Have an Unforgettable and Meaningful Honeymoon in Davao City

After all the excitement and formalities of the wedding ceremony are over, there’s nothing you’ll be looking forward to more than your honeymoon.  Fortunately, there are many wonderful places in the Philippines where you can have a romantic and relaxing time.  One of these is Davao City.  It has everything you’ll need for a great honeymoon, from beaches to bars and cheap hotels in Davao City.

When you book a room in a Davao hotel, you’re already setting yourself up to have the time of your life.  You can choose to visit some of the nice bars and restaurants not far from your Davao hotel in the heart of the city.  You can just have dinner before turning in for the night, or you can choose to party and enjoy the night life before returning to your accommodations in one of the cheap hotels in Davao City.

Of course, nature-tripping and swimming should be part of your hotel itinerary too.  Try going to the beach, or visiting Loleng’s Mountain Spring Resort, Eden’s Nature Park or Malagos Garden Resort.  See lovely flora and fauna, and maybe hold hands as you contemplate the incredible beauty of nature.

If you want to add a spiritual dimension to your vacation, you should also spend some quite time with your partner, meditating or praying amidst the quiet loveliness of the grounds at the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague.  You can also go to the convent of the Pink Sisters to pray for a happy and fruitful union.

Of course, you’ll also want to spend some time cuddling and relaxing in your Davao hotel room.  Remember to choose roomy, comfortable accommodations in one of the cheap hotels in Davao City to get the best possible honeymoon experience.

Have a Beautiful Debut in Davao

Turning eighteen is a milestone in a young lady’s life.  When a girl is eighteen, she’s legally old enough to be married, which means that she can already receive suitors and generally participate fully in all kinds of social events.  That’s why her eighteenth birthday is such an important one.  If you want your daughter’s debut to be memorable, there are several locations in Davao City that you can choose.

Most girls have their debuts in a Davao hotel ballroom.  But seeing how many lovely and scenic spots there are in Davao City, you can choose to hold your party at one of them rather than inside a Davao hotel.  For instance, you can pick one of the many beach resorts or even mountain resorts.  Eden’s Nature Park and Malagos Garden Resort are just two of the venues at which you can host an eco-friendly party or even one with butterflies or flowers as the central theme.

If your child’s birthday happens during the rainy season however, an indoor location at one of the cheap hotels in Davao City isn’t such a bad idea either.  If you still want to give your guests a distinctive experience that’s close to nature, you can focus on the food instead, showcasing the bounty of the Earth with fresh seafood and fruits.

If you have to accommodate guests from out of town, be sure that you book them rooms in a good Davao hotel that isn’t very expensive.  It’s a good idea to find the best among the cheap hotels in Davao City.  Several cheap hotels in Davao City like the Jade Dragon’s Suites offer amenities like Wifi, 24-hour security and flat screen TVs in their rooms, making them ideal choices for your visiting friends and family members.

Traveling to Refresh the Spirit: Where to Go in Davao City

When you’re thinking of traveling to Davao City, you might get the impression that going to Davao is all about seeing beautiful beaches, going on nature trips, and seeing exotic flora and fauna.  While it’s true that Davao can offer all that to the tourist, you can also take the time to refresh your spirit while you’re travelling in Davao.

If you’d just like to relax and do some meditation in order to get in touch with yourself or find your center  then you should visit the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague.  The shrine is located on Matina Hills and is surrounded by shady mango trees and grassy open spaces.  Unlike most shrines, this one has several open-air chapels where you stay and savor the serenity of the place. A visit to this shrine will help calm your spirit and help you re-orient yourself to focus on the things that are truly important.

Meanwhile, if you feel a more urgent need for guidance or spiritual help, you can visit the Holy Adoration Convent.  This is the home of the famous Pink Sisters, contemplative nuns who will happily include the intentions of a soul in need among their prayers.

Finally, if you want to get a sense of the majesty of the Catholic Church and find some consolation and stability, you can visit the beautiful San Pedro Cathedral in the heart of Davao City.  This Spanish-era church contains many antique saints’ figures as well as the original altar that was used in the nineteenth century.

