I’m pretty sure your first ever trip to Davao was a 3-day weekender spent in a beach in Samal Island, Eden Nature Park, and a tour of the city. But what else can you do in Davao City? Why come back after visiting those three?
There are actually a lot of interesting things to do in Davao. They are probably just not marketed as well as they should be. Here’s a list of what I think tourists should experience:
1. Make your own chocolate at Malagos Garden Resort
Malagos Garden Resort is the HQ of the award winning Malagos Chocolate. The resort is similar to Eden Nature Park, except the land area is flat so it is easier for guests to walk from one attraction to another. Once you have circled the area, your last stop will be their chocolate museum. There, you can choose to customize your own chocolate for less than P500 or just enjoy their many chocolate products at the café. On Saturdays, they have a bird show hosted by one of the owners of the resort, who happens to be a veterinarian.
2. Dare to go white water rafting
Image from pixabay.com
The only two places in the country (that I know of) where you can try white water rafting are Davao and Cagayan de Oro. I haven’t tried the one in CDO but I heard the rapids are stronger there.
In Davao, only Crocodile Park offers this adventure. (Don't worry, there are no crocodiles in Davao river.) You need to form a group of at least 6 people to fill the inflatable boat. This is a half-day activity and will cost you around P2,000 per person complete with gears, lunch, documentation, a souvenir, and a guide. Pro-tip: Inform your boatman if your group is on the adventurous side so you can paddle through the stronger rapids.
3. Surf in Mati, Davao Oriental
If flying out of the city isn't an option, Davao dwellers usually drive to Dahican, Mati to take a quick vacation. It's a beautiful beach with white sand and very blue waters located 3-4 hours away from the city by car or by bus.
The surf season in Mati is from January to March. However, only a few resorts offer surfing lessons for beginners. If you’re not into surfing, you can just chill by the beach and enjoy the view. I don’t recommend swimming during the surf season; the waves are pretty strong and the waters deep.
4. Visit Philippine Eagle Center
The Philippines' national bird, the monkey-eating eagle can be found in the Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos. It is one of the largest and rarest eagles on earth, measuring about 3 feet tall, with wings that are almost 2 feet long each. Each eagle is housed in a large cage that has a tall tree and enough space to fly around to mimic their natural habitat. Aside from eagles, other species of birds can also be found in this park.
5. Try food and drinks that are unique to Davao City (aside from fruits)
Such as:
Spaceburger – the best burger next to Shake Shack (in my opinion)
and
Durian Coffeeccino from Blugre Café
Getting around Davao City is easy thanks to our very honest taxi drivers. You can contract a cab the whole day to reach the places above for a reasonable price, save for Mati. To get to Mati, you can rent a van or ride the Mati-bound bus in Ecoland bus terminal.
Disclaimer: This article is in no way funded by the establishments mentioned above. These are the personal preferences of the author. Furthermore, the author does not claim to be a good writer. She created this article because she genuinely wants to promote tourism in her hometown, Davao City.