Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lokog]

If I land in Cebu at 2:00am is there anyway to avoid getting ripped of on the cab from the airport to my hotel or is it just inevitable?

[Teachurrrr]

Lokog, it's not inevitable. Here's the procedure for getting a metered taxi outside Mactan Airport:

1) After you go through immigration and get your bag(s) from the conveyor belt, walk toward the exit (you will see the doors leading outside). It is usually very tame and quiet inside this arrival terminal.

2) At the exit doors, a security guard will ask for your stub(s) usually attached to your boarding pass or plane ticket. He wants to check that you have the right bags. After that, go through the doors. As you go through these doors, all hell will break loose! Breath deep, relax, and stay focused.

On a side note, I have never arrived at 2 AM in Mactan, but did arrive at 12:00 midnight last time. It was crowded then. It may be crowded at 2 AM, so just be ready.

3)As you look to your right, there will be a crowd of people waiting to greet the arrivees. The hawkers will begin to barrage you with requests and questions about a taxi. Simultaneously, people will be asking to carry your bags. Trimultaneously, the security guards will tell you that you can't stand there as the verbal assault from taxi hawkers continues. They want to herd you basically into the crowd to your right while the hawkers continue with their banter. Usually a person doesn't have time to think, which is exactly what they want. Their plan is to distract you and hope you are weary enough (or rich enough) to not care about getting ripped off for an extra $10-20$ dollars or more.

If you are not worried about the money, follow them to a non-metered taxi and away you go safe and sound. They will get you to your hotel, no problem. Instead of paying 150-250 pesos plus small tee, you will pay 400 - 1000 pesos plus a guilt trip for a tip, etc. etc.

If you want to save your money that you earned, then proceed to step 4:

4) Ignore everybody and tell any pushy guards "give me a moment please, I am looking for someone." This will give you a brief respite. Do not answer any hawkers. LOOK DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET! There will be cars, a crosswalk, and people across the street behind a grated guard-rail. You will notice that Filipinos are going across the street, then veer right until they reach stairs on their left. They go up the stairs. So will you. Cross the street, take a right, then go up the stairs (the only stairs in sight).

As you go up the stairs, one or two guys will try to talk you into taking their taxi which is basically the last ditch attempt by the hawkers to get you. Ignore them. They usually stop when you reach the top of the stairs.

5)Once you are up the stairs, go straight. You will see security guards, taxis, and Filipinos. You have now arrived at the oasis of metered taxis. Wait your turn, then take a taxi to your hotel.

Since you are arriving late (2:00 AM), I guess you will make it to the metered taxi stand about 2:30 or 2:40 AM. If taxis are scarce, don't worry. The area is safe. From the metered taxi stand, walk across the street and veer right. You will see the security guard shack for the parking lot at Waterfront Hotel. Inside the parking lot, there are usually 4 or 5 taxi drivers sleeping in their taxis awaiting fares. You are guaranteed to get one of them to give you a metered fare, no problem. Don't forget a modest tip and a smile. That's it. After that, everything is gravy! Hope this helps!

[ttompatz]

[I-am-me]

Oops..you guys got my info confused. I will be in Boracay on vacation before I head back to davao with a 5 hour stop in Cebu. If its not far to downtown then I will try to see a few of the aforemetioned attractions. I dont expect to see it all...at least a few things. Might end up taking TESOL class there later and have more time to see things.

[ttompatz]

[I-am-me]

Looks like its 4 hours from arrival to take off. We won't have any luggage so it looks like Magellans Cross will be the only site we will see. The TESOL school is 15 minutes from the airport so that might be another stop.

[lokog]

[Tiger Beer]

[R-Seoul]

[ttompatz]

[Teachurrrr]

Hey Ttompatz, is Barangay Pusok on Mactan Island? By the way, 5 hectares in Bohol ... nice! I have been interested in land in Bohol and business in Tagbilaron, but the wife is set on Cebu while we are in Asia. I would love to hear more about Bohol.

I am currently in Masan, Korea (next to Changwon). Lechon Manok sounds great! I went home for my daughter's birthday last month. We had 2 big lechons. Talk about "piggin out." The neighborhood was well-fed. All I can say is "Oink!" I love the ribs with the green onion and hanging rice.

I would be happy to meet up sometime here in Korea or in Cebu. You are welcome to PM me, but I am not sure how many posts one most have before that option is available. After this post, the count will be 30. I'll give it a try when I have more time.

Tigerbeer, where is this other part of the airport with non-taxi cars waiting to pick people up? I have never seen this around the main arrival area (where the hawkers ambush), across the street up the stairs (where Filipinos take taxis), or across the street again (at the Waterfront parking lot that has 24-hour security). Then again, I never went exploring outside these areas at nighttime or early early morning.

Good advice about avoiding normal cars offering you a ride. Months ago, the police in Mandaue told us there was a thief whose "modus-operandi" was to drive around in a nice car (which puts people off their guard) and rob businesses and banks. This one had a nasty habit of shooting people. I hope the police caught this jerk. I mention this because it seems to relate to nice cars that may be waiting for and targeting you (Mr. ATM) at the airport. In Korea, I have accepted rides from the airport by strangers in Suv's. It was unlikely they were going to kill me with their cute little kids sitting in the backseat. Yet, in the PI, it pays to err on the side of caution.

[Tiger Beer]