Of course, if you want to find some relaxation and spiritual healing in Davao City, you should stay in one of the better cheap hotels in Davao City.  That way, you’ll have peace and quiet and a clean, comfortable Davao hotel room, which will be a big help in melting away your stress and anxiety.

Getting to Davao City

Travelling to Davao City can be an amazing experience.  Davao has all kinds of adventures to offer the leisure traveler  from white water rafting to wake-boarding to climbing the highest peak in the Philippines.  Besides being a favorite tourist destination, a lot of people also travel to Davao on business.  Fortunately, Davao is easily accessible whether you choose to travel by air, sea, or land.

If you want to travel by air, you can easily book a ticket online from one of the Philippines’ commercial airlines.  Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and ZestAir all have flights to Davao on a daily basis.  A plane ride from Manila to Davao is about an hour and a half long, while one from Cagayan de Oro or Zamboanga is only about forty-five minutes in duration.

When travelling by sea from Manila or Cebu, you will find that there are no large passenger ships that will bring you straight to Davao.  Instead, you’ll have to go to either Cagayan de Oro or Iligan City and take a land trip from there.  Meanwhile, if you’re returning from Samal Island or any other adjacent islands you’ll find small outrigger boats ready to bring you back to Davao.

A land trip is also an option, especially if you like going by the scenic route.  Philtranco buses will take you from one end of the Philippines to another by the national highway system, although a trip from Manila to Davao may take several days.

When you arrive in Davao, make sure that you check into a good Davao hotel.  There are several cheap hotels in Davao City where you can get a good night’s rest after your travel.  Once you’ve rested in your Davao hotel room, you can ask the front desk at one of the cheap hotels in Davao if they can suggest a car rental company that you can use for getting around the city.

Getting Ready for Your Trip to Davao City

Davao is a favorite destination of both local and foreign tourists because it’s safe, clean, and offers visitors the chance to enjoy the beauty of nature without leaving modern comforts like shopping malls or taxis behind.  If you’re planning a trip to Davao, here are some things you can do to get ready.

1. Establish a budget.  The cost of living in Davao is pretty low compared to that in Cebu or Manila, but it still helps to set a limit on what you’re allowed to spend on things like accommodations, food, and admission tickets to nature parks and other attractions.

2. Fix your itinerary.  An itinerary is not fixed in stone, but it will serve to make your travel plans a bit more concrete.  It will also help you narrow down your options and cut costs because it allows you to establish how many places you can realistically visit and what these places are.

3. Arrange transportation.  You can get to Davao by boat, bus or airplane.  Air travel is the fastest and most convenient, and with promos and discounted tickets, it doesn’t have to be very expensive either.

4. Make reservations at a Davao hotel.  There are many cheap hotels in Davao City where you can spend the night.  While you can also pick a luxurious Davao hotel if you wish, these cheap hotels in Davao City are a very practical option especially if you plan on being out most of the time.

5.  Pack strategically. Use your itinerary as a guide and pack only what you need.  Bring as little as possible, and bring items that you can use several times like a black t-shirt or a pair of jeans.

Planning is an important part of any trip.  Done the right way, it can help you save money and even save you from a lot of stress.

What to Do on Your Last Day in Davao City

Davao is no doubt one of the best places to go for a vacation.  It allows travelers to witness colorful festivals and go on adventures that will challenge their limits.  It’s also safe and secure and offers all the conveniences of a modern provincial capital.  That’s why if it’s your last day in Davao City, you’re sure to be at the end of a series of very intense experiences that may have included nature trips, hikes and long, lazy days at the beach.  Still, that’s no reason why you should stay cooped up in your Davao hotel room.  Here are some things you can do on your last day in Davao City.

Because you will be travelling later in the day, it’s a good idea to keep your activities laid back.  You could take a trip down to the public market or visit the stalls of the Magsaysay Fruit Vendors association.  Since you’re about to leave Davao, it’s the perfect time to buy pasalubong for the folks back home.  Your family and friends are sure to appreciate some fresh fruits like mangosteen and pomelo.

