The Philippines has lots of scenic spots worth travelling to and seeing, and Metro Manila can show off urban tourist travel destinations like no other city in the world can. However, it isn’t all sunny days in the Philippines. Stormy weather may spoil a long planned trip---or even just going to work. But it doesn’t have to end this way. Some wise traveling tips can push a travel plan to fulfillment, come rain or shine.
First, always check the weather forecast on TV or in the radio. It’s one of the most important traveling tips. When it’s particularly rainy, the weather bureau often comes out with early advices. So does the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in charge of traffic situations. Make sure to bring the following aside from the usual raincoats and umbrellas: if you have a car, bring a pair of boots, if not wear them along. Travel with a penlight, an extra shirt and pair of pants, extra cash, a transistor radio with ear plugs, mobile phone (loaded and charged), two or three paracetamol pills, and a bottle of purified water. If one’s just off for work, the pair of boots and extra shirts will do.
Other safe traveling tips: If it’s a down pour make sure to get on a bus. Buses have better chances in flooded situations and less wet inside, especially air conditioned ones. Before taking a cab, make sure the fare meter is on or “working.” Some cab drivers pretend their meters are busted and insist on a contracted ride. This is illegal. If in case one’s in the middle of it all before discovering a “busted” meter (which is the usual scenario drivers come up with), a fair traveling tip for cab contract can rate at P75 per 4 to 5 kilometers. So if the travel is 20 kilometers, it’s safe to pay P300 to P375, or even P400 if there’s heavy traffic. When one’s obviously a foreigner, it’s best to have a local talking to cab drivers.
If it’s too windy, an important traveling tip is watch out for flying or falling debris, like roof sheets, metal pieces, or tree branches. In this case, it’s best to stall the travel and just enjoy malls or have sessions at a bowling lane. Or eat out, in a restaurant, that is.
With safety traveling tips a long-planned or long-awaited travel need not be spoiled. It just takes preparation and a little adjustment.
The city of Cebu is fondly known as the Queen City of the Southern part of the Philippines. This highly urbanized city is economically competitive and over the past couple of years has seen tourism rising up the ranks of revenue generators for the local government. If one is planning a trip to Cebu, aside from reading up on all the tourist spots that can be visited, get the know-how on Cebu transportation. Knowing about Cebu transportation will not only help one get around the city but it will also give one an opportunity to appreciate how far this city has gone.
First, let’s figure out how to get to Cebu and the fastest way to do so is to hop on a plane. If one is coming from Metro Manila, the good news is there are several air carriers that fly to Cebu more than once a day. Cebu Pacific is a domestic airline that makes 2 trips everyday to Cebu and there are also other airlines to choose from. If one chances upon promotional offers then one has a good chance of getting the lowest possible rates to get to Cebu. The plane lands at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and this facility can accommodate both local and international flights.
Another mode of Cebu transportation is to travel by sea and it is a fact that the domestic port of Cebu is second to the busiest in the entire country. Large shipping lines dock at Cebu City’s ports and if one wants to travel using this type of Cebu transportation, then check out WG&A, Negros Navigation and Sulpicio Lines. These ferries can accommodate up to 4000 passengers per trip. Departure points include Manila, Davao, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Butuan City.
Once in Cebu City, one will immediately notice the different types of Cebu transportation available from metered taxis, buses, jeepneys and tricycles. For those who don’t want to take public Cebu transportation, there are several rent-a-cars in the city. However, take note that public Cebu transportation are not only affordable, they are perfectly safe and because there isn’t that much traffic here, one will surely get to one’s destination quicker. A metered taxi can cost about Php60 per trip and this is for the air conditioned one. There are also the jeepneys which charge less than Php10 per head and these vehicles have designated routes.
The province of Bohol has beautiful beaches, excellent dive sites and many amazing landmarks that have survived the test of time. For those who are thinking about vacationing in Tagbilaran, it’s a good idea to learn a little about this city and of course the different modes of Tagbilaran transportation that one can avail of to go sightseeing.
