A Perfect 3 Days Davao Itinerary

3 Days Davao itinerary – Get ready to know the best things to do and enjoy in Davao for 3 days and even longer time in Davao. Click here to get your discount booking activities and hotels in the Davao!

Davao is located in Mindanao and we already discovered for you all Davao tourist spots in the city and also visited Samal Island one of our favorite places to visit in the Philippines.

Apart from being an important hub for commerce and industry in the Philippines’ Mindanao region, Davao City is also an awesome travel destination with delicious food, breathtaking nature spots and beautiful people.

This is the current President’s hometown, a city he has served and improved for years. President Duterte’s hard work in this city has paid off and has made Davao stronger than ever. In our opinion, Davao City looked great modern and very well organized. Read here where to stay in Davao City 

SIM CARD AT MANILA AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Manila airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Manila. Read here Philippines sim card for tourist and best Philippines eSim

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

WHERE TO STAY IN DAVAO

There are also budget hotel transients costing around 600-900 PHP in a promo while three-star establishments go for around 1,000-2,000 PHP, that’s only $19-38 USD! For those who want a more luxurious stay, you can check in at very nice hotels at around $50-120 USD.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING AND AGODA!

How to get to Davao

HOW TO GET TO DAVAO BY PLANE

Francisco Bangoy International Airport (or Davao International Airport) is the busiest airport in Southern Philippines, with a capacity to accommodate more than one million passengers annually.

Local airlines with direct flights from Manila are Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and PAL Express. Flights are available from other Philippine cities such as Clark, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga and many others. You can also book international flights from Silk Air and Singapore Airlines which offers direct flights to Singapore.

From the airport, there are taxis that can take passengers into the city. Hotel pick-up can also be arranged. Another alternative is to hire or rent a car if you would like to drive around by yourself. Outside the airport you will find regular jeepneys to get to Davao City.

HOW TO GET TO DAVAO BY LAND

Buses to Mindanao come from different nearby like cities Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Digos, General Santos, Kidapawan, Koronadal, and Surigao. This is the cheapest mode of transportation to travel to Davao City. Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned public buses go to and from Davao on a daily basis.

Even if you are coming from Manila, you can still travel by bus! How, you ask? The Philippines has what they call a Ro-Ro (short for roll on, roll off). Ro-ro ships are vessels that carry other vehicles like cars and buses over water. Buses to Davao get on the ro-ro to sail across the ocean to Davao.

Once in the ro-ro, passengers can stretch their legs and walk around the bus while enjoying views of the ocean and getting to know other passengers.

Read here our full blog post how to get to Davao City

TRANSPORTATION AROUND DAVAO CITY

If you want to explore Davao without spending too much on transportation, it’s best to ride a jeepney. It’s the Philippines’ most used mode of transportation. You can always get all the information you need (i.e. which jeepney to ride to a certain destination, timetables, fare) from the local tourist information center. Better yet, you can ask the locals to help you. Riding a jeepney will sure be an adventure. The minimum fare is only less than 0.20 USD!

Another way to go around Davao City is riding a taxi. Of course this option would be more pricey than riding a jeepney, but they’re not expensive at all compared to American or European taxis. Taxis in the Philippines are metered so make sure that the driver turns it on before you travel. 

DAILY BUDGET IN DAVAO

The cost of living in Davao City is low, you can get a jeepney ride for 10 PHP. There are meals in local places starting from 50-100 PHP for a meal in a local carinderia. And you can get accommodation starting from 1000 PHP.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN DAVAO CITY BEFORE YOUR TRIP WITH BOOKING AND AGODA!

Day 1 Davao Itinerary

For your first day in your Davao itinerary we recommend you to spend the day around Davao City. Since you will get in the morning or afternoon you can visit Chinatown for lunch.

After lunch you can visit Museo Dabawenyo and People’s Park will be perfect to know more about Davao City. At night time the best place to visit is Roxas night market where you can try all the food that you can imagine in the Philippines for an affordable price.

