'''Davao''' [http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/] is a city in the Philippines and is considered by many to be the most crime-free area in the country. Tourists are guarded not only by the police, but also by the people around.

Get in

By air

Davao is possibly the third most important Philippine city after Manila and Cebu. As such most if not all domestic airlines fly multiple times per day to Davao from Manila, Cebu and other major cities in Visayas and Mindanao. Davao is served by the '''Davao International Airport''' (more properly named as the '''Francisco Bangoy International Airport'''), which receives both local and foreign traffic to Davao. Completed only in 2003, DIA is said to be much better than its counterpart NAIA in Manila.

Silk Air, the regional airline of Singapore Airlines, is currently the only international connection directly servicing Davao from Singapore. If you have Davao as your main destination in the Philippines, you might want to consider coming in through Singapore as this might be the most hassle-free way to enter.

The following Philippine carriers all have Davao on their flight networks:

  • '''Philippine Airlines''' [http://www.philippineairlines.com/] - the national flag carrier. 7x daily flights to Manila.
  • '''Cebu Pacific''' [http://www.cebupacificair.com/] - 2nd biggest domestic carrier, offers Go discount fares.
  • '''Air Philippines''' [http://www.airphils.com/] - flies to Davao from Manila as well as in Cebu.
  • '''Zest Airways''' [http://www.zestair.com.ph/] - will commence daily flights to Cebu starting December 20,2008.
  • By sea

    Davao is also served by a bustling sea port with significant cargo and passenger traffic. Following is a listing of ferry companies that serve Davao:

  • '''WG&A Superferry''' [http://www.superferry.com.ph/] - twice weekly ferries from Manila to Davao, trip takes more than 2 days in total
  • '''Sulpicio Lines''' [http://www.sulpiciolines.com/] - twice weekly ferries from Manila, usually via Cebu
  • Get around

    The simplest way to get around is by hopping on a taxi. A typical trip can cost about 60-70 pesos or slightly more than a U.S. dollar if one goes by the meter. 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. Also, they are part of the increasingly rare breed of taxi drivers who carry coins and will give you the exact change instead of rounding your fare up. If you know the name of the building, establishment, area or street you wish you reach, this is still the fastest way to get to your destination. You can also call the cab company directly to have a cab driver pick you up. or just simply hire a van or car for your convenient and hassle free and stroll the hot spot places in Davao.

    Alternatively, if you opt for more adventure, then do as the locals and catch a colorful jeepney. Simply ask around for which route to take. They are available 24 hours and cover most of the nooks and crannies of the city. This is the cheapest option for getting around as a typical fare cost about 5-7 pesos.

    Another alternative ride aside from the jeepneys and taxis, is to rent a car. Many available cars for rent, but if you don't know the routes, you can hire drivers buy asking the attendant of the said rent a car shop.

    Buses are also available but these tend to ply exclusively along the north-south route and going out and in the city area.

    The normal cost for a jeepney ride is 7.00 pesos. Taxis go from Php 26.00 and will add Php 1.00 per few hundred meters (not sure with the exact measurement) with a non-airconditioned taxi. Airconditioned taxis start at 30 pesos and will add 2.50 pesos per few hundred meters.

    '''See'''

    the '''Mt. Apo''' at its peak- the tallest mountain in the Philippines, where you can also go and climb to the top of it.

    Take time to see the majestic Philippine Eagle, one of the three largest eagles in the world and sadly also one of the most endangered, at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City. The Center is home to at least 30 Philippine Eagles, and also hosts a variety of other raptors, birds, and animals in a simulated forest environment. The Center is about 45 minutes away from downtown Davao. To get there, buses or vans to Calinan depart from the Bankerohan Market at 15 minute intervals. Once in Calinan, tricycles, motorcycles and jeepneys bound for Malagos may be found at the Calinan market area. The Philippine Eagle Center is open 8am to 5pm daily and is operated by the [http://www.philippineeagle.org/ Philippine Eagle Foundation].

    When your going to Davao You can party hard at The Venue or in some bars located at Torres (near Harana).

