Davao is said to be the biggest city all over the Philippines. The city who was in top cities safest place around the world. Many tourist especially foreigners are afraid to see and check what Davao is, because of many news posted in internet like abusayaf kidnapping and war against Muslim thinking they want Mindanao to be a separated state from the Philippines. I was born one of this town never try any war at all, but there are places that war exist like mountains, Muslim places like Zamboanga, mapapasamo( sorry if I say it correctly or not that wasn't near where I stay). So therefore Davao itself is one of the place I can say it is safe. Latest news about roxas bombing, well it is just another political minorities plan for sure, don't worry since then the securities are tighter now than before.
I lived in countryside or let me say rural and I visited places in Davao like tourist attraction most of the time, parents treat, friends treat, never try to treat myself in traveling in Davao ever unlike when I travel in other countries (hahaha) so usually I jump in to a car , eat, swim, picture - really relaxing. It is true that it is so relaxing when u just hitch in traveling not thinking how much u pay and so on and forth, so therefore this blog I made, I adopted some experiences and tips from my friends and other bloggers articles that can help me to present this top 7 things you must to do in Davao! (I'm sorry I'm not planning to travel to my own land, it is true that you get excited in other places than your own place bcs you are used to it, or it is just, its another feeling when u took a plane and let me say- far from what we called home)
But before I am going to give the 7 places you must to see in here, if you are not in Davao - make sure to book your flight ahead of your plan time ,for cheap plane tickets. Also book a hotel reservation and plan your itinerary well before getting in here, it is not cheap especially for tourist attraction places its actually dollars. Well if you are like me like to sleep in tent, eat in street foods, join and had fun in locals -it is another story.
For solo traveler or backpacker who like cheap, well go for jeepneys and motorcycle - it is cheap and so adventure pouring all the dust on your faces, sweat stinks in your skin, so hot weather stuck in traffic, smelling and drowning the odor of hardworking mens.. But if you want taxi, I tell you if you try to get rip off in other places, its the same in here. I won't say all drivers in Davao are so good, I dont want you to get disappointed if u may try high charges in a standard rate, well again if you have this power of purchasing like you are not budgeting and u want better rides than jeepneys then I bet go for taxis. But if you are in group, of course our taxis are mostly small car types or what we called kotse and you are like more than 5, I prefer you go for van rentals, it may be pricey but that's the only thing I prefer u can take except if u have your own cars out there.
Of course it depends on your taste if u like beaches- Davao has white beautiful beaches they can offer, museum , zoo, park, big malls - Davao has it too. Again its the best you plan your trip first if u want to experience great without hustling yourself where to go next. The places will be in my list is not a common destination you will see in the internet bcs these places are the best, tourist attraction too but they are still new at the market. Places you will see in internet blogs are some places might very nice before but today they need a good improvements and so on that will let them stay in the market. Thus innovation is very important to meet the customers expectations to satisfaction. (Looks like I'm applying what I learned in school in here, haha)
okay let's hurry up, here are the top 7 things you must to visit in Davao!!!
1.) IL Cavanivo Marie - is a beach resort in samal with pools and activities, also one of the best place to stay in tourist like you! Entrance is 200 pesos. Rooms rate depend if you want private, dormitory or junk bed - prices from 500 pesos. Pricey but worth it!
How to get here?
From the airport took a jeep or taxi to sasa port for 13-15 pesos and only around 15-30 minutes travel. When you reached samal babak port, took a motorcycle to peñaplata as it is the location to iL cavanico Marie beach resort, the price in motorcycle is 100php per person. If you have cars to bring it is better, price in barge depends on its size- just prepare 500pesos above on its price, as I remember it is costly but comfy way of travel.
*don't miss to check the photos attached
2.) Eden Nature Park - one of most tourist dont want to miss when they are in Davao. Yes it is pricey others even complaining why you have to pay for eat even you dont want to eat but you have to pay. Such nega I started, I'm sorry just giving you heads up that better to do reservation this first before going here for no hustle. This is a park where activities plus nature is perfectly combined. They do have horseback riding, sky cycle, fishing village, buffet lunch, day tour, Indiana Jones, salad, shuttle tour, zip lining. The park opens from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm only. Tour starts 12 for 1pm tour, better to be early. 250 pesos for plated snack, 550 pesos for buffet prices. For tour it depends on your package you are getting. In example if you will go for 300 pesos budget you can go for dish village where you can catch fish and let the kitchen cook it for you which is very amazing and fresh. Sky cycle and zip line starts to open around 1pm. Its 604.4 miles from Davao, Eden bayabas, Toril,Davao City, Philippines.
How to get here?