CHINATOWN

Mindanao’s Chinatown the only one entire island. As most Chinatowns all over the world the 44-hectare area consists of shops owned by the Chinese who were either naturalized citizens or were born in the Philippines but have strong Chinese heritages.

Visit the Long Hua Temple that is home to Kung Fu monks or the Mindanao Taoist Temple that showcases beautiful Chinese architecture.

PEOPLE’S PARK

This urban park in Davao City is a nice place to relax after a long day of touring and trying different activities. It has been opened to the public since 2006 and has become a favorite spot for both tourists and locals.

MUSEO DABAWENYO

Museo Dabawenyo is one of the Davao tourist spots that you can’t miss to know about the history and culture of Davao City. There is no entrance fee at Museo Dabawenyo.

ROXAS AVENUE NIGHT MARKET

Roxas Avenue Night Market will offer all sorts of Filipino food. The market opens at 5 PM and not for long, you’ll begin to smell all the BBQ and other delicacies being cooked here.

Because many of the delicacies offered here are quite strange for foreigners, it’s great to visit this market with a local so you’d know what you’re eating.

Read here Filipino street food and Filipino food!

Day 2 Itinerary in Davao

We totally recommend you for your Day 2 in your itinerary in Davao to go to Samal Island for a day trip. If you have more time for sure you should stay 2-3 days since it’s amazing there with clear waters for snorkeling and beautiful islands to visit around.

SAMAL ISLAND

Samal Island is officially known as the Island Garden City of Samal. It’s a beautiful island city where you can relax and have fun at the same time. You can go swimming, snorkeling, island hopping, sunset-watching, and enjoy 24/7 in Samal Island!

Read here: Where to Stay in Samal Island

LUXURY TIME AT PEARL FARM BEACH RESORT

If you’re into panoramic ocean views, gorgeous beach fronts and luxurious spaces, Pearl Farm Beach Resort is the place for you. This is the only 5-star resort in Mindanao and takes pride in its promotion of local culture and products. The resort also offers plenty of thrilling water activities and tours. It has a spa for relaxation and a lounge for movie nights. The rooms are spacious and have enchanting decor.

You can spend the day in the resort if you want to have luxury time while visiting these Davao tourist spots.

Day 3 Davao Itinerary

For the day 3 in your Davao itinerary you can enjoy the Philippine Eagle Center, Eden Nature Park and the Cocrodile Park if you like animals and the nature. There are other options like visiting waterfalls and hiking Mt Apo if you prefer adventure.

But you have to make sure that you can visit the market in Davao and taste the durian. It’s one the most popular fruit in the Philippines and Mindanao and you will find everywhere in Mindanao.

At night we will recommend you restaurants in Davao Jack’s Ridge with beautiful views and Blue Post Boiling Crabs & Shrimps where you can taste delicious seafood in Davao.

Click here if you want to get your discount booking activities and hotels in the Davao, the Philippines with Klook!

VISIT THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE CENTER

Also called the monkey-eating eagle, the Philippine Eagle is endemic to the eastern side of the Philippines, within the mountains of Sierra Madre. Its other natural habitat are the heavily forested areas of Mindanao.

With Davao being Mindanao’s most advanced city and one of the richest communities in the area, it was only natural to have the Philippine Eagle Center built here.

Philippine Eagle Center is only an hour away from Davao City and has an entrance fee of around $1 USD. So affordable! Also, tours are free of charge and can be booked in advance.

EDEN NATURE PARK

A real paradise in Davao is Eden Nature Park, a mountain resort that offers guests a cool climate, beautiful natural surroundings, lush forests and spectacular city and gulf views. The place is perfect for camping, hiking, bird watching, horseback riding and many other activities in nature.

Eden Nature Park has plenty of cottages, lodges and cabins to rent for those who want to spend a night or two in this Davao treasure. Click here to book in Eden Nature Park!