    Do

    Boat rides to Paradise Island in Samal from Davao City open at 6 a.m. It_fs the best time to take a trip to the white-sand beach resort. And have the beach almost to yourself.

    After the chilly crossing to the island, one can have a multiple choice of morning delights. Take a brisk walk around, including at its mini-zoo; take a dip at the cool blue water; sample the aquabikes or snorkel and play with the fishes.

    Breakfast awaits you after this bevy of activities. The resort offers both continental and Filipino cuisine. Try to down fresh coconut juice to end your trip.

    On your way back downtown, drop by the Davao Museum at Insular Village, It opens at 9. The visit should give you a glimpse of the colorful lumad culture of the city. Davao is home to many cultural tribes. And in spite of progress, they have retained many of their local practices like celebrating the bountiful harvest during the Kadayawan festival (August).

    To have some of those lumad crinckets, make a stop next at Aldevinco Shopping Center, just across Marco Polo Hotel and Ateneo de Davao University. Its fun to discover this place as a shopping paradise cum museum.

    By 11, you should be heading south for Davao_fs eco-tourism wonders at the foot of Mt Apo _c Eden Nature Park in Toril District or Malagos Garden at Baguio District. At Eden one can have a panoramic view of the Davao Gulf. In Malagos, sample the local red wine made from bignay, local small red berries. In both places, lunch on organically-grown fresh vegetables and fruits amidst a lush setting of rich flora.

    Take a quick nap aboard the van while on the way back as the sun sets silhouetting the many fruit orchards at Calinan and Tugbok Districs. Wake yourself up with durian coffee at Blu Gre at Landco Building when you reach downtown.

    Or take this other eco-adventure - river-rafting the mighty Davao River. Your trip from upland Tamugan would end at the Crocodile Park by the Dizon_fs River Front. There you can feed the crocks or feast on their special delicacies and famous pomelo.

    Dinner should not be any problem after you freshen up. Take your pick ? fresh seafoods at Ahfat, Korean delights at Arirang, Pinoy favorites at Probinsya or Chinese cuisine at Emerald all at the Victoria Plaza Carpark. An alternative would be Jack Ridge_fs at Shrine Hill for al fresco dining with a scenic view of Davao_fs skyline at night.

    Dessert? For both the aficionados and the first-timers, the fruit that _gsmells like hell but tastes like heaven_h are available at Magsaysay Park or along Anda St. Insist on the local varieties. Durian is now grown year-round but the best times are July to October.

    The night would still be young by the time you finish your meal. So, head out to feel the pulse of the city_fs nightlife. Coffee shops and bars are aplenty. Happy hour sing-a-long at Goodtimes just off Sta Ana Church or Chico_fs along Rizal St.

    If you want to meet the locals, try a quick look at the People_fs Park. It_fs a garden and open air art gallery rolled into one where the city_fs rich and hoi polloi enjoy an urban oasis.

    Prefer dancing and live bands? Then be by 9 pm at MTS (Matina Town Square), or at the restobar row along F. Torres or at The Venue (infront of Central Bank) or at the Damosa Gateway.

    After the booze, try to avoid any hung-over with hot and spicy soup before the bed. Try Bullcachong along Gen. Luna St.

    Davao City, has much to offer visitors, the people are genuinely friendly and will make anyone feel welcome in their City.

    Buy

    Davao City has many department stores, and all of them have supermarkets - the SM which is a 3-level department store located at Quimpo Blvrd, Ecoland. Other notable stores include the New City Commercial Center(NCCC-1) at R.Magsaysay St and (NCCC-2) at McArthur hi-way corner Ma-a. Gaisano Mall is the tallest store which have 5 storey building. They are modern buildings with lots of western goods in addition to local stores. Gaisano South which is located at Ilustre Street. Victoria Plaza is also one of the notable stores in davao, located at J.P. Laurel Ave, Bajada. Convenient stores are also around the city from city proper, urban places to sub-urbs, with its 24hours open services. Some stores are called sari-sari, that sell in retail terms, especially the cigars that you can buy per sticks, or per pack with the price of their own retail per sticks.

