Getting Around Davao City

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Davao City occupies 2,444 sq. kms. It's a vast city comparing to other cities like Metro Manila (636 km²) or Singapore (707.1 km2). You need a private vehicle to criss-cross the city. Although there are public vehicles around like taxi and jeepney, still having a rented van or jeepney of your own will save you time and money. That's what I realized when we moved from one place to another- from where we stay to Crocodile Park, then to Magsaysay Road, then to Malate-like entertainment district, then to a night market and so on.

Maligaya taxi drivers have done it again. For the past years they have been getting bad feedback from the commuting public even from the mayor himself. I feel it is just fair to warn the public about them. I have not 1 but 2 acquaintances both of whom recently had the misfortune of having encounters with these drivers. One had accidentally left their wallet and was never returned. Another had a vehicular accident whose fault was the taxi drivers. The administration are of no help either. He was given the runaround in their office. In disgust, he opted to charge it to his insurance instead. I will never ride maligaya taxi's even if my life depended on it.

Taxi is the most convenient way of going around the city. Unlike the taxi drivers in manila who takes advantage, and won't give you the right change of your fare ,and even refuses to take you in unless on a fix rate contract, the taxi drivers here in Davao City gives you the right change, even if it is just 1 piso.

There are two kinds of taxi here, the non-aircon which has a flag down rate of Php26.00 and a 1 piso additional for every __ meters (i'm not sure) to your destination. The airconditioned taxi which has a flag down rate of Php30.00 and an additional Php 2.50 for every ___ meters.

Unfortunately, the non-airconditioned taxi cabs will be faced out next year. But, nonetheless, the travel is short here, so it will not drain your pocket..

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Getting around Davao is so easy. There are cabs you can call to pick you up. There are plenty if you'ld like to just get a ride while waiting along the streets (incase you dont have a phone to use).

Jeepneys are also abundant, having their own different routes. But if you are not familiar with the streets of the place, the cabs would be the most convenient ride. The Drivers are honest, helpful and mostly can understand English or Tagalog.

Since the streets are good, and trafic is very few the meter charge is affordable. It would take you to a far place for only 15 mins at P100.

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There are many trips offered by several airlines that could bring you to Davao.
All of them land at Davao International Airport. But among them we choose Cebu Pacific Air, not because they are very comfortable but because they offer the most affordable price. They give as low as P1 fare promo for PH flights...isn't that a deal?!

Anyway i wont take you more than half a day sitting there to reach Davao, two hours will be the most.

By the way, they also travel SAFE!

I am very lucky to find a taxi driver who gave a very good deal to tour around the city and some towns nearby. I just paid 1500 for one whole day. We visited Eden Nature Park, Philippine Eagle Center, Japanese Tunnel, Orchids store (dont know the name, sorry), Crocodile Park and Jack Ridge.

A fun alternative to hiring a taxi will be instead hiring a tricycle. A tricycle is basically a motorcycle with a glorified sidecar that might hold up to six regular people as passengers. However, I have seen many more Filipino passengers riding in a tricycle but generally foreigners won't pack themselves like Filipinos do.

The only problem with Riding in a tricycle will be that they are not allowed within downtown Davao area. You'll only see them on the outskirts. The smaller the town is, the more likely they will be allowed in the business districts. For example, on a nearby island, Samal, immediately next to Davao, tricycles will be in abundance within the business areas. And, you actually will not see taxis there unless someone brought one over from Davao for the day.

Think about chartering a taxi for the day. Many times, taxis will like to be rented for the whole day or an agreed-upon fee. Sometimes you can get a good rate like 1500 pesos/day. It seems to me that competition among taxis is very high. Therefore, keep this in mind while you're bargaining for the rental of a taxi all day. Some taxis will be more hard up for business than others.