For less perishable pasalubong items, you can also go to Aldevinco’s shopping center.  Browse through the various small shops selling one-of-a-kind pieces like slippers and wallets made with T’nalak or colorful malongs and tote bags made of vivid batiks.

When you’re done shopping, you can start making your way back to your accommodations in one of the cheap hotels in Davao City.  To put a perfect end to your stay, have an inexpensive but tasty meal at a well-known restaurant like Kusina Dabaw or Toryano’s.  You may also want to have a cup of coffee at Coffee 4 Peace or Blugre to perk you up before your flight back home.

Things to Do On Your First Day in Davao City

Davao City is one of the best places in the Philippines to visit.  It’s got everything from mountains to beaches to nature parks and wildlife.  It allows the traveler to experience the unspoiled bounty and lushness of the island of Mindanao while at the same time offering the safety and convenience of a large urban center.   So what do you do once you arrive in Davao City?

There are several bus and airplane routes that will take you to Davao, although air travel is increasingly becoming the more popular option.  Upon your arrival in the city, the first thing you want to do is to check into a good Davao hotel.  Fortunately, there are many cheap hotels in Davao City that are perfectly clean and comfortable besides providing conveniences like flat screen TVs and Internet access.

Once you’ve chosen one of the cheap hotels in Davao City for your home base, it’s time to do some exploring.  You wouldn’t want to waste precious vacation time just napping in your Davao hotel room, though you might want to do something a little laid-back on your first day while you’re recovering from the journey.

Thus, on your first day in Davao you might want to treat yourself to a delicious meal.  For instance, you can take a taxi to Gaisano Mall and sample some of the authentic pizza at Picobello.  After eating, you can go window shopping or pick up some necessities like toiletries or sun block.

When night falls, you can go out to Jack’s Ridge and sip on a beer or maybe just a cup of coffee as you contemplate the gorgeous view of Davao City from the vantage point of an open-air table.  And when you get sleepy, you can just head on back to your hotel for some rest to prepare you for the next day’s adventure.

Go on a Nature Trip in Davao City

If you’re looking for a different kind of vacation, then you should definitely visit Davao City.  Davao is one of the most progressive cities in Mindanao, combining all the conveniences of a modern metropolis with the beauty of a relatively unspoiled region.  It is especially ideal if you’re a traveler from an urban area who’d like to commune with nature for a change.

Travelers who would like to see the wonders that Mother Nature has to offer can simply check into one of the cheap hotels in Davao City.  Many an inexpensive Davao hotel like Jade Dragon Suites combine their competitive prices with a supreme level of comfort.  After settling in, you can then proceed to follow your itinerary.

Any nature lover should see Samal Island which is only an hour or so away from Davao City.  You’ll be able to swim in gentle blue waters and lounge on white sand, basking in the sun’s rays and feeling the stress of city living melt away.

Another must-see is the Eden Nature Park.  A contrast to Samal Island, Eden Nature Park is a cool mountain preserve where you’ll be able to relax and meditate amidst majestic trees.  The sound of birds cooing and chirping in the branches overhead will cheer your spirit as your eyes are refreshed by the soothing sight of lush, verdant slopes and gardens.  For a more enriching experience, you can even opt to see the park on horseback.

If you’re interested in animals, then you should also visit the Philippine Eagle Center  where you will see several specimens of the Philippines’ majestic national bird.  Considering that there are only a few of these animals left in the wild, you won’t regret your decision to come and see them up close.

For another sight of unusual wild animals, you can visit the Crocodile Farm and see both adult and baby crocodiles in pools and pens.  Seeing them in the flesh will give you a renewed understanding and evens sympathy for these fearsome reptiles.

After a long day of nature tripping, you can go back to your Davao hotel to freshen up and check out nightlife in Davao.  You’re likely to find many bars and restaurants with good food and good music, which is the perfect way to end the day before you turn in for a good night’s rest in one of the cozy, cheap hotels in Davao City.

