Boston
Getting around Boston: public transport, passes and taxis
Boston has no city buses or taxis: short hops are by tricycle or habal-habal (motorcycle taxi), and anything longer goes by jeepney, van or bus from the highway terminal. Agree the fare before you board, carry small cash, and plan day trips to Mati or Davao City around the morning departures.
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GuideBoston
Key facts
- Best for short hopscheck
- Tricycle or habal-habal; agree the fare first (2026 estimate)
- Typical tricycle fare in towncheck
- ₱15–50 per person, more if chartered (2026 estimate)
- Best for Mati or Davao Citycheck
- Van or bus from the highway terminal, morning departures
- Ride-hailingcheck
- Grab coverage in Boston is limited; do not count on it
- Cash
- Small notes and coins; drivers rarely have change
- Roads at nightcheck
- Unlit and quiet; avoid long rides after dark
Boston transport choices at a glance
Boston is a small coastal town in Davao Oriental, not the US city. There is no metro, no metered taxi rank and no reliable app-based car service, so you pick from four things: tricycle, habal-habal, jeepney and the vans or buses that run along the national highway.
Match the mode to the distance. Anything inside town is a tricycle ride. Anything past the next barangay is a habal-habal or a chartered tricycle. Anything to Mati or Davao City is a van or bus, and those leave early.
| Mode | Best for | Typical cost (2026 estimate) | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tricycle | In town, market, guesthouses | ₱15–50 per person; ₱150–300 chartered | 5–20 min |
| Habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) | Rough or steep roads, single traveller | ₱20–100 depending on distance | 5–30 min |
| Jeepney | Highway hops between barangays | ₱13–30 | 10–40 min |
| Van (UV Express) or bus | Mati, Davao City, neighbouring towns | ₱100–400 | 1–4 h |
| Chartered van or car | Groups, day trips, airport runs | ₱2,500–5,000 per day | Flexible |
Fares are 2026 estimates and vary with fuel prices and negotiation; confirm before boarding.
How each option works
Tricycles are the default. They are motorcycle-and-sidecar rigs that run set routes in town or can be chartered by the trip. On a shared run you pay per person; if you want the whole tricycle, say so and agree a price first. Drivers usually know the guesthouses and the market, but not street addresses, so name a landmark.
Habal-habal are motorcycles that take one passenger, sometimes two. They reach places tricycles cannot, such as upland barangays and beach tracks, and they are the fastest way to cover a few kilometres. Ask for a helmet; many drivers carry a spare. Fares are negotiated, not metered.
Jeepneys run along the national highway and are the cheapest way to move between barangays. They are frequent in the morning and thin out in the afternoon. Tell the driver your stop when you board, pay the conductor or the driver, and pass your fare forward if you are at the back.
For Mati, Davao City and other towns, vans and buses pick up from the highway terminal or roadside stops. Departures cluster in the early morning; the last runs leave mid-afternoon. Vans fill up and leave when full, so arrive early rather than at the stated time.
Ride-hailing is the weak point. Grab operates in Davao City and other large Philippine cities, but coverage in Boston is limited and you should not build a plan around it. If you need a car with a driver, book through your guesthouse or a local operator the day before.
- Agree the fare before you get in, especially for chartered tricycles and habal-habal.
- Carry small notes and coins; ₱500 notes are hard to break in town.
- Ask your guesthouse to write the destination in Cebuano or Filipino for the driver.
- Keep a light rain jacket; afternoon showers are common and rides are open-sided.
What it costs
Budget roughly ₱100–300 a day per person if you stay in town and use tricycles and jeepneys. A day of chartered tricycle or habal-habal runs ₱500–1,500 depending on distance and waiting time. A van or bus to Mati or Davao City is the single biggest line item, at ₱100–400 each way.
Tipping is not expected in local transport. Rounding up the fare is normal and appreciated. For a chartered vehicle or a driver who waits for you all day, ₱100–200 on top is a reasonable gesture.
| Trip | Mode | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Guesthouse to town centre or market | Tricycle | ₱15–50 |
| Town to a nearby beach or barangay | Habal-habal or chartered tricycle | ₱100–300 |
| Boston to Mati | Van or bus | ₱100–200 |
| Boston to Davao City | Van or bus | ₱300–400 |
| Full day chartered van with driver | Charter | ₱2,500–5,000 |
Practical tips
Distances in Davao Oriental are longer than they look on a map, and roads can be rough after rain. Add buffer time to any connection, especially if you are catching a flight from Davao City.
Mobile signal is patchy outside town, so download an offline map before you leave. An eSIM keeps you reachable without hunting for a local SIM.
- Start long trips in the morning; afternoon departures are fewer and slower.
- Avoid long road transfers after dark; many stretches are unlit.
- Screenshot your guesthouse address and a map pin to show drivers.
- Bring cash; ATMs are scarce outside the bigger towns.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the best way to get around Boston?
For short trips in town, a tricycle is the default and costs about ₱15–50 per person. For longer or rougher routes, take a habal-habal. For Mati or Davao City, use a van or bus from the highway terminal, leaving in the morning.
Is there a transit pass for Boston?
No. There is no transit pass, card or day ticket in Boston. You pay per ride in cash, and chartered tricycles or habal-habal are negotiated trip by trip. Budget ₱100–300 a day per person for local transport.
Are taxis or ride-hailing better in Boston?
Neither is reliable here. There is no metered taxi rank, and Grab coverage in Boston is limited. Use tricycles and habal-habal locally, and arrange a car with a driver through your guesthouse for longer trips.
How do I get from Boston to Mati or Davao City?
Vans and buses run from the highway terminal and roadside stops. Mati is roughly ₱100–200 and Davao City ₱300–400 (2026 estimates). Departures cluster in the early morning, so arrive early rather than at the stated time.
Deep dive
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