This lesser-known city in the Philippines has breathtaking mountain views and pristine beaches — learn more in this Davao guide.
When someone mentions a getaway to the Philippines, destinations like Cebu and Manila immediately come to mind…which is why the name Davao draws a blank 🤷♀️
But after spending 5 days gallivanting across the city, islands and highlands, I can confidently say that Davao is an underrated region that international tourists just don’t know about yet, despite being a well-known vacation spot to locals.
As a first-timer who had never heard of Davao, I wanted to find out what the city has to offer, particularly because of the limited social media chatter and online coverage. And I was pleasantly surprised by how it offers a unique blend of culture, relaxation and adventure!
If you’re looking for a lesser-known region to vacation in the Philippines, here are 11 things to do that’ll make a trip to Davao memorable:
Flights to Davao from Singapore
Scoot flies direct from Singapore to Davao twice a day, and the total flight time is ~4 hours.
We took their modern A320 aircraft to Davao and the new Embraer E190-E2 back to Singapore. Both were so comfortable we slept the entire way, but we’ll go into detail on our flight experience below.
Enjoy a 4-hour direct flight from Singapore to Davao, from ~S$141 (one-way) with Scoot! T&Cs apply.
Things to do in Davao City
Getting around Davao: Grab cars are widely available within the city, and we took Maxim motorbike taxis to weave through traffic during rush hours.
Jeepneys are another popular transport option for locals. They are minivans that run specific routes, but can drop you off anywhere along the way as long as it’s in the correct direction.
1) Learn about Mindanao at the National Museum of the Philippines – Davao
The building shape is inspired by a durian, the most iconic fruit of the Davao Region!
Known as the most recognisable building in Davao City, the National Museum of the Philippines is home to artefacts of the Mindanao island group, which Davao is part of.
There are four floors with many exhibits dedicated to the region’s culture, history, art and nature.
My favourite exhibit was the one dedicated to natural history, as I got to learn so much about the mammals, flora, and aquatic animals native to the region. There’s even a taxidermied Philippine Eagle — the only time I’ll ever get that close to one.
Plus, it’s a great air-conditioned escape from the tropical humidity of the city!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
Address: Palma Gil St, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: 7min walk from The Bourke hotel (Google Maps)
2) Go thrifting at Roxas Night Market
Roxas Night Market is one of the biggest and liveliest spots in the city after dark for locals, with various street food, souvenirs, and massages!
The thrifting section is huge and packed with gems, with pieces going as low as ₱40 (~S$0.90) each; you just need to be patient enough to flip through the racks.
Davao is also known as the durian capital of the Philippines, so when we came across a stand, we had to try some. As a self-proclaimed durian hater, they made me a convert 🤩
We tried the locally-grown puyat durian, which had a surprisingly sweet, light and creamy flavour — without the usual pungent smell or bitter taste that I abhor.
It costs ₱60/kg, so imagine our surprise at the generous amount of fruit in our little ~S$2 durian!
*Note: Backpacks are not permitted in the night market.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 5PM – 12AM
Address: 3JC6+PW7, Roxas Ave, Poblacion District, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: 12min walk from the National Museum of the Philippines (Google Maps)
3) Go cafe-hopping in Davao
Bramble
Bramble is a popular spot to grab breakfast in Davao City, where you can get fresh bakes, brunch dishes, and Filipino rice bowls.
Coincidentally, it’s in the same compound as our hotel in the city, so we enjoyed a complimentary breakfast here!
The portions for the French Toast (₱395) and Corned Beef Hash Rice Bowl (₱545) were generous. But my favourite was the Biscoff Cinnamon Roll (₱85) from the bakes counter — it was huge, fluffy and had the right amount of sweetness!
Opening hours: 6AM – 5PM
Address: 115 P Pelayo St, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: 1min walk from The Bourke hotel (Google Maps)
olo. Coffee And Concepts
olo. Coffee and Concepts is a quaint little cafe with a backyard garden, located in the quiet Ecoland neighbourhood.
We stopped by for a coffee run and really loved how laidback their cosy wooden space felt. They serve espresso-based drinks, like the Iced White (₱120) and Salted Caramel Latte (₱150) — a great pick-me-up after our red-eye flight ☕️
Opening hours: 11AM – 7PM
Address: Phase 1, 319, Ecoland, 6 A st, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: 12min drive from Bramble (Google Maps)
Tola
Walking into Tola made us feel woefully underdressed, but despite the grandeur of this heritage home built in 1929, it’s not a fine-dining restaurant.
