Backpacking: Top Reasons To Visit in Davao City, Philippines

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Davao is a safe and peaceful city in Mindanao. I previously visited this place last June 2013. Davao is home to Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines and is also known as the "Durian Capital" of the Philippines. There are bunch of exotic fruits that can be easily purchased in the farmer’s market at a very affordable price.

There are great amount of distance between each tourist site. Tourist destinations in the city include the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Nature Center, Mount Apo, the Davao Crocodile Park, Eden Nature Park, People's Park in the city center which is popular for its sculptures of indigenous people and dancing fountain and also the Samal Island.

Davao is a special for me due to the fact that I was engaged with my husband in Pearl Farm, Samal Island. It is an island city situated accessible by boat about 45 minute rides, popularly for its beaches.

Davao activities& Attractions must see.

Destination: Introducing Davao City!

Going to Davao from Manila by plane is about 1 hour and 45 minutes travel. The Davao International Airport or locally known as Francisco Bangoy International airport cater domestic flights mostly from and to Manila and Cebu and other Philippine cities. This airport also made it available for international flights like Silk Air with direct route to Singapore.  Roaming around the town wouldn't be that hard. There are a lot of options for you to choose from:

• For a hassle-free tour around in the city, you may ride on Taxi cabs, available at anywhere. It’s a guarantee that you can be assured of friendly and honest taxi drivers here in Davao City. They will take you anywhere you want as long as you know where you want to be heading. They won’t ask for “extras”, you’ll just have to pay them as indicated in their meters.
• Jeepney is another option for tourists who would wish to delve in with the locals of Davao City. This is the main mode of transportation. You get to ride with people from almost all walks of life. It may take you much of your time if you ride the jeepney since drivers have to get more passengers to fill in their vehicle. But if you’re not in a hurry, why not try?

I. Davao City Tour

1) The Parks

A.) Eden Nature Park

Apart from its cool temperature because it is more than 2000 ft. above sea level, it is a serene and relaxing mountain resort. Elsewhere in the city, Eden Nature Park offers activities such as camping, trekking, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching and even a zip line. There are many sites with cottages, townhouses, all in a sylvan setting for rent. Take the open car tour, since it takes you around the many places on the sides of the mountain and the valleys. It is designed with all the native flowers and plants growing around including all the herbs and rare plants. This mountain resort reservation offers a cool climate, lush forest, and natural surroundings, overlooking the city and the gulf.

2.) Davao Crocodile Park 

The Davao Crocodile Park is the home of seven hundred cultured Philippines crocodiles. Aside from cultured crocodiles, Davao Crocodile Park is also a haven for a variety of other animals, such as tigers, wild boars, apes, birds and pythons. If you are an animal lover, and you are heading to Davao, this renowned tourist spot is a must-visit!

Entrance Fee:

• Adult – 150.00 pesos
• Kids – 75.00 pesos

3.) People’s Park

People's Park features mini-forest, interactive and dancing fountains, man-made waterfalls that is connected with the man-made lake, kids playground, tropical rain forest trees, open plaza, durian dome, gigantic statues of lumads all over the park, the Philippine Eagle statue and the Durian dome.

One of the park's attractions is the interactive fountains that can be found at the center of the field. They also have a dancing fountain shows that kids will surely love to witness. Fountain show starts at 5:00 pm every day.

People's Park is located at Camus Street, in front of Casa Leticia Hotel. A 30 minutes taxi ride from Davao International Airport.

Entrance Fee is free every day. But be advised that the park is packed with visitors every weekend so better plan your trip carefully. 

2) Jack Ridge Resort & Restaurant

It is located in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City; this is the highest area here in Davao City. Just be aware of that there is a charge if you are planning to bring food inside the premises and security will be conducting search for the prohibited items and food inside the bag. Jack’s Ridge has a lot of Restaurants where you can dine in. This place has no entrance fee.

How to get there: 
Cabs are easy to find in Davao. From the city proper, taking a cab to Jack’s Ridge will cost you about 150.00 pesos.

If you are on a budget, take a jeepney with route Matina/Bangkal/Ulas and tell the driver to drop you off at crossing Shrine Hills. Fare ranges from 8.00 pesos to 15.00 pesos. From there, tricycle will likely be available to take you to Jack’s Ridge.

