The history of Makati dates as far back as the time when Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi first set foot on it and gave it its present name, as derived from the Tagalog phrase meaning "ebbing tide". Of course Makati had been in existence even before that, but all we know about it is that it was then part of the territory ruled by a chieftain called Lakan Tagkan and his wife, Bouan, who were living in Namayan, now part of Sta. Ana, Manila.

In 1589, when a permanent seat in the city coropration was put up for sale at a public auction in accordance with the custom of the period, Captain Pedro de Brito, then aside to the Spanish Army of Staff and chief constable of the Audencia, purchased the property which included the territory now occupied by Makati, for 1,400 pesos.

The House of Probation and its adjoining church were to be built on a hill called Buenavista, within the confines of a cattle ranch which the founders owned in a district called Makati. the church was to be placed under the patronage of Saint Peter. (This condition probably accounts for the prefixing of San Pedro to the name "Makati", which later on also came to be called "Sampiro").

Makati is located within the quadrangle of One Hundred Twenty degrees (120) latitude north and One Hundred Forty Three degrees (143) longitude east. It is bounded on the north by the Pasig River facing the city Mandaluyong, on the east by the Municipality of Pateros and on the northwest by Manila and on the south and southwest by the city of Pasay.

Three centuries later in 1914, by Act No. 2390 of the Philippine Legislature, the name "San Pedro de Makati" was changed to "Makati" which has remained its official name today.

Local Travel Agent(s):
	CNM Travel
	Address : 2nd Flr. Arthur's Building 850 JP Rizal Ave. Philippines Phone : +63 2 8974810 , Fax : +63 2 8972771
	North Star International Travel, Inc.
	Address : G/F Heart Tower Condominium 108 Valero Street, Salcedo Village Philippines Phone : +63 2 8121978 , Fax : +63 2 8156392
	Sierra Tours, Inc
	Address : Ground Flr. Classica Condominium 112 HV Dela Costa Salcedo Village Makati City Philippines Phone : +63 2 8140393 , Fax : +63 2 8180432
	Frontline 8 Travel Inc.
	Address : Telamart Bldg, Magallanes Comercial Centre, Magallanes Philippines Phone : +63 2 8514631 , Fax : +63 2 8514634
	Tourworld Corp.
	Address : Suite 406 La’o Center 1000 Arnaiz Ave, Makati, Metro Manila Philippines Phone : +63 2 8174361 , Fax : +63 2 8174399