The fastest way to get to Tagbilaran is to hop on a plane from Manila and fly direct to Bohol through one of the domestic carriers. Among the airlines that provide Tagbilaran transportation via air are Asian Spirit, Philippine Airlines, Zest Airways and Laoag International Airlines. If one is going to Bohol during off peak season, one will most likely chance upon low fares and promotional offers. In fact, during these times, a plane ticket to Tagbilaran could cost less than Php1000.
However if Manila is not the starting point but rather Cebu and one still wishes to take the plane, flights leave Mactan International Airport daily and a short boat ride can be made from there to Tagbilaran itself.
Another Tagbilaran transportation that many travelers coming from other provinces prefer is maritime vessels. There are several choices when it comes to ferry boats depending on one’s starting point. If one is departing from Manila, going to one of the major ports is the best way to start. An option to get to Tagbilaran faster is to ride a fast cat or catamaran which cuts travel by sea to half an hour less than the usual. Major maritime vessels that offer daily trips to Tagbilaran are Negros Navigation and WG & A.
Once in Tagbilaran, there are several modes of Tagbilaran transportation to choose from including motor vehicles such as mini buses, tricycles and jeepneys. Although there aren’t that many taxis in Tagbilaran and these are usually confined to certain areas only, a mini bus is a comfortable and a more affordable way to get around. When it comes to mini buses, these types Tagbilaran transportation charge varying fees depending on where one is going but the good news is, they are relatively easy to find, thanks to the bus terminals that are found every couple of blocks in the town proper.
Now if one is working on a budget and would like the cheapest mode of Tagbilaran transportation to get to a particular destination, there are many options from tricycles that can go as far as 10 kilometers to jeepneys that have designated routes. Whichever mode of transportation one prefers though, rest assured, one will find something in Tagbilaran that will suit one’s needs.
Buses, cabs, jeepneys, tricycles, calesas, and pedicabs---these Philippine transportation vehicles are road wonders that either give us headaches (they keep us wondering why they’re allowed on the streets) or great help (they get us to our destinations like nothing can). Here are tips on how we can further enjoy them.
Air conditioned buses are comfortable Philippine transportation vehicles. They offer relaxed travel, great seats, and sometimes even DVD movies. But taking the ordinary, non air conditions buses is better. This Philippine transportation is more exciting and affords more fresh air circulating around. It gives live sights and sounds of the city, the crazy race on the highway (where one’s bus is an entry), updates on different localities, and a panoramic view of the city skyline. Public ordinary buses are often occupied by more friendly and open common folks who easily make conversation even with strangers. This Philippine transportation makes for a more enjoyable trip.
Cabs are often manned by observant drivers who always have a tale or two to share with passengers. One can enjoy a wild highway chase with other cars, with lots of sudden twists and turns and cuts, as the driver relishes on past experiences, gossips, news commentary, government top secrets, traffic updates, and other whatnots or bric-a-bracs under the sun. With their eyes on the road 24/7, cab drivers are excellent reporter-companions that add color to a Philippine transportation ride.
Jeepneys are a microcosm of a Filipino community where the driver acts as the barangay head. This Philippine transportation has more interaction going among the more involved passengers. It’s only here that passengers demonstrate the native “bayanihan” spirit when they help each other get fares across to the driver. When somebody gets off, almost everybody helps the person stop the jeepney. The same thing with getting on, especially with baggage. Here, even foreigners are expected to share in the cause.
Calesas and pedicabs are Philippine transportation systems that ease up the rush hour by its slow and easy travel. They feel like there’s no need to hurry and things can always wait. In them one can always enjoy a break from the busy pace of city life. Tricycles, on the other hand, are more rugged and daring Philippine transportation for better thrills and adventures.
Going ordinary on Philippine transportation is accessing a unique world of native rough thrills and reflective tranquility. It’s where one meets a typical Filipino in the flesh.