In fact, it’s the former home of Davao’s first mayor, with tall wooden arches and vintage furniture creating a nostalgic time capsule.
Rated as one of Tatler Dining Philippines’ best Filipino restaurants, Tola serves up fuss-free Filipino classics and Davaoeno dishes. There’s a huge variety to choose from, but we opted for iconic dishes like Sinigang Na Baboy (pork belly in sour tamarind broth, ₱360), Classic Sisig (sizzling platter of pork jowl and cheeks, ₱260) and Adobong Kangkong (sauteed water spinach with fried garlic, ₱115).
It was my first time trying Sinigang: a sour tamarind soup with pork belly. It was so delicious we finished the entire bowl 🤤
Definitely value-for-money for either lunch or dinner in the city.
Opening hours: 11AM – 9PM
Address: Oboza Compound, 143 Rizal St8, Poblacion District, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: 10min drive from olo. Coffee And Concepts (Google Maps)
4) Learn about tribal history at Ramon Magsaysay Park
Ramon Magsaysay Park is where locals gather to hang out, cycle, and run dance practices.
It’s also home to the Kadayawan Village, which showcases 11 different houses, each representing one of Davao’s diverse tribes. While not an actual residential village, it’s a commemorative one that celebrates the different cultures and traditions in the region.
There are instruments, artefacts, furniture, and traditional wear to interact with, which makes the experience more immersive.
Right outside the park is Magsaysay Fruit Vendors Association, a row of fruit stalls selling durians, mangosteen, pomelos and more.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 4AM – 10PM
Address: 5 Ramon Magsaysay Ave, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: 11min drive from The Bourke hotel (Google Maps)
5) Recharge your body at Elysia Wellness Spa
No vacation is complete without treating yourself to a massage, so we booked an appointment at Elysia Wellness Spa in the Ecoland neighbourhood.
Try their 90-minute Filipino Hilot Massage (₱1,100), where the therapist utilises a bamboo stick to target knots, and a suction cup to stimulate blood flow.
It’s similar to cupping in traditional Chinese massage, but they only use one cup. This means we did not walk away with any bruises, just relieved muscles 😌
Cost: ₱1100 (~S$23.80) for a 90-minute Filipino Hilot Massage
Opening hours: 11AM – 12AM
Address: Quimpo Boulevard, Corner Mangga, Ecoland, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: 6min walk from olo. Coffee And Concepts (Google Maps)
6) Let fate decide your drink at MISA Dining & Listening Room
MISA Dining & Listening Room is a place where audiophiles gather to hang out after dark. While they serve Japanese cuisine, we dropped by to check out their Japanese-inspired cocktails and to soak in the chill vibes.
There’s a wall of vinyl records, and even an old school vintage jukebox where you can queue two songs for ₱10 🎶
We ordered the Flower’s Bloom (₱400), a fruity jasmine-infused vodka. But the star of the show was the Mystery Cocktail (₱400), which is theatrical and unique to each person who orders it.
I won’t spoil the experience by going into detail, but it involves smoke, a deck of cards and fate 🪄
They served me a gin-based cocktail, and it was so delicious it made me reconsider my stance against Aperol and martini 🤫
Cost: ₱400/drink (~S$8.70)
Opening hours: 5PM – 12AM
Address: Insular Village, 1st floor, West JBT Land & Realty Corp. Bldg, Phase 2 Brgy. Hizon, Lanang, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: 15min drive from Davao International Airport (Google Maps)
Things to do in Samal Island
Just across the sea is Samal Island, a lesser-known tropical getaway in the Philippines with crystal clear waters, cascading waterfalls, and protected wildlife!
It’s mainly frequented by locals and domestic tourists — particularly on weekends.
Getting to Samal Island from Davao City: Take a ~20-minute ferry from Samal Ferry Wharf to Samal Ferry Terminal (₱20/one-way), which runs every 15 to 20 minutes. While there’s no fixed schedule, the ferry operates 24 hours, so we didn’t have to wait long to board.
Vehicles can also be ferried onto the boats while passengers sit on the top deck.
