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What signs to look for to determine if a car has a CVT ?

Not all makes and models are the same, but there are some tell-tale signs when driving for all models.
If you're atuned to cars, you'll find that a CVT never changes gear, with just a progressive increase in engine revs corresponding to road speed. Also, if you accelerate hard from standstill, with a CVT you will notice the engine revs high until road speed catches up, sounding much like a manual car with a slipping clutch.
Some other things to look out for are that some cars have CVT written on the transmission dipstick. Others even have a CVT badge on the car.
Often, there will be no 3,2,1 on the gearshift gate, with only P, N and D.
If buying from a dealer, ask the question and they are obliged to tell you.

is CVT really that bad? just thinking of a Toyota Corolla Fielder 1.8. Im getting nervous that buying one with CVT will end up in costly repairs

Like anything, with regular servicing and using the correct lubricants etc the risk of failure is minimised.
CVTs of old did not have a great reputation, but technology is constantly improving and newer CVTs are probably as reliable as any transmission now, with almost all Japanese manufacturers use them these days.
If you are buying a 1.8 Fielder, if it's an older one (prior to about 2007), it will have a conventional automatic and if it's a later one, it may be a CVT but should be fine too.
So while CVTs in general may all be tarred with the same brush, it isn't fair to apply the "unreliable" label to them all, because modern ones are fine. I guess like many technologies, early versions have their teething troubles but come right with time and development.