    Due to security concerns, it is routine for security guards to lightly frisk people as they enter shopping malls in Davao, and indeed in most of the Philippines. The guards endeavour to be sensitive and invariably the guard is either female or there are separate lines for male and female entrants.

    The safest bet for eating out in Davao are the food courts located in the shopping malls. The fare might be a bit blander than the street vendors but the hygiene is better, variety reasonable and it works out cheaper than buying your own food from the supermarket, with most light dishes about 40 to 50 pesos.

    Eat

    Davao is reknowned for its '''durian''' and '''pomelo'''. Eating durian is admittedly an acquired taste but those who do end up liking it will swear that the bad smell is worth it. Pomelo on the other hand is a citrus fruit that most closely resembles a grapefruit, it is quite common in South East Asia. Beware of bringing durian inside airplanes as well as hotels and other establishments. They may have strict regulations on allowing durian inside and some may not allow durian to be brought at all.

  • '''Sea Urchin Restaurant''', Mamay Road, a few meters from Damosa Gateway. A full range of Chinese cuisine. Cold cuts and soup are excellent. Try also their steamed lapu-lapu and garlic chicken. The best restaurant in the city. Call them at telephone numbers (082) 235-8603, 301-9289.
  • '''Ahfat''', Victoria Plaza area. The ultimate gastronomic experience. Try the steamed shrimp, spicy spare ribs and crab fuyo.
  • '''Yahong''' There's one in The Venue and another along Torres Street. Try their talaba and diablo chicken wings . Their crispy pata is also a must!
  • '''Na Trang (Jekoy's Grill)''', Jacinto Extension, beside Central Bank. Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Try their tofu and mushrooms, Vietnamese pancake, wet lumpia and fried spring rolls. Coffee is great here also.
  • '''Jack's Ridge''', Just across the Santo Nino Shrine. Delicious Filipino cuisine and a breathtaking view of the city.
  • '''Cubyertos''', Torres Street. Try their signature vegetable-chicken salad.</p>
  • '''Dencia's''', Ilustre Street. Classic Davao-Chinese cuisine. Best orders are tokwa't baboy, congee, fresh lumpia and pancit canton.
  • '''Gardena Fresca''', Within Coca-Cola Village in Matina. Their bestseller is adobong tahong.
  • '''Talaba Joe's''', Rizal Street. Come to this place for the freshest oysters in Davao.
  • '''Claude's''', Rizal Street. Authentic French cuisine.
  • '''De Bonte Koe''', Rizal Street. Dutch Cuisine. Try their herring with onions. Never miss the apple pie.
  • (Apple Pie, questionable, not even Dutch style.)

  • '''Boodels''', Within Barrio Obrero. Very cheap grilled tuna belly. Tastes great too.
  • '''Gerry's Grill''', Within G-Mall. The many versions of sisig are great. *food chain found all over the Philippines
  • '''Mang Inasal''', within G-Mall and SM Mall. Delicious cheap barbecue chicken. *food chain found all over the Philippines
  • '''Grand Emerald Seafood Garden''', within Victoria Plaza Complex. Good food, Reasonable Price, Nicely Lit Interiors.
  • '''Mandarin Tea Garden''', With branches at G-Mall, SM Davao, Nccc Mall, Rizal St., Guerrero St., Duterte St., DCLA Complex., and Bajada St. The First and original Dimsum house in davao. Must Try!
  • '''Dimsum Diner'''. Within G-Mall and somewhere near Holy Cross College. Best orders are salted fish fried rice, salt and pepper riblets and siomai.
  • '''Dox's of Davao'''* Rosal Street, Catalunan Pequeno near Yuchico Orchid Gardens. Habachi Iron cookery with a Southern flare. Try The Dox's Dog "on a stick" sarap to the stick!
  • Drink

    The usual. There is the local Tanduay Rum, billed around town as "the Number One Rhum" but if that's the case then the number two rum is paint thinner. All of the spirits you know and love are cheap, and probably counterfeit, but they work nevertheless.

