Davao is not called the King City of the South for no reason. The giant city is home to a plethora of amazing activities ranging from beaches to parks to interesting cuisine outlets. It is located in the southeastern part of Mindanao, the country’s southernmost island, and is only a 2-hour flight from Manila.
Aside from being the county’s largest city, it is also one of the cities with the cleanest air in the Philippines; according to a 2018 survey conducted by the Switzerland-based IQ AirVisual and Greenpeace.
If you’re visiting or planning to live in Davao soon, we’ve listed our top 5 must-try activities to do in Davao, to prove that indeed, life is here.
Top 5 must-try activities to do in Davao
Bike Cycling
Love long bike rides? You will surely enjoy doing it as the 55km Metro Davao bike lane opens this year, to give bikers a safe lane on the roads.
The Metro Davao Bike Lanes span across 14 sections within Davao City. These include Quimpo Boulevard, Sandawa Road; Roxas Avenue; Quezon Avenue; Quirino Avenue; E. Jacinto Extension; Dr. A. Gahol Street; Mabini Street, F. Torres Street; Loyola Street, Porras Street; Inigo Street; and Decasio Street.
The entire network is painted with white and green markings. Signage, solar studs, bollards, and concrete delineators have also been put in place, as well as bike racks for cyclists. The project will help ensure safer passage for all bikers throughout the city.
TThis Davao City bike lane project is part of the DOTr’s 497km bike lane network spanning across Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao that seeks to promote active transport as sustainable and efficient alternatives.
Climb the Philippines’ Highest Mountain, Mt. Apo
The majestic Mt. Apo can be seen from many locations of Davao City. It’s always awe-inspiring to look at, but climbing it is much better. But, you say, it’s too faraway from Davao City.
But don’t be worried. There are many climbing tours in the city that offers all-in climbing trips for the Philippines’ highest peak.
Choose from our group climbing or solo/duo climbing packages, which include transportation, full meals, climb equipment, and much more. You’ll also be in good company with our well-trained mt. Apo guides during your adventure. Though the mountain is not accessible now as it is closed for rehabilitation purposes, once the ban is lifted, don’t miss the opportunity to be on top of the Philippines at least once in your life.
Suggested Read: Davao City in the ‘Golden Age of Infrastructure’
Food Fest at Roxas Night Market, Davao City
A journey to Davao City’s food scene would be incomplete without a stop at Roxas Night Market. It’s a nocturnal bazaar on Roxas Street where you can buy clothing, souvenirs, and, of course, food. As you enjoy the vibrant culture of the city, you will surely fall in love with the city’s food scene. To be fair, the cuisine is really not anything out of the ordinary. Nothing, however, tops eating street foods and grilled goods at an open-air night market.
Just like Mt. Apo, because of the pandemic, Roxas night market’s food operation was also put on hold. Although there are speculations and news that the night market will return anytime soon, all we can do is wait for its big comeback.
Must-Try Davao Local Chocolate
Malagos Chocolate
If you want a high-quality, organic, and healthful chocolate, go no further than Malagos Chocolate. The award-winning chocolates took pleasure in their “tree-to-bar” manufacture, which gave their goods a distinct, expertly crafted, and one-of-a-kind flavor. Their chocolates vary according to your preferences, from the amount of dark chocolate to the quantity of sweetness. It is a must-try since it is a proudly successful Davao product that is now loved abroad. In addition to Malagos Chocolate Musem, you may buy delicious chocolates online at their website for your convenience.
Cacao de Davao
Cacao de Davao is another company that provides high-quality cacao chocolates at an affordable price. Their goods are made from 100% cacao bean extracts (no preservatives, additives, or fillers) and are the purest and greatest source of chocolate. One of their best-selling items is the Unsweetened 100 percent Chocolate Chalets (premium tableya), a chocolate chalet that can be used to prepare hot or cold chocolate beverages, as well as to bake cakes, brownies, and cupcakes. Moreover, their chocolates are incredibly rich and flavorful, which can only be produced by using the finest chocolate grades. You may now buy their high-quality chocolates and have a cup of them at their chocolate shop.
Explore Davao City Rich Culture and Arts at Poblacion Market Central
Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), a leading homegrown real estate developer, hosts Mindanao Art 2021, the biggest display of the island’s best and brightest talents, from October 1 to 31, 2021 at Poblacion Market Central, the developer’s latest commercial development located along C. Bangoy Avenue.
This year’s show topic is “Art in Between: Mindanao Art in Liminal Space,” which is now in its third phase. It’s an invitation to pause and think about where we are right now—in a state of uncertainty and confusion, somewhere between fear and optimism for the future as we walk into the unknown.
This year’s exhibition will showcase the works of over 300 artists from more than 30 galleries and art groups around Mindanao, as well as satellite shows and special events, which may be seen online at www.mindanaoart.org and Mindanao Art’s Facebook page.
Rent-to-Own Premium Condo Units in Davao City
Northpoint Davao, the renowned British-themed condo development in Metro Davao, has finally opened its condo units for sale via a rent-to-own or RTO financing scheme.
Despite the pandemic, property seekers continue to seek a more comfortable lifestyle in the city, and perhaps the majority of condo developments will meet these requirements. Thus, Northpoint Davao secures a significant deal to open its RFO or ready for occupancy unit on rent to own basis.
Investors can now take advantage of new flexible and straightforward financing terms, particularly when purchasing a ready-to-occupy condominium unit. Additionally, property seekers seeking to own a home in the city can easily do so as Northpoint Davao primes its few remaining units under this new investment offer.
A down payment of as little as PHP66,000 enables the property buyer to move into Northpoint Davao easily. The property buyer’s payments will include the rental fee and an amount to be deducted from the purchase price of the principal property.
Few Units Left!
A few remaining ready-to-occupy condo units in Northpoint’s first to fourth buildings are now available through rent-to-own financing. In essence, premium condo units in those buildings will be more affordable for property buyers seeking a low monthly payment on an immediate use investment.
If you believe you’ve seen and known Northpoint Davao’s pine estate community, you’d be wrong. Northpoint Davao released a new walkthrough highlighting the second phase of its development as part of its future-proofing efforts a quarter ago.
Northpoint Davao continues to foster a holistic community as an integral part of the Metro Davao condo living experience. The project will deliver and integrate lifestyle amenities such as Vistaland and Lifescapes Inc. commercial brands.
These lifestyle amenities will include co-working spaces, convenience stores, pastry shops, coffee shops, and other commercial spaces that will bring comfort and convenience to the neighborhood. Thus, before these become a reality and prices resume their upward trend, it will be prudent to seize your opportunity at Northpoint Davao.
Suggested Read: What Makes Davao City a Multi-awarded City
