"taxi with a bonus", Luzon

Hello everybody

We are heading for the Philippines in February. On 25th we would like to leave Manila to visit the RiceTerraces of Banaue and others in that region. We would like to drive back, if possible in our time- schedule even passing Vigan and then certainly Baguio where we would like to stay one night before turning back to Manila on the 3rd of March. We prefer not to have a classic "all- in- guided tour" but are looking for a reliable driver with a car who wants to drive us around to places we would like to visit and places we would like to stay overnight. Somebody who speaks Tagalog to get in contact with local people and that not necessarily has to accompany us while we are walking around. A "taxi with a bonus" that wants to show us his beautiful country...

Any help, ideas, names or addresses are welcome!

Kind regards,

ll you need is a taxi driver basically. One that has a decent vehicle, and who's English is OK. It would be an advantage if he's had a foreigner client or clients before.

Pay : if the guy walks out of there with 1000 pesos (23 USD) per day, he'll be happy. That's 3 times what they pay in a McDonald's.

Fuel is on top. And you should pay something for the car rental too, but I'm not sure what amount that should be.

Get all his meals on top and though he would be ready to sleep in the car, if you want to be generous put him up in the cheapest room at any hotels you may stay at if you need a car and driver for days on end. Some places have multi-occupancy staff quarters perhaps with bunk beds where hotel workers sleep, and drivers that work for hotel guests, can sleep there at a low cost.

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Hello Callippo

This is useful information; thanks!

Frank

If you are going to spend a few days in Manila then you have time to look around for a driver.

They typically share the rental with another driver so it's two drivers using one car. So when it's like that, you'll have to pay fuel and driver, car rental, and also something to compensate the 'other' driver to sit on his ass for a few days while you are away and he is unemployed.

A company often recommended by foreigners is BEEWAY TRAVEL. Just Google it. Email them and ask how much it is to hire car or van plus driver per day and tell them you will cover fuel and the driver's food and accommodation. Vans aren't much more expensive than cars are and the driver can sleep quite comfortably in those.

Again, a big "thank you" to @callippo for all your useful information. You have helped me a lot.

google Arnold Sanchez tourist driver

Thanks gwapo... I already mailed him... waiting for reply...

Beeway do publish their 'touring rate' on the website. It's 2600 a day plus fuel plus tolls and then food allowance and accommodation for the driver on top. That doesn't seem too bad to me.

Ideally in your place I would want an older more experienced driver and also one who has been up that way before.

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