Davao City is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the Philippines. The geographic location on the sublime Mount Apo, the largest mountain in the Philippines, and the Gulf of Davao is a strong argument for visiting Davao. Hardly any other city has as many green and forest areas as in the largest city in Mindanao. And not just across the Philippines, but worldwide.

The population consists of an interesting mix of Christians, Muslims, Chinese, Japanese, members of old Filipino tribes, Indian medical students and expats from all over the world. And the sights, excursion destinations and recreational opportunities in Davao are varied and give a lot.

Davao City would certainly be one of the most popular cities in the Philippines for travelers – if it weren’t for the numerous travel warnings for the island of Mindanao, which many consider dangerous.

Third Largest Metropolis in the Philippines

Davao City is home to over 1.5 million people (possibly even two) and is the third largest city in the Philippines after Manila and Cebu in terms of population.

The area of ​​the metropolis in the southeast of Mindanao consists of no less than around 2,500 square kilometers. In terms of area, Davao City is one of the largest cities in the world.

Cebuano / Visaya is the main language spoken in Davao . The original languages ​​and dialects of Davao are only mastered by minorities.

The Roman Catholic denomination is by far the largest religious supporter in Davao with over 80 percent. Smoking is strictly prohibited in many places. Just like the use of fireworks and firecrackers.

Huge Plantations in Front of the City

In front of the gates of the city you can get a good picture of the tremendous fertility of the region: giant banana, coconut and pineapple plantations can be admired there. 

Davao is also known for durian (the fruit with a strong smell), mangosteen and pomelo. Those who love fruits are in good hands in Davao, the “Home of Durian”. Fruit stands and markets are plentiful here.

Durian, the “stink fruit” | Photo: pixabay.com | License: CC0 Public Domain

History of Davao City

The history of Davao City is also very interesting. Unlike most other large cities in the Philippines, the influence of Spanish colonialists only became established in the mid-19th century, not as early as the 16th or 17th century.

Before the Spanish conquest in 1848, the city was ruled by Datu Bago, a Moro head. His people lived along the Davao River. When the Spaniards marched in, there was an armed conflict. Datu Bago was the loser, and the end of the Moro leader empire in Davao had begun.

Kichisaburo Ohta

Another great feature of Davao is that there were a lot of Japanese people in the city long before the Second World War. It was also they who significantly promoted the agricultural economy in the region. In this context, the following name is particularly interesting: Kichisaburo Ohta. This name hides an intelligent entrepreneur from Japan, who shaped very large parts of the extremely fertile area into large plantations, especially abaca and coconut plantations.

Coconut Plantation | Photo: pixabay.com | License: CC0 Public Domain

Japanese Plantation Workers and Little Japan

Already at the beginning of the 20th century, more precisely in 1903, Kichisaburo Ohta had numerous Japanese field and plantation workers brought to Davao. This created a small district in the city, which was given the name “Little Japan”. Japanese schools were established in Little Japan. There were also Japanese newspapers, a Shinto shrine and of course a Japanese embassy.

In 1903 the Americans had replaced the Spaniards as colonial masters of the Philippines. This was preceded by a brutal war between the Americans and Filipinos, which went down in history as the Filipino-American War (1899 – 1902). Historians say that around 20% of the then Filipino population died in this war: more than a million people.

Japanese Occupation During World War II

During the Second World War, Japanese troops occupied Davao. The occupation began in 1941 and did not end until 1945 with the liberation of the city by the American army. The urban area was exposed to the same violent artillery fire and violent bombing raids: most of the city was completely destroyed.

Strong Wave of Immigration After 1945

After the liberation of Davao, there was a huge wave of immigration. Thousands of Filipinos from Luzon , the Visayas and other regions of Mindanao searched and found their way to the promising city, whose economic strength resulted from the prospering agriculture. Agriculture in and around Davao is still the economic driving force of the metropolis. Tourism, on the other hand, was not yet able to gain a foothold due to the many travel warnings for Mindanao.

Street Fighting in the 1980s

In the 1980s, Davao achieved notoriety through his numerous bloody guerrilla and street battles between the Communist NPA (National People’s Army) and the Philippine government. The drug problem in Davao was not exactly minor at that time. People were shot on the open road. It was only Rodrigo Duterte, the current Philippine warhorse president, who managed to bring the city back under control using his own means and methods.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

From 1988 to 2010, Rodrigo Duterte was predominantly Mayor of Davao. He would probably have been a “Mayor” throughout, but the mayor of Davao can only remain in office for a maximum of three consecutive terms, with three years per term.

