Driving in Philippines. Have you done it with car rental ?

[LSnBigBear 61]

Oh yeah rent a car with tinted windows. Take the full coverage insurance option and enjoy the ride. I lived in Cebu for many years. I had a company driver that drove worse than most drunks. I grounded him and paid him to run errands for me and only drive me to and from the airport. I drove myself 99% of the time. I had 3 fender benders. Paid cash and walked away. I got rear ended (not my fault) by a bus (man that hurt) did about $2000 damage and somehow my company had to pay as the bus did not have insurance. Sooooo as a Foreigner be ready to pay if you wreck.. It never stopped me from driving even when I returned on my own to run my own businesses I drove. Just have your horn ready, have cash and be patient!

[LSnBigBear 61]

Also I should add about renting. It will cost you about 50-60 usd per day to rent. As others mentioned you can find a Driver for about 60-75 usd per day or maybe even less. It just depends on the freedom etc you want to have. In Manila I normally hired a Driver. Outside of Manila I would drive. Cebu, Bohol I drove myself.

[magdasal 19]

Maybe it varies province by province, but you're absolutely nuts to drive in Mindanao. Seriously, people use the roads for all kinds of non-travel related purposes that will make you wish you had never thought of driving there. And if any 'incidents' occur and you happen to be involved...well, you'll be lucky to get out just draining your life savings. My advice is to never, ever, never, never drive anything there...really, you are risking it with a bicycle or roller skates.

BTW, if you are nuts, remember that headlights at night are totally optional (i.e. nobody uses them, even on 2 lane roads). Good luck and I hope you have a rich uncle.

[AKteacher 101]

I just spent 2 months in Mindanao (mostly around Davao, Kadingilan/Doncarlos/Valencia, CDO, and Iligan City) and drove many times with a borrowed SUV as well as a motorcycle. I've never had any problems, but it can be a bit unnerving until you get used to it. The only time I was ever really scared was at night - vehicles without lights crossing/passing over the center line (when there was a center line), pedestrians & animals crossing without warning with no lights or reflectors, etc...). Just have to be very careful. Tinted windows, make sure the horn, lights & wipers work...

I second what cberfx1024 says. Mindanao is just fine as long as you stay on the western side. No question about it, Davao is safer than most parts of Manila. Iligan City was a bit sketchy, quite a few muslims there but all the ones I met seemed OK.

Edited September 24, 2013 by AKteacher

[altonbebe 48]

If your in metro manila, you DO NOT need a car. Just choose your taxi wisely. When I am there, I try to hail down late model vehicle taxi. I ALWAYS give a BIG TIP. Remember, these guys WORK to get you through traffic. I am simply amazed at their knowledge and driving skills.

With that note, I did rent a car when Bebe and I vacationed in Subic Bay.

In Subic Bay, the driving is wonderful. The roads and road conditions were simply amazing. We drove all over the place. I enjoy driving. Although Bebe was a little anxious about the high mountain ranges. She is somewhat afraid of heights.

Renting a car is not painful at all.

One suggestion, take the insurance. It is not worth driving without it.

Enjoy the scenery.

I rented from Catcor Rent A Car

Olongapo City : (047) 224-1723

Subic, Zambales : (047) 232-1229 / 232-2906 (ask for Geraldine)

Here are the rates I paid.

Toyota Fortrunner ( yes, it's called a Fortrunner and looks just like a Forerunner)

5,000 pesos / day (yes, expensive, but that included car and insurance rate; you cannot rent the same vehicle in the U.S. any lessor)

In addition, the vehicle was BRAND NEW and never ever SMOKED in. This was important to me.

It was a deisel which was a little strange to me as we do not have this vehicle in the U.S. The car was safe, clean, and NEW!!!!!

[collnin4412 0]

Alton, that's expensive. I live here in Pampanga. When we rented a van ( nissan urban) its only 1500 with driver ( gas not included) then when we hired again pampanga-manila(pasay near mall of asia)-pampanga it's only 3,500 all in. The car rental is located in Angeles City. I just searched it tru sulit. (Ads website)

Provincial rate is cheaper.

[Hank_ 9,173]

Yeah, I feel the same about Davao. I've been there 4 times now. My wife is from Mati. We live in Arizona now since we moved from California a few months ago. I should update my info.

Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions. I probably would feel more comfortable just sticking to the motorcycle taxis or just getting a driver for the day. We did that when we went to Eden park in Davao and the same when we were visiting in Cebu. I know it would be an adventure to drive over there especially in the city. Hardly relaxing lol. The first time I went there I couldn't believe how many people could fit onto one motorcycle.. It's more fun in the Philippines right.

- I avoid driving in Phoenix whenever possible....

[typo808 11]

There is an order to what looks like mayhem. When I drove in Manila, Balibago, Subic and other areas like Tacloban and Catbalogan, I saw what makes total sense to a use the analogy of having rocks in a container and being asked is the container full? Then smaller rocks are put in and the question asked again. Then sand, then water...you know what im trying to say. If you look at traffic that way, the order of right of way enabled by the skill of the driver becomes clear.

[lbounds 16]

- I avoid driving in Phoenix whenever possible....

Yes, I wish I could however that's my daily commute. I underestimated traffic here. 30 mile drive takes me about 1 - 1 1/2 hours depending on traffic. I usually see accidents somewhere on the way every day,

[Ronn63 41]

We rented a car once, (we'll call her 'Ivan...rental car from Hell.) First of all, it had a busted wheel bearing, which groaned all the way to Subic and back, (we rented in Angeles.) I think it cost about 2k for the one day. We left early in the morning for Subic Bay, so traffic wasn't really an issue. Coming back around 11PM was a different story. I think I aged 5 years once we got off the freeway until we got back to the hotel. I think I'll stick to trikes to get around from now on.

[altonbebe 48]

I could of rented a car with driver cheaper, but I wanted control of my day.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Toyota Fortrunner ( yes, it's called a Fortrunner and looks just like a Forerunner)

5,000 pesos / day (yes, expensive, but that included car and insurance rate; you cannot rent the same vehicle in the U.S. any lessor)

I'm guessing you meant to say Toyota Fortuner.

[Stevephoto 224]

I have driven many many many times in New York City, "lived" on the freeways of Los Angeles and now drive everyday in Honolulu...been to Manila 4 times..."ain't no way" I'm driving there!

[seer8 2]

It's great if you live there in the Philippines and you have your own vehicle. We are trying to weigh whether renting or not is the better option. As tourists in a foreign country, we can see them in our own country. They rent simply not because of convenience but for lack of public transportation. In the Philippines, I can say that public transportation is an industry in itself. With so many options, you have to calculate the risk and payoff of having your own automobile.

I drove in Cebu city and it was not what I expected. II didn't like it and felt uncomfortable behind the wheel for most of the time. The traffic was terrible and had to be on a constant lookout. That's how we grow white hairs really fast. Of course, my hair is still black but I don't need a headstart.

[Niblet 22]

My wife and I have a laugh when someone asks if I would ever bring my motorcycle to the Philippines... can you see a 900 lb. touring bike trying to maneuver around Manila...

Actually members of "American Steel" do it all the time,,walang problema,,but they ride Harleys