As one of Metro Manila’s 16 cities, Caloocan is a great base for exploring the Filipino capital. Trains can whisk you to downtown Manila in just 30 minutes, which makes it easy to visit popular sites like Rizal Park and the historic city of Intramuros. In addition to day trips to Manila, Caloocan is a great place to experience the Philippines like a local. It’s home to a string of offbeat attractions, with plenty of authentic restaurants, street stalls and neon karaoke bars to explore.

Things to do

Caloocan is bordered by Quezon City, which means there’s easy access to a handful of top attractions. Anchored by a 66-metre tall mausoleum, the Quezon Memorial Circle is the resting place of the Filipino president Manuel L. Quezon.

If you want a break from Manila’s chaotic traffic, the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Centre is a great place to spend the day. Nearby is the La Mesa Watershed Reservation, dotted with lush forests, picnic sites and hiking trails.

By far, Caloocan’s most iconic landmark is the monument to Filipino revolutionary Andrés Bonifacio. It marks the very first battle of the Philippine Revolution and features intricate sculptures by local artist Guillermo Tolentino.

If you’re heading to downtown Manila a stroll around sprawling Rizal Park is a must. Manila Ocean Park is just behind the grandstand, home to sharks, stingrays and more. You can also wander around the ruins of Fort Santiago and visit the magnificent San Agustin Church.

Getting around

Manila is powered by an efficient LRT train network, which spans well beyond Caloocan. Direct connections will get you to downtown Manila is as little as 30 minutes. Taxis will make the trip in around 45 minutes, though heavy traffic can make the journey much longer. If you’re heading to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, you should allow at least two hours of travel time.