A Foreigner’s Complete Guide to Renting a Car in the Philippines
Planning a trip to the Philippines?
Before anything else, make sure you’ve ironed out all your entry requirements. Check your passport’s validity and, if necessary, secure all your visas for the entire trip itinerary. Be ready with your return or onward ticket, too, to avoid any issues with immigration.
Next are money and budgeting concerns. International credit cards are acceptable in major cities, such as Manila and Cebu, but the Philippines is still a predominantly cash economy. So, visit the bank or currency exchange institution before your trip to have some banknotes — Philippine Pesos — on hand. If you need extra cash, you may withdraw from a local ATM or go to a local currency exchange institution.
Once you’ve fixed your requirements and budgeting concerns, it’s time to figure out how you’ll get around the city or province that you plan to visit. Don’t worry about getting stuck somewhere or not knowing where to go. Our car rental company in the Philippines has prepared a transportation guide especially for you.
CAR RENTAL IS THE SAFEST TRANSPORTATION OPTION FOR FOREIGNERS
The Philippines has many transportation options. You may opt for taxis, buses, trains, and the good old bicycle to get you from one place to another. You may use a ride-sharing app to take you around. You may also explore local transportation options such as jeepneys and tricycles. The best transportation option, however, is a rental vehicle.
Metro Manila is on the road to a safer and more organized transportation landscape. But, local car rental is still the safest choice despite the traffic you might encounter. It affords you a private mode of transportation — one that will safely get you anywhere you want at any time of the day or night.
You still have to do your research, of course.
Check RentCarManila.com's Car Rental Services Now!
Take a look at your itinerary to find out what type of vehicle you need during your trip to the Philippines. Furthermore, listen to what expats have to say about the best cars for rent. They’ll give meaningful insight into the most suitable choices for any function you need a vehicle for. They’ll even help you decide whether to self-drive or hire a professional driver along with your car rental.
If you choose to self-drive, take note of these driving tips that ensure you will have a good time on the road throughout your stay in the Philippines:
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- Observe the basic traffic rules.
- Take note of the number coding scheme.
- Use street maps and apps to stay mindful of your route.
- Go to gas stations as a safety pit stop when you need to take a break.
- Be cautious of speeding or swerving vehicles, such as buses, jeepneys, and trucks.
- Be mindful of pedestrians who cross at undesignated spots along the road
Keep these driving tips in mind while you navigate the streets of Metro Manila, and you’ll be good to go.
CAR RENTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGNERS
Car rental requirements vary depending on where you rent a car from. When you come to us for a renter-driven car, our requirements include the following:
- Valid passport
- Additional valid ID
- Local or International driver’s license
- Original copy of your latest proof of billing
- Lease of contract
Present these requirements to our staff and we’ll process your request for a rental vehicle in the quickest way possible.
TRIPS FROM MANILA TO NEARBY PROVINCES
Although RentCarManila.com is a Manila-based car rental company, we don’t limit you to the boundaries of Metro Manila. All that we ask for is that you take care of the car — you can take it anywhere you like. In fact, we can share with you some road trip destinations north and south of Manila that you can easily drive too.
Up north, you have the option of taking a 3-hour drive to Subic Bay Freeport Zone in the province of Olongapo. It is a former U.S. Armed Forces base and now a private economic zone with some of the nicest beach resorts.
If you want to explore more of North Luzon, drive up to Baguio, the Summer Capital of the Philippines. There, you can ride horses and take a stroll while taking in the cool climate and the fresh scent of pine trees. Further up north, you may visit Sagada in the Mountain Province and witness its mystic appeal and the beauty of Ifugao tradition.
Alternatively, you can drive south of Metro Manila and enjoy the breathtaking sight of the Taal Volcano from Tagaytay City. If you would rather go to the beach and soak up the rays of the sun, you can explore the hot springs and waterfalls of Laguna and the beaches of Batangas.
Check Depart of Tourism Philippines' YouTube Video About Laguna
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN DRIVING AROUND MANILA AND NEARBY AREAS
Regardless of how long you’ve been driving in your home country, the roads of Metro Manila are still different. Hence, remember to drive smart while you’re navigating our busy streets. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Always have your passport and driver’s license with you when driving.
- In the Philippines, we drive on the right side of the road.
- Wear seat belts all the time to observe safety.
- You cannot text or talk on the phone while driving.
- Call 117 for any emergencies.
RentCarManila.com welcomes you to the Philippines. We hope you have an enjoyable stay as you navigate the road with a vehicle from our car rental company. Contact us, today, for a reservation.
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