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| Davao City | ||
| region | Davao region | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 1.632.991 (2015) | |
| height | 13 m | |
| Tourist info web | Davao City | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Davao City (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Dabaw; cabuano: Dakbayan sa Davao) is a provincial city in the Filipino Davao region.
background
Davao is the largest city on the island Mindanao. It was not until the 19th century that a settlement was founded by the Spaniards at the place where Davao is today. Today Davao is considered to be one of the safest cities in the Philippines, which would not have been thought possible around 30 years ago (for example Davao was referred to as a "murder city" in the media). Today Davao is a bustling city, one of the largest in the world, especially in terms of area. Davao is located directly on the sea and offshore are the two islands of Samal and Talikud Island. Davao is known all over the Philippines for the durian fruit, which according to the residents smells like hell but tastes like heaven. Davao also calls itself the "city of durian".
getting there
By plane
Davao International Airport is named Francisco Bangoy International Airport. However, it only owes the addition of international to three weekly flights to Singapore. Otherwise there are no international flights. So if you want to come to Davao from Europe, you will usually enter the Philippines via Cebu or Manila. From Cebu and Manila there are several flights a day with different airlines. The following airlines offer flights to and from Davao:
- Philippine Airlines. Manila, Clark, Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro.
- Zest Air. Manila.
- Cebu Pacific. Manila, Cebu City, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Zamboanga.
- Air Asia. Clark.
- Airphil Express. Manila, Cebu City, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro.
- Silkair. Singapore.
By bus
Getting here by bus is mostly like from other cities in Mindanao General Santos City, Zamboanga or Cagayan De Oro possible. Most buses arrive and depart from the Ecoland Bus Terminal in the Matina district.
In the street
As the metropolis of Mindanao, Davao can be reached by car from all of Mindanao. It should be noted, however, that there are still active rebel groups in Mindanao and that is why one should deal with the current security situation beforehand before driving overland in Mindanao.
By boat
Davao is right by the sea and therefore ferry ships also play a role in getting to Davao. Ferries to Manila and other cities in the Philippines operate from SASA Wharf and St. Ana Port.
mobility
The main modes of transport within Davaos are jeepneys, tricycles, taxis and ships and boats for transport to Samal and Talikud Island.
- Jeepneys drive on given routes, the destinations can be seen in the windshield, or the exact route is written on the side of the jeepney. You can stop the jeepneys anywhere along the route with a show of hands, if you want to get out you knock on the roof or say "para" out loud. Within the city center, a jeepney ride currently costs 8 pesos, longer distances can cost 10 pesos, and you pay the driver before you get out. For routes far from the city center, air-conditioned jeepneys are usually used, these cost a little more.
- Tricycles are responsible for the transport on back roads where there are no more jeepneys. They cost 5 pesos per person.
- Taxis are also available across Davao. The base price is 40 pesos and trips within the city center rarely cost more than 200 pesos. If you want to drive to parts of the city a little further away from the city center, the return journey may also have to be paid for, which should be discussed with the taxi driver beforehand. Basically, the taxi drivers in Davao have a very good reputation and are considered honest.
- Cars / rental cars are easy to come by in Davao, both with and without a driver. If you adjust to the somewhat aggressive driving style and drive with restraint yourself, driving yourself is not a problem either. A rental car can be very useful, especially if you want to visit places outside the city (for example the Philippine Eagle Center).
- Boats / ships drive from SASA Wharf and St. Ana Port to Samal and Talikud Island, you should inquire about travel times in good time, especially to Talikud Island there are only a few boats per day. It is also possible to hire a boat for a crossing, but the price is correspondingly high. Some resorts (for example Pearl Farm Beach Resort or Paradise Island) offer their own ferries for transport to the resort, these then operate at smaller landing stages, the taxi drivers know.
Tourist Attractions
- Lon-Wa Temple. Also known as the Taoist Temple, it is the largest Buddhist temple in the city. It is located in the J.P. Cabaguio Avenue, near the intersection with J.P. Laurel Avenue. If you want to visit the temple, just ask the security guard, for a small fee you can visit the temple.
- Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague. The Catholic shrine is located on a hill near the Jack's Ridge Resort. It can be viewed at any time.
- San Pedro Cathedral. The largest Catholic church in Davao, fittingly the street it is on is also called San Pedro.
- Durian monument. Normally there is no need to mention such a sight, because of the special importance of durian for the city of Davao (which calls itself City of Durian), but it should be mentioned here. The durian fruit "smells like hell and tastes like heaven". Most will agree with the smell, maybe not with the taste, but you should try the fruit that is offered everywhere and to which a monument has been dedicated. The Durian Monument is located in Plaza Rizal.
- China Town. A large Chinese minority lives in Davao and they have mainly settled in China Town and run their businesses there. The ideal place for cheap shopping and cheap food.
- Crocodile Park Davao. This park is a small zoo in which mainly crocodiles, but also tigers, some birds and monkeys are kept. The ticket also includes a visit to the Butterfly House, which is located in the immediate vicinity.
- Garden of Eden. The Garden Eden is a huge nature park, which did not come into being naturally, but 95% human-made.
- Philippine Eagle Center. Here the Filipino eagle is bred and the conservation of the species is worked on. There are numerous specimens to visit and all sorts of interesting facts to be learned. The place is just outside the city. For animal lovers and those interested in nature, a visit is highly recommended, although it is located a little outside the center (in the Calinan district).
- Jack's Ridge Resort. The Jack's Ridge Resort is located on a hill and offers a great view over the city, both during the day and in the evening. In addition to the great view, there is a restaurant, a bar, a café and a swimming pool, which can only be used for a fee.
