Arroceros Forest Park is a genuine surprise in the middle of Manila: two hectares of mature trees on the bank of the Pasig River, dense enough to feel like a forest despite being surrounded by the city. The park has over 60 tree species and serves as habitat for a variety of birds unusual in an urban setting — it is one of the better birdwatching spots in Metro Manila.
The park was saved from commercial development by local environmental activists in the 1990s and is now managed as a protected urban green space. It is small enough to walk through in twenty minutes but large enough to feel like a real escape from the traffic and noise of central Manila. The Pasig River flows past on one edge; the other sides are bounded by busy streets. Entry is free. Mornings are the best time for birds.