Getting Around

[Simply Newt 9]

I am making a return trip to The Philippines (Cagayan De Oro) this October and I need some advice please. My last trip was last year in October and I rented a vehicle to get around in and so many here advised me not to do this because of the treacherous driving conditions there and I was very glad I took the advice. Man, they are crazy over there. I have never seen anything like it. Its a free for all where road rules are thrown out the window and a total disregard for vehicle safety. Needless to say, I hired a taxi driver that is part of the not so immediate family and he was able to get us where we needed to go for the short time I was there. 

 

I will be going this time for two weeks instead of just one and need some ideas on how to get around. This time will be a lot different as while I was there for my first trip, I ended up becoming a father and will have a 3 month old baby in tow as well as a 4 year old. I thought of renting a vehicle this time as it will be my second trip and I am aware of the driving conditions there. Who ever gets to the intersection first wins and gets to go first. If many of you think this is still not a good idea, then could you enlighten me on modes of transportation that I could use that will not break my wallet. I was thinking that I could hire a driver for the two weeks I am there but not sure how to go about doing that. I also thought about doing the Grab thing but not sure how that would work. 

 

So please help me out and let me know what the best way would be for me to get around with my newly formed family. 

 

Thank you all so much. 

[Edward and Jaycel 1,951]

I lived in CDO for a year in 2022 & 2023 and never hurt for transportation. Grab is a great option most times and it is extremely reasonable. For 2 weeks, especially with a new baby I would not risk you driving around. If you want to hire a driver to be available to you, that's also a viable option but I would suggest your Filipina be the one who hires them for the two of you. Honestly, Grab worked great for me and Jaycel that whole year. The only tough thing about Grab is when it's raining hard, there will be a delay in getting one to pick you up because that's when everyone takes taxis.

[spicynujac 72]

I've spent several months in PH (But never in CDG).  I've never once wanted to drive a car.  Transportation there is fantastic (though traffic can make it less so).  You can find a taxi, jeepney, aircon van, Grab, or bus going basically wherever you want to at any daylight hour.  Drivers are so cheap, being driven around the country is something I *enjoy* paying for.  Sit back, let the pros do what they do best, and don't worry about the confusion of navigating a region you are unfamiliar in.  Unless you are driving for hours each day, I can't see needing a dedicated driver.  But it's also easy to befriend someone and have them be your "regular" guide if you like...

 

Grab is good but honestly I just waive down a taxi.. or rather let the doorman do it for me (even $30 / night hotels have doormen.  Wow I miss PH!)

 

With a baby, yeah you might want to arrange something regular, with a carseat.  I was often casually solicited driving services (for example, the security screener at the airport, instead of yelling at me like they do in America), just smiled and helped me with my backpack, and gave me a card offering to drive me around if I needed to go anywhere.  If you make small talk with people, driving for hire is a fairly common service.  I would think your wife's family should know someone who has a car and is willing to be your driver, no?  If not many hotels can arrange this.  Last time there with a buddy, he friend befriended the hotel's airport van driver and hired him directly.  PH is the land of personal service!