Davao City, Dakbayan sa Dabaw in Cebuano, Lungsod ng Dabaw in Tagalog, is an urbanised, industrial city in Mindanao. With a total land area of 2,443 square kilometres, Davao City is the largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area. Davao City is an energetic city, and it’s getting a lot more attention now than ever before. Visitors from all over the world come to experience the city, from its tropical islands to its magnificent highlands. There is so much to do, even during a shorter stay. We collected some insider tips straight from the locals for the top destinations in the city. How else would you know how to spend a weekend in Davao? You can start your day as early as five in the morning. Have some breakfast (you would be surprised how easy that is even before the crack of dawn) and catch the sunrise. Get some sand between your toes at the beaches of Samal, and enjoy island hopping in this tropical wonder. Make sure you have your swimwear and sunscreen packed, and a camera ready to capture #instagrammable stories on the pristine white sands of the Vanishing island. And on your way to Talicud island, join the fish in the cool, clear waters for snorkelling and scuba diving at the beautiful Coral Garden.

Talicud island Photographer Mark Onod

Can you smell the sea yet? Make sure to have the Philippine Eagle Center in Calinan on your itinerary. Situated in the highlands, you might get lucky to spot the world’s most photogenic bird, the Philippine eagle. Also known as the monkey-eating eagle because, well, it eats monkeys. On your way back, you can spot the famous vanda sanderiana, a flower from the orchid family known as waling-waling, at the Malagos Garden Resort. If you wish to spend more time with Mother Nature, Eden Nature Park and Loleng’s Mountain Resort are places to become one with the earth.

Philippine Eagle Photographer shankar s.

Can you hear the sounds of the jungle yet? If all of the above sounded too tame, and your blood is half adrenaline, you need to run the rapids at Highland Adventure’s white water rafting. And if you need an additional stimulant, Eden Nature Park’s heart-stopping sky ride, sky cycle, and sky swing take you on a ride high above the jungles.

Can you feel the need yet, the need for speed?

A visit to Davao is not complete without trying the famous, exotic fruit, Durian. The pungent smell puts you off at first, but the delicious, custardy flavour is incomparable to anything else. Don’t be afraid to ask your local fruit vendor for samples. Because the taste and texture can vary, as a durian virgin you want to make it a good, lasting first impression. If any of these got you all giddy to explore this thriving city, it’s a sign from above. So pack your bags, and book your next trip to the fantastic town of Davao!