Davao City Hotels

Davao is one of the places in the Philippines that is rich with natural attractions and scenery. Being outside the typhoon built, the natural environment of Davao has been free from harsh destruction thus making Davao an excellent place to go for nature lovers.

Mount Tangali Highland Resort - Standing at a magnificent height of 900 meters (quite a high place in Davao) above sea level, it is surrounded by virgin forest that has been a home to some wild life present in the locality. One must do mountain climbing, hiking, and trekking before reaching to the Mount Tangali Highland Resort. With a foggy and cool climate, the place is a natural attraction for adventure-seeking tourists in Davao.

Malalag Hill and Bay View Park - From here tourists have a bird’s eye view of the Malalag Bay and neighboring towns. An array of panoramic view of natural attraction is surrounding the area. On the north is the amazing Mt. Apo. On the west is a valley of a banana plantation in Davao called the Malalag Ventures Plantation or MVPI. On the south is the ridge of Mt. Tangali mountain range. The Malalag Hill and Bay View Park are about 15 hectares in land area that is full of five-year-old trees and a botanical garden.

Fish Sanctuary - It is a 50-hectare area in Davao that was developed to be a destination for scuba diving activities. Visitors and tourists that came from different research institutions and academe are attracted to this place in Davao because it has natural attraction and scenery underwater. Half of the land area of the Fish Sanctuary was declared as a ground for hook and line fishing in Davao.

Buntod Iyog - This area in Davao is a wild life sanctuary where the remaining forest present is protected and preserve. Species of Deptero Carp trees such as Lauan are abundant in Buntod Iyog with many wild life making home within the remaining preserved forest. The main natural attraction is the water of the place that is pure, undefiled, and crystal-like. Buntod Iyog of Davao is also a great destination for mountain climbing and river trekking.

Pitu Lake - This is a lake in Davao that is about one hectare in land area. Natural beauty surrounds the lake such as trees, flowers, and animal species. Floating fully bloomed lilies is a great natural attraction that tourists will truly enjoy.

These are some of the natural attractions and scenery that make Davao an interesting place to visit. Visiting these places can truly make you close to nature while enjoying the uniqueness of the beauty of nature in Davao.

Tags: Pearl Farm, Davao Philippines, Resort, Tourism, Davao Hotel, Tour, Mindanao

• » Comments (0)

Ever gone to the country’s highest peak? If not, here are some facts on Davao’s Mt. Apo that may tickle the imagination and thrill.

Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines. It looms right over the city of Davao. Davao’s Mt. Apo actually has a three-pronged peak, flat topped like a famous chocolate, and is a dead strato volcano, according to experts. One of the things that earn the dedicated interest of mountain climbers is the fact that on top of Davao’s Mt. Apo is a dazzling 500-meter volcanic crater with a small lake within. The lake scene disperses all languidness brought about by the exhausting ascent.

The name of Davao’s Mt. Apo literally means grandpa. Ancient Filipino culture fondly referred to tribal chiefs or elders as “apo.” Thus, Davao’s Mt. Apo is said to be the chief or grandpa of all the mountains in the country. Though huge and majestic, it has been inactive since history can remember. Actually, according to records, Apo’s last explosion has been unknown. And that’s good news for all of us—although geothermal activity in Davao’s Mt Apo goes on. This may mean volcanic activity is still present in the mountain, though probably not enough to cause a major activity. Local government engineers tap the geothermal power for an energy source.

Nestled at the foot of Davao’s Mt. Apo is the national park named after it. Davao’s Mt. Apo sits right in the middle of this vast forested area of protected mountain ranges. And there the dormant volcano looms like an elder among subordinates. This gargantuan mountain stretches across southern provinces and ends at the southern tip of Davao. The National Park encompasses a huge 70,000 plus hectares. Thus, no other park in the country has a bigger land area. So Davao’s Mt. Apo is vast enough for the rare Philippine Eagle to roam around and call the mountain home. It has been declared as a protected area.

