IMMIGRATION:

When you leave the airplane you will first go through immigration. For an address in the Philippines, I recommend you just put down any hotel from our hotel page. It doesn't matter if you ever stay there, but it lets them know that you know something about the city.  There is a partial list of Angeles City hotels with current room rates on our hotel page.  We will make free reservations for you at any hotel in Angeles City, but we only recommend the ones listed on our site for various reasons.  (Some others want credit card guarantees or are not recommended because of reoccurring complaints by guests in the past).   

NOTE: At immigration they may make you show a return ticket (or a ticket to anywhere out of the country) especially if you don't have a visa. If you don't have one, they have been known to put people on the next flight out instead of letting them buy a ticket at the airport. (If you have a VISA for the PI they will probably not ask you to show a ticket). If you don't have a onward ticket you can get a throw away from Air Asia for less than $50, but you must purchase it before you arrive in the Philippines.

BAGGAGE CLAIM AND CUSTOMS:

Next stop after immigration is the baggage claim area.   Right outside the door from immigration you get a baggage cart for free. (they were $2 until early 2002, so I wouldn't be surprised if they return to a fee). Locate your bags and proceed to customs. You should have received a customs form on the aircraft. On your customs form, I would claim all your items as personal effects and list it as NCV (which means no cash value). If you have a camera or any significant electronic items, have the serial numbers available so you can write them on the form, but I never do and I haven't had a problem in years. They are mainly looking for commercial quantities of items. If you have three or four of something, you can usually claim they are "pasalubong" (travel gifts for friends)

FINDING THE DRIVER:

There are now two terminals at NAIA.  All PAL flights arrive at Terminal 2.  All other flights arrive at the old terminal -- Terminal 1.  When you book a vehicle our office will send you a confirmation message within 24 hours.  This message will contain the specific instructions for meeting your driver. 

If you arrive at Terminal 1, the driver will be waiting in the arrival extension area.  As you exit the main terminal you will see the view in this photo.  The reception area is on the ground level, so take the LEFT ramp to the arrival extension area. 

Once you exit the airport, crowd control falls apart! Don't let anyone "help you"  You can take the baggage cart down the ramp and into the parking area if you want. Let our driver assist with the bags. If anybody else helps, tries to help, or even follows you, they will start to ask for "consideration" - in your most impolite voice, just tell them to leave you alone that you don't need their help.

At the bottom of the ramp, look for the crowd across the street - the driver will be wearing a BLACK Margarita Station T-SHIRT OR VEST . He will be holding a sign with your name on it.

If you arrive at Terminal 2 (Philippine Airlines Passengers):  After you clear customs, exit the main building. There is a clear area as you exit. All the people waiting for incoming passengers are behind the fence on the right side of the clear area -- including your driver. Look for your driver in the crowd - the driver will be wearing a BLACK Margarita Ville VEST or a Black Margarita Station t-shirt. He will be holding a whiteboard sign with your name on it.  He will direct you down the sidewalk toward the car (due to Philippine efficiency he cannot exit where you meet, he has to go 200-300 feet back to an exit along the sidewalk.

THE WEATHER:

Rainy season is generally June to November, but can be up to a couple of months either side of that period. All the areas at the airport up to the bottom of the arrival extension are covered. Our driver will have a golf umbrella for the short walk to the vehicle if it is raining.

You can get a pretty good updated  weather forecast before you leave from:  http://www.weather.com/weather/local/RPXX0001

THE RIDE:

Once you are in the vehicle, it is two to three hours to Angeles depending on traffic. There will be a cooler with beer and a few sodas in the van (if you want something else let us know via email). Have a couple of cold San Miguel's and relax. About 50 minutes from the airport you will go through the toll gates for the north expressway. There is a marginal toilet at the gates (called "C.R." for comfort room). About 15 and 25 minutes up the road are gas stations with fairly clean toilets.  The second one has a Burger King if you are hungry.   After you pass the Burger King, if you need to "go" you can just tell the driver to pull over, it is socially acceptable for men to relieve themselves in public in the Philippines!

Have a good flight!

When you're ready to make reservations go to transportation pickup form.  If you experience any problems with this form, or you do not receive a response within 36 hours, send your request direct to reservations@theville.com