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You are in Zamboanga City,
Philippines. Welcome!
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As soon as you get off the boat or plane, your first concern would probably be your luggage. Both ports provide helpful employees. Be gracious and tip properly. Depending on the number of luggage your tip can range from 50 to 200 pesos. The seaport is not as organized and there are a lot of free-lancers who are willing to help for a fee (sometimes a very hefty fee). Tip only after you have been escorted to your transportation.
For those who don't have someone to pick them up, there is public transportation readily available. You have your choice of tri-cycles, Jeepneys, or taxi. Taxi would be your best bet. The taxi fare for a 5 kilometer trip would be less than 50 pesos but there aren't that many available.
Second choice is the tri-cycle. A passenger and luggage traveling a distance of 5 kilometers would cost no more than 30 pesos. But since you are coming from the port, the tri-cycle drivers want a heftier fare (this is illegal for them because they can lose their license). So usually the fare is bumped up 100%.
To get a jeepney, the best way is to have someone (your porter) hire the jeepney for you while you watch over your luggage. Within a 5 kilometer radius a Jeepneys will cost you anywhere from 200 to 300 pesos. This is called a "special". The driver will also help you with your luggage. You only pay for your transportation at destination.
If you are planning for an excursion while you are visiting and need transportation to take all your new found friends, the best way is to rent a jeepney for a day.
Two ways you can do this:
First, give the driver a flat rate fee (driver and jeepney). i.e. a trip to Bolong Beach (33 kilometers) will cost you 700 to 800 pesos. The driver will wait for you.
Second, If you are just hiring the jeepney for sightseeing all around Zamboanga, then negotiate to pay for the fuel at the end of the day plus 600 pesos for the driver. As always pay only upon completion of service.
If you do not speak Chavacano, Tagalog, Visaya, or Tausug; English would be your best bet. Most if not all of the public transportation drivers speak English. Welcome to Zamboanga City, Philippines.
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