Aside from the national eagle, Davao’s Mt. Apo is also home to hundreds of other birds exclusive and endemic to Apo. They roam freely in the Apo environs and are a major target of bird watchers foreign and local. In fact, Davao’s Mt. Apo is considered a center of many endemic things in Mindanao—Apo has a potential biological variety.

Davao’s Mt. Apo is an amazing feat of nature in the South that gives, not only southerners, but the entire country a reason to climb up to a new level.

Tags: Davao Resort, Samal, Davao City Hotel, Samal Hotel, Pearl Farm, Travel, Davao City

• » Comments (0)

First time to go diving in Davao? Here are tips on where amazing Davao deep sea sites are and what they can show off.

Tambang, a Davao deep sea diving spot, is also known as “Bibing” locally. It is a small reef along the coastline which is excellent for night diving. The dive spot may reveal pluerobranchs and nudibranchs periodically, as well as varieties of pipefish and sponge crabs loaded with sponges twice their size. The reef covering is visible at a depth of 5 meters. This Davao deep sea diving area, however, needs more time to recover its coral growth.

Just a stone’s throw from that Tambang spot, going about 9 meters deep down the Davao deep sea waters, ask diving guides or instructors where a wall with deep fissures and extended reef edges are located. This spot is alive with Davao deep sea life. For instance, feast the eyes with sights of roaming scorpion and lion fish, a school of shrimps, dozens of trumpet fish, swarming cardinal and hawk fish and some stationary parrot or dormant rabbit fish.

Other Davao deep sea diving locations are what local divers call the Marissa 1, 2 and 3. They are close to the Pearl Farm Resort and convenient to visit. These excellent dive sites may be similar in some respects, like good coral density (visible at a depth of 12 meters), with gliding reef fish, and a plethora of bubble corals. The sites have gently rolling reef slopes and a number of small sandbank walls and undercuts where a number of moray eels venture a peek from their hideouts, sea stars rest, tube worms wriggle out of crevices and, if the timing is right, a company of jellies. This Davao deep sea diving sanctuary is resort-maintained and kept ideal for diving beginners.

Venturing a little further, on the east side of Samal is another Davao deep sea wonder. Officially named Pindawon Wall, this diving site is endowed with a remarkable topography abundant with openings, cliffs, ridges, and slopes. One can glide in and out of these mazes and discover wonderful columns of hard corals and some table corals. If the diver seeks further, natural garden plots of cabbage corals may be chanced upon, and there may even be bonus sightings of magnificent clusters of black corals, ambling razor fish, multi-colored sea snakes, and harlequin shrimps.

The above descriptions of Davao deep sea sites are just samples of how divers actually saw them. If a description can paint such words, what more an actual visual?

Tags: Resort, Tour, Travel, Davao City Hotel, Davao Samal, Davao City, Tourism

• » Comments (0)

Samal is a small island off the coast of Davao. The beaches in Samal are the treasures of the island itself. As part of a tropical country, tall coconut trees and swamps of mangrove trees are common sights in the coastline of Samal. Beach resorts filled the white sandy beaches of Samal with stone and cement dikes between resorts to separate one from the other.

The beaches in Samal are likened into precious jewels that are seldom use and well protected. Only few local and foreign tourists come over to Samal making it a great place for solitude, unwinding, and relaxation. Because the beaches are not crowded, you can truly enjoy some privacy on weekdays as well as on weekends. Samal Island in Davao is a wonderful place to rejuvenate and take it easy from your very busy and hectic life at work and home.

From Davao, you can take a ride in a ferryboat for a few minutes going to Samal. Samal Island is also considered as an Island Garden City. The topography of the island is a combination of rocky heights, and rolling hills. There are also icy waterfalls, beach coves for more privacy, caves to explore, and the beautiful white sandy beaches.

During weekdays, only a handful of tourists are present at the beaches of Samal Island in Davao. These are the days that you can lie lazily in the beach where it is quiet and relaxing. The breeze is calming, the water is clear, and the waves are gentle in the beaches in Samal, the perfect scene to have a peaceful vacation.

