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Davao City Travel Guide for First-time Travelers
Davao City Travel Guide
Davao City offers so much more than the Durian fruit, Mount Apo and the Philippine Eagle. It comes with a good mixture of both manmade and natural attractions that are constantly being visited by foreign and local tourists. It is also among the safest and largest cities in the country and is usually made the gateway to other beautiful places in Mindanao.
How to Get There
Via Plane:
You can fly in to Davao City from Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod or Zamboanga. There are around 20 flights everyday that ply the Manila-Davao route, which awh takes around 90 minutes.
Via Boat/Bus:
Another popular way to visit Davao City is by taking a boat ride (P980 from Cebu via TransAsia) to Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental then taking a 7-8 hour bus ride (P600) afterwards.
Where to Stay
My Hotel Davao
This humble hotel is about 2 minutes away from a bus stop and 7 minutes away from People’s Park. They boast of wooden floors, cable TV and hot and cold showers. Their cafe also serves American, continental and Filipino breakfast although this is not included in their room rates. Air-conditioned room prices are from P800 to P1800 while fan rooms are available at P250 per night.
Book via Agoda
Address: San Pedro Street, Davao City
Green Windows Dormitel
Green Windows is the ultimate backpacker accommodation. If you love traveling solo, you can avail of a bed at their dorm type room for just P188 per night. They also offer rooms for families and barkadas traveling in a budget with room rates starting at P1608 a night.
Book via Agoda
Address: 5F FTC Towers, Mt. Apo Street, Davao City
Ponce Suites
This gallery hotel offers a different kind of stay in that its rooms are filled with paintings and sculptures from local artists. It is located 20 minutes from the Davao International Airport and about 10 minutes from the Abreeza Mall. Room rates start at P975 a night.
Book via Agoda
Address: Corner Road 3 and 4, Doña Vicenta Village, Davao City
Seda Abreeza Hotel
Located adjacent to the Ayala Abreeza Mall, this urban lifestyle hotel is located right in the heart of the city’s commercial district. It also has a pool, a lounge, a restaurant and even a fitness gym.
Book via Agoda
Address: Abreeza Ayala Business Park, JP Laurel Ave, Poblacion District, Davao City
Royal Mandaya Hotel
This mid-range hotel is just a few minutes’ walk away from the Davao City Hall, the People’s Park and the Museo Dabawenyo. It is popular among business travelers and offer free parking, shuttle buses and airport transportation and a business center.
Book via Agoda
Address: Palma Gil St., Poblacion District, Davao City
Marco Polo Davao
This luxury hotel is located right in the heart of Davao City’s business and commercial district. It is located around 20 minutes away from the Davao International Airport and is close city attractions. Also Read: Experience the Heart of Davao at Marco Polo Hotel
Book via Agoda
Address: Claro M. Recto Street, Davao City
Also Read:
Best Hostels in Davao City
5 Best Rated Davao Hotels
Where to Eat
Penong’s BBQ
Considered as the number 1 barbecue house in Davao, Penong’s has not opened its doors to opening other branches in the country which is why it is a must to get a taste of their specials when you visit the city.
Jack’s Ridge
When it comes to dining in Davao City, another well recommended place is Jack’s Ridge, which does not only offer a great dining experience but also boasts of among the best views of Davao City and the Gulf.
Lachi’s
Another Davao City treasure is Lachi’s, which boasts of mouthwatering desserts including the Sans Rival and cheesecakes. They also serve meals including Chinese pork belly, laing, callos and many more.
Popular Attractions
Philippine Eagle Center
Want to see the national bird of the Philippines? Located around 45 minutes away from the city center, the Philippine Eagle Center is operated by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to conserve the famous bird and its habitat. Entrance fee is at P150.
The best way to get here is to take an air-conditioned L300 to Calinan (P40) then a habal-habal or tricycle to Philippine Eagle Center.
Also Read: Davao City : Home of the World’s largest Eagle
Address: Baguio District, Calinan-Baguio-Cadalian Road, Davao City
Malagos Garden Resort
If you have more time to spare, you can also visit the Eagle Center’s next-door neighbor, the Malagos Garden Resort. The place is best known for its orchid garden but they also hold regular bird shows to entertain guests of all ages. You can check their complete rates here.
Also Read: Davao’s Famous Malagos Garden Resort
Address: Baguio District, Calinan-Baguio-Cadalian Road, Davao City
Eden Nature Park
Eden has all sorts of adventure for the nature lovers. For starters, they have a mini zoo and a mini playground but you can also join in for a tour around the 80-hectare property full of more than 100,000 pine trees, most of which were planted by hand. Other attractions include the SkyCycle, SkySwing and SkyRider.
Address: Bo. Toril, Davao City
GAP Farming Resort
GAP has all sorts of concrete statues that showcase the Filipino culture. Upon entering the resort, you will be welcomed by a huge carabao and farmer statue. The whole place is huge, with a swimming pool and a playground, and you can find busts of the Philippine presidents and other great Filipinos. It also has a short Japanese tunnel at the bottom of the hill. Entrance is at P50 for the resort and P10 for the tunnel.
Address: Green Meadow, Maa, Davao City
Davao Crocodile Park
If you want to check out crocodiles, tigers, butterflies and the Tribu K’Mindanawan, you should not forget to visit the Davao Crocodile Park. They also offer animal petting, crocodile feeding and different types of shows that are sure to entertain guests both young and old. Entrance fee for adults is at P250. Read more about Davao Crocodile Park.
Address: Gadi Road, Talomo, Davao City
Japanese Tunnel
A longer and bigger Japanese tunnel is this one located in a resort. The tunnel has served as the hideout of the Japanese soldiers and their belongings during the Second World War. Entrance fee is at P50 per person. Read More about Davao Japanese Tunnel
Address: AH26, Talomo, Davao City
People’s Park
If you want to kill time in the city center, you can also hang out People’s Park for free. Founded in 2007, it is a sprawling 4-hectare property featuring more than 1,000 plant species coming from all over the world.
Address: Palma Gil St., Poblacion District, Davao City
Museo Dabawenyo
Looking for another free thing to do in Davao? Well, check out the city’s colorful history when you visit the local museum, Museo Dabawenyo. Here you will get to know more about the different Muslim groups in Mindanao as well as the political history of Davao.
Address: Andres Bonifacio Rotunda, Poblacion District, Davao City
D Bone Collector Museum
If animal bones intrigue you, a visit to D’ Bone Collector Museum is a must. This place boasts of more than 700 specimens of bones, skulls and skeletons — among the biggest in the country! The museum is actually owned and curated by American Darrell Dean Blatchley who has spent more than half of his life in Davao City.
Address: San Pedro St., Poblacion District, Davao City
Davao Museum of History and Ethnography
The Davao Museum holds hundreds of artifacts and artwork created by ethnic groups in this region. Through this museum, Davaoenos and all Filipinos are able to preserve and protect remnants of their important historical heritage. Read More: The Davao Museum: Davao’s Little Cultural Gem
Address: Zonta Building, 113 Agusan Circle, Insular Village 1, Lanang, Davao City
Phone: (082) 233 1734
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