Three day travel itinerary during my first visit to Davao City in Mindanao Island (Southern Philippines). Since it was my first time, my focus was geared towards getting a personal view of the downtown area of Davao City,Samal Island, “meeting” the mighty Philippine Eagle, and eating an actual Durian fruit.
Day 1 – Philippine Eagle Center, Jack’s Ridge
- 9:10am – arrival in Davao International Airport
- Walk to highway outside of airport compound gate (approx. 500m from the passenger terminal).
- Cross street and ride jeepney to Downtown Davao (has “Claveria” on the jeepney route) – P15 fare
- 10:00am – drop off at Bangoy St., Downtown, Davao City
- Walk to My Hotel Davao. Check-in.
- Single fan room (shared TB) – P250 per night + P200 deposit (refundable upon check-out)
- Walk to Bankerohan (Public) Market
- Ride “hop-on hop-off” van to Calinan (45 minutes) – P40
- Ride habal-habal to Malagos Water District – P20
- 1:15pm – Malagos Water District – P5 entrance fee
- 1:30pm – Philippine Eagle Center – P50 entrance fee
- Ride habal-habal back to Calinan – P20
- Ride jeep back to highway (“Ulas” intersection) – P20
Attempted to visit Eden Nature Park. I was discouraged when I went to Toril and asked about transportation getting there. There was no way to commute and it would have been too expensive to hire a tricycle/taxi by myself so I decided to go back to Davao instead.
- 4:45pm – Ride jeep back to NCCC Davao. Quick visit to NCCC and Matina Town Square
- Ride jeep to intersection going to Jack’s Ridge (cor MacArthur Highway – Santos Cuyogan Rd) – P7
- Ride tricycle to Jack’s Ridge – P10
- Dinner at Taklobo Restaurant, Jack’s Ridge
- Shrimp Tempure (Rebusado) – P243
- Rice – P23
- Garlic Rice – P27
- Taxi to My Hotel – P80
Day 2 – Davao City Commuting Tour
- 11:00am – walk to Davao City Hall area
- San Pedro Cathedral
- Rizal Park
- Osmena Park
- Museo Dabawenyo
- 11:00pm – lunch at Banok’s
- 1 grilled chicken inasal, unlimited rice, 1 coke – P75
- 12:00nn – walk to Bankerohan (Public) Market
- Buy 1 fresh (Arancillo) Durian and ate at the sidestreet – P35
- Ride jeep to Ateneo de Davao – P7
- Aldevinco Market
- Marco Polo Davao
- Ride jeep to Gmall Davao – P7
- Ride jeep along Santa Ana Avenue to Chimes Mall – P7
- Ride jeep back to Gmall – P7
- Ride jeep to Victoria Plaza / Pryce Business Park
- 4:00pm – Ride taxi to Crocodile Farm – P100+
- 4:20pm – Crocodile Farm – P150 entrance fee. No crocodile show that day. Scheduled for the next day.
- Ride taxi to Damosa Gateway – P7
- Ride jeep back to F. Torres St. – P7
- Walk to Kasagingan Kapehan
- Pre-dinner at Kasagingan Kapehan
- Maruya supreme - P75
- Chorizo Sandwhich – P55
- Dinner at Blue Carabao (Dr. 4-7 Sobrecarey St., Obrero, Davao City near Gmall). They have now transferred to a new location at 146 Montreverde St at the corner of Alveraz St. (near Magsaysay Park / Santa Ana Wharf right across the street from the Davao City Fire Department).
- Pork Adobo, Pancit, Rice, Coke – P120
- Ride Jeep to San Pedro St. 0 P7
- Extended stay at MyHotel for two more nights – P500 (P250 per night)
Day 3 – Talikud and Samal Island
- 10:20am – Breakfast at Kusina Davao (infront of My Hotel)
- Beef curry rice toppings – P55
- Native coffee – P15
- Taxi to Magsaysay Park – P60
- Walk to Santa Ana Wharf
- 11:30am – Bought fery ticket for 12:30nn “Jessa 3″ trip to Talikud Island – P50 fare
- 12:30nn – Ferry departure from Santa Ana Wharf
- 2:00pm – Arrived in Sta. Cruz Whard, Talikud Island, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS)
- Habal-habal ride to Babu Santa Beach (20 mins from pier) – P150 round trip fare + P20 tip
- 3:00pm – Dropped off at Isla Reta Beach Resort.
- Walk back to Sta Cruz Wharf (10 minutes)
- 3:30pm – No passenger crossing left to Kaputian (Mainland Samal). Had to split a chartered boat with one other passenger – P300 for the whole boat or P150 each
- Ride “Island City Express” Bus to Babak (45 minutes) – P40
- Ride tricycle to Monfort Bat Colony – P60 roundtrip charter (P30 per way).
- 5:30pm – Monfort Bat Colony – P30 entrance fee
- Ride “Island City Express” Bus to Santa Ana Wharf
- crossed Babak, Samal to Sasa Wharf, Davao City via RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) Ferry
- Ride taxi to Lachi’s – P50
- Dinner at Lachi’s
- Grilled Pork Ribs – P130, New York Cheese Cake – P45, Iced Tea (Sola) – P40, Rice – P20
- Walk to tricycle stop
- Ride tricycle to Davao Medical Center
- Walk to People’s Park
- People’s Park sightseeing
- Walk to My Hotel Davao
Day 4 – Davao to Zamboanga Flight
- 6:45am – checkout at My Hotel Davao. Claimed P200 deposit
- Ride taxi to Davao International Airport – P120
- 7:10am – arrived at the airport
- Breakfast at the airport
- Egg, Hotdog, Rice, Mineral Water – P110
- Check-in for Davao to Zamboanga Flight – P200 terminal fee
- 8:30am – Departure from Davao Airport
- 9:40am – Arrival in Zamboanga Airport
Money spent for the whole Davao leg – P4,000+
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In the Philippine Ilonggo dialect, ambot ah literally means "I don't know." After graduating in college, I decided to hold off pursuing my profession and embarked on a free spirited journey of adventure and self-discovery. My travels have led me to many places across the Philippine Islands and South East Asia. I don't know where this path will take me but I'm certain I'll get a lifetime of stories out of it.