Also present in the small island of Samal is the renowned world class beach resort in Davao - Pearl Farm Beach Resort. It was once a pearl farm where varieties of pearls were cultured for commercial purposes and was developed later into a beach resort that is now famous worldwide.

Samal is indeed a beautiful island and can be considered also as a paradise where the environment is serene, the marine life is bountiful, and the landscapes are truly wonderful. For a personal retreat that requires seclusion and privacy, Samal is the perfect place to go to.

The waters of Samal Island in Davao is great for any water activities like wind surfing, banana boat rides, scuba diving, jet skiing, water polo, and other activities that are offered by the various beach resorts that dot the white beaches of the island.

For a peaceful, relaxing, and rejuvenating vacation, Samal Island in Davao is the ideal place to go where the white beaches are secluded and give more privacy even on weekends.

Tags: Davao Beach Resort, Resort, Davao Resort, Davao, Mindanao, Tourism, Hotel

• » Comments (0)

Four things make Davao an excellent place for feasting the soul.

Now is the opportune time to discover Lon Wa Buddhist Temple—Mindanao’s biggest. Along J.P. Cabaguio Avenue, in Davao, this Buddhist temple is typical of those we often see in oriental movies, with the usual numerous candles and sparse arrangements of bamboos here and there for a touch of serene simplicity. This Davao temple is also laden with a number of Italian marble blocks for a contrast. Then somewhere at the end of solemn high-ceiling halls is a giant replica of Buddha and what is called kuanyin. It also features carved art renditions on wood showing the epic life of Budhha.

Davao also has the irresistible Mount Apo that provokes the imagination of daring mountain climbers. Standing at 3,144 meters and seen in some parts of Davao, it’s mere appearance goad the adventurous climber to test its slopes. And why not—it’s the country’s highest. And just to show how far reaching Apo is, it covers some 72,796 hectares—and that’s a series of mountain ranges touching amd crossing Davao City, Davao del Sur, Northern Cotabato, Bukidnon, Agusan—and even to far off Misamis Oriental.

Apo is “grandfather” and thus is said to be the “grandpa of mountains.” This Davao mountain is really an inactive volcano. So far, according to available records, it has not yet erupted. Scattered around Davao’s Apo are waterfalls, river rapids, pristine lakes, natural water or steam fountains from the ground, sulphur columns, ancient trees, and rare plant and animal genus, among other things.

Davao’s Samal Island is popular for fresh seafood. The best catch is those found in the Muslim Fishing Village in the town of San Jose, Samal. The place is a mere 45-minute motor banca ride from the Davao wharf. It is marked by typical native Muslim huts on stilts. The huts and the place is made more interesting by the colourful displays of native culture, with Muslim dances and music right there on house platforms.

Finally, Davao provides sanctuary for some of the most exotic Philippine orchids that attract foreign markets. Davao has its famous Orchid Garden which features the popular and most wonderful waling-waling (vanda sanderiana), considered to be the queen of local orchids. Other Davao sites for local orchid varieties are the Puentespina Orchid Garden, Yuhico Orchid Gardens, and Derling Worldwide Orchid Corporation.

These four sites in Davao reflect the soul of the vicinity. Davao is a perfect place for contemplating the realms of nature in a place of nature-rich territories.

Tags: Davao Samal, Davao Resort, Hotel, Samal Resort, Davao Beach Resort, Tour, Travel

• » Comments (0)

When thinking of a vacation activity, a Davao tour ought to be it. There are many reasons why a Davao tour should be contemplated, but just four reasons are given here. And these are enough to convince anybody about seeing the whole of Davao later.

Just take Eden Nature Park for example. Looking at the firefly sanctuary at night is just exhilarating. We’re talking of swarms of tiny twinkling lights that look as though the night stars are just a grab away. Eden Nature Park also has a swimming pool and a bird sanctuary. And while watching, the spacious spot can also be perfect for traditional Filipino games.