    There are large Seventh Day Adventist populations on Samal and Comotes Island, and in Mindanao generally. Adventists do not drink and any stores they own will typically not sell alcohol. If you are in an adventist neighbourhood, why not show some respect for once and reduce or eliminate your visible alcohol consumption. None of this applies to the Catholics who will happily drink a skinful along with the best of them.

  • Some Place Else. izal Street. avana Compound. 82) 2286304. ww.bar-someplaceelse.com. A great place to hang out, dont forget to ask for their famous Shisha Fries.
  • Knight's Cafe. ed Knight Gardens. uadalupe Village, Lanang, Davao. ear by Casino Filipino. 34-3408. ww.redknightgardens.com. :30am to 9:30pm. odest. 06 21 53. 25 38 15 42. Knights Cafe offers a choice of local and Western dishes at its pool side bar and restaurant. WiFi and swimming is free if you buy food/drinks. Feast of Fish&Chips to Kinilaw and from traditional English breakfast to Pizza. Good place to meet and get lots of local knowledge.

    Sleep

    There is no shortage of accommodations in Davao, ranging from the four-star accommodations of the Marco Polo Davao on Claveria, the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Ponciano, the Grand Regal Hotel and Casino Filipino and the Waterfront Insular Hotel on Lanang, and the Apo View Hotel, where Casino Filipino 2 is located, to lodges and inns, all around the city. Serviced residences like the Crown Regency are also rising in popularity, or one can find townhouses or apartments for rent, all for negotiable rates that are very good for those coming into Davao with dollars.

  • Marco Polo Davao. .M. Recto (formerly Claveria) cor. M. Roxas Blvd., Davao City.. 6382 221 0888. '+6382'' 225 0111. ttp://davao.marcopolohotels.com/. Perhaps the most modern hotel in Davao, this hotel is part of the Marco Polo chain of hotels and is situated right at the heart of Davao within easy reach of most of the city's key attractions.

  • Red Knight Gardens. uites. th Street Guadalupe Village Lanang, Davao City. 63 234-34-08. Its a safe quite relaxing place inside the village with pool, gardens, bar & restaurant owned and managed by Brit. And its fully furnish.All rates are fully inclusive of water, electric,gas,T.V,Local phone calls,hot & cold shower.daily maid services..website: redknightgardens.com

  • Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. anang, Davao City 8000 Philippines. 63-82-233-2881. 63-82-233-2801. ttp://www.waterfronthotels.net/davao/davao.htm. Nestled along the beautiful Davao Gulf, this hotel's beautifully landscaped gardens and the sea may be seen from its refreshing open-air corridors. Enjoy free 'tuba' (coconut wine) given to hotel guests.
  • White Mansion. 14 Alaminos St., Rolling Hills Subd., Bacaca Rd, Davao City. 6382-2241644, +6382-2221048. ttp://www.philippinehotel.com. poil. ourself. y. taying. n. hite. nd. njoy. irst. lass. omfort. t. . ery. easonable. ocated. he. eart. f. avao. lose. o. ll. onveniences. his. odern. ou. ill. ave. rivacy. our. wn. omplete. ith. arge. elf. ontained. esidential. Spoil yourself by staying in White Mansion, and enjoy first class comfort at a very reasonable price. Located in the heart of Davao City, close to beaches, mountains, and all the conveniences of this modern city.White Mansion is located in Rolling Hills, Bacaca Road Davao City, Philippines in a pleasantly green, and overlooking area.You will have all the privacy of your home, complete with garage, and large self contained residential units.

  • Humberto_fs Hotel. . Palma Gil cor. P. Gomez Sts., 8000 Davao City, Philippines. 082) 2223831 to 34. ttp://www.humbertoshotel.com. est rates on official website start at PHP 2,200.00. Humberto_fs Hotel was featured by PAL Mabuhay Magazine on its lifestyle section as a "Charming Botique Hotel". It is also chosen and awarded by the 2003 National Shopper's Choice in May 28, 2004 as no. 1. Small Hotel in Davao City. Comfortable and pleasant hotel to stay while in Davao City. Comfortable filled rooms. nl:Davao