Davao Del Sur: Rising to Become the Next Best Philippine Tourist Destination

Visiting the south of the Philippines? The first thing that often comes to mind when Southern Philippines is mentioned is Davao. It’s one of the most popular tourist spots in the South and is also known as one of the most peaceful in the area. Davaoeños are very friendly and are helpful - you’re sure to have a stress-free experience dealing with the townsfolk.

Davao is divided into different areas. Of these areas, the least talked about is probably Davao del Sur. Not many people know, however, that this area of Davao holds a thousand treasures for travelers and vacationers. For one, this is where the highest peak in the Philippines is found. But that’s just one—Davao del Sur has a lot more to offer!

The Different Things You Can Do in Davao Del Sur

From scenic mountains to beaches, Davao del Sur has them all. Aside from its natural treasures, it also has a rich culture, and colorful festivities abound all year round.

So, what are you into?

CLIMB MOUNTAINS

Love to conquer slopes and explore uncharted territories? Does climbing bring you a feeling of fulfillment and excitement? If it does, then you might want to give the mountains of Davao del Sur a try. Of course, who had not heard of the famous Mount Apo? This is the country’s highest mountain, which is known not only for its height but also for the rare (some of which extinct) flora found in the mountain—one of which is the famous Waling Waling orchid, the so-called queen of the Philippine orchids. The monkey-eating eagle, the renowned Philippine eagle, the country’s national bird, is another unique specie found in Mt. Apo. Aside from this, there are other smaller but as interesting mountains found in Davao del Sur. Mount Pispis, for instance, is known for its wildlife that it’s actually the Municipal Forest Reservation Area. For viewing purposes, the Mt. Sumadel also attracts interest because of its shape—it is called “babaeng nakahiga’t nakahubad” (translation: a lady who is lying and naked) by the locals.

CHECK OUT THE BEACHES

If you’re the type who simply wants to relax and enjoy instead of doing some physical and exhausting activity like mountain climbing, and if you prefer simply being lulled by your surroundings, then you might want to try the beaches in Davao del Sur instead. There is a place in the area called the Little Boracay because of its similarity with the famous beach destination in the Philippines. What makes Little Boracay a good pick is its white sand and the mountain that serves as its backdrop. There are also open cottages in the beach for those who want to stay a while. Unlike the real Boracay, however, this place is more private as it is not frequented by tourists—ideal for simply relaxing. You can also try the Baetiong Beach with its black-grained sand and the grassy but shallow seabed located in its perimeter, or the private Manando Beach that features a corral and limed grained white sand. And, these are just but a few—there are still too many beaches to choose from in Davao del Sur.

GET HOT IN THE SPRINGS

If you want the water but you hate the beach environment, then you can try hot springs instead. The good thing about these is that they’re located in more remote areas and are generally more private compared to beach resorts. You can try the Lumayon Spring, which does not only offer a refreshing soak but as well as a great view because it is surrounded by forests. Other choices included the Bansalan hot spring and the Mainit hot spring.

FALL FOR THE FALLS

If you want the privacy of the springs but you’re wishing for some more adventure, you can try the falls. These also offer great scenery because they’re located in hills and mountains, far from the usual tourist path. Two of the most recommended when it comes to falls are the Tudaya falls and the Kipanan falls. The first is known for being the tallest falls in the Mt. Apo Natural Park, while the second is popular for being a multi-tiered falls—it features up to 10 drops, each drop with a different height and width, perfect for the adventurous!

EXPLORE THE UNDERWATER AND THE ISLANDS

Want some more adventure, this time in the water or underwater? Well, try the Passig Islet, which you can reach by a footbridge and which features a perfect combination of fine, white sand and clear water. You can also go diving in Piape Reef or Tubalan Cove. If you’re after scuba diving or water skiing, then the best place is the Olaniban island.

ADVENTURE AT CAMP SABROS

If you’re up to thrill and excitement coupled with a nature-tripping experience, Camp Sabros is the way to go. Located almost 4,000 feet above sea level, the camp offers exhilarating zipline rides and enjoyable cable lift rides. The two ziplines in the camp are known to be among the longest in the country—the tandem ride is 380 meters (50 seconds) while the solo ride is 400 meters (30 seconds) long. Both are at the height of 180 feet above the ground. Just imagine gliding in the air while enjoying a view of the Mt. Apo and thousands of pine trees around and below you—ain’t that just the perfect experience? If you want to enjoy all these more serenely, then try the cable lift with friends and enjoy your lush and fresh surroundings with a 5-minute ride. You just have to give this place a try!