There are no ride-hailing options on Samal Island, so the only way to get around is via baobaos (pronounced ba-oh ba-oh), aka tricycles! Many drivers are waiting outside the port, but you can request your accommodation to call one for you if needed. For ₱1,500 (~S$34), we hired a baobao driver to take us around the island on an inland tour.
For one-way trips, drivers can drop you off at any location, but are not allowed to pick up passengers outside of their assigned neighbourhoods to be fair to other drivers. There’s a sticker on the side of the vehicle indicating its area of origin.
*Note: Baobaos are cash only, and transport is more expensive than in Davao City, so budget accordingly!
7) Go on an Island Hopping Tour in Samal
The best part about visiting a place virtually unknown to international tourists is that it remains pristine and untouched! That’s why we recommend booking an island-hopping tour to truly appreciate that.
First stop: the Giant Clam (Taklobo) Sanctuary, home to over 3,000 endangered giant clams. They take research and conservation very seriously here!
The clams are so colourful, with flourishing marine life like fish and starfish 🐠
For example, before masking up, your instructor will teach you about the different clam species. And to protect them, visitors cannot use fins, nor can they swim here by themselves.
You have to hold a life ring while a guide takes you around the sanctuary. It may feel a little silly at first, but witnessing how alive the clams look from the surface makes the importance of conservation resonate.
The next stop is Wishing Island (additional ₱300 docking fee per boat), which feels straight out of the Mamma Mia! movie. This tiny islet is uninhabited, and visible only at low tide, complete with a viewing deck, a cliff jumping point and a slide into blue waters.
We ended the day with a snorkel session at Coral Garden, where we had the whole place to ourselves. The visibility was so good, and we saw tiny fish swimming around the flourishing corals.
*Note: Bring your own snorkel mask and fins. Otherwise you’d have to pay ₱200 to rent (~S$4.40).
Cost: ~₱4,800/up to 10pax (~S$104.40)
Meeting point: Brgy Adecor Wharf (Google Maps)
8) Witness millions of bats at Montfort Bat Sanctuary
Did you know that Samal Island is home to Montfort Bat Sanctuary, the largest colony of Geoffrey Rousette fruit bats in the world? They even hold a Guinness World Record for it 🦇
Fun fact: Every full moon, they fly in a tornado formation as a defence mechanism to intimidate their predators 🌪️
Fair warning, the smell of over 2 million bats can be… stinging 🫡
While the caves are not permitted for entry, there are five chambers with openings to look into from the top.
The bats were active as we visited during mating season, and we didn’t expect how loud they would be. I got goosebumps by the sheer number of them hanging on the cave walls… and what we saw was only 10% of their population 😬
*Pro-tip: Book the Bats Emergence Night Tour (BEN) to watch the bats leave the cave at night. Bookings are via phone call only at +63 0917 1441 060, with tours running from 5:30PM – 8:30PM (weekends only).
Entrance fee: ₱120/pax (~S$2.60)
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM
Address: 5M7R+WVP, Circumferencial Rd, Babak, Samal, Davao del Norte, Philippines
How to get there: ~15min drive from Samal Ferry Terminal (Google Maps)
9) Take a dip in cascading waterfalls
Hagimit Falls
Samal Island is home to multiple waterfalls, including the popular Hagimit Falls, which has tiered cascades and three pools perfect for swimming. The rocks have been smoothed down, making it safe for kids to swim in.
Here, you’ll find a store that sells cold drinks and rents out life vests, and many people picnicking at the tables. There are even guides you can hire to help take photos at an extra cost.
Entrance fee: ₱150 (~S$3.30)
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM
Address: 3P8G+Q4W, Samal, Davao del Norte, Philippines
How to get there: ~30min drive from Samal Ferry Terminal (Google Maps)
Magongawon Falls
Magongawon Falls, also known as Tagbaobo Falls, is a spot tourists rarely visit! A 10-minute walk down steep stairs leads you to the middle of a forest, where a singular fall cascades into a turquoise pool.
While smaller, Magongawon Falls feels more rugged and “natural” than Hagimit Falls — which makes it all the more charming and less commercialised!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: 2Q5G+JR, Samal, Davao del Norte, Philippines
How to get there: ~45min drive from Samal Ferry Terminal (Google Maps)
Things to do in Davao Highlands
No Davao guide is complete without heading to the highlands, as it’s home to Mount Apo — the tallest mountain in the Philippines — located in the Bukidnon (Buda) range.
