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Philippines

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Personal Experiences
== Personal Experiences ==
''I have hitchhiked around many of the rural island provinces of the Philippines, especially southern Luzon/Tagalog region and the Visayas and found it incredibly easy and enjoyable, Filipinos are a very hospitable and fun people who genuinely wish to help out. A couple of times I have prefered to actually walk the distance of an island on foot, rather than hitchhike so I could see the various villages and sights, however in my 2-3 hour walk two vehicles actually stopped to ask if I wanted a lift, without me even asking or showing any intentions. I found the people's genuine happiness to help very good for hitching a ride, however public transportation is so cheap in the Philippines that often you really don't need to hitch a ride unless you really want to, or if that route has no public transporation servicing it. Many of the people who picked me up in the provinces where relatively poor, so I sometimes paid for my lift, but other times when offered they refused my money. I found many did not want my money, and often many locals jump on for a free ride going through each village, I assume they knew the driver however and it's not uncommon to see a private person's vehicle all of a sudden seem like a taxi or bus. Safety is not a big concern in the Philippines, maybe in the bigger cities, but in the provinces generally the road rules are very laid back, and it is not uncommon to be seated in unsafe places (by western standards) such as the back of a ute, or on the roof of a jeep. Keep in mind this is normal, and often they drive fairly slow (or their vehicle actually cannot go any faster), remember to hold on. Normal procedures in hitchhiking and safety, of course apply all around the world. Take care.''
 
Hitchhikernick - I visited in November 2023 for 3 weeks. I didn't have too much luck and had to wait long times for lifts. On several occasions I had motorcycle riders pick me up and then demand money at end, one of them literally wouldn't accept my hitching situation and even said he would drive me back to town 20km away to go to an ATM and a lecture that rides arnt free in Philippines. Of the few that I did get, one was a trucker and the rest private cars.
 
I managed to hitch a short distance in Manila but not recommended as is more effort than it's worth. I hitched around Taal Lake region and around Batangas and Mabini on Luzon, then Malay to Iloilo city on Panay island and around Bohol and Panglao islands. Most rides were good but the heat, the rain and the difficulty hitching in towns/cities made it not worth while, especially as there are cheap overnight busses that you can get that included ferry ticket. Managed to ride a few jeepneys for free, by saying I didn't have much money after asking price. Most people speak some English, that made it easy to communicate. Average waiting time around 2.5 hrs
== Cities ==