Davao
Discover Davao
Davao is the largest city on the Philippines' second-largest island, Mindanao. It has a huge land area, and the inhabitants like to think of it as one of the most crime-free large cities in the Philippines. As in most of Mindanao, Cebuano (known locally as Davao Bisaya) is the main local language. English and Tagalog are also widely used and understood.
What to Experience in Davao
Taste of Davao...
Davao is renowned for its durian and pomelo. Durian is definitely an acquired taste, but those who do end up liking it will swear that the bad smell is worth it. Pomelo is a citrus fruit that most closely resembles a grapefruit and is quite common in South East Asia. Beware of bringing durian inside airplanes, hotels and other establishments. They may have strict regulations on allowing durian inside and some do not allow durian to be brought in at all. There is the local Tanduay Rum, billed around town as "the Number One Rhum". Mindanao has a large Seventh Day Adventist population. Adventists do not drink and any stores they own will typically not sell alcohol. There is no shortage of accommodation in Davao, ranging from the four-star accommodation of the Marco Polo Davao on Claveria, the Royal Mandaya Hotel and the Apo View Hotel, where Casino Filipino 2 is located, to lodges and inns, pension houses, backpacker hostels all around the city. You can find townhouses or apartments for rent, all for negotiable rates. Visiting Mindanao has its risks. Foreigners have been kidnapped, murdered and held for ransom. For this reason, many governments advise against all but necessary travel to Mindanao, Davao included. In most cases this means your travel insurance will not pay out if you make a claim. Contact your embassy and insurer before travelling to Davao.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Davao into what it is today.
Davao's first inhabitants were the Bagobo tribe, one of the Lumad ethnic groups, and the Muslim Moros. The surrounding area was explored by the Spaniards from the coast, but only in the late 19th century were they able to penetrate the area. Modern Davao started as a Spanish colonial outpost, as the town of Nueva Vergara (named after a town in the Spanish Basque Country). The Basque businessman José Cruz de Oyanguren led an expedition in an attempt to colonize the Davao area. A battle soon erupted between the Spaniards and the combined Bagobo and Mandaya tribes led by the local chieftain Datu Bago; the Spaniards won and Bago surrendered. The town of Nueva Vergara was founded in 1848, and served as the capital of the province of Nueva Guipúzcoa, which would become Davao province and the present region. Nueva Vergara was eventually renamed to its present name, Davao, to reflect its Bagobo roots. During that time, Davao had a population of both Christians and Muslims, which was a challenge to the colonial administrators, and was less developed Since the Americans arrived in 1900, Davao became prosperous, starting with the opening of huge swaths of land to agriculture which also invited foreign investment. Homesteading programs also brought in settlers from Luzon and Visayas, and Davao had a large Japanese minority. The opening of the Port of Davao in 1900 further facilitated the town's growth....