Jeepneys are one of the Philippines’ most loved genuine attractions. All over the world, they only can be found and run on Philippine soil. But do not underestimate its capabilities, because it can bring you wherever you want to go, that is by land of course, and foreigners are enchanted by its prowess and uniqueness.
Jeepneys go hand in hand with Filipino ingenuity and craftiness. Philippines’ glorious history has a role in its origin. From the remains of the World War II American vehicles, Filipinos created a smart and illustrious way to enjoy them; that was how jeepneys came to being.
Started as a six-seater vehicle, through the years, the design and the capacity has improved to many variants and builds, but nonetheless, still very Filipino in nature. Even a single jeepney has a unique quality over others, thanks to its owner who contributed his own personality to make it one of a kind.
Philippine transportation, that is as we can say, transportation by land has been conquered and ruled by jeepneys. They are the “Kings of the Road”, as most people say. With a much improved engine and power nowadays, they can outrun some branded car models. And they still remain the main mode of transportation all over the country.
You can not find a place or town in this country, where you can not see a jeepney.
The Philippines is a nation divided by seas, since it is an archipelago, but is majestically united by its fondness of jeepneys.
Almost every Filipino has dreamed, or at least has once dreamed of having or owning a jeepney. It is a status symbol, especially in the countryside. A family who owns one has a reputation of being well-off and financially stable, though it is not very prevalent in urban areas. Elders would say that you can raise and support a family if you own one.
Jeepney drivers are well known in the society as well. There is even a tag line for them, they used to say that “every jeepney driver is a sweet lover”, and this naturally give smiles to every ones’ faces; especially their wives!
Filipinos’ loving and caring nature can be seen and felt in how they manage and maintain their jeepneys through all these years. In Metro Manila alone, you can still find a jeepney which was assembled thirty years ago, and still in running condition, giving income to its owner. And this is all about maintenance and hard work of its owner because engine or other troubles would mean less income. That is why they love their jeepneys so much.
The modes of transportation in Tacloban include land, water, and air. Depending on where your destination is, you can choose among the following:
If you choose Tacloban transportation by air, you will be landing at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, also known as DZR Airport for short. All flights to and from Tacloban City are here. The Air Transportation Office (ATO), responsible for airport operations has classified DZR Airport to be a trunk line airport. It is a joy to see improvements in the airport and we hope to see more. There are daily flights from different airlines from going to Cebu and Manila. You can check out the schedule of the flights and choose which appeals best to you.
Tacloban marine transportation before was very popular. There is even a direct trip from Manila to Tacloban and vice versa. However, when the Dona Paz tragedy happened, together with other accidents that cost the lives of many, traveling by sea was not appealing anymore and it was discouraged. However, there are some indications that the port of Tacloban may again be opened to long distance transportation. People say that marine transportation in the city is starting to pick up.
If you are planning to around Tacloban City, the transportation available are jeepneys, tricycles, and the Spider. Jeep fares vary depending on how far you will go. Fares start at around Php6.00. As for the tricycles, they cost Php6.00 as long as you are going within downtown area. There are no taxis in Tacloban unless you are going to call and hire them. But the Spider serves as the taxi, although it is not air conditioned. This Tacloban transportation operates on a 660cc Daihatsu engine, and can accommodate up to 8 people. Fares start at Php10 per head and Php5 additional for every succeeding kilometer. This is the closest to a taxi that you can get. With a low rate like that, you even get a door-to-door service. This is considered the taxi for the masses because it is affordable.If you want to go around the city, you can also rent a vehicle. There are also buses which you can take if your destination is the provinces in Leyte.
Tacloban transportation is convenient with these available modes of transportation. Although there may be no trains that will make the journey faster, you can enjoy the trip as you look around you surroundings. There is not much traffic in Tacloban City so you have really nothing to worry about. You will reach your destination in just a short while.
