From islands to highlands… that’s one of Davao City’s selling points. If you want to experience the beach one day, and enjoy the cool breeze of the mountainside the very next day, then it’s Davao you must go to. Davao has a very relaxed and chill atmosphere far from your usual rushed, busy, and traffic-ridden metropolitan cities. And the best thing about it is almost everything is within an hour or so away.

Davao beach

A few minutes boat ride away from the city is the Island Garden City of Samal which has more than enough resorts that you can go to in order to enjoy a day or two of sunbathing, swimming, and frolicking in the sand. You can take your pick of the resort which best suits your needs, preferences, and budget. The most popular ones are Paradise Beach Resort, Blue Jaz, and Pearl Farm.

Eden Nature Park

But if it’s the quiet, cool breeze of the mountainside that you want… you have two options. The first one is going to Toril District, around 45 minutes away from downtown, and visit one of the nature parks in Eden, Bayabas. The most popular ones are Loleng’s and Eden Nature Park. Both have nice cottages and a vast land area you can enjoy while communing with nature.

Marilog District, Davao City

If you want a more homey, rustic, quiet atmosphere, you’d be better renting one of those private resthouses in the Marilog District. There aren’t many established resorts in the area but there are gardens, houses, and some hidden falls you can enjoy.

Xcelerator

If it’s an adrenaline-rush you want, then head on over to the Outland Adventure to ride the highest, longest, and fastest zipline in Asia: the Xcelerator.

Crocodile Park

And for some close encounters with wildlife and the prettier things in nature, go to the Crocodile Park in Ma-a. They have crocodiles, tigers, orangutans, birds, and other animals which are sure to bring out the kid in you. Also located in the area i the Butterfly House which exhibits beautiful, graceful, and colorful butterflies. Another place to go to is the Philippine Eagle Park in Malagos which displays the national bird and other animals.

These are just some of the stops you can go to here in Davao City but there are definitely more places and reasons why you must experience Davao.