Climate
Davao has a rainforest climate, with plenty of rainfall throughout the year and no dry season. Being just 7 degrees north of the equator, daily average temperatures are near constant, with daytime highs between 31 and 33 °C (88 and 91 °F) and nighttime lows between 23 and 25 °C (73 and 77 °F). Like the rest of Davao Region, Davao is hit by a few typhoons, usually during the last quarter of the year. The main tourist season is during the drier months. Davao is the third most important Philippines city after Manila and Cebu. Three domestic airlines fly several times a day between Davao and Manila: AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippines Airlines. There are also direct flights from other Philippine cities: Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, Zamboanga City, Bacolod, Angeles, Puerto Princesa, Boracay, Dumaguete, Tacloban, Tagbilaran. If you have Davao as your main destination in the Philippines, you might want to consider coming in through Singapore as it has direct flights to Davao. 7.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsDavao is the third most important Philippines city after Manila and Cebu. Three domestic airlines fly several times a day between Davao and Manila: AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippines Airlines. There are also direct flights from other Philippine cities: Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, Zamboanga City, Bacolod, Angeles, Puerto Princesa, Boracay, Dumaguete, Tacloban, Tagbilaran. If you have Davao as your main destination in the Philippines, you might want to consider coming in through Singapore as it has direct flights to Davao. 7.126211125.64361 Davao International Airport (Francisco Bangoy International Airport, DVO ). The airport has a tourist information counter (but not always staffed) where you can buy prepaid SIM cards. (updated Sep 2016) Ground transportation: A (metered) taxi from the Davao Airport to downtown Davao costs about ₱200-300, as of 2023. Using Grab app is neither necessary nor cheaper - you'll just pay ₱25 on top of the meter....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The simplest way to get around is by hopping into a taxi. A typical trip can cost about ₱100 or approximately US$2. Drivers in Davao do not normally bargain if they notice that you are a tourist, hence the cost of the trip is the same in price as a regular. Davao taxi drivers are regarded as the most honest taxi drivers in the Philippines. Taxi drivers in Davao City do not charge tourists extra fare unlike their counterparts in Cebu and Manila. You can also call or send an SMS to the cab company directly to have a cab driver pick you up. Taxis start their fare at ₱45 and will add ₱3.50 per few hundred meters. Please do say "thank you" or "salamat" once you have arrived at your destination. Davao Taxis issue fare receipts that list the name of the taxi company, the plate number, and the taxi number which could come in handy if one leaves valuable items or documents inside a cab. Just tell your taxi driver if you want to get a receipt.
Where to Stay
There is no shortage of accommodation in Davao, ranging from the four-star accommodation of the Marco Polo Davao on Claveria, the Royal Mandaya Hotel and the Apo View Hotel, where Casino Filipino 2 is located, to lodges and inns, pension houses, backpacker hostels all around the city. You can find townhouses or apartments for rent, all for negotiable rates. Visiting Mindanao has its risks. Foreigners have been kidnapped, murdered and held for ransom. For this reason, many governments advise against all but necessary travel to Mindanao, Davao included. In most cases this means your travel insurance will not pay out if you make a claim. Contact your embassy and insurer before travelling to Davao. The last major terrorism-related incident in the city was in 2016, when a bomb exploded at the Roxas Night Market, killing 15 people.
Money & Budget
Davao City has many malls where almost all of them have cinemas. Most ATMs in Davao city have a ₱250 fee for overseas bank cards and a limit of ₱10000 per withdrawal. an exception is the ATM at Davao is renowned for its durian and pomelo. Durian is definitely an acquired taste, but those who do end up liking it will swear that the bad smell is worth it. Pomelo is a citrus fruit that most closely resembles a grapefruit and is quite common in South East Asia. Beware of bringing durian inside airplanes, hotels and other establishments. They may have strict regulations on allowing durian inside and some do not allow durian to be brought in at all. There is the local Tanduay Rum, billed around town as "the Number One Rhum". Mindanao has a large Seventh Day Adventist population.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Visiting Mindanao has its risks. Foreigners have been kidnapped, murdered and held for ransom. For this reason, many governments advise against all but necessary travel to Mindanao, Davao included. In most cases this means your travel insurance will not pay out if you make a claim. Contact your embassy and insurer before travelling to Davao. The last major terrorism-related incident in the city was in 2016, when a bomb exploded at the Roxas Night Market, killing 15 people. Because of the work of the local government on strengthening security during the past decade Davao is generally a safe city even for travellers and violent crime is rare except a few parts of downtown Davao are unsafe at night. Armed guards and security forces can be seen everywhere, guarding malls, hotels and public events. Your biggest concern should be pickpockets, who are active in downtown Davao and on jeepneys.
Glimpses of Davao
woman in black dress standing on rock near body of water during daytime
green-leafed plant with orange flowers
Great Philippine Eagle
orange flowers
brown wooden dock on sea under blue sky during daytime
a red building with a clock on the front of it
an aerial view of a city with a lake in the background
Beautiful sunset over Olivia Sands resort
white clouds photography
green palm trees on beach shore during daytime
woman in black dress standing on rock near body of water during daytime
green-leafed plant with orange flowers
Great Philippine Eagle