Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 17) — The Philippines is home to many tourist spots, some even with historical significance. And no place mixes history and tourism better than Intramuros.
After months of closure due to quarantine restrictions, the famous “Walled City” in Manila finally opened its doors to the public once more this Feb. 17. However, changes have been put in place by authorities to balance visitors’ safety and need for wide, open spaces within an otherwise dense, urban place like the capital region.
Here are some of the things to keep in mind when visiting Intramuros:
What sites are open and what are their operating schedules?
Unlike pre-pandemic times, Intramuros only has three open sites until further notice: Fort Santiago, Casa Manila Museum and the Baluarte de San Diego. Operating hours are also limited, according to site authorities.
Fort Santiago is open every day from 12 noon to 8 p.m., with last entry for visitors at 7 p.m.
The Casa Manila Museum, meanwhile, only accommodates visitors Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Baluarte de San Diego garden has the same operating hours as the museum, but is only open on Saturdays and Sundays.
The garden, however, is open to all medical frontliners from Mondays to Fridays within the same hours.
This also means other sites such as the dungeons, Museo ni Rizal and Asean Gardens are still off-limits to the public.
How many people are allowed to go in?
The sites of Intramuros have also adopted smaller maximum capacities on the ground, consistent with quarantine rules set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases these past months.
Both the Fort Santiago and Baluarte de San Diego can only accommodate 100 people at a time. The Casa de Manila Museum, on the other hand, only allows 15 visitors at a time or 5 persons when in a group.
“In 2019 there were 3.3 million visitors in Intramuros. We are not expecting that same number again but what we are trying to ensure is the safe experience of the people visiting,” said Intramuros Administration chief Atty. Guiller B. Asido during a press conference on the historical tourist spot’s reopening.
How much is the entrance fee?
Adults must pay ₱75 when entering any of the three sites, while students and persons with disabilities are only charged ₱50. Only those aged 15-65 will be allowed to enter, in line with current age restrictions.
Visitors may pay through digital means like Beep cards or PayMaya or with cash.
And last but not the least, people heading to Intramuros must observe the same health standards they do when in public: mandatory wearing of face masks and shields, physical distancing, proper hand hygiene and the practice of respiratory etiquette.
Apart from mandatory screening of temperature and symptoms and sanitizing practices, all guests must register their visit on the staysafe.ph app for contact tracing prior to entry.
