Car/Van Rental/Purchase

Written by admin on November 12, 2009.

-Hertz and Avis, and the like, do not exist.  There are some private entities that ‘might’ rent you a bucket of bolts, but be prepared for a dispute at the end of your rental.  Obviously, renting a private car that you can drive is not the wisest choice. (Visit the ‘Judicial Concerns’ link for more info). -Tricycles, multi-cabs, metered taxis, cars/vans with drivers are available.We usually have one vehicle and two motorbikes for in-town rental at P1000/day($20) for vehicle, and P500/day per bike.  Cash deposits are generally required.

Tricycles- will take you into the barangays. Multi-Cabs- Little vans that ply the major roads. Taxis- Relatively new in Butuan, they do a good job. Cars/Vans w Drivers- It pays to be a bit discerning with this category.

Most vehicles w/driver can be rented for P1-3000 ($20-50usd per day).  Check the quality of the vehicle, especially tires and A/C, and be sure to quantify who pays for the fuel, prior to agreeing to a deal.  It is also helpful if your prospective driver can communicate effectively. Currently there are about 50 guys with cars/vans hanging around the airport.  Of these 50, perhaps 10 of the vehicles are roadworthy-just my opinion. There are 3 Expats who dabble in this trade on a very small scale, and we act as their agent at their request.  Basically, if you want a nice car with a knowledgeable, bi-lingual driver, and don’t want to deal with the associated bullshit, email me and one of them will pick you up when you arrive!

You, as an Expat, can hold title to a vehicle.  The main highway is a pothole collector, and many of the City streets are bumpy dirt paths.  Keep this in mind when choosing a vehicle, for the front ends of light trucks and sedans get eaten up by the conditions!  Vehicles can be purchased via loan, but interest rates are astronomical, and hidden charges are prevalent.

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User's Comment

  1. grace | June 23rd, 2010

    hi i just want to ask if there is any car for hire without a driver ? if u have can you let us know coz were be in butuan next month. i would like to know if you have car for sale? the name and price

    thanks grace

  2. admin | June 27th, 2010

    Hi Grace,
    Self drive car rental is still a rare commodity in Butuan, though it can be arranged if a person is prepared for the potential conflict at the end of the rental term. I have been made aware recently of a business located across the street from Gaisano Mall that rents self-drive cars for about $25/day. I have dropped by the location three times in the last month but the person in charge was not available. It is on my list to try again this week to see if the service really exists!
    We have three cars for sale at this time, a large KIA van for $12K, a Suzuki 4WD automatic van(rare) for $4500, and a multicab box for $2K. I can provide photos and more info if required. The KIA is available for daily rental with driver for $50 per day plus fuel incl. bilingual driver, within 30K radius of Butuan. Longer trips are $100. The Suzuki is available for self drive in town only at $25 per day, in town only. We also offer airport pickup and 1hr informational tour of Butuan for $20. Many first time visitors find this service very helpful to check out different hotels/restaurants and to get an overview of life in Butuan. Hope this helps!

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