DAVAO CROCODILE PARK

If you’re looking for an exciting place to visit that your kids will enjoy, the Crocodile Park in Davao. There you’ll see a huge variety of crocodiles; they come in all ages, sizes, colors and species.

The park has modern, state-of-the-art facilities and also houses other animals. like orangutans, snakes and many more. They even have a butterfly sanctuary!

There’s white water rafting and zip lining here as well! A basic day pass for the park costs less than $5 USD for adults and less than $3 USD for children ages 2 to 12. Davao Crocodile Park is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM.

Click here if you want to get your discount booking activities and hotels in the Davao, the Philippines with Klook!

EAT DURIAN

A trip to Davao City would not be complete without trying durian. After all, the city has been called the “Durian Capital of the Philippines.” If you’re wondering what the heck durian is, it’s a delicious fruit with a distinct smell and is also popular across other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. 

Durian is most abundant in Davao during August to October. Since the stench of durian can be smelled from far away even when wrapped and sealed, locals have made products like durian candy for those who want to take the fruit’s flavor with them (minus the smell) wherever they go.

EATING AT JACK’S RIDGE

Going to Davao means having dinner or lunch at Jack’s Ridge. It’s one of the popular and best restaurants in Davao that you should try visiting next.

Their restaurant has a nice ambiance and atmosphere, and their food is delish! Aside from this, Jack’s Ridge will give you a view of the city so it is also one of the most romantic restaurants in Davao.

Jack’s Ridge is located at 117 Shrine Hills Rd, Talomo, Davao City, Davao del Sur.

BLUE POST BOILING CRABS & SHRIMPS

Another seafood restaurant in Davao that you should try visiting is Blue Post Boiling Crabs & Shrimps. We recommend that you go here in groups because the portions of their seafood dishes are large enough for a big group of people.

Although it’s a pricey option, it’s worth it because their seafood is cooked to perfection!

Blue Post Boiling Crabs & Shrimps is located at anang Business Park, Buhangin, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.

More Days Davao Itinerary

If you have more than 3 Days Davao itinerary you can enjoy Aliwagwag Falls and Tudaya Falls. Best way to go around and exploring is renting a motorcycle. You can also go around with public transportation and tricycle since it will be so easy and affordable in Davao.

A great activity is hiking Mount Apo if you like trekking and adventure these activities will be perfect for you in Davao.

Kadayawan Village is an interesting visit and Kadayawan Festival the third week of August. If you can celebrate Chinese New Year during February will be an amazing choice. Make sure you book in advance for these Festivals in Davao since it can be crowded close to the date.

ALIWAGWAG FALLS

Arguably, many tourists call Aliwagwag Falls the best fall in the Philippines. It is because it is composed of many cascading waterfalls that is easily accessible by the public. Also, the area is pretty well maintained. Ride a 35 minute Habal-Habal trip from Cateel to Aliwagwag Falls.

Aliwagwag Falls fee is only 50 PHP for adults. You can’t miss at Davao tourist spots in this list if you like nature.

TUDAYA FALLS

Tudaya Falls are located in Mount Apo Natural Park, Bansalan, Davao del Sur is Tudaya Falls. Tudaya falls is the tallest in Mount Apo Natural Park. Wear comfortable and hiking shoes because you might need to trek for a bit.

HIKING MOUNT APO

Mount Apo is one of the most popular Davao tourist spots is the highest mountain in the Philippines. It rises 10,311 feet above sea level and is one of the country’s most challenging hikes.

A typical climb takes about 2 to 4 days and climbers can choose from many different routes to and from its peak. Among the 7 trails to reach the top, the easiest one is Kidapawan Trail.

Before you can climb Mount Apo, you need to register at the Kidapawan Tourism Office and get your permit. You also have to be in tip top physical conditions to be able to climb this mountain. It isn’t a task to be taken lightly but it sure is a fun and rewarding adventure.