3) Pearl Farm Beach

The Pearl Farm Beach Resort lies in a secluded cove on Samal Island off the coast of Davao City. This 11-hectare spread was once a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters, transported from the Sulu Sea, were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls. This renowned world-class beach resort is the perfect getaway for people who are in search of a heavenly and blissful retreat. In addition to its tranquil atmosphere, the Pearl Farm Beach Resort offers an excellent buffet with lots of delectable and scrumptious dishes.

How to get to the resort:

From Manila and other major cities and airports all over the Philippines, there are several domestic airlines that fly directly to Davao. From the airport or other places in Davao, you must go to Pearl Farm Marina wharf where you will board a boat to Samal Island. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes by cab. There are 3 trips to and from Pearl Farm daily.

Regular boat transfers:

• From Pearl Farm Marina Wharf to resort: 9:00 AM / 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM
• From resort to Pearl Farm Marina Wharf: 8:00 AM / 1:00 PM / 4:00 PM

Special boat transfers can be arranged with applicable charges. Guests are highly encouraged to reserve seats on their preferred boat trip and are advised to be at the Pearl Farm Marina 30 minutes before the departure of the boat.

4) The Durians

Your visit in Davao would not be complete without eating or bringing home some durians. Davao is the top producer of Durian – about 80% in the country – and you can find the cheapest durians in the market, so take advantage of it! There are also sweets and desserts made of durians to sample here, from candies, pastels, cakes to ice-creams.

5) Mt. Apo

Mt. Apo, tallest peak in the country at 10,311 feet above sea level the mightiest upward surge of along mountain range extending from North Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Davao City to Agusan del Sur and Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao.

Mt. Apo straddles a long mountain range delineating the boundaries of the provinces of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato and Davao City. The volcanic peak Apo meaning grandfather of all Philippine mountains dominates a vast area of 72,769 hectares where natural wonders lure outdoor enthusiasts to trek through this tribal god's domain and conquer this towering peak and sea an exotic display of nature at its best in its virgin state a steaming blue lake in a picturesque setting, geysers and sulphur pillars, rainwater lakes, the swift flowing Marbel, Sibulan and Baruring Rivers, waterfalls cascading with a thunderous roar from a deep gorge for a total drop of almost 300 feet. Several miniature falls in lake like spray give touches of silvery beauty to the verdant surroundings.

Climbing Mount Apo takes four days. There are many trails so climbers often ascend and descend through different routes to see more of the place. Before climbing, contact the Department of Tourism Office in Davao (Magsaysay Park Complex, Tel. (82) 221-0070/221-6955) or the Mt. Apo Climbers Association of Davao City where tents, camping, gear, provisions and guides are available. The Davao Tourism Office also organizes Holy Week climbs called "Conquer Mt. Apo" and semestral break ascents in October called "Octotrek" where large numbers of climbers join in.

Tour Packages: http://www.mtapoadventures.com/tour-packages/

 * Updated Price is per Person Effective January 2015

Duration: 3 Days Trek

Inclusions:

• Transportation (Davao City–Jump Off-Point and Exit Point –Davao City)
• 2-5 Guests (Public Transport and Motorcycle)
• 6 Guests and Up  (Private Vehicle)
• Climbing Permit
• Certificate of Climb
• Exit Fee
• Guide Fee
• For 2-5 Persons ( 1 Guide)
• For 6-10 Persons ( 2 Guides)
• Food for the whole duration of the Climb (Dinner on the 1st – Lunch on the 4th/last  Day of climb)
• Equipment Rentals for Tent, Sleeping Bag, Trek pole and Mess Kit
• Porter Fee
• For 2-5 Persons ( 1 Porters min load of 15 Kilos per porter)
• For 6-10 Persons ( 2 Porters min load of 15 Kilos per porter)
• One Night Hotel Accommodation in Davao City with Free Breakfast
• Documentation Photos on CD ( Available if the Author is your Guide)
• Mt. Apo Souvenir T-Shirt

Note:

Add P 2,000.00 per additional porter

These were taken after my husband proposed to me in Pearl Farm Resort (June 2014).

Happy Travels!

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