:
Anytime Fitness San Juan
Fitness First
Several local gyms
Tennis
Limited
5

There are tennis courts in clubs and private facilities.

Padel
Poor
3

Padel is starting to pop up around Metro Manila but not widespread yet.

Yoga
Good
7

Several studios offer yoga classes. Drop-ins are welcome.

Martial Arts
Good
7

Martial arts like BJJ, Muay Thai, and boxing are taught locally. Class details vary by dojo.

Skiing
Poor
0

Tropical climate means no skiing options.

Water Sports
Poor
2

Water sports are limited; could find options in resorts outside the city.

Surfing
Poor
1

No surfing here. Head to La Union or Baler for the waves.

Diving
Poor
1

No dive spots nearby; travel to Batangas or Palawan.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

Cardinal Santos Medical Center is well-regarded. English is common in private hospitals, which offer quality care.

Hospitals:
Cardinal Santos Medical Center
Pharmacies:
Mercury Drug
Watsons
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Stick to bottled water available everywhere.

Common Scams
Taxi scams where meters are tampered with., Pickpocketing in crowded spots., Friendly stranger scams offering help.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Playgrounds and parks are around, and malls have kid-friendly spots. Pinaglabanan Shrine is a key attraction for families.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
7

Fairly progressive for Asia with safe spaces in urban parts of Metro Manila.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Vets are common, and pet-friendly spots are increasing, but check policies first.

Communities
Expats in Manila (Facebook Group)
Digital Nomads Philippines (Facebook Group)
Manila Expats & Locals (Facebook Group)

Quick Facts

Population
126,347
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is generally solid, but occasional short brownouts happen.

Languages
Tagalog(100%)
English(85%)
Emergency
911
National Emergency Hotline
117
Philippine National Police (PNP)
117
Fire Department

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
2
🏔️
Earthquake
High Risk
8

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Typhoons
June, July, August, September, October, November
Brings strong winds and heavy rains; always stay updated.
Extreme Heat
March, April, May
Very hot and humid; stay hydrated.
Flooding
June, July, August, September
Happens during very heavy rains, mostly in low areas.

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