VISIT KADAYAWAN VILLAGE

Kadayawan Village in Davao can be a cool experience. The Philippines in itself is already a diverse country because of how its islands are spread out on the Pacific Ocean. In fact, the country has over a hundred ethno-linguistic and indigenous groups.

Out of hundreds, a few can be found in the wonderful city of Davao. These tribes are the Ata, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Maguindanaon, Maranao, Ovu Manubo, Sama, Tausug and several others.

During the city’s most important festival, each tribe is represented by a young female member and joins a beauty pageant of sorts.

The pageant highlights not just the beauty of each individual but showcases the vibrant culture, history and tradition that their tribe has. There are also other tribal cultural shows and tribal games held during the Kadayawan Festival.

VISIT KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL

Kadayawan Festival in Davao City celebrates the bounty harvest that local farmers receive all year round. Davao has such beautiful weather that makes it possible to grow all sorts of fruits and vegetables. It is truly something to be grateful and proud of, and to celebrate.

This week-long fiesta happens every year around the third week of August, yet celebrations happen here and there the entire month.

Activities in Kadayawan Festival include Sayaw Mindanao (Dance Mindanao), the Floral Float Parade, Hiyas sa Kadayawan (the beauty pageant) and the River Festival. It resembles many of the harvest festivals all over the world but also has its own unique charm and amazing traditions. It is truly a sight to behold!

CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL IN DAVAO

Chines New Year celebration is done in Davao with the well wishes of prosperity to all people. It is a full day of festivities with flowing foods and having fun.

There will be music and dancers on the streets, a Chinese dragon will go around performing ‘Good luck’ dance to the people and participating merchants.

They start the celebration by giving gifts to their friends, which were usually sweets like cookies, biscuit or tikoy (a sweet colored jelly with small pieces of nuts embedded in it)

Click here if you want to get your discount booking activities and hotels in the Davao, the Philippines with Klook!

WHERE TO STAY IN DAVAO CITY

HOTEL TROPIKA DAVAO

Praised by travelers for its spacious rooms, accommodating staff and beautiful swimming pool, Hotel Tropika Davao is sure to give you your money’s worth. The hotel is also close to the mall, gives an option between buffet or plated breakfasts, and is perfect for both business and family trips. Prices for a room $50-60 USD.

Hotel Tropika Davao is located at Km. 7, J. P. Laurel Ave. in Lanang, Davao City. Click here to book in this fabulous hotel! 

RED PLANET DAVAO

Another excellent place to stay in Davao is Red Planet. The hotel chain has branches all over the country and their establishment in Davao is definitely one of the finest.

Red Planet is a modern hotel. For example, instead of a telephone, you can download their app to communicate with the front desk via chat or through an in-app call.

Cool, right? Despite it’s modernity, it still maintains classic hotel qualities of cleanliness, hospitality and overall good service. It’s great if you go on a budget rooms are starting $25-40 USD.

Red Planet can also be found at J. P. Laurel Ave. and is near SM Lanang Premier.

PARK INN BY RADISSON DAVAO

If you’re looking for a beautiful place to stay that is at a mid-price range, Park Inn is one of the most accommodating hotels in all of Davao. They cater to a traveler’s needs excellently and have nice amenities like any good hotel should.

However, what makes Park Inn stand out is how their staff goes the extra mile to make you feel safe and comfortable. All this comfort for $60 USD per a room!

Park Inn by Radisson is at Asian Highway, 26 J. P. Laurel Ave., Davao City.

BAHAY NI TUDING INN

If you’re looking for a place with a homier vibe, Bahay ni Tuding Inn is the perfect spot for you. Not only do they offer homemade yogurt, the inn is a quiet place to stay at and is not surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the city center. Instead, it is near Davao City Hall, a museum, a park, a church and plenty of food options.

Here, you can just chill and look out your veranda, taking in the fresh air or watching the night sky. It’s located close to the airport and price for a night are $25 USD.

Bahay ni Tuding Inn is at 160 San Pedro Street in Davao City.

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Happy Travels!