GET A DOSE OF HISTORY

After all the adventures and the fun, you may want to go with a more relaxed (and intellectually stimulating) experience by checking out some of the historical places in Davao del Sur. In the Itakuta Hills, you will find 30 interconnected Japanese foxholes dating back to the era of the Second World War. Japanese tunnels from the same era are also a good check, found in such places as certain parts of Hagonoy.

With all these activities and features of Davao del Sur, you really won’t lose something to do when you check out the place. You may also want to go during times of festivities in order to get a glimpse of the culture of the Davaoeños in this part of the town.

Touring Legazpi City in Bicol, Philippines

Touring Legazpi City

Tourists who travel to Philippines would probably best remember Albay, especially Legazpi City, for the majestic Mayon Volcano that serves as the city’s northern boundary. The magnificent, perfect cone-shaped volcano towers 2,462 meters above sea level and is no doubt Legazpi’s greatest tourist attraction. However, if you think this is all there is to Bicol’s pride, you are likely missing a lot from your travels to Southern Luzon.

Legazpi City, as well as the entire province of Albay, holds a great number of treasures for every tourist, whether local or foreign. Below are some other potential places that you might find interesting the next time you come around.

Legazpi Boulevard

Savor the sea breeze coming from the Pacific Ocean just to the east of the city. You’ll find the Albay Gulf and the islands of Batan and Rapu-Rapu between Legazpi and the biggest ocean in the world, and these areas help to protect the city from threats of tsunamis coming from the vast seas.

If you’re looking for a good place where you can blissfully pump your lungs with the Pacific breeze, Legazpi Boulevard would be a wise choice. It is a coastal road situated just a few walks away from the city’s center. You can easily ask a local for directions and get a correct answer 99% of the time (although the term “Embarcadero” may be more familiar to others – this, however, refers to a waterfront development which is located at the same area – to be discussed later).

Legazpi Boulevard provides one of the best spots to view the Mayon Volcano, the Kapuntukan Hill (also known as “Sleeping Lion” because of its form), the Albay Gulf, and the neighboring islands. Kapuntukan Hill especially resembles a crouching lion when viewed from afar. It is one of the most prominent landmarks that you will get to see while approaching the city on a boat, either from Rapu Rapu or from Batan Island.

This stretch of more than four kilometers is also a good spot for joggers, bikers, and just about anybody concerned with physical fitness. During early mornings just before sunrise, you’ll find it usually teeming with people of all ages dressed in exercise outfit. Then, a shift seems to occur by afternoon. During this time, couples and families could be seen occupying the benches or are simply by the side of the road watching the usually peaceful sea while the sun sets to the west. Groups of friends also frequent the place to hang out until evening, chatting and trying out the variety of food offered by vendors.

Embarcadero de Legazpi

This place is found in Legazpi Boulevard, and it remains to be the city’s biggest development ever since its opening to the public last July 2009. Since then, the place has had many added facilities and establishments to make it more and more appealing to the public. The commercial area that spans 12,000 square meters holds different sections for great shopping, food, sports, entertainment, and more. Lands beside the area are also being continually developed to build an Information Technology park and a convention center.

If you’re into some wild adventure, you can try the Embarcadero de Legazpi zipline. It’s a 350-meter experience of flying while suspended in a cable from a height of as much as 30 feet (which is the height of the lighthouse you’ll have to climb to get to your zipline starting point). The climb might turn off some individuals, but it’s all worth it when you get to swing yourself above the sea of Legazpi. Yes – the cable stretches across a portion of the sea and the view is really panoramic, not to mention the breathtaking fun of a zipline ride. Others that you can try are go karting, Segway PT (personal transporter) rides, jet ski, and more.

Ligñon Hill

After you have finished touring the seaside, you can check out some great land attractions nearby. Ligñon Hill has always had a charm for both locals and tourists because of its height, which gives a clear and wide view of the entire Legazpi. From the city’s center, say LCC Mall (which is very close to Embarcadero), a passenger jeepney ride would take around 15-20 minutes to the foot of the hill. Make sure to ride the Daraga Loop 1 jeepney, which is a bit rare compared to the majority of jeepneys roaming around. To be sure, you can ask the jeepney driver or you can opt to ride a tricycle that will especially bring you to the place.