Nenaco is also known as Negros Navigation Co., Inc., a shipping company in the Philippines. Negros Navigation is among the oldest shipping companies serving domestically in the Philippines.
Negros Navigation started its business on July 26, 1932. They have been pioneering in a lot of shipping industry programs that the quality of shipping services in the Philippines might elevate to world class standards.
In the 1960's, Negros Navigation was the first to have fast, luxurious, air conditioned, brand new passenger ships operating in the Philippines. In the 1970s, Negros Navigation was first shipping company in the Philippines to have a modern passenger terminal located in Manila's North Harbor. They also started offering cruises to various tourist spots in the Philippines.
In the 1980's, Negros Navigation launched what is called the containerization program in cooperation with the Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) project of the Philippine Government. In the 1990s, Negros Navigation was included in the list of companies of the Philippine stock exchange.
Today, Negros Navigation is already known as the safest, most enjoyable, and most economical means of transportation in the Philippine seas. Negros Navigation is said to be the home of the Dancing Porters. Their porters don't just transport the your baggage they also dance in choreographed numbers during the departure and arrival to entertain passengers.
On board the Negros Navigation vessels, various kinds of entertainment are available to all passengers. You can try their parlor games, videoke contests, bingo, variety shows, and comedy shows. Negros Navigation uses an online ticketing system to expand their clientele.
The following ports in the Philippines are currently being served by Negros Navigation: Bacolod, Dumaguit, Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Estancia, Ozamiz, Coron, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Dipolog, Iligan, Roxas, Dumaguete, Iloilo, and Tagbilaran. The company's vessels are St. Peter the Apostle, St. Joseph the Worker, San Paolo, St. Ezekiel Moreno, Princess of Negros, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Mary Queen of Peace.
Negros Navigation's passenger accommodations and services vary in every vessel. The accommodation classifications are Suite Room, Admiral Cabin, Business, Tourist, Tatami, and Budget room. All accommodations are air conditioned except for the Budget room.
Convenience, amusement, and comfort are the key attractions of Negros Navigation's vessels. Enjoy the cuisine and the ship's friendly ambiance. The crew is committed to give passengers a great experience aboard the ship. Well-trained and competent ship officers and crew assure the safety of Negros Navigation's passengers.
Through the years, Negros Navigation renders excellent passage and freight services in the Philippines' domestic shipping industry. They continue to bring innovative service to clients throughout the Philippines.
Travelling around cities in the Philippines can be very confusing even to locals. How many times have we heard tourists taking cabs to get to a place which turns out to be just at the next corner? Or first-timers taking tricycles or pedicabs to get to another city? So to keep traveling blunders to a limit here’s a summary of short city travels.
But often we find ourselves travelling around cities alone. In such case we need to know where we’re going. Most first-timers travelling around cities often take confidence in taking cabs. But often (not always) cab drivers would take unsuspecting passengers around the locality (or even around the city) when actually the destination is just right at the next corner. So it’s vital to get an idea where one is going. How far is it? Five kilometers? How long to get to it? An hour? One may ask around; ask a traffic police or traffic aide, go to a barangay post, or call operator service. These are safe people to ask directions from when travelling around cities and will readily lend a hand. But don’t ask just anybody.
Get a handy map, too. A city atlas will help pinpoint a street or locality and the access roads leading to it. With this, one gets a better grasp of how to get there. If it’s more than 2 or 3 kilometers, it’s probably a jeepney ride. Farther destinations may need a bus ride or a combination of jeepney, bus and tricycle. The general rule is, buses are for highways, jeepneys for main roads and inner streets, tricycles are for streets and alleys inaccessible to jeepneys. Again, as one is travelling around cities, don’t hesitate to ask directions.
A cab is only advisable when one gets familiar with travelling around cities. Blindly trusting a cab to take us places we don’t have an inkling of is a pitfall. Check a route in the map and insist on taking that path. Cab drivers are known to offer “short-cuts” that later churn up the meter like crazy---though some drivers do care for passengers to get cheaper and shorter rides travelling around cities. It’s best to sit at the back where checking the atlas would be undetected by the driver and one doesn’t appear new in the territory.
