PH · Davao del Sur · 7.07°N 125.61°E

davao city

Durian and pomelo country at the foot of Mount Apo.

Best time
Davao sits south of the main typhoon belt, so it's fine year-round, with rain spread through the year. The Kadayawan harvest festival in August brings parades and plenty of fruit.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Manila or Cebu (about 4 hours), then a domestic flight to Davao, about 2 hours from Manila or 1 hour from Cebu.
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PH · Davao del Surdavao city7.07°N 125.61°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Durian and pomelo country at the foot of Mount Apo.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingDavao CityPH, Davao del Sur
KLdavao city
≈ 2,684 km from KL, as the crow flies
Davao Poblacion District skyline Bajada, Davao City

Photo: Patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The biggest city in Mindanao and, by land area, the largest in the Philippines. It's clean and orderly, sits below Mount Apo, the country's highest mountain, and is famous for durian and other tropical fruit.

Makan

  1. DurianThe city's pride. Try it fresh at the fruit stalls, or as durian candy and ice cream.Map ↗
  2. Pomelo and other fruitDavao pomelos, mangosteen and marang are worth trying in season.Map ↗
  3. Kinilaw and grilled tunaFresh tuna from nearby General Santos, served raw in kinilaw or grilled.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Philippine Eagle CenterSee the endangered national bird up close, about an hour from the city.Map ↗
  2. Samal IslandA short ferry ride across the gulf to beaches and resorts.Map ↗
  3. People's ParkA city park full of sculptures of Mindanao's indigenous peoples, with gardens and fountains.Map ↗
  4. Eden Nature ParkA cooler mountain park on the edge of the city, with gardens, trails and ziplines.Map ↗
  5. Mount ApoThe country's highest peak. Climbs take several days and need permits and a guide.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Davao City itself is calm and well run, but several governments advise against travel to parts of Mindanao. Check your government's latest advice before heading beyond the city.
  • Smoking in public places is banned across the city, and the ban is enforced.
  • Davao has a large Muslim community, so halal food is easier to find than in most Philippine cities.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.