Guide: Floreces Tadla
Davao tour operator, owner of CES Travel &Tours
First time in Davao?
Here’s a sample weekend itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in the afternoon
Start with a half-day city tour. Learn about the 11 tribes of Davao region at Kadayawan Village in Magsaysay Park and enjoy local fruits like durian, pomelo, mangosteen, marang, rambutan, and more.
Take a tour inside Museo Dabawenyo and learn about the history, culture, and the people of Davao City. Then feast at Balai Torrentira at Matina Town Square for dinner, where you can enjoy locally sourced food. Make sure to order their Tablea cake. Grab a cup of durian coffee at Blugre Café before going back to your hotel.
Day 2: Full day
Drive to Eden Nature Park (approx. one hour drive from the city center), and sign up for half-day activities which include zipline (P200), Skycycle (P250), Skyswing (P300), or horseback riding (P200). Take the guided shuttle tour to Tinubdan (depends on shuttle availability), and have early lunch at Vista Restaurant. After lunch, drive to Philippine Eagle Center to see the majestic Philippine Eagle up close (another one hour drive). Walk around the conservation area. Transfer to Malagos Garden Resort to experience feeding the birds and watch the Tree-to-Bar process at the Chocolate Museum. After the activity, have dinner at Jack’s Ridge for a view of the city and Davao Gulf at night.
Day 3: Going home!
Go to Poblacion Market Central or the Emilia Mindanao Souvenir Center to buy authentic pearls and traditional and indigenous souvenirs. Some shops also sell durian sweets to bring back home.
One thing not to miss in Davao
Visiting the Philippine Eagle Center. As the home of the national bird of the Philippines, the Philippine Eagle Center is a must-see attraction for any visitor to Davao City.
Don’t miss eating in these places:
Tuna Republik. They specialize in fresh, high-quality tuna dishes.
Marina Tuna. A historic restaurant that led the exportation of tuna several decades ago; famous for their seafoods and durian ice cream.
Paz Eatery & Bulaloan in Bangkerohan Market. Famous for their meat soup; open 24/7
Bulcachong. Famous for their unique bulalo using carabao meat
Bull’s Eye. Famous for their bulalo mixed with beef brain
Sana’s Original Kabawan and Bulaloan. A humble eatery frequented by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during his days as a mayor of Davao
Roxas Night Market. Mostly halal seafood cooked as inihaw or kinilaw, dumplings, and more street food; don’t miss the charcoal ice cream
Lola Abon’s. Try their original durian candy and yema
Apo Ni Lola. Freshly baked durian pie and other fruit-based sweets like durian, mangosteen, and ube
Blugre Café. Durian coffee go-to
Taklobo Restaurant at Jack’s Ridge. Must-try: pomelo salad, grilled pompano, and grilled chorizo Davao
Annipie Bakery Café. You should try their cinnamon bread
Best souvenirs to buy
Malong textiles
The Malong is a traditional Filipino wrap-around skirt or shawl, and Davao is known for its skilled weavers who create beautiful Malong textiles. Look for vibrant patterns and colors that you can use as scarves, bags, or home decor.
Handicrafts
Davao is home to many talented artisans who create a variety of handicrafts, including woven baskets, wood carvings, beaded jewelry, and indigenous textiles. These make unique and meaningful keepsakes.
Worth knowing
Davao City has all the great things in bite sizes. The city offers breathtaking experiences of the highlands to the islands. Just an hour to two of driving from the city center and you’ll see awe-inspiring landscapes in the Bukidnon-Davao boundary. Or go another way and drive up the high altitudes of Kapatagan, south of Davao, and see the overview of Davao del Sur. A 30-minute boat ride and you will reach the Island Garden City of Samal, remarkable white sand beaches. Davao City is home to several foodie and coffee connoisseur havens—Davao coffee (quickly gaining fame worldwide), cocoa, and many fresh produce are staples in coffee shops and restaurants.
But one thing that is worth noting about Davao is the fact that it is a home to the 11 tribes of the Davao region, namely the Bagobo, Iranun, Maguindanao, Matigsalug, Sama-Bajau, Tagabawa, Ata, Kagan, Maranao, Obo Manuvu, and Tausug. They are the original settlers of the land before the Spanish colonization and the migration of people from Luzon and Visayas in the previous century.
Night life
Enjoy karaoke nights at K1 Family KTV in Marfori Davao. The best dance club is Club Echelon at The Peak in Gmall Davao, and in Indigo Bar, in Bellevue Square, Matina Pangi Diversion Road, you can do karaoke with a breathtaking view facing Mt. Apo and Davao Gulf.
Best time to go to Davao
Around July, and between August and September where fruits like durian, marang, and mangosteen are really cheap
If money were no object
Try owning an island for a day by renting Island Buenavista, located in Barangay Balet, Babak District. Here, you can enjoy the utmost privacy because this luxury beach resort is only rented out as to one group at any given time. Guests will have an exclusive use of the island for P149,000 per night for 10 persons, with a maximum of 25 persons. Package includes breakfast, lunch dinner, morning, and afternoon snacks. There's also a complimentary use of the facilities and amenities.