The highlands have many lookout points, resorts, and restaurants with breathtaking views of the rolling mountains. Plus, the weather is cooler up there!
Getting to Davao Highlands from Davao City: ~1-hour drive. While you can book a Grab car from the city, it would be hard to get a return ride. Either hire a car charter for the day, or take a baobao to the nearest town, and then book a Grab car back to Davao City from there.
10) Watch the sunrise at Sonnen Berg Mountain View
One of the most beautiful natural sights in Davao is the sea of clouds that occurs at sunrise. We woke up early to catch it at Sonnen Berg Mountain View, one hour away from the city.
At first, we were disappointed as it was too foggy to see anything. But as the sun rose, we could see the lush mountain ridges of Bukidnon peek through the clouds.
It was my first time seeing a sea of clouds, and it was like a blanket of gold cotton rolling over the mountain range. It’s different from the usual egg yolk sunrises, but still pretty magical 🌄
An entrance ticket includes a hot drink and a rice snack. You can also pose with swings, frames, and an observation deck.
*Pro-tip: Book a private car charter from Davao City to go here, as it’s difficult to book a Grab car in this area. In our case, we hired a 5-hour charter with TC Car Rental Services for ₱3,000 (~S$65).
Entrance fee: ₱100 (~$2.10)
Opening hours: 5AM – 5PM (Mon – Fri), 4:30AM – 5PM (Sat – Sun)
Address: Marilog, Marilog District, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: 1hr drive from The Bourke hotel (Google Maps)
11) Take to the sky and forests at Eden Nature Park and Resort
Peacocks are roaming around the property!
If you put together an adventure park, a mini-zoo, a trekking trail, a farm and a hotel, you’d get Eden Nature Park and Resort. This sprawling property would take the entire day to explore; they even have a free shuttle tram service to get around.
A basic entrance ticket (₱400) comes with a drink and a sandwich at Café Vista.
Here, you’ll find the 4km-long Eden Mountain Trail, which spans creeks, boulders and logs. The trees are over 300 years old and are home to many species of wildlife and insects.
It’s a loop that increases in difficulty and takes 2-3 hours to complete, so bring proper footwear and long pants. We didn’t have enough time to complete the whole trail, but the hour we spent was a wonderful nature break from the city 🍃
Located on the other end of the resort, Eden Sky Adventure is a high elements park with many thrilling activities like zipline (₱200), SkySwing (₱300) and horseback riding (₱200).
But we saw that they offered something… quirkier, and harnessed up to try the SkyCycle (₱250) and SkyWheel (₱250). Quite literal to its name, the former involves riding a bicycle on a tight rope, while the latter is walking on a ‘hamster wheel-esque’ contraption across a tightrope!
I was shaking in my boots the entire time from the height, but the bird’s eye view of the resort and mountains was worth it 😳
Entrance fee: From ₱400/pax (~S$8.70)
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM
Address: 29HX+MPJ, Eden, Toril, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines
How to get there: ~1.5hr drive from Sonnen Berg Mountain View (Google Maps)
*Note: Eden Sky Adventure opens from 1PM on Mon – Thu, and follows the resort’s opening hours on weekends.
Bonus: Hike Philippines’ tallest mountain — Mount Apo
Photo credit: Dax Dexter Delada via Pexels
For adventurous travellers, scaling the Roof of the Philippines will be the most exciting thing in this Davao guide. At 3,144m above sea level, Mount Apo is the tallest mountain peak and volcano in the country.
The journey to the summit takes 3D2N, and three main trails of varying difficulty to get there. The bucket-list hike begins in a tropical rainforest with muddy jungle trails, before transitioning to rocky volcanic boulders and sulfur rock formations.
The uneven ground makes it a fun challenge for experienced climbers, and summiting above the clouds makes a core memory.
Cost: Varies depending on operator (~₱7500/pax for a 3-day trek, ~₱4000 for a 1-day trek)
Tour timings: Varies, usually from Nov – May
*Note: A licensed local guide is mandatory for all trails on Mount Apo.
Accommodations in Davao
The Bourke (Davao City)
The Bourke is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Davao City, inside a preserved colonial-era building. It’s also home to popular cafes and restaurants like Bondi&Bourke and Bramble — where we had our complimentary breakfast.
It’s within walking distance to attractions like the National Museum of the Philippines and Roxas Night Market.
