Davao & Samal Island
From Highlands to Islands, Experience Where Life is Here.
Discovering Davao City & Escaping to Samal Island
As the country’s largest city by land area and the premier gateway to Southern Mindanao, Davao City thrives as a vibrant cultural, eco-adventure, and culinary epicenter. Just a short ferry ride across the calm waters of the Davao Gulf lies the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS)—an idyllic sanctuary boasting over 100 kilometers of tropical coastline, pristine marine reserves, and lush island escapes.
1. Cultural Heritage & Vibrant Festivals
Davao’s unique identity and heritage are deeply rooted in the peaceful coexistence of its 11 recognized indigenous and Muslim ethnolinguistic tribes (Ata, Bagobo-Klata, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Matigsalug, Ovu-Manuvu, Iranun, Kagan, Maguindanaon, Maranao, Sama, and Taosug).
Kadayawan Festival (August): The region's crown-jewel celebration—derived from the friendly Mandaya greeting "Madayaw" (meaning good, valuable, or superior)—is a week-long thanksgiving for nature’s bounty, bountiful harvest, and rich tribal heritage. A visit to the Kadayawan Cultural Village at Magsaysay Park allows travelers to immerse in authentic tribal architecture, traditional music, and artisan crafts.
Year-Round City Celebrations: Experience the city's lively spirit during Araw ng Dabaw (March charter anniversary), Duaw Dabaw (mid-year tourism and sports festival), and the glowing Pasko Fiesta (December holiday light showcases and night markets).
Museums & Historical Centers: Dive deep into local ethnography and art at the National Museum of the Philippines – Davao, Museo Dabawenyo, Davao Museum of History and Ethnography, and the Imin Philippine-Japan Historical Museum.
2. Nature, Wildlife & Highland Sanctuaries
Flanked by the majestic peaks of Mount Apo—the Philippines’ highest summit—Davao offers invigorating highland retreats, farm-to-table dining, and crucial wildlife conservation sanctuaries:
Philippine Eagle Center: A world-renowned conservation and breeding facility nestled in Malagos, dedicated to preserving the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) along with other endemic flora and fauna.
Malagos Garden Resort: An eco-agro tourism haven home to lush gardens, bird watching, and the country’s first-ever Interactive Chocolate Museum, celebrating Davao as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines.
People’s Park: A 4-hectare urban oasis in the heart of downtown Davao, adorned with durian-shaped domes, dancing fountains, and larger-than-life sculptures by Mindanao artist Kublai Millan.
3. Sports, Thrills & Island Adventures
Whether you crave world-class fairway greens, adrenaline-pumping water sports, or serene island hopping, the Davao-Samal corridor has it all:
Golf & Highland Greens: Play 18 holes surrounded by scenic landscapes at premier championship courses like Apo Golf and Country Club, Rancho Palos Verdes Golf & Country Club, or South Pacific Golf.
Extreme Adventures: Tackle the roaring rapids on a Davao River White Water Rafting expedition, or catch air on the cable tracks at Deca Wakeboard Park in Mintal.
Samal Island Hopping & Pristine Beaches: Charter a traditional outrigger boat to explore Talikud Island, famous for its coral gardens, cliff-diving spots, and powdery white sands. Witness the tidal wonder of Sanipaan Vanishing Island as sandbars emerge from crystal-clear waters during low tide.
Marine Sanctuaries & Taklobo Tours: Snorkel among hundreds of giant tridacna clams at the Giant Clam Sanctuary (Taklobo Tours) in Adecor, or marvel at millions of fruit bats at the Guinness World Record-holding Monfort Bat Sanctuary.
Traveler's Note: From the peaks of majestic mountains and enduring ancestral heritage to tranquil white-sand shores and vibrant coral reefs, Davao City and Samal Island together offer an unforgettable tropical eco-adventure in Mindanao.