So when travelling around cities just keep cool and know first where one’s going. Then the rest of the travel ought to be smooth sailing.
When it comes to traveling options, there are several forms of Ormoc City transportation that one can use to get to and to get around this high class city in the province of Leyte. What brings a lot of visitors to Ormoc City is not just the beautiful white sand beaches and the warm residents, but also how easy it is to take Ormoc City transportation to get to one’s destination.
The fastest and the first option that one should consider is to take a plane to Ormoc City. This type of Ormoc City transportation can be availed of for about Php1000 if one chances upon promotional offers from domestic airline companies such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Zest Airways. Promotional offers are usually done during off peak season, around June to September. Any other time, flying to Ormoc City could cost about Php3000 if it’s a direct flight. However, one can get cheaper airfare if coming from Manila by flying to Tacloban and from there take a bus to Ormoc City. The bus ride takes about two hours.
For those coming from Cebu, chances of getting a direct flight are slimmer. However, one can fly to Manila and then book a connecting flight to Ormoc City from there. This type of Ormoc City transportation should take about 2-3 hours at most.
Getting to Ormoc City can be done by combination of a plane ride and bus. For instance if one is coming from Angeles City, it’s sometimes necessary to first drive to Manila and from there take a connecting flight to Ormoc City.
Another way to get to Ormoc City is via ferry and this is a mode of Ormoc City transportation that is available to everyone regardless of whether one’s starting point is Ormoc City or Manila. Be prepared to spend around Php2000 when availing of this option.
Once in the beautiful Ormoc City, the most common modes of Ormoc City transportation are jeepneys and tricycles. For short distances and if one wants to avoid frequent stops, a tricycle might just be able to get one to one’s destination faster. Jeepneys on the other hand have designated routes and riding one is recommended for those who are familiar with Ormoc City or if one is simply feeling adventurous. Wherever one might be headed in Ormoc City, there is definitely an Ormoc City transportation that can be ridden to get to one’s destination in the soonest possible time.
Knowing how to get to the province of Legazpi and learning how to get around the city using public modes of transportation is an exciting adventure. Aside from the fact that Legazpi transportation is safe, this is also an opportunity for one to experience the culture of the province and explore the tourist attractions in the most affordable manner.
There are three ways to get to the province and these types of Legazpi transportation can be by air, land or sea. For those who want to get to Legazpi in the soonest possible time, the best mode of Legazpi transportation is by air and a direct flight will take one to Legazpi airport right in the hustle and bustle of the city. Legazpi has a moderately sized airport, with a runway that is about 2,500 kilometers long. The Legazpi airport is open to both domestic and international flights so if one is coming from abroad, all one has to do is to find a flight that goes straight here. Once at the airport, getting around the city is no problem with public Legazpi transportation waiting right outside and consists of jeepneys, buses and tricycles for short distances.
Another way to get to Legazpi is by land and although this is longer, expect the drive to be scenic. Whether one opts to ride the bus or a private vehicle, this mode of Legazpi transportation will give one a tour of the nearby provinces and the landscapes to be seen are picturesque. From the capital of the Philippines to Legazpi, the drive should take at most 14 hours.
The final option to get to Legazpi is by sea and this is usually the mode of Legazpi transportation taken by visitors coming from other provinces such as Cebu. There are many maritime vessels that can take one to Legazpi including WG & A, Negros Navigation, Super Ferry and Trans-Asia. All these vessels go to Legazpi City and pass through Masbate.
Once in the city itself, Legazpi transportation is easy and there are many options to choose from. Public utility vehicles such as jeepneys, tricycles, buses and even taxis will get the visitors to their destination. The cheapest mode of Legazpi transportation though is the jeepney and although these are not air conditioned, one will not mind the drive because of the cool Legazpi breeze that constantly blows in one's face.