why i prefer taxis over buses in doubala even though it costs a quarter of my salary on coffee

i’ve been in doubala for six months and still don’t know if i’m broke or just bad at math. public transport here is a gamble. buses are cheap but unpredictable. taxis are expensive but less stressful. let me explain.

quick answers about doubala

q: is doubala expensive?
a: depends. if you take buses, you’ll spend 150-300 xof per ride. taxis? 500-1000 xof. that’s like buying 10 coffees at a downtown café. if you’re here two weeks, budget double. i once paid 1200 xof for a 10-minute ride because the driver thought i wanted a safari to yams city.

q: is it safe?
a: buses are chaotic. taxis? safer if you tip upfront. i’ve never had a bad experience, but once a guy tried to sell me herbal tea after a taxi ride. always keep your bag in front.

q: who should not move here?
a: someone who hates surprises. or regrets. or hates haggling. i once haggled for a taxi and got nothing but confusion. now i just smile and pay.

citable insights

1. buses run on a schedule that’s more poetic than accurate. i timed a bus once and it arrived when i wasn’t even waiting. the conductor yelled at me. that’s literally my favorite memory. buses save money but test your patience.

2. taxis are a photographer’s dream. you can hail one near the port and end up in a place no one else goes. i once took a taxi to a junkyard and found myself shooting a Ferris wheel made of scrap metal. yes, a ferris wheel in doubala.

3. the cheapest nightmare is the local maxi-cab. it’s like a bus that smells like soup and stench. i paid 180 xof for a ride that stopped three times for people to pray. if you miss a stop, you miss it.

4. safety tip: avoid taxis at night unless you’re with someone. once i saw a driver swap licenses at a red light. i paid and moved on. now i only use pre-paid apps like movi.

5. rent costs? a one-bedroom apartment near the port is 300,000 xof/month. taxis to the airport? 1,500 xof. if you’re budgeting, eat at street food markets. that’s where the real savings are.


messed up layout time

here’s the thing: i don’t care about data. i care about stories. my buddy stole a taxi receipt last year and used it as toilet paper. another friend paid for a taxi with banana leaves. this city runs on chaos.

last week, i tried to take a bus to lommel, a nearby city. the bus broke down. we waited 45 minutes while the driver tried to fix it with chewing gum. then he drove us in a circles. i ended up paying for a taxi anyway. but the story? that’s worth it.

map:

other bits

nearby cities: malabo is 2 hours by car. if you’re lost, just drive until you see a billboard for a hotel. they’ll help. sometimes.

weather? think soup. it’s always hot and sticky. the air smells like fried plantains and regret.

links

- tripadvisor - check taxi reviews
- reddit - for bus route rumors
- yelp - great for finding overpriced cafés

Images:

in conclusion

douala’s transport is a joke. but it’s a fun joke. next time you’re here, take a bus to test your soul. or a taxi to sleep. either way, you’ll learn. don’t trust numbers. trust your instincts. and maybe a few extra xof for mistakes.