Despite being highly urbanized, Davao City enjoys a reputation for being one of the best vacation spots in the Philippines. Known as the gateway to southern and eastern Mindanao, Davao City is constantly bustling with interisland passenger and commercial activity. With its cornucopia of natural attractions, it’s no surprise that the city draws over 1 million tourists every year.
With its wealth of attractions, there’s no shortage of things to do and places to visit in this gem of southern Mindanao. But before your trip, make sure to look up available hotels in Davao City and book ahead of time to avoid hassles, especially if your travel coincides with holiday weekends and peak seasons.
Ready to delve deep into what Davao City has to offer? Here’s a quick rundown of things you should do while you’re there.
Witness the Beauty of Mount Apo
The majestic Mount Apo is one of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia, rising at an elevation of 2,954 meters above sea level. This dormant stratovolcano is home to the 150-meter Tudaya Falls as well as a crater lake that spans over 500 meters. The surrounding area also has a rich biodiversity that includes endemic plants that coexist along with fauna such as deer and wild boar.
If you’re an experienced hiker, you can coordinate with local tour groups that organize hikes during certain months.
Check out the Nature Parks
Davao City has a lot of nature parks for animal- and plant-lovers alike. You can visit the Philippine Eagle Center, which is a rainforest-like sanctuary for the endangered Philippine Eagle. There’s also the Davao Crocodile Park, which houses over 1,000 saltwater and freshwater crocs. It is also home to Pangil, one of the Philippines’ largest crocodiles in captivity. The park is located near the Tribu K Mindanawan Cultural Village.
If you’re into butterflies, you’re in for a treat at the Davao Butterfly House. The place serves as a protected area for butterflies as well as flora and fauna, including fish, birds, and scorpions. If you want to see the butterflies at their most active, visit during the morning when the weather isn’t too hot.
Another park to check out is the 80-hectare Eden Nature Park below Mount Talomo. The wildlife sanctuary is home to exotic plants, animals, and even an abundance of pine trees. You’ll be surprised to know that the entire park is mostly man-made.
Go on a Food Crawl
The Davao region boasts an assortment of delicacies to suit any palate. Davao City is teeming with restaurants and food stalls that you can check out and taste local favorites such as imbaw (clam soup), sinuagbang bihod (grilled tuna fish roe), pasayan (deep-fried shrimp), and inato (spiced grilled chicken).
Go on a Museum-Hopping Tour
Davao has a rich history that takes root in both the colonial and pre-colonial eras. You can dig deep into Davao’s cultural heritage by browsing artifacts at Museo Dabawenyo or the Davao Museum of History and Ethnography. You can also check out the Philippine-Japanese Historical Museum for a glimpse into Davao City during World War II. You can also visit the quirky D’Bone Collector Museum, which showcases an array of animal bones, including a sperm whale’s skeleton.
Take a Trip to the Islands
A Davao getaway isn’t complete without visiting its amazing beaches. Take a trip to the famous white-sand beaches of Samal Island, also known as the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCOS), which now has newer resorts that offer attractions such as banana boat rides and water slide activities.
You can also visit Balut Island, a volcanic island, or go surfing at Dahican Beach. If you’re into immersing yourself in wildlife during your beach trip, you can join a tour group and get on a speedboat to Kopiat Island and its coconut-lined, white-sand beaches.
Have Laugh While Zorbing
In case you didn’t know what Zorbing is, it’s when you’re placed inside a large plastic ball called a Zorb and pushed down a hill or around a pool of water. If you want a good laugh, you should definitely go Zorbing at Davao Zorb Park.
Savor the View at Jack’s Ridge
Located along Shrine Hills Road, Jack’s Ridge is the place to go if you want to enjoy panoramic views of Davao City and bask in stunning sunset views. While there, you can enjoy authentic cuisine and stay in their guest accommodations. Jack’s Ridge also boasts quite a history: it was originally built to serve as the Japanese headquarters during World War II.
Visit Davao Cathedral
Davao Cathedral, which also goes by San Pedro Cathedral, is the oldest church in the city. Aside from being a historical landmark, Davao Cathedral is worth taking a look at with its unique architectural features such as its vinta-shaped curved roof.
Shop at China Town and Roxas Avenue Night Market
Is it pasalubong time? You can find all that you need by stepping inside the night market along Roxas Avenue, where you can also find street food and local fruit, including the infamous pungent-yet-sweet Durian.
You can also get a taste of Chinese cuisine at Davao City’s China Town, which spans 44 hectares of businesses, restaurants, and malls. Check out the Long Hua Temple, which is one of the Philippines’ biggest Buddhist temples, or the Mindanao Taoist Temple.
Paradise in the South
Davao City is rife with attractions that will never leave you bored if you know where to look. If you’re gearing up for a trip to Davao soon, be sure to take note of these classic and popular attractions for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