During his tenure as Mayor of Davao, Rodrigo Duterte took tough action against any type of criminal. It is an open secret that he used Death Squads. He also ensured that security was increased through very strict security controls. With this approach, he gained the backing of most Davao residents.

Rodrigo’s daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio is now Mayor of Davao. It also relies on a strong presence of the police, military, security and security personnel to thwart terrorist attacks by Islamists and Communist supporters of the National People’s Army.

Sights and Attractions in Davao

Anyone who visits Davao City will surely notice this strong presence of security forces. However, he will also notice that the city has some beautiful sights and attractions to offer.

Eden Nature Park & ​​Resort

One of the most beautiful destinations in Davao is the 80-hectare Eden Nature Park & ​​Resort located on Mount Talomo. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life for a certain time, this is the place for you. The resort offers a variety of different attractions, leisure activities and adventures. The admission fees and prices are within an acceptable range.

Guided Shuttle Tour

To get to know the nature park, there is a guided shuttle tour, which includes various flower and vegetable beds, mangosteen plantations, a very well-kept flower garden, Lola’s Garden with a great view of Davao City, Mayumi’s Wishing Well and many other natural sights can inspect.

Mayumi’s Wishing Well at the Eden Nature Park & ​​Resort in Davao

Rope gliding, skyriding, skycycling and more

For those who want to feel like Indiana Jones, rope gliding is offered. Passionate anglers can go tilapia fishing in the fishing village. Skyriding, skycycling, skyswinging & horseback riding are also possible on the enormous grounds of the Eden Nature Park & ​​Resort.

The Eden Nature Park & ​​Resort gives so much that it makes sense to stay here for one or more nights. This is all the more so since there are certain opening times for all activities, which are not sufficiently taken into account in the many 6- to 8-hour Davao City Sightseeing tours offered.

Philippine Eagle Center

Another well-known attraction in Davao is the Philippine Eagle Center. If you want to see the impressively large Filipino national animal, the Philippine Eagle, you must not miss this site. The beautiful bird park not only presents the Philippine eagle, but also some other representatives of the Philippine bird world.

The Philippine Eagle | Photo: shankar s. / Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0

Animals such as monkeys and crocodiles can also be seen here. The Philippine Eagle Center can basically be seen as a kind of aid project for the endangered eagle species. Due to the lack of sponsorship money, the cages and aviaries are unfortunately sometimes too small.

D ‘Bone Collector Museum

Another great destination is the D ‘Bone Collector Museum. With over 700 specimens, this museum has the largest collection of bones and skeletons in the country. Not only can visitors see skeletons and bones of animals native to the tropical rainforest. Impressive skeletons of marine animals are also exhibited here.

Samal Island

If you prefer to relax on the beach instead of examining skeletons and bones, you can take a detour to Samal Island. There are many beautiful white beaches and exclusive resorts here. One of these resorts is the five-star Pearl Farm Beach Resort. In this context, however, it should not be left unmentioned that the Federal Foreign Office is currently warning of trips to Samal Island, since tourists have been kidnapped here in the past.

The Pearl Farm Beach Resort on Samal Island

Other Destinations in Davao City

In addition to the above, there are of course many other beautiful sights and excursion destinations in Davao. For example, the Japanese Tunnel is well worth a visit to get a closer look at the tunnel system of the Japanese during the occupation of Davaos (1941 – 1945). Davao City also has the Malagos Garden Resort, People’s Park, Crocodile Park and a variety of shopping malls such as Abreeza Mall.

Restaurants in Davao City

If you want to eat well in Davao City, you also have a great selection. From fine cuisine to carenderias and takeaways to fast food restaurants – everyone is sure to find something  in Davao.

Residents of the metropolis in southeastern Mindanao like to go to restaurants such as Jack’s Ridge Restaurant or Vista View Restaurant. These restaurants not only offer great food but also a beautiful view of Davao.

All in all, Davao City is a beautiful city with numerous sights, excursion destinations, restaurants and leisure activities. If the situation in Mindanao were more stable and more secure, Davao City would certainly be one of the most important cities in the Philippines in terms of tourism. Especially since there are several domestic flights to Davao from Manila and Cebu.