What is Davao?
Davao is the largest city in the southern Philippines, located on Mindanao Island.
It's known as one of the safest cities in the Philippines, with rich natural beauty and unique local culture.
Davao Vocabulary
| English |
Bisaya (Davao dialect) |
| Mountain |
bukid |
| Sea |
dagat |
| Fruit |
prutas |
| Eagle |
agila |
| Thank you |
salamat |
| Delicious |
lami |
Why is Davao Special?
| Feature |
Description |
| Safety |
Strict city ordinances |
| Nature |
Mountains and beaches |
| Cost |
More affordable than Manila |
| People |
Friendly and relaxed |
| Climate |
Rarely hit by typhoons |
Main Areas in Davao
Downtown Davao
The commercial and administrative center.
| Highlights |
| People's Park |
| San Pedro Cathedral |
| Aldevinco Shopping Center |
| Roxas Night Market |
Samal Island
A beach and resort paradise.
| Features |
| Beautiful beach resorts |
| Paradise Island |
| Diving & snorkeling |
| 15-minute ferry ride |
Mount Apo Area
Home to the Philippines' highest peak.
| Features |
| 2,954m highest peak |
| Trekking (2-3 days) |
| Hot springs |
| Highland vegetables |
Top Davao Attractions
Nature & Activities
| Spot |
Description |
| Philippine Eagle Center |
Meet the national bird |
| Eden Nature Park |
Mountain theme park |
| Crocodile Park |
Crocodiles and zoo |
| Jack's Ridge |
City viewpoint |
Culture & History
| Spot |
Description |
| D'Bone Collector Museum |
Unique bone museum |
| Museo Dabawenyo |
Learn Davao history |
| Japanese Tunnel |
WWII historical site |
| Lon Wa Buddhist Temple |
Chinese temple |
How to Greet in Davao?
Davao primarily speaks Bisaya (Cebuano).
| Bisaya |
Tagalog |
Meaning |
| Maayong buntag |
Magandang umaga |
Good morning |
| Maayong hapon |
Magandang hapon |
Good afternoon |
| Maayong gabii |
Magandang gabi |
Good evening |
| Salamat |
Salamat |
Thank you |
| Lami kaayo |
Masarap |
Very delicious |
Useful Phrases in Davao
| Phrase |
Meaning |
| Asa ang ___? |
Where is ___? |
| Tagpila ni? |
How much is this? |
| Lami kaayo! |
Very delicious! |
| Nindot kaayo! |
Very beautiful! |
Davao Food
Must-Try Dishes
| Food |
Description |
| Durian |
The "king of fruits" |
| Pomelo |
Giant citrus fruit |
| Tuna |
Fresh tuna dishes |
| Grilled Crocodile |
Exotic meat (local delicacy) |
| Kinilaw |
Filipino ceviche |
Recommended Restaurants
- Lachi's - Famous for durian desserts
- Marina Tuna - Fresh tuna specialties
- Tiny Kitchen - Local comfort food
- Yellow Fin - Seafood
Davao Souvenirs
| Souvenir |
Description |
| Durian candy |
Davao specialty |
| Pomelo |
Popular fruit gift |
| Mangosteen |
"Queen of fruits" |
| Pearls |
From Samal Island |
| Tribal crafts |
Indigenous handicrafts |
How to Get to Davao
From Japan
- Via Manila, approximately 6-7 hours
- Via Cebu is also possible
From Manila
- About 1 hour 45 minutes by plane
- Multiple airlines operate this route
From Cebu
- About 1 hour by plane
- Ferry options also available
Things to Know About Davao
Davao's Unique Rules
- No smoking - Public smoking is fineable
- Liquor ban - No alcohol sales after 10pm
- No firecrackers - Banned year-round
- Durian rules - No durian on public transport
Safety
- Safer than most Philippine cities
- Grab app recommended for transport
- Relatively safe at night
Climate
- Warm year-round (25-33°C / 77-91°F)
- Rarely affected by typhoons
- Bring rain gear just in case
Learn more about Filipino culture with the Pinya app!
Pinya