- Davao Museum. The museum is dedicated to the ethnic groups of the region.
activities
- Numerous possibilities water sports The neighboring island of Samal offers above all to operate. Swimming, diving, snorkeling and jet skiing, for example, are offered in various resorts. This is also the case in the Paradise Island resort.
- For Beach trips The two islands of Samal and Talikud, which are in close proximity to Davao, are particularly suitable. Both can be reached by ferry from St. Ana Port or Sasa (it is best to inquire about departure times in advance, they can change frequently). Some departments also offer direct ferries to the respective departments. Here you can either book a full day package (for example for the Pearl Farm Beach Resort - costs 2,500 Pesos / person, including transport, lunch and entry to the resort) or just the crossing (this is offered, for example, by the Paradise Island Resort, which The crossing costs 15 pesos, entry to the resort 150 pesos, including a 50 pesos voucher for consumption).
- hike Mount Apo is in the immediate vicinity of Davao, but a hike to the summit should only be undertaken with local guides.
- This takes place every August Kadayawan Festival and this is one of the great highlights for the residents of Davao and also for tourists this festival is worth a visit. The festival takes place as thanks for the gifts of nature and is supposed to express pure joie de vivre. Information is available on the festival website:
shop
Cheap shopping opportunities can be found especially in Chinatown, where numerous shops offer their goods. It is more expensive in various malls, although there are also cheaper shops in some, but in some very expensive branded stores the goods are even more expensive here (that always depends on the current exchange rate).
Some of the famous shopping malls are:
- Abreeza Mall. The Abreeza Mall is one of the most modern and also most expensive malls in Davao. Numerous brand shops, but also a Robinson department store and boutiques await customers. You won't find any bargains here.
- Victoria Plaza Mall. Much older, but there are also cheaper shopping opportunities and fewer branded stores here.
- Gaisano Ilustre. The same goes for the Gaisano Ilustre, not to be confused with the Gaisano City Mallfor which it is also true that it is older but cheaper.
kitchen
Cheap
You can eat cheaply at the numerous food stalls on the roadside where grilled, roasted and sometimes cooked food is offered, as well as in the numerous cookshops, which are mainly located in Chinatown Find.
- Kong Ai Vegetarian Center. Probably the only vegetarian restaurant in Davao is on Bruno Gempesaw Street in Chinatown. You can get full here for as little as 100 Pesos.
medium
Above all, the many fast food chains should be mentioned here, which are not as expensive as the western restaurants, but also not as cheap as, for example, the food stalls in the city. You can find them in the malls and there are many along the J.P. Laurel Avenue. A selection can be found below:
- Jollibee. The Filipino version of McDonalds (of course the original is also represented).
- Shakey's. It's Italian here, pizza and pasta are on the menu.
- Gerry's Grill. Seafood and other Filipino specialties are on offer here.
- Eden's Lechon. Responsible for the Filipino national dish - Lechon (suckling pig).
- Michelangelo. They have excellent pizza at reasonable prices (no chain, located near J.P. Laurel Avenue, Damosa Gateway).
Upscale
Western restaurants in particular can be found in this category, but these are not really expensive by Central European standards either. For a dinner for two you have to reckon with about 1000 pesos (a little more depending on the accompanying wine or starter / dessert).
- Picobello. The best Italian in town is on the 5th floor of Gaisano Ilustre Mall, not easy to find but worth it.
- Bon appetito. French restaurant, with a changing menu and selection of wines.
- Mamus Restobar. Filipino cuisine of the somewhat upscale kind. Nicely furnished and excellent cuisine.
- Swiss Deli. Swiss cuisine at the J.P. Laurel Avenue.
nightlife
The favorite entertainment for Davao residents is karaoke. There are therefore numerous karaoke bars all over Davao. Usually you can rent private rooms from these and sing with friends. A center of nightlife is that Matina Town Square where there are numerous bars.
accommodation
Cheap
medium
- Crown Regency Residences Davao, J.P. Cabaguio Avenue, Agdao, Davao City, Philippines. Tel.: (0)82-255818, Fax: (0)82-2558088. Price: from $ 45.- Mediterranean villa in a beautiful garden surrounded by a beautiful landscape
- Red Knight Gardens Hotel, 8th street, Guadalupe Village, Lanang, Davao City, Philippines. Tel.: (0)82-2343408, Fax: (0)82-2343408. Price: from 1,275 pesos.- Family accommodation with pool in a quiet location
Upscale
- - Possibly the most modern hotel in Davao City. It is centrally located and close to the main attractions.
- Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, anang, Davao City 8000 Philippines. Tel.: (0)82-2332881, Fax: (0)82-2332801.
Learn
Work
security
Davao has a good reputation in the Philippines and is considered to be one of the safest cities, if not the safest in the Philippines. In fact, walking the streets at night is not a problem. Of course, Davao is not an island of the blessed either and therefore general mindfulness should not be neglected. However, theft and robbery are very rare. Some websites warn against a trip to Mindanao, as Islamist and communist rebel groups are still fighting against the government in parts of Mindanao and there have been kidnappings in the past. But this mainly affects the western part of the island and also there rather the offshore archipelagos in the Sulu Sea. A trip to Davao is currently not a particular risk.
health
Practical advice
| Post Code | 8000 |
|---|---|
| prefix | 82 |
trips
literature
- Your Guide To Davao Philippines, PDP Digital Inc. 2009, 84 pages, ISSN: 2094-3296; This booklet is available in English and mainly in the Philippines. It receives numerous tips for excursions in and around Davao, as well as important telephone numbers and addresses.
