Discover the Davao Region

The Davao Region offers a variety of reasons to travel: protected nature, water-based activities, festivals, and cultural heritage sites. For planning, it is worth looking first at the specific places and themes.

Nature and landscapes

The Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to 1,380 species, including 341 species endemic to the Philippines, and provides habitat for threatened and endemic plant and animal species. Examples found there include the Philippine eagle and the Philippine cockatoo. The sanctuary thus combines a specific figure for its biodiversity with habitat for rare animals and plants.

The Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel offer a different view of nature: the waterfall consists of a series of cascading tiers. Cape San Agustin lies at the southeasternmost point of the Philippines and is known for its historic lighthouses. At the Digos City Ecopark and Arboretum, ecological awareness and sustainability are the focus. These places offer different highlights—from the shape of a waterfall and a geographic feature to an ecological concern.

Water, mountains, and outdoor activities

Trekking routes on Mt. Candalaga pass through forests and mountain landscapes. There is also a chance to see Rafflesia magnifica in its natural habitat; blooming is seasonal, and sightings are not guaranteed. At Lake Leonard in Maco, Davao de Oro, possible activities include boating, fishing, and nature walks. If boating is important to your plans, check local options before your visit.

Pujada Bay in Mati City offers opportunities for scuba diving and freediving; sea conditions and operators may vary. The waters around Kopiat Island near Mabini offer diving and snorkeling among soft corals and diverse reef ecosystems. Dahican Beach in Mati City is known for skimboarding and surfing, although conditions for these activities depend on the season and beach conditions. These coastal places offer different activities, not one uniform program.

At Bilawa Mainit Hot Waterfall, visitors can take a dip in naturally heated water. Local conditions and access may vary. Along with the activities available at Lake Leonard, this offers another distinction for planning: here, the focus is on bathing in warm water, while there, it is on boating, fishing, or nature walks.

Festivals, heritage, and crafts

The Kadayawan sa Davao Festival is celebrated every August in Davao City; exact dates change from year to year. This gives travelers a specific seasonal reference for planning. By contrast, the Bulawan Festival highlights the heritage and traditions of Davao de Oro with street dancing, cultural performances, and agricultural and trade exhibits.

At Magsaysay Park, Kadayawan Village features replicas of the traditional homes of Davao City's eleven Indigenous and Muslim tribes. In Caraga, San Salvador del Mundo Church was completed in 1884 and is considered the oldest church in the Davao Region. Those interested in textile crafts can watch master weavers at work and buy handmade textiles at the Salinta Monon Weaving Center. Opportunities to observe the work and the textiles available may depend on local operations.

The City of Tagum Cultural Center hosts cultural events, exhibitions, and educational programs; its program may vary. Malagos Garden Resort in Davao City is home to the country's first and only chocolate museum. These places differ in focus, with offerings ranging from architectural and cultural history to weaving and exhibitions and educational programs.

Fruit and travel planning

The Gap Orchard Resort in Davao City showcases an agricultural side of the Davao Region. The ten-hectare farm orchard grows durian, rambutan, pomelo, and other tropical fruits.

For your trip planning, you can weigh the different highlights: Mt. Candalaga offers trekking and a seasonal, non-guaranteed chance to see Rafflesia; Pujada Bay and Kopiat Island offer diving and snorkeling, respectively; and Kadayawan takes place annually in August. Cultural sites, crafts, and the cultural center offer other highlights. First decide which of these places and activities matter most to you, then use that to guide your search for a hotel in the Davao Region.

Discover more destinations: Davao Del Sur, Tagum City, Compostela, Mawab, Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

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