Where to go Shopping in Davao City

When you’re on vacation, you’ll want to see unusual landscapes, meet interesting people and be a witness to all sorts of unfamiliar cultural practices.  But no trip is really complete without some shopping.  Buying souvenirs isn’t only a lot of fun – it actually allows you to bring a little piece of your destination home with you.

If you’re travelling in Davao, make it a point to visit some of these great shopping destinations after you’ve checked into one of the cheap hotels in Davao City.

There are several places to shop within the vicinity of your Davao hotel, depending on what you’d like to take home with you.  If you’re in need of some toiletries and necessities like clothes or shoes, then there are always the usual department stores like the ones at SM Davao or Gaisano Mall. But if you’re after something unique, then you can hail a cab at your Davao hotel and check out the following places.

If you’re a culinary enthusiast, a trip to Citra Mina Seafood Shop should be a very fulfilling experience.  At Citra Mina, you can buy all sorts of vacuum-packed and processed seafood at a fraction of what they’d cost you in a regular supermarket in Manila.  You can buy different kinds of tuna, Gindara and other fish that you can include in your next delicious creation.

For those who love fruits on the other hand, you can visit the fruit stalls in MagsaysayPark.  This is the place to get good quality durian and pomelo, the fruits for which Davao is justly famous.  Jeeploads of these fruits arrive from the plantations with their goods on a regular basis, so the prices are quite low.  To get the cheapest possible price, don’t forget to haggle.

Finally, there’s Aldevinco’s shopping center for your traditional pasalubong needs.  This is the place to get the best durian candy in town, which might be Lola Abon’s or Rosario’s depending on your preference.

You’ll also find some lovely bags, slippers and purses made out of t’nalak, a cloth woven by the native Tiboli.  If gaudier, more colorful fabrics and decorations are more your style, malongs and other items made by the Maranaos are also up for sale.

These wonderful shopping finds are only a few of the reasons why you should find one of the cheap hotels in Davao City and stay for a few days in this wonderful, bustling city in Mindanao.

Places for the History Buff to See in Davao City

Davao City is known as the largest city in the Philippines.  It is also one of the most rapidly developing ones.  It’s a favorite destination of local and foreign tourists, thanks to the safety and security of its streets and the many cheap hotels in Davao City.

Once checked into a Davao hotel, the tourist has a choice of many attractions to visit, from pristine beaches to nature parks to night clubs and shopping centers.  There’s even a lot to see for the history buff in you.

Davao is a very old settlement initially populated by indigenous tribes such as the Bagobos.  In the nineteenth century, a Spanish foray into the area brought Christianity to the natives and connected it to the central government of the Philippines.  Besides the Spanish colonizers, other foreigners were also attracted to Davao, including Chinese merchants and Japanese settlers.

A fan of culture and history is certain to enjoy a trip to Davao during the city Fiesta, a colorful extravaganza now dubbed the Kadayawan Festival.  It is a mixture of Catholic and pagan influences and has its origins in a thanksgiving ritual practiced by the lumad groups.

This festival showcases the best that Davao has to offer in terms of traditional and popular culture as visitors to the city are treated to displays of ethnic and modern music and dance, street parties, pageants and food fests.

If you don’t arrive in time for Kadayawan, then don’t despair.  A short distance away from your Davao hotel, you’ll be able to find the San Pedro Cathedral, a church built in 1847 by Davao’s conquistador, Don Jose Uyangaren.  At the right wing of the cathedral, you’ll get to see many beautiful antique images of the saints.

The Davao Museum is also another great place to visit.  It contains a multitude of artifacts from Davao’s past, including tribal art, jewels, costumes and handicrafts.  It also houses a collection of sculptures, ceramics and paintings.

Before turning in for the night at one of the cheap hotels in Davao City, you can also visit Jack’s Ridge.  This resort and restaurant complex was built on what was once the Japanese Army’s headquarters in World War II.  Caves dug by Japanese soldiers and an occasional bullet of 1940’s vintage can be found in the area.

Meanwhile, you’ll get to enjoy the wonderful cuisine while contemplating a breathtaking view of Davao Bay at one of the several restaurants at the Ridge.