Entrance to the hill is free. You will first see a tennis court at the foot of the hill before you really start the challenging trek upward. This is also a favorite of many fitness enthusiasts who prefer to trek the hill in the morning before sunrise. At this time, the air is cool and the experience is deeply refreshing. Trees and various plants abound the sides of the path, which goes around as you move upward. Then, the magnificent view of the city slowly unravels, showing its neighboring places that include huge green farmlands, islands, and the vast blue sea beside it.

At night, the hill offers an even more delightful experience. From the top of the hill, you’ll see the entire city glimmering with different lights. Cars could be seen like slowly moving patches of orange and yellow. On a great night, you’d even feel that the city is trying to mirror itself against the black sky due to the hundreds of stars on display to the naked eye. Plus, you get a bonus if you see the mouth of Mayon glowing like the tip of cigar of some giant. Everything is breathtaking.

Albay Park and Wildlife

Just a few walks to the right of Ligñon Hill is Albay Park and Wildlife. It’s a great place for nature lovers as it holds more than 400 animals ranging from birds and reptiles to mammals. As expected of a wildlife park, the place is frequented for viewing rare animals that can be truly fascinating, especially to children. Families often choose the place for bonding time, and teenage groups also frequent the park. It has a lagoon and offers boat rides, calesa rides, and bicycle rental.

Mayon Resthouse

Next in the list will have to be the Mayon Resthouse right on the northwestern slope of the Mayon volcano. It will take at least an hour trip and the travel duration really depends on your mode of transport. You will have to rent a vehicle to reach the place, although you have a lot of route options (and vehicle options) while you’re still not on the slope. The place is almost halfway to the peak of the volcano and it also serves as a research and observatory area to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The Mayon Resthouse stands 762 meters above sea level and is the starting point for climbers who wish to reach the peak of the volcano. On the way to the resthouse, the roadsides are full of various plants that will give you a hint of the land’s fertility. The occasional wild orchids and ferns are truly a pleasure to plant lovers, and they appear more and more as you travel further upwards. You also get to spend some time with the clouds, although they might prove to be a hindrance in showing you the beauty of the scenery.

A planetarium also stands in the Mayon Resthouse, which has an exhibit of historical and scientific information involving the majestic volcano. A film showing is even done for groups of visitors, discussing previous eruptions and related occurrences. For additional thrills, you can try the zipline and do some wall climbing when you reach the area.

Legazpi City and the entire province of Albay hold a lot more places worth visiting. You can do further checking to experience these places and the adventure that they offer.

Tagaytay: A Relaxing Haven in the Center of the City

Got cheap airline tickets to the Philippines? Prepare your stuff and get ready for an exciting holiday retreat! If you are after something lively, Manila is the place to check out. If, however, you desire something more calm, you may prefer to check a different destination. There’s an excellent place that’s reachable from the place, though: Tagaytay.

Tagaytay is an ideal spot for town individuals who sense the need to disappear for a time and loosen up because it's merely two hours far. The area is renowned for its cold temperatures (actually, some call it the second summer capital of the nation, next to Baguio), its clean air, and the breathtaking vistas that it boasts to its guests.

Whichever kind of person you are, you'll find many places in Tagaytay that would certainly delight your senses. The Taal Volcano is its most in-demand feature, and visitors check out Tagaytay for this. If you are looking for a place to give you the best view of Taal, never fail to check out Palace in the Sky. Or, you can visit Picnic Grove (entrance is P50), a popular playground that has a great view of Taal, along with many other activities like horse riding (P150-P200), zipline (P200-P300), and cable car riding. Or, just bring your family and friends to chill and relax. Cottages can be leased for P150, and you can carry food within the park.

Another choice that you have is an actual journey climbing the volcano. All you'll need is rent a banca to the island, rent a donkey for climbing, and hire a guide to guide you to the crater.

After you get your cheap airline tickets to the Philippines and you finally reach the city, Tagaytay is merely a bus or car ride away. It is very accessible that the overall excursion could be undertaken in one day. If you’re looking for some more activities, there are also cheap airline tickets to Cebu, a destination that’s comparable to Manila in modernity but with a lot more natural attractions to present.