We stayed in their Standard Room, which is modern and extremely spacious. The decor is also inspired by traditional Filipino design!
Cost: From ~S$71/night (2 pax for a Standard Room)
Address: 115 P Pelayo St, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines (Google Maps)
How to get there: ~35min drive from Davao International Airport (Google Maps)
Casas con Vistas Resort (Samal Island)
Checking into Casas con Vistas Resort felt like entering an island paradise 🌺
Located on the southeastern side of the island, it has a pristine private beach and vivid blue waters. As it’s an hour from the port, it’s on the quieter side of the island and faces away from the city.
We loved lounging on the beach chairs and using their free glass-bottomed kayaks!
The Villa Hibiscus room was well-ventilated and came with both air conditioning and a ceiling fan. Plus, there’s an ocean-facing balcony, which is a great spot to watch the sunrise.
Breakfast is included with the stay, and we had our dinners in the resort’s restaurant. There are delicious and affordable Filipino and Western options available, and nothing can beat having meals by the sea 🌊
Cost: From ~₱7,2500/night (2 pax for Villa Hibiscus)
Address: Kaputian, Samal, Davao del Norte, Philippines (Google Maps)
How to get there: ~1hr drive from Samal Ferry Terminal (Google Maps)
*Note: A one-way baobao trip from the port to the resort will cost ~₱1000–1500.
Tips for travelling around Davao
Whether it’s adventure, relaxation or culture — Davao has it all. It was refreshing to visit a city that is still authentically local and preserves attractions without feeling overdeveloped.
While there were moments where we couldn’t fall back on the convenience of technology, it reminded me of the old-school way of travel that relies more on street smarts and human connection. A different travel style that’s definitely welcome 😎
1) Cash is king
While restaurants and cafes in the city are mostly cashless, the rest of Davao still heavily relies on cash.
Make sure to have cash with you (or withdraw when you’re in the city), as there are no money changers or ATMs on Samal Island and in the highlands.
2) Facebook Messenger is your best friend
Most businesses do not have their own websites and mainly operate on Facebook. We found our car charter via the ‘DAVAO RENT A CAR SELFDRIVE OR WITH DRIVER OFFICIAL GROUP‘ on Facebook, and liaised with our driver on Facebook Messenger.
3) Go with the flow
Davao City is a lot more laidback and old school than most Southeast Asian cities, so slowing down the pace of travel makes the experience a lot smoother. It’s not very digitally advanced as well, so buffer in time to figure out how to get around the islands and highlands.
Language barrier might cause miscommunication as well, so be patient and open!
Read more: 10 Things you need to know before travelling to the Philippines
Save more on your next flight from Singapore to Davao
From Singapore, we took a 4-hour direct flight to Davao City with Scoot! On the flight back home, we were able to fly on their new Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, which has a 2×2 configuration — allowing you and your travel buddy to enjoy window or aisle seats!
Plus, the leather seats were wider and more comfortable, so we slept like a baby the entire flight. We also had their oden soup in-flight meal, which was comforting to eat up in the air.
Planning your next quiet getaway? Scoot operates 2x daily, 4-hour flights between Singapore and Davao from ~S$141* (one-way). T&Cs apply.
But our journey started hours earlier at Jewel Changi Airport, with early check-in for Scoot flights where you can drop off checked luggage 3 – 18 hours before a flight. Essentially, starting your vacation before boarding the plane.
After dropping off our bags, we got dinner at Jewel and caught the Light & Music Showcase. There are also more halal F&B options in Terminal 1’s public and transit area.
We then headed to the transit area to do some duty-free shopping at Shilla Duty Free, before checking out the Cactus Garden and TV lounge, which helped the time pass quickly.
*Pro-tip: Do your shopping in advance on iShopChangi, and pick it up upon arrival back in Singapore!
Davao’s slower pace was a wonderful disconnect from the online world, and being immersed in nature was grounding. Not to mention the hospitality and warmth of the locals that remind me why the Philippines is one of the friendliest countries in the world 🥹
After just four days there, I’m itching to go back and explore beyond the city to scenic provinces like Davao Oriental — and to eat more durians!
Know of anything else to do in Davao to add to our guide? Let us know in the comments!
This post was brought to you by Scoot and Changi Airport Group.
*One-way, taxes included. Terms and travel periods apply. Note: Prices are accurate at the point of publishing and are subject to change.
