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Davao Oriental, Φιλιππίνες
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Scroll down for a list of most popular attractions and select them, if you want to include them in the itinerary preparation!
Most popular attractions in Davao Oriental, Φιλιππίνες
1. Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
Visit guide, tips & morePygmy forests and rare pitcher plants on a UNESCO-protected mountain. Walk boardwalks and ridgelines for endemic wildlife, misty views and sunrise photo ops.
2. Aliwagwag Falls
Visit guide, tips & moreMulti-tiered rainforest cascades beside a scenic mountain road. Hike stair trails, snap view-deck photos, and swim in turquoise lower pools.
3. Dahican Beach (Mati)
Visit guide, tips & moreMati
Powdery white sand and consistent surf make Dahican Beach a coastal standout. Enjoy long beach walks, clear swimming spots, and surf or skimboard action.
4. Pujada Bay
Visit guide, tips & moreCalm bay framed by small islands and shallow reefs, perfect for easy snorkeling and island hopping. Expect peaceful beaches, clear shallows, and gentle boat rides for photos.
5. Cape San Agustin Lighthouse
Visit guide, tips & moreWind-swept cliffs and a towering white lighthouse mark Davao Oriental's dramatic Pacific edge. Expect wide ocean views, raw coastal scenery, and golden-hour photos from the headland.
6. Mati City Boulevard (Mati Seaside Boulevard)
Visit guide, tips & moreMati Seaside Boulevard
Palm-fringed sea views and lively boardwalk culture along the Pacific. Stroll, grab local snacks, and capture dramatic sunset photos.
7. Baganga Bay
Visit guide, tips & moreQuiet coastal scenery and clear water offer a laid-back alternative to crowded beaches. Walk mangrove fringes, snorkel coral outcrops, and photograph sunrise over the bay.
8. Cateel Church (San Nicolas de Tolentino)
Visit guide, tips & moreSan Nicolas de Tolentino
San Nicolas de Tolentino Church offers quiet Spanish-era architecture and coastal charm. Admire carved wooden altars, stained glass, and a peaceful churchyard.
9. Governor Generoso (coastal area and beaches)
Visit guide, tips & morecoastal area and beaches
Wild Pacific coast, dramatic cliffs and quiet black-sand coves. Expect sunrise swims, village snacks, and easy snorkel spots teeming with fish.
10. Manay (town attractions and nearby falls/beaches)
Visit guide, tips & moretown attractions and nearby falls/beaches
Manay puts rugged beaches, freshwater falls, and authentic small-town Filipino life on one quiet stretch of coast. Expect sandy walks, short waterfall hikes, and fresh seafood at the market.
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Durian ice cream
Davao Oriental is part of the greater Davao durian belt, and locals turn the famously pungent fruit into creamy ice cream and candies that are a must-try for visitors.
Suman (sticky rice cake)
Suman is made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in banana or palm leaves, and it is a traditional celebratory snack across Davao Oriental and nearby provinces.
Maruya (banana fritters)
Maruya uses the region's abundant sweet bananas, battered and fried until crisp, and it is a popular street snack and breakfast treat in coastal towns and markets.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Kinilaw na tuna
Kinilaw is a raw seafood salad made with fresh local tuna, vinegar or citrus, and native spices, and coastal villages in Davao Oriental pride themselves on the fishery-fresh flavor.
Ginataang isda (fish in coconut milk)
With coconut trees lining the province, cooking fresh fish in rich coconut milk is a staple technique in Davao Oriental, combining local catch and native coconut flavors.
Inihaw na tuna (grilled tuna)
Grilled tuna is a simple, iconic dish here, often prepared over charcoal to highlight the natural sweetness of locally caught tuna and served with vinegar-based dipping sauce.
Traditional Beverages
Tuba (coconut palm wine)
Tuba is a traditional fermented drink tapped from coconut palms, used socially and in rituals, and it remains a living part of coastal and rural culture in Davao Oriental.
Sikwate / tableya hot chocolate
Davao is a major cacao-growing region, and hot chocolate made from local tableya is a rich, earthy beverage enjoyed across the province.
Davao coffee
Coffee grown in the Davao region, including surrounding provinces, is celebrated for its bold flavor and is commonly enjoyed locally as a strong brewed coffee or espresso-style drink.
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Day trips
Pujada Bay and Pujada Island
Scenic bay, island hopping and snorkeling.
Google MapsMount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
UNESCO site, unique pygmy forest, hiking trails.
Google MapsCape San Agustin and Balangay Park
Historic cape, lighthouse, coastal views.
Google MapsComments (9)
Rent a motorcycle in Mati town, costs less than guided tours and you can reach beaches at sunrise. Check brakes and lights.
Weather unpredictably hot and humid, rain popped up a few afternoons. Bring quick-dry clothes and chill expectations.
Felt very safe overall, locals waved and helped when my scooter stalled. Nightlife is low key though.
Skip restaurants by the pier, walk ten minutes inland for real home-cooked meals and prices half of beachfront spots.
Roads outside town are bumpy, public transport sparse. Not great for last-minute plan changes.
Getting there
From DVO expect a 4 to 5 hour van or bus ride to Mati; prebook transfers for remote beaches.
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