Taxi or private cars or van rentals its quite far as I recommend for group tour but individual- come on, motorcycle will do and its fun :)
*pictures attached
* for your stay in Davao cheap but nice with friendly accommodating staff- check berlay backpackers dormitel. Prices starts at 195 pesos per person. 2 person in one room for 500 pesos and 4 persons bunk bed 1000 pesos only - every extra person is an additional of 200 pesos Photos attached in this blog too, check it out. This dormitel is located in Awhag village, bacaca road, Davao City.
The berlay backpacker hostel or tourist inn offers tour too like Surigao where you can check enchanted rivers and falls. Its quite far as you will pass my hometown like around 14 hours from Davao and price per person of tour starts at 2000 pesos.
- hotel tropika - pricey but comfy around 3k and above. 10 minutes from beach and around 15 minutes from the city. Foods are amazing and classy rooms.
3.) Isla Reta/ La Isla Bonita - both beach resort you will include your tour after il cavanico Marie, since its located in samal island too. But its another way around trip from Davao. You may ask il cavanico marie may they do have a tour in regards this.But this place is quite, not fully developed but the place is so fresh and truly a nature perfect creature. From white sand to clear waters. By the way, no electricity in here so expect a so hot at night. Lately I've heard there's a generator at night but not sure, I recommend to check this place to tour in a day and go back to cavanico after the tour. Its 80 pesos entrance , cottage not that pricey like cavanico so like 100 php just getting here might be pricey like 150 php.
How to get here?
- by boat, from Davao its 150 php but if the resort you may check in has a tour for this, better to grab it than going back to Davao then Davao to this beach resort, for sure not that costly (hopefully).
*photos attached
4.) Outback grill- if you want barbeque, grill, seafoods- check this out! Its a best for food place in Davao. Platter is around 1000 pesos, individual cost 200 pesos only.
How to get here?
-el Rio jeepney route, easy to get here as this is a famous food place.
By the way it opens 11:00 am to 11:00 pm only.
*photos attached
5.) Davao Zorb Park/ Tribu K mindanawan/ the gap/the Philippine eagle/ crocodile farm - I suggest this would be your best thing to do after a day of your Eden adventure. Its located close enough to each other by car of course. Davao zorb park known as walk in water adventure. Tribute k mindanawan is a good place to eat while some tribe dancing their tribe dance, food is delicious! The gap its park- animals and nature are present of course where there's a huge carabao at the top when you are in entrance. The Philippine eagle the place youll see eagle that can only be found in davao.Crocodile farm where crocodiles are there, okay I'll give you info ..
Davao Crocodile Park! :)
(Riverfront, Corporate City, Diversion Highway, Ma-a, Davao City 8000 Philippines)
Davao Crocodile Park was considered as one of the key tourist destination in Davao City as it features various exotic animals such as monkeys, snakes, birds, bearcats, tigers, various type of reptiles with of course Crocodiles. It is where you can learn and enjoy the rich flora and fauna of Davao City.
So if you are planning to visit Davao City, be sure to add Davao Crocodile Park and Butterfly Sanctuary to your itinerary. I assure you that you'll enjoy your adventure into-the-wild without going farther from the city center. Enjoy your visit. ^_^
Davao Crocodile Park is just 10 minutes away from Davao International Airport and 15 minutes away from downtown Davao. To get there, you can ride a taxi or just take a cab en route to Ma-a then ride a habal-habal going into the Riverfront Corporate City where Davao Crocodile Park was located. :)
Entrance fee:
12years old below = 75Php
Adult = 150Php
credits to: http://crocodilepark.ph/
How to get here?
Well its located far from the city and so a car will really do. Its a ma a road.
* about the gap its a park and refreshing nature tripping.
*photos attached, check it out..
6.) Restaurant you must not miss! I'll name it ... - glamour resto and caterer for buffet of crabs and sea food for only 438 php only per pax exclusive of drinks. Picliesteater for best crispy pata, and yellow fin for delicious sea food restaurant. Price starts from 400php and above.
How to get here?
- get a cab or van rentals..
-easy to get in here, its around the city
*check the photos
7.) And lastly, don't miss the Davao bay walk and farm/ peoples park/Magsaysay street/ bankerohan / Davao museum/ San Pedro church/ folk and arts museum.
- this places are around the city too. U can check it out in a day but if you go only for pasalubong go for tiangee like in* p bangkerohan and in Magsaysay area.
*photos attached
* for malls for shopping I suggest abreeza, the peak Gaisano mall and sm lanang - that's the famous huge malls in Davao.
I hope I've help you to see my dearly Davao City! Please do comments if u like it or not. An additional info is very helpful.
PS. In regards to package tours I'd like you to help me sort it out but I'll surely make another blog for that. But for now this will serve you an ahead information. Merci beaucoup for reading! Xx
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