Eden Nature Park also has some of the rarest organic vegetables and herbs in its garden. Health buffs can always have a shopping spree of all-natural plant products fresh from the garden in this Davao tour first stop. Then try out its interesting souvenir shop and get an Eden Nature Park shirt to remember this Davao tour stop-over by. Eden Nature Park also has a fishing village, a deer park, an amphitheater and flower garden—where one may also offer “prayers” incidentally.

Second Davao tour stop is the incredible Crocodile Farm. This is where we get a feel of the deadly swamp creature. And what’s so exciting about a crocodile farm? Well, for one, 8-footer crocodiles daunted to be the country’s biggest. Crocodile Farm is a good idea of a Davao tour because there are so few of them in the country—and the rest can hardly come up with crocodiles as big. After this second Davao tour stop-over, we’re all perked up to see more of adventurous sites in the city.
Third Davao tour stop is the famous Pearl Farm—all 14-hectares of it. This used to be a real pearl farm where culturing of thousands of oysters from the Sulu Sea were done. Delicate treasures of pink, white and gold pearls were harvested and became viable for the global market. Today, Pearl Farm is top quality beach resort known the world over. Tourists pour in for its white beach, palm trees, good food, relaxing ambience, and excellent service.
Finally, the last Davao tour break is the Samal group of Islands. It looks like a miniature Philippines with nine small islands totaling some 28,000 hectares of land stretch out in the sea.

A Davao tour to these places will pave the way to falling in love with the whole of Davao.

Tags: Davao Samal, Davao Resort, Paradise Island, Davao, Davao City, Davao Hotel, Davao City Hotel

• » Comments (0)

The people of Davao are a mixture of various migrants and tribes that come from different parts of the Philippines and the surrounding countries. Among the tribes that are present in Davao are the Mandaya, Bagobo, Tiboli, Manobo, B’laan, and Mansaka tribes. The culture and arts of these tribes in Davao are preserved, rehabilitated, and restored in Davao Museum.

Visiting Davao Museum is a way to learn and admire more about the cultural heritage of the City of Davao. Davao is considered as a cultural melting pot in the southern part of the Philippines where you will be able to experience the convergence of many arts and cultures of different tribes.

Davao Museum is located inside Insular Village in Lanang, Davao City. Davao Museum is open every day except on Sundays for visitors who wish to know more of the cultural heritage and arts of the city. The museum is a two-storey building. The location of Davao Museum is about 12 kilometers away from the center of Davao and is near Davao International Airport.

Davao Museum is mainly devoted to show the different cultural tribes and other facts and information about the people of Davao and the whole region. The bottom floor of the museum showcased Davao’s timeline. The timeline started from Davao’s earliest existence as a huge piece of molten rock and ends up on the events of the 20th century. It is pretty interesting and fascinating.

The main gallery of Davao Museum has various collections of beautiful tribal artifacts such as local costumes, handicrafts, tribal art, jars, looms, and jewelry. Ancient jars called the Martaban jars can also be seen in the museum. Davao Museum has a gallery that is full of sculptures, paintings, and ceramics. Ancient musical instruments of the early tribes in Davao are also shown.

Davao Museum is also considered as a private museum because it contains collections that are ethnographical and archaeological that relates to the region of Southern Mindanao. Many personal memorabilia are also found in Davao Museum that came from Davao’s first generation of pioneers.

Davao Museum is among the famous museums that are present in the Philippines. The rich collections of Davao Museum will take you back in time and there you will be able to fully understand the soul of Davao City.

After touring Davao Museum, you can find a souvenir shop within the vicinity of the museum where souvenir items are sold like native crafts made by the tribes of Davao.

Be amazed of the rich cultural and historical heritage of the tribes of Davao at Davao Museum.

Tags: Samal Hotel, Tourism, Davao Philippines, Resort, Pearl Farm, Davao, Davao City

• » Comments (0)