Brought to you by Tourism Promotions Board Philippines 

Wondering where you can spend your next travel adventure? A place where the beauty of tropical paradise, rich culture, and a blend of modern city vibes converge? Book your next destination in the Davao region!

Located in the southeasternmost part of the Philippine islands, the Davao region prides itself as one of the top travel destinations with its pristine beaches, mouth-watering dishes, and a wide range of close-to-nature adventures that await tourists. It’s no surprise that the region recorded a 70% growth rate in collective tourism arrivals as of August 2022 and is poised to exceed the government target.

Explore the white-sand beaches

Among the top tourist spots is the largest resort city in the Philippines – the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCos). It is blessed with pristine white-sand beaches, diverse marine life, and turquoise blue waters which are perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and island hopping.

With the Davao del Norte Sand & Beach Circuit, you can make your Samal Island hopping possible for as low as 1,500 pesos which allows you to witness the wonders of Angel’s Cove, Wishing Island, Pearl Farm, Malipano Island, and Isla Reta. Fee already includes the boat, boat entry fee, environmental fee, picnic lunch, tour guide, and travel insurance.

There are also other adventures that await you such as taking a dip at the Hagimit Falls, spelunking and exploring the Monfort Bat Cave, cliff diving at Talikud Island, and even hiking at Mt. Puting Bato. Indeed, you will never run out of things to do and explore here at the Island Garden City of Samal!

Discover the green and close-to-nature city

Davao City makes you redefine what a city is as it strives to modernize without taking away the classic beauty of nature – thus being the perfect place for those who want the best of both worlds.

Malagos Garden Resort prides itself as the home of the Malagos Chocolate Museum – the first in the country. It gives a true-to-bar experience by allowing tourists to create their own chocolate! Aside from the museum, there are various activities offered such as birdwatching, feeding animals, and watching an interactive bird show. Malagos Garden Resort remains true to its philosophy of #ToBeOneWithNature.

If you are searching for a place to meditate and connect with your inner spirit, perhaps the Tamayong Prayer Mountain is the one you are looking for. Also known as the Garden of Eden Restored, this man-made European-inspired garden is occupying the foothills of Mt. Apo and provides tourists with a realization of everyone’s imagination of what heaven looks like. Albeit owned by The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the place is welcoming everyone regardless of their religious beliefs and practices.

Meanwhile, if you are interested in knowing and seeing the king of birds in real life, you may want to check out the Philippine Eagle Center. This tropical rainforest environment provides shelter and also serves as a captive breeding program for eagles whose numbers are decreasing drastically. The facility offers free tour guiding and use of kiosks as well as special education programs like keeper talk, falconry, and open classroom project.

Another tourist spot for nature trippers and animal lovers is the Eden Nature Park and Resort. It is, by far, one of the largest man-made forests ever created in an effort to combat illegal logging. Since its redevelopment in 1997, the park is committed to preserving the environment and giving tourists an authentic mountain experience. For those with a brave heart, it offers fun adventures such as skyriding where you get a glimpse of the beauty of Davao from above. The park also introduces the Mindanaoan culture for those who are interested to get an in-depth knowledge of their traditions and beliefs.

Hike the highest peak

How can we forget the tallest mountain in the Philippine Archipelago when discussing the mountains of Mindanao? Mt. Apo, known as the “Grandfather of Philippine Mountains,” provides more than just a stunning view from a distance; it also serves as a source of electricity and water and is inhabited by indigenous tribes. It was designated a protected area in addition to being an ASEAN Heritage Site. Many adventurers frequently include this peak, which rises 2,956 meters above sea level, on their bucket lists!

Your stay in Davao won’t be satisfying and complete without tasting the sweetest fruits in the country! Blessed with fertile soil and a relatively better climate, Davao produces the best fruits such as pomelo, lanzones, papaya, and banana. But among the list, try the king and queen fruits – durian and mangosteen! Indeed, Davao is the Philippines’ fruit basket and is also one of the world’s biggest growers and exporters of exotic fruits.

If you are looking for a travel destination, choosing Davao will never disappoint you. It will never fall short